Annual Report 2017

by debbie | Jan 12, 2018 | Annual Meeting, Council Minutes

This is the 2017 Annual Report for the meeting of the Congregation on January 28, 2018. You may download the files or read them online or pick up a copy of the report at St. Mark’s in the Narthex.

Part 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 2 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
Part 3 2016 AUDIT REPORT
Part 4 BALANCE SHEET
Part 5 FINANCIAL REPORT
Part 6 2017 Annual Report MINISTRY REPORTS

MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

2017 Annual Report  
for the January 28, 2018 Meeting of the Congregation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Agenda for the January 28, 2018 Annual Meeting

Minutes of January 29, 2017 Annual Meeting (missing)

St. Mark’s Church Council Report

Synod Listening Post Recommendations Summary

Financial Reports

Audit Report

Balance Sheet

Financial Report and 2018 Budget

Ministry Reports

Pastoral Acts

Activities on the St. Mark’s Campus

Altar Committee

Coffee Ministry

Communications & Marketing Report

Memorial Endowment Fund Report

Music Ministry Report

Prayer Quilt Ministry Report

Property Committee Report

Spanish Language Ministry

Women of St. Mark’s Report

Youth of St. Mark’s Report

Agenda for the 2018 Annual Meeting
of the Congregation

January 28, 2018

Greeting/Call to Order

Establishment of a Quorum (36 Members)

Opening Prayer

Approval of Minutes: January 29, 2017 Annual Meeting

Resignation of the Current Church Council Members

Election of 2018 Church Council Members/Nominations from Floor

Election of 2018 Endowment Committee Members/Nominations from Floor

Election of Lay Representatives for 2018 Pacifica Synod Assembly
         – Assembly is May 18 & 19, 2018  at Hope Lutheran, Palm Desert, CA

Election of Nominating Committee Members/Nominations from Floor

2017 Budget Report

Approval of 2018 Budget

Other Business

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Minutes of January 29, 2017 Annual Meeting (missing)

[Note – The minutes from the 2017 Annual Meeting are missing. What follows is the agenda from the meeting with additions of the election results and other things that council members could remember.]

The meeting was called to order by Council President, Iris Atkins.

A quorum (35) was established.

The meeting was opened with prayer by Pastor Hovick.

The minutes from the January 24, 2016 Annual Meeting were approved.

The following candidates were elected to the Church Council: Nancy Dreesen, Doug Essex, Skip Knudsen, Elaine Tatus.

The following people were elected to the Memorial Endowment Committee:

The Lay Representatives to the Synod Assembly are Tony & Betty Torres.

The Nominating Committee for 2017:

After much discussion, the congregation voted to approve the 2017 Budget.

The meeting was closed.

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Report from the St. Mark’s Church Council

The first months of 2017 the Council continued work on a possible Montessori School Project.  The Council also worked on financial problems & issues.  In May, a Music Director and Bookkeeper were hired.

In July, Raidel Cubero was appointed to the Council.  Also, Bishop Taylor, Tom Groellrich, Chris Lewis and Diane Nissen attended the Council meeting. Information and discussion on relocation of the church were considered.

On Sept. 3 a Special Congregation Meeting was held to vote on whether to move and sell or do not sell.  The result was 23 for move and sell and 89 for do not sell.  At this meeting the Council President, Iris Atkins, resigned and vice president, Nancy Dreesen, became the president.

At the Sept. 5 Council meeting there were 5 resignations from the Council, Dawn Andrews, Tom Brosche, Georgene Nightingale, Nan Stufkosky and Elaine Tatus. An audit committee was formed. There was a motion to schedule a Special Meeting on October 8 to address the Recommendations of the Listening Team.

On October 3, the Council accepted the resignation of Pastor Ron Hovick and Office Manager, Melody Kohl.  Billy Cox and Tony Torres were appointed to be interim members on the Council through January 2018.  The Council began to look into the copier contract on the Kyocera Taskalfa.  Doug Essex resigned from Council.

