3rd Quarter Newsletter

WE REMEMBER AND MOURN...

REMEMBER IN OUR PRAYERS...

OUR READERS/READINGS...

OUR ACOLYTES...

JOYOUS NEWS....

PASTOR'S CORNER...

When Jesus began his final journey to Jerusalem where he knew the cross awaited him. Juke says it like this: “when the days drew new for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” “Set his face” is a poetic way of expressing determination and commitment the NIV translates the sense of this by saying “Jesus resolutely set for Jerusalem,” But “set his face” is a literal rendering of the original Greek. The cross, with all the agony and awfulness that it represented, awaited him. And Jesus knew it, bur he set his face in that direction anyway.So where does this level of determination come from? Two places, according to the scripture. The first is an early commitment to God. Remember the story of Jesus at age 12, where he stayed in the temple talking with the elders? When his parents found him, he said, “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s hours?” In so saying, he indicated a prior commitment of his life: to his Father’s business.
The second place his determination came from was his ongoing, daily contact with his heavenly Father. Time and again the gospels tell us that Jesus withdrew to pray. Thus, in Jesus, there was a vital paring of initial commitment with daily contact. That is where the strength of the Christian life comes from.
It is important for us to understand that both these things are necessary, especially when it comes to such things and vows and promises. Most of us make some long-term promises of some kind at various points in our lives, and when we do, it is usually with the full intention of keeping them. Life, however, sometimes presents us with circumstances with didn’t expect, and carrying on with our prior commitments often becomes excruciatingly hard. That’s when we can be helped by grasping that even Jesus himself did not expect to carry on his mission based only on his early commitments. He also needed regular contact with his heavenly Father to reinforce that commitment.
Commitments are not necessarily static in terms of how they get expressed in life, but they are firm ion who we make them to. Our commitments are ways of making good on life. They are ways of naming what and whom we live for. In and through our commitments, we make a way through.
As Christians, our commitment means entrusting ourselves; heart, mind and soul with Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the way and it is for all whom live by the Holy Spirit to make a way with him.
It is the combination of our initial commitments to God coupled with frequent ongoing contact with him that helps us know how to live and how to behave in the difficult situations of life.

THANK YOU...

THANK YOU to all the members and organizations that sponsored one of our Wednesday night Lenten suppers. They were:
Church Council
Marilyn Green
Carla Moore
Cari Schroeder
Lois Maxwell
Ruth Coffee
The Care & Service Team
Relay for Life
The Mary Martha Guild

“THANK YOU to all of you for the cards, calls, and prayers that I received following my foot surgery in March. All were very much appreciated. I especially appreciated a visit from Pastor Bruce and being able to take communion, thank you.”
Love and Blessings, Jane Tompkins

“THANK YOU for your 2009 gift. We appreciate your annual financial and prayerful support for Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio”. Penny Christensen, Executive Director

THANK YOU to Susie Hoffman and Maryln Williams for their care of the altar, preparing communion, changing paraments and arranging the flowers. We are in the Pentecost season of the church year. The paraments are green. Ruth Coffee and Lana Lowary are caretakers for the month of June.

THE RESULTS ARE IN – “We collected $566 from the Breakfast and Silent Auction! I’m AMAZED and delighted at that result! Thanks to all for their donations, bidding, and hard work to make this happen!”                                                                 Heather Darling

THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to help with VBS this year! We didn't have a lot of children attend, but those who did had fun and learned great life lessons from "Joseph's Journey from Prison to Palace." God bless you all!                          The Education Team

THANK YOU – “Pastor Al & Betty Stein are thankful for all the greetings received in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary and Pastor’s 60th anniversary of Ordination. God’s riches and blessings to all of you.”                                                    Pastor & Betty Stein

DATES TO REMEMBER AND THINGS TO KNOW...

MARY MARTHA GUILD NEWS - The Mary Martha Guild will not meet in July. However, the August lesson will cover a lot of territory in Isaiah so you might be rereading chapters 7-9 during the summer for our August 11th meeting when we will study “THE IMMANUEL BOOK” from chapters 7:1 - 9:7. The September meeting will be held on September 8th and the study will be “GRACE BEYOND JUDGMENT” from verses in chapters 2, 4, 9, and 11 of Isaiah. The Guild Bible Study is available in the narthex two weeks prior to the Guild meetings which are held at the church at 1:00 and 7:30 pm. All women and their friends are invited to attend one or both of our studies!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES TIME IS HERE! We will be gathering supplies July – September for bags to be distributed to youth around the world. You can share supplies weekly or bring them all at one time. Supplies needed are:
Notebooks or ruled paper (150-200 sheets)
Pencils with erasers
Blunt scissors (like small Fiskars)
Crayon (16 or 24 boxed)
Rulers with centimeter measure
Construction paper
NO paste or glue
We purchase pencil sharpeners and erasers of a uniform size to fit in the bags. Your financial support will help us purchase these. Simply place your donation in your giving envelope and mark “school supplies” on the “other” section of the envelope.

