LOVING GOD. LOVING OTHERS.
At St. Mark’s we call this a great place to start and a useful guide along the way. This simple, but profound statement got us through quite a journey in 2020 and 2021. Even as a global pandemic stopped the world as we know it, as a church we continued to thrive. Thank you for all you did to maintain our community of faith, even when we couldn’t be together physically:
Your Generosity in 2021
In 2020, despite uncertainty, St. Mark’s made the bold decision to launch a stewardship program asking you to step up in big ways – and you did! Through your generosity in 2021, we increased annual giving by $31,000 and used those additional dollars to fund three ministry initiatives:
Preparing for a vibrant future
As St. Mark’s starts to gather together again, we begin from a strong financial position and with enthusiasm to build on the momentum of the last two years to create even more impact in our community.
Read on to learn more about the 2022 Fall Stewardship Appeal as we continue Growing Together in Love.
We are called to love God and love others in a complicated world. With an additional $40,000 in giving in 2022, we will be able to sustain and expand our ministry with these initiatives:
Sustain Current Ministry in our Congregation & Community – $15,000
For the first time in over a year, St. Mark’s has a full pastoral staff. Pastor Mary Froiland has been joined by Associate Pastor David Bjorklund and we welcomed Intern Eric Gustafson. Having staff and volunteers back in the office is a welcome sight.
Additional giving of $15,000 would cover our current ministry costs including an anticipated 3% inflationary increase. In sustaining the ministry of St. Mark’s, we can continue to provide meaningful worship experiences, pastoral care, education, a beautiful campus, and the other activities that are a core part of who we are (such as Wednesday night dinners, the Gift Goes On holiday giving program, music, prayer shawls, quilts, global connections) and maintain our partnerships with North High, the local food shelf, Genesis East, and Ramsey County Head Start.
Update Signage to Increase Community Engagement – $25,000
Growing together in love, we reach out with the Gospel to one another and to our greater community.
Building community engagement by increasing our visibility, sharing the story of St. Mark’s, and inviting people to be a part of this story is our priority for 2022. We want our neighbors to know there is a place for them here.
Our goal is to invest in a new, electronic sign that presents a vibrant, exciting, and dynamic information hub and invites our neighbors to be a part of all the great things that happen at St. Mark’s. Your generosity will make this a reality.
Increase Participation in Support of St. Mark’s
New opportunities are available to us to enhance ministry, share the good news of Jesus Christ with neighbors, and contribute to the work of the Church in the world. Knowing what members intend to contribute to the work God calls us to do serves as a helpful planning tool for the coming year. St. Mark’s is asking all members to complete and return a statement of intent card. The goal is an increase of 10% over the number of cards received last year.
If you’ve never turned in an intent card before, please join us this year. Even if you are unable to state the amount of your intent, the card is also an indication of your prayerful support for the ministry of St. Mark’s.
YOUR PARTICIPATION MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
Please return your Statement of Intent by Sunday, November 21. You may mail it using the return envelope that will be mailed to you, or drop it in the church mailbox located at the North entrance. You may also complete an online statement of intent using the button below.
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