We did hold the Special Congregation Meeting Oct. 8 and addressed all of the Recommendations.

In October, the much smaller Council acted as the Personnel Committee and began to develop job descriptions for administrative assistant and custodian. The Synod asked us to come up with a budget to include calling an interim pastor.  The audit report was accepted. We looked at the community groups using our facilities and their impact on the campus. We also gave a 60-day notice to Areumdaun Church to end our rental agreement with them.

The remainder of the year was focused being good stewards and improving our financial situation.  We had a pledge drive and time & talent sheets.  Members from both worship services stepped up and volunteered in many, wonderful ways.  The giving increased, designated accounts were evaluated to determine if they met the rules to be classified as designated. Discussions began with Areumdaun Church and continued into 2018.  December was highlighted by a joint Spanish-English worship service on Dec. 17, featuring the children.

St. Mark’s is so blessed to have members who care about the church and have contributed their time, energy, ideas, money and support to enable us to move forward with hope & determination.

Nancy Dreesen, Council President

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Synod Listening Post Recommendations Summary

Report of the Pacifica Synod Listening Team Regarding the Conflict at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church,  Presented to the Congregation on August 30, 2017

The Listening Team came to a unanimous conclusion that Pastor Hovick’s effectiveness as a leader has been compromised by his behavior. We are not unsympathetic to Pastor Hovick, as we can tell he has experienced deep hurt and pain. But we do not believe that his remaining with the congregation will help St. Mark’s move forward in its mission and ministry. 

First Recommendation.  

• It is the recommendation of the Bishop of the Pacifica Synod and the Listening Team that Pastor Hovick resign his pastorate at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chula Vista and conduct his final ministerial services within four weeks of his resignation. It is recommended that should the pastor voluntarily resign, the amount of his compensation package (salary, housing allowance, and Board of Pensions payments) would be paid by the congregation as a severance package for three additional months following the date of the resignation.

Second Recommendation. If Pastor Hovick chooses not to resign, in order that St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church might continue its ministry and witness as the Body of Christ in Chula Vista as well as its history, tradition, and witness as a vibrant Lutheran congregation of the Pacifica Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,  

• it is the recommendation of the Bishop of the Pacifica Synod and the Listening Team members (“the committee” as described in *C9.05.b.) that the congregation vote to dismiss Pastor Hovick from his pastorate, following the constitutional provision that states

 (Model Constitution *C9.05, Pacifica Synod Constitution †S14.18, ELCA Constitution 7.46) d. In the case of alleged local difficulties that imperil the effective functioning of the congregation under paragraph a.3) above, the bishop’s committee shall endeavor to hear from all concerned persons, after which the bishop together with the committee shall present their recommendations first to the pastor and then to the congregation. The recommendations of the bishop’s committee must address whether the pastor’s call should come to an end and, if so, may suggest appropriate severance arrangements. The committee may also propose other actions that should be undertaken by the congregation and by the pastor, if appropriate. If the pastor and congregation agree to carry out such recommendations, no further action need be taken by the synod. 

1. If either party fails to assent to the recommendations of the bishop’s committee concerning the pastor’s call, the congregation may dismiss the pastor only at a legally called meeting after consultation with the bishop, either (a) by a two-thirds vote of the voting members present and voting where the bishop and the committee did not recommend termination of the call, or (b) by a majority vote of the voting members present and voting where the bishop and the committee recommended termination of the call.

Because this is part of the overall recommendation brought by the bishop and the committee (the Listening Team), if the congregation determines that it is necessary to vote to dismiss its pastor, the (b) clause in *C9.05.d. would be applicable. 

The following additional recommendations would be important considerations for the congregation: 

It is also the recommendation of the Listening Team that the present Church Council members resign their positions and that a new Church Council be carefully nominated and elected to more fully represent the entire congregation. This Council would best be configured to include some members of the current council and others from the congregation. The new Council would be tasked with a review of personnel needs to determine what would be the best configuration for the congregation.

The Listening Team recommends that a review and audit of the Finances be conducted as soon as possible to determine the exact financial position of the congregation. 