PREVENTIVE HEALTH SCREENING AT WILLOW BROOK CHRISTIAN VILLAGE is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd.
Consider this:
* Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke and every 3 minutes someone dies of a stroke. * Stroke is the #3 reason for deaths in the US.
* 80% of all Strokes CAN BE PREVENTED!!

Life Line Screening takes pride in the services we provide.
8 - 10% of all screening results in ABNORMAL to CRITICAL findings. The screenings are effective and are saving lives!!
Please see the “Your Health is in Your Hands” posters on the bulletin board in the Narthex.
If you have any questions please contact: Amy Nemec, Health Service Coordinator (Life Line Screening), Phone: (800) 897-9177 Email: amy.nemec@llsa.com Website: www.lifelinescreening.com

SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL -- As a reminder, the choir season begins September 2nd, 2010. Be sure to mark your calendars!

KIDS MUSIC TIME – will resume again in September.

SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY is scheduled for September. Watch future bulletins for more details as the date approaches.

DEADLINE FOR THE 4th QUARTER NEWSLETTER will be Friday, September 24th. This newsletter should include news and events happening in October, November, December, and the first two week of January 2011.

THE HANDBELL CHOIR will resume their rehearsals in September after their summer hiatus.

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED on Friday, September 3rd, through Monday, September 6th. If you need to contact Deborah immediately on these days feel free to call her @ 740-602-0512. Otherwise, call the church office (740-362-6771) and leave a message. Your call will be returned on Tuesday, September 7th.

FAMILY PROMISE ICE CREAM SOCIAL -- There will be an Ice Cream Social for Family Promise on Saturday, July 24th, 11:00am - 2:00pm at Mingo Park. Have fun with music and games while supporting Family Promise. Tickets are $5.00 a person and are available from Lana Lowary.

CITIZENSHIP DAY -- Every September 17th (unless it falls on a weekend or other holiday) is Constitution Day, also called Citizenship Day and is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This is one of the newest federal holidays to be established by Congress, as it was passed in just 2004. Citizenship Day was the name given to the holiday prior to its official designation. However the roots of Citizenship Day stretch much farther back beginning in 1940 when “I am an American Day” was initiated by Congress for the third Sunday in May. The day of September 17th was reached by citizens themselves. In 1952 Olga T. Weber of Ohio successfully convinced her municipality to name the date Constitution Day. The next year she went a step further and petitioned the Ohio government to celebrate the holiday statewide as Constitution Week from September 17-23 and the movement was soon passed.
Today we consider Constitution Day as a birthday for our country and it serves as a means for American citizens to express their pride in their citizenship. Constitution Day also designates a time to honor the Constitution of America and learn more about the famous piece of legislation. The Act that passed the holiday also states that federally funded schools are required to provide lessons on the U.S. Constitution during the holiday.