The Listening Team recommends that the congregation vote against the sale of the property at the meeting on September 3, until the above recommendations are implemented to determine a possible future for the congregation. 

The Listening Team recommends that the work of Ms. Alicia Saenz and the health and vitality of the Spanish-speaking members of St. Mark’s be made priorities of the congregation. The Listening Team recommends that the members of both worshipping bodies seek ways to work together for common ministry goals, thus witnessing to the fact that St. Mark’s is one congregation with two languages. 

Finally, we recommend that upon the resignation or dismissal of the pastor from his pastoral ministry at St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chula Vista, the congregation work with the Synod to begin an interim ministry that would fulfill the ministerial services for Word and Sacrament and also begin to bring healing and wholeness to the congregation following this difficult and challenging time.

Respectfully introduced verbally on August 30, 2017 and in written form on August 31, 2017 by the Rev. Andrew A. Taylor, Bishop of the Pacifica Synod—ELCA and the Rev. Kim Krogstad, Mr. Jack Padley, and the Rev. Jennifer Schultz.

MINISTRY REPORTS

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Pastoral Acts

The Membership Records haven’t been kept up very well so it’s difficult to say how many baptized/confirmed/family units we have. We will try to tackle updating that database in 2018.

This chart compares 5 and 10 years ago. Pastor Ron was called 1/20/2008, Alicia Saenz and the Spanish Ministry started at St. Mark’s in 2011. We should celebrate the 250% increase in average attendance at the Spanish Service! Our average attendance at the 9am service has dropped from 107 to 95 since September.

Funerals/Burials 2017

Pat and Art McCoole
Margaret Bergan
William Cristo
Milyn Chew
Reuben Hass
Jack Wulff
Kaya Coughlin

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Activities On The St. Mark’s Campus

Churches:

• Mark’s Lutheran Church (English) services Sunday 9am (sanctuary)
• San Marcos Lutheran Church (Spanish) services Sunday 10:45 (sanctuary)
• Glory Lutheran Church services (Mandarin) Sunday 10am (Jacobson Hall)
• Areumdaun Church services (Korean) Sunday 12pm – (daily prayer, Saturday School, fellowship)
• Upper Room – Contemporary Worship Service – Sundays – January 2016 -September 2017

Church Related Meetings:

• Prayer Quilt Groups – Thursday & Saturday (once a month) – January 2016-November 2017
• Iglesia Choir Meetings – Fridays – January 2016-November 2017
• Children and Youth Sunday School – January 2016 -September 2017
• Youth Group – Thursdays – January 2016-September 2017
• Landscape/Kitchen Cleanup Saturday (once a month) – January 2016-November 2017
• Project Hand Produce Sorting Volunteers Saturdays – January 2016-November 2017
• Music Rehearsals – Children Sundays, Bells & Chimes Mondays, Adult Choir Thursdays, Group Flute Mondays – January 2016 -September 2017
• Altar Committee Meeting – Tuesday (once a month) – January 2016-November 2017
• Men’s Breakfast – Saturdays (once a month) – January 2016 -September 2017
• Bible Study – Sundays – January 2016 -September 2017
• Women of the ELCA – monthly meetings January 2016 -September 2017
• Fellowship Club – Tuesday (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• Staff Meeting – Tuesday (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• Church Council – Tuesday (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• First Communion Instruction (3 meetings) April 2016
• Congregational Meetings (6 meetings) January 2016-November 2017
• Memorial Endowment Meeting (quarterly) January 2016-November 2017
• Thursday bible studies (Joy Circle, Ruth Circle, Elisabeth-Priscilla Circle, Eve Circle) – Jan 2016-Sept 2017

On Premises:

• Project Hand – Food Bank – 3 day emergency food distribution
• Lutheran Social Services – January 2016-November 2017
• Food Bank Distribution (once a month) – January 2016-November 2017
• Safety First community meeting – Wednesday (once a month) January 2016 -September 2017
• Chula Vista Art Guild Tuesday (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• PEO Chapter OJ Meeting Thursday (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• Girl Scout Trainings (occasional, not regular. 6 in 2017)
• Upward Bound Planning Meeting (monthly) January 2016 -September 2017
• AA Meetings – Mondays & Fridays – January 2016-November 2017
• Al-Anon Meetings – Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays – January 2016-November 2017
• Narcotics Anonymous – Wednesdays – January 2016-November 2017
• MS Meetings – Wednesdays – January 2016-November 2017
• Boy Scout Troop 855 Meetings – Fridays – January 2016-November 2017

Special Events

• Chinese End of Year Celebration
• 5/28 Oktoberfest 500th Reformation Celebration 10/24

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Altar Committee Report

We on the Altar Committee are again thankful to have served the Staff and congregation this past year.

Each week we prepare communion for our 9:00 o’clock service and the Spanish Language service. We clean the altar area and change the color of the Paraments according to the church calendar, among many other jobs. The Paraments are slowly being cleaned when they are not in use.

Because of our church budget, we no longer have real flower bouquets in church. We have put together 2 silk flower bouquets to beautify our service.

As the Altar Committee begins a new year of service, we wish all of you, our St. Mark’s family, many blessing.

Your St. Mark’s Altar Committee

Jean Armer, Shirley Cox, Gloria Galbraith, Mickie Goschke, Joyce Knudsen, Ann Larsen, Eunice Radlinger, Betty Torres, Carol Waibel and Betty Wilson

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Coffee Ministry Report

A very big THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers who continue to help with the Sunday Coffee Ministry.

We can always use more help. It’s a great way to greet people you might not usually see from church.

Thank You again for your support.

Karl and Ann Larsen

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Communications & Marketing Report

These are our current channels of communication to reach potential new members, former members and the St. Mark’s and San Marcos congregations. Research shows that millennials with their young families shop for a church online and it’s important to look like the church that we want to be!     –  Submitted by Debbie Lechner

Our Website – at stmarkschulavista.org has information about all the services and community programs on the St. Mark’s campus and church council minutes going back several years. It’s contemporary, inviting and full of information about our history and what we offer the community. The website costs $100 per year, the cost is currently covered by a member, no charge to St. Mark’s.

Our Church Calendar – is on the website. It’s currently updated by both the Spanish and English congregations.  It’s possible to easily print the calendar if you want a copy to post on the refrigerator. If you click on listings you can get more information about the event like where it’s being held and the time of the event and sometimes even the contact for more information. Google Calendars are free, no cost to St. Mark’s. Easy to update online.

Our Email Newsletter – We currently have 205 people from both congregations getting the eNewsletter. We’re sending it out twice a month using an online program called Mailchimp. Lots of people have said that they enjoy getting updates about the church council, information about upcoming events and profiles about members and pictures of events. It has about an average open rate of 50% which is really high for email newsletters. We have email addresses for former members going back to January 2016 and this is a good way to reach them with information about the church. Mailchimp is free for up to 2000 email addresses and 10,000 emails per month so this is free, no cost to St. Mark’s.

Our Weekly Bulletin – This continues to be a great vehicle for announcements that reaches many regular members who don’t have computers. It’s critical that we make sure that annoucements get published here. We are printing about 100 bulletins weekly. We pay for the paper and the cost of the printer in the office. We do not buy special covers and we try to print just the number that we’ll need. I’m still trying to get that right.

Our Phone Directory – The last directory was done in 2013. We produce them using the Lifetouch Company at no cost to the church every 5 years so we’re due to make a new one in 2018. This time we’ll collect email addresses and cell phone numbers! It’s important to have everyone come in to get a photo in the book. Lifetouch keeps the directory free by getting the opportunity to sell families packages of photos. You don’t need to purchase the photos but they’re often very nice and professional and Lifetouch donates 5% of net sales back to St. Mark’s.