SEPTEMBER 22nd IS THE FIRST DAY OF FALL, also known as the September Equinox. On the equinox, the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. This is true for both the fall and spring equinoxes. So on two days of the year you can find the exact cardinal directions of East and West by using the sun. The ancients did this when they set up their calendars at Stonehenge and the Mayan pyramid, among others.
The autumnal equinox for the northern hemisphere is the vernal equinox for the southern hemisphere. Another way to say this is that when fall begins for the northern hemisphere, spring begins for the southern hemisphere. Keeping this in mind can help you remember why we have seasons. If part of the globe has opposite seasons than the other half, then the reasons for the seasons is NOT because of how close or far away we are from the sun. The reason is related to the tilt of the Earth on its axis.
As the north pole begins to tilt away from the sun, cooler weather comes to the northern hemisphere because the sun is no longer giving its direct rays to this part of Earth. In winter when the North Pole is tilted its farthest away from the sun, we have the least amount of daylight hours and the coldest weather. You can even notice the angle of the sun and how it never gets as high above the horizon.
Equal Day and Night? Although it seems logical that equinox would refer to day and night being equal on these two days of the year, this is not the case. In the Northern Hemisphere on the fall equinox, daylight hours will still be longer than nighttime by about seven to 10 minutes. A couple days after the equinox, day and night are finally equal. You can check for the exact date where you are by looking up sunrise and sunset times. For example, in Washington D.C. the sun rises at 6:59 am and sets at 6:59 pm on September 26. The reason the equality in day and night does not occur on the equinox has to do with the sunrise and sunset being measured by the edges of the sun and not the geometric center and the diffraction of light as it passes through Earth's atmosphere.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED – Lend a hand and help provide free lunch for kids this summer! Volunteers are needed this summer to pass out FREE lunch, help with activities and socialize with children and families in the Delaware community. Groups welcome. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday through August 17 at Woodward Elementary School’s covered picnic area (200 S. Washington St., Delaware). Volunteers are needed from 11:45-1:15 (approximately). This free lunch program is sponsored by Andrews House, Woodward Resources Center and the Delaware City Schools. Interested groups or individuals should complete and return a volunteer questionnaire which is available in the Narthex. If you have questions, please contact Erin Brite, Woodward Family Resource Center at 740-833-1619.

STEWARDSHIP MEETING – Our new Stewardship Elder, Lauren Eastham, has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, July 22nd, at 7:00pm. Lauren noted, “We
will have Rev. Bill McKee join us to give us some ideas as well. Hopefully all of us will have lots of ideas and this will be the beginning of developing our program. My goal is to meet bi-weekly until we feel we have a comprehensive plan to put in place, and then we can meet monthly. We can talk about the schedule at this meeting. Again I thank you for your willingness to participate on this committee, and if you can think of anyone else we might ask to work with us, please let me know. Any questions, you know how to find me now!”

BASEBALL SEASON IS HERE! Once again, we will be hosting LSS Day with the Clippers. This year's event will be held on July 24th at the award-winning Huntington Park. The Clippers will be playing the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Packets have just been sent to each of our congregation partners with information on how to order tickets and sponsor the event. Please take a look at this information and let us know if you have any questions.*
Two things are new this year. First, we have asked you to nominate a youth member of your congregation to throw out the first pitch. The nomination form is included in your packet. Second, there will be a fireworks show following the game.
The Clippers are currently 8-5 and leading their division. We hope that you will come out to help cheer them on and support the many programs of LSS. Be sure to order your group's tickets early - seating is limited and last year we sold out!
Blessings, Brad Draper -- Director of Congregational Relations
*This information is in the Narthex.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY is Sunday, September 12th. The idea for a National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of the lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the first Sunday after Labor Day. Use this day to tell your grandparents how much they mean to you.

SOFTBALL -- Our team has been doing some serious whoopin’ this year. So far this season our record is four wins and one loss. The dates we played were:
May 18th – We beat Terre Nova.
June 7th – We lost to St. Mary’s. When asked for details about the
game Coach Brooker said, “They brought the hammer of Thor....”
June 15th – We whooped William Street UMC 17-3.
June 21st – We punished Terre Nova 9-7.
June 22nd – We defeated The River in a real nail biter that went into extra innings. The final score was 10-9.
Future game dates/times are:
June 29th – We play Delaware Bible @ 6:10pm
July 6 – We will play 1st. Presbyterian (this is a make up game do to a rain out on May 24th)
July 12th – We play The River @ 7:20pm (Make sure you come and cheer us on because The River will be out for revenge since we smeared them in June.)
July 19th – We play St. Mary’s @ 7:20 however, this time we will be the ones celebrating a win.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR OUR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!  
The kids attending were:
Carter Buell Valerie Kempton
Hope Buell Gunther Parks
Emma Clark Alex Ritter
Jordan Clark Andrew Schroeder
Kennedy Cramer Kaitlin Terry
Reese Cramer Michael Terry
Hope Buell Bradley Warner
Bailey Hicks Christina Warner
MacKenzie Kempton

Our teachers/helpers, craft leaders/helpers, game leaders/helpers, and snack leaders/helpers/providers, were:
Matt Brooker Lana Lowary
Kim Buell Lois Maxwell
Joyce Clark Dana Minot
Melissa Day Pastor Bruce
Jean DeWalt Sharon Patterson MacKenzie Fletcher Janet Ritter
Jessica Fletcher Jennifer Schroeder
Susie Hoffman Reanna Terry
Nicole Kempton Chris Warner
Sharon Larson

Our VBS coordinator, Sharon Patterson, also wants to thank all of you who showed an interest to help but were not contacted. There was an over abundance of offers to help and she truly appreciates them all.