Our Social Media – Facebook – We have a “places” listing but the “social” listing has been taken down. There are lots of check-ins on this page by members of the Spanish ministry! Yelp – We have photos and hours for worship services and a map and link to the website listed here. Twitter – @stmarkscv we have an old twitter account that hasn’t been updated since 2015. We can start it up again when we get a youth group going. All Social Media listings are free, no cost to St. Mark’s.

Online Presence – Besides the website I’ve updated our google maps listing with photos and information about hours for services and accessiblity. Google tells me that we’ve had over 1000 hits on our listing! We’re listed in the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce -Churches section. We’re in the YP Real Yellow Pages online with some photos and address. We’re listed at church.org, churchfinder.com and on faithstreet.com with a nice blurb about who we are, listings of programs and photos. These websites come up in search when you look for St. Mark’s Chula Vista. All of these are free listings, no cost to St. Mark’s.

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Memorial Endowment Fund Report 

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Music Ministries Report

Children’s Music

• Challenges
  • Declining number of Sunday School children makes it difficult to sustain a viable music program
  • Regular participation of our children in music
  • Allocation of participation teaching and rehearsal time for children’s musical groups
  • Continue to find ways to engage and involve middle and high school age youth in music ministry
• Accomplishments
  • Offer a variety of music opportunities for children and youth of all ages
  • Presentations throughout the year during regular worship services limited due to small numbers of children in the Sunday School program
  • December 17^th special worship service involving children’s Christmas play, Little Bells musical contributions made possible due to support from Spanish worship children
• Little Bells under the direction of Rachael Perez
  • Involved children of pre-school, kindergarten and early primary grades
  • Participated in St. Mark’s special December 17^th worship service

Adult Bells & Chimes

• Challenges:
  • Sanctuary Bells and Chancel Chimes ensembles combined to make more efficient use of available players’ time
  • Need to recruit more players to fill vacancies to increase variety of music we learn and play
  • Involve middle and high school age youth in either existing or new music groups
• Accomplishments
  • One new and other returning players integrated into existing bell/chime group
  • Provided special music for regular worship services
  • Both chime and bell groups continued as self-directed ensembles after resignation of music directors

Chancel Choir – Mixed voice-part, medium to advanced choir for adult and middle/high school age youth singers with some choral experience; directed by Barbara Atwood

• Challenges
  • always have room for more singers
  • would like to include and develop the talents of youth singers
  • Director, Barbara Atwood finished out the 2017 “choir season” and resigned effective May 31, 2017. Kim Allison was hired as music director, but resigned at the end of September 2017.
  • With the declining membership and financial challenges facing St. Mark’s, the music director position has not been filled and there is no choir at this time.
• Accomplishments
  • prepared and provided anthems for worship services September through May

Other Ensembles – provide music for Sunday worship, special programs, concerts and other church events

St. Mark’s Singers – 4-part mixed vocal ensemble

Men for Him – men’s vocal ensemble

Miriam Singers – women’s vocal ensemble

St. Mark’s, along with a bequest from the Kay Barthel memorial, continued to offer free flute classes. These weekly lessons are for beginning and intermediate students taught by Barbara Atwood. The flute program was discontinued at the end of May due to Barbara Atwood’s resignation as Music Director effective May 31, 2017.

Organists/Accompanists

• Melissa Creider and Daniel Durand share the position as St. Mark’s worship organists/accompanists
• Melissa Creider resigned at the end of September 2017, but has been available as a substitute.
• Margaret Gaillard resigned in 2015, but continues to be available as a substitute and has stepped in on a regular basis sharing the organist duties with Daniel Durand since Melissa Creider’s resignation.

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Prayer Quilt Ministry Report

The Prayer Quilt Ministry (which is ALL the members of St. Mark’s) has wrapped 197 recipients in prayers and love this year, and we have tied additional prayers into 26 quilts.  Since this ministry began in 2004 we have wrapped 3,900 recipients in our prayers.  Prayer quilts have been tied at Sunday services, Bible studies, church meetings, in homes and at other churches.

On one Sunday each month members and friends of St. Mark’s gather for a Prayer Quilting Saturday where quilts are cut out, put together, and ties are put in.  This quilting time is a drop-in, drop-out time, and some stay for an hour, many for the 4 hours.  There are usually 12 to 14 who meet for quilting and fellowship.  Being able to sew is not needed – there are many jobs that go into the completed prayer quilt.  Each of our sessions ends in prayers being said and tied into prayer quilts.

Information about the Prayer Quilt Ministry has been sent to many churches as it has been requested by those who have received quilts.  The website address is: www.prayerquilt.org.

In addition to prayer quilts, we have given over 100 Prayer Pockets this year, most of them for prayers to be tied for the rebirth of our congregation, and on two Sundays we tied prayers into out church prayer quilt  for this rebirth. Also this year 14 Prayer Squares were tied to bring comfort as a reminder of God’s love, and 4 Baptismal Prayer Squares were given to those who were baptized.

The children in our congregation are a wonderful part of the Prayer Quilt Ministry.  They are invited to tie prayers into the quilts as the names and prayer requests are read on Sunday morning before their time with pastor, then they help carry the quilts out to the Narthex where they are tied by the adults.

We are thankful for your love, prayers, and your donations of time, materials and money.  Donations by check need to be written to St. Mark’s and designated for the PRAYER Quilt Ministry.  See or call Roz Nelson (422-5463), Jean Armer (422-8793) or the church office (427-5515) to request a prayer quilt.

Roz Nelson/Prayer Quilt Ministry

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Property Committee Report

Members of the Property Committee

Dennis Coughlin, Conrad Tapia, George Stallard, Doug Essex, Billy Cox, Kyra Petrin

Work Parties on the first Saturday of every month are getting lots of groundskeeping done. Many thanks to all the volunteers who have been coming out to help.

Completed Projects from 2017
Restocked bathroom supplies and repaired 2 toilets (Project Hand and Lower Level)
Fixed leaking water valve
Removed 3 trees from Parking Lot

Upcoming Projects for 2018
Get estimates for Termite Tenting of the Sanctuary
Replace 2 Thermostats in Furnace room (damaged by old batteries)
Replace 8 Furnace filters ( last changed in 2008)
Find an HVAC expert to assess problem reading Temperature in Sanctuary.
Replace Exit sign on lower level entrance.
Have Precision Electric  check out Lighting and Electrical connections in attic

As always, the Property Committee welcomes suggestions and reports of problems with the building or grounds from the congregation.

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Spanish Language Ministry Report    

Spanish Minister:  Alicia Sáenz.

I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. 1Cor 1:4

Overview:  The Spanish Ministry started on 09/04/11. 

With God’s help, a large part of the community of Chula Vista are now aware of the existence of St Mark’s Church, the Spanish Worship Service in St Mark’s, and other services provided to the community in our church.  The Spanish Speaking members of our congregation have work very hard talking to people about God and about St. Mark’s Church, passing flyers, inviting friends and family, and inviting people all around Chula Vista to St Mark’s.  We will continue the effort during 2018.

Changes have been implemented because of ideas for improvement brought to my attention. 

The needs of the Spanish Worship Service had been brought to our Council monthly meeting for discussion and decision making. 

My purpose is still the same:  a) Bring the good news to the Spanish Speakers of Chula Vista.  The good news of the gift that is there for everyone, but some can’t see, the gift of salvation, which is available to us by the Grace of God.   b) Instruct Hispanics in the word of God, so that they may develop a relationship with Christ, since based on my personal experience, this is the only way one’s eyes may be open to see the light, freedom, and peace that only Jesus can bring to this world.  c) Build a bilingual community in Christ.

Our Challenges and Accomplishments during 2017:

Challenges: 

• 2017 was a year full of challenges and difficult decisions, but St. Mark’s congregation proved to be a congregation of warriors who won’t be defeated, but fight together to win the battles. Thus, the Spanish part of the congregation joined the challenge volunteering with time, talents and money.  Plumbing repairs around the church campus were done thus reducing the water bill by $300.00.  Jacobson Hall wall was painted to make it marketable to be rented for social events.  Since there is no budget for a janitor, volunteers have been cleaning the church every week
• Increment attendance to the Spanish Worship Services.
• Build participation in the Spanish Bible Study.
• Recruitment of volunteers within the congregation for different church activities.

Accomplishments:

• On 12/17/17 Celebrated the first Bilingual Worship Service in St Mark’s, followed by fellowship and Pot Luck with the whole congregation (English and Spanish). This was a successful event due to the participation of everyone in the congregation.
• Received 24 people as new members of St. Mark’s congregation
• The Spanish Worship Service has kept an average attendance of 36 people every Sunday.
• Celebrated 4 Baptisms (2 kids and 2 adults)
• Celebrated a 50-year wedding anniversary, officiated a short devotional as inauguration of a house, visited sick members at the hospital and at their houses, officiated One Funeral in Tijuana and helped Pastor Ron with a bilingual funeral at St. Mark’s.
• Kept a gathering with pot luck on the second Sunday of the month after the Spanish Worship Service at the lower level of the church. (Everyone is welcomed, we have good Mexican food).
• Kept improving our Spanish choir to enhance Spanish Worship Services. Tall members of the Spanish Worship Service Choir are volunteers.
• Continue with Bible Study every other Friday hosted by Manuel and Margarita Alvarez at their house, with attendance of about 15-19 adults.
• At the 2017 WELCA convention directed a Bilingual Bible Study, translated for the Keynote Speaker and helped with the closing Worship Service

Next Steps:

• Following the recommendations of the Bishop and the Synod Listening Team, we will plan more Fellowship Events and Worship services with both parts of the congregation (English and Spanish) together.
• Plan outreach events to enhance knowledge, awareness and connection to St. Marks with the local community.
• Continue with the TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries) program, since it is the path to ordination.
• Continue with the efforts to show people the way to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, for the Glory of God.

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Women of St. Mark’s Financial Report

We are hoping to have our Friendship Tea this year in April. We did not have our annual tea in 2017. We sent several members to the Pacific Women of the ELCA  November 2017 Convention and Gathering. Our very own Alicia Saenz did a bilingual Bible Study and assisted with translating for the Spanish participants during the 2-day gathering. Also, our WELCA unit member, Laura Ortiz, was installed as the new Synodical Treasurer for a 2-year term.                               

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Youth at St. Mark’s Report

For the first half of 2017 Kylan Pownell held weekly youth group meetings for between 3-23 pre-teens and teens up in the Youth Center. The average number attending was 11. Special Events included a trip to Raging Waters (10), Lock in sleepover (11), Garage Sale (10), Beach Day (11), Del Mar Fair (11), Barbeque (38) Dodgeball Tournament (62). The Youth Program ended in September.

Melissa Hernandez runs our Sunday School Program/Nursery. We have from 3-7 children during the 9am service and from 4-11 children during the 10:45 service. She offers childcare during both services from 8:45-11:30.

We had a nice bilingual Children’s Christmas Program which brought children together from the English and Spanish congregations to present the Nativity Story to the joint congregation.

If you want to see a vibrant youth program, come to St. Mark’s on Saturday morning and peek in at the Korean Saturday School! They have 35-50 high energy children ranging in age from 6-17 who are engaged in singing, drama, academic skills, fellowship and fun!

Assets:

• We are in a unique location so close to Hilltop High School, Hilltop Middle School and Hilltop Elementary. There is probably a real need in the community for safe, wholesome, after-school activity.
• Our beautiful campus. We have a terrific Youth Center, several classrooms still well equiped for Sunday School or other programs for children. We have a well equiped nursery.
• We still have the amazing puppet collection purchased and donated by Shirley and Jim Fortner.
• We have some terrific costumes so that we can put on dramas with children to tell the story of Jesus.
• Music equipment like our little bells and little chimes which are fun for even the youngest musicians.

Challenges:

• So few young families with children.
• Youth Group attendees were from the local community but not from the congregation.