THE SIGN UP CHART for greeters for July & August has been posted in the Narthex. Please consider being a greeter and welcome members to church on the Sunday/Service of your choice. Also posted are the Acolyte and Readers schedule for July and August.

SONGS FOR SALE -- The St. Mark’s Worship Team is “selling” songs all summer long to raise funds for music items (such as A/V equipment for radio and TV worship broadcasts, new music, new instruments, and more). During the months of June, July & August all songs selected for use during worship will be “purchased” by members of the congregation. Each song will cost $5, or you can purchase an entire service of songs for $20 (total of 5 songs per service). You should select songs that are in our current hymnal base (ELW red hymnal, WOV blue hymnal, P&W purple hymnal, PSB green praise binder) or from inserts we use throughout the year. To purchase a hymn or entire service of hymns please fill out the “Songs For Sale” form* (below) or call the church office. If you purchase an entire service of songs ($20), please indicate the dates you prefer and whether you prefer your songs be used during 8am or 10:30am worship service. Don’t forget to write your name on the form.
*Return with check payable to “St. Mark’s Lutheran Music” to church office or drop it into the collection plate.
                                                     Songs For Sale

_____ I would like to purchase a song(s) for $5 each.

_____ I would like to purchase an entire service for $20 each 
                     8:00am __________ 10:30am ________
                                   (Please select service)
NAME: ____________________________________

1) Song/Hymn Name: _________________________
Hymnal/Songbook & page#: ____________________
Why You Chose this Song: ____________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
2) Song/Hymn Name: _________________________
Hymnal/Songbook & page#: ____________________
Why You Chose this Song: ____________________
___________________________________________
3) Song/Hymn Name: _________________________
Hymnal/Songbook & page#: ____________________
Why You Chose this Song: ____________________
___________________________________________
4) Song/Hymn Name: _________________________
Hymnal/Songbook & page#: ____________________
Why You Chose this Song: ____________________
___________________________________________
5) Song/Hymn Name: _________________________
Hymnal/Songbook & page#: ____________________
Why You Chose this Song: _____________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________


SPECIAL MUSIC NEEDED FOR SUMMER -- If you can sing or play an instrument, please consider providing special music this summer at 8am and/or 10:30am worship. God gives us all our talents – so let’s offer them up in praise to His name! Please contact Heather Darling at 614-288-3258 or HDarling@BetterLLC.com to schedule your talent offering.

CHURCH SECURITY – If you have a key to the church and/or church office please make sure you lock all the doors when you leave. You are welcome to come in if you need to do some work or make copies of church related business but, remember to lock up when you leave. Give the doors an extra tug to make sure they are securely latched and locked. There have been a few reports of the doors being found unlocked.

DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY MARKET (DCCM) is now open for business. This is a non-profit corporation that is set up to help other non-profit, charitable organizations. This provides a venue for local vendors to market their goods (produce, baked goods, and crafts) and is located at 222 E. William St. There is no cost to sign up for this program. Each charity that wishes to benefit simply fills out an application to become a member. Customers must also sign up and designate a charity. Of the money received for each sale, 75% goes to the vendor, 20% to the buyer’s charity on record, and 5% is retained to cover overhead. Besides being a great concept it is really a neat little place. They have produce which is very reasonably priced. They also have good homemade bread, candles, candies, and salsas are also available. So please do some shopping and help spread the word about this very worthwhile endeavor. UPDATE: St. Mark’s is now a member of the DCCM! You may now designate us as the charity to benefit from your purchase(s). Family Promise is currently a member.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS! To make all our visitors feel welcome please wear your name tags every Sunday. If you need a new name tag just call the office or note it on the "message" portion of your communion card. You can pick up your new tag from the tag rack in the Narthex.

THE DELAWARE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY and the local fire departments have developed a special needs registry that helps emergency personnel identify homes that may have a special needs person during an emergency.
If you have anyone in your congregation in Delaware County with special needs, will you please ask them or a member of their family to contact:
Delaware County Special Needs Emergency Advisory Committee, 10 Court Street, Delaware, OH 43015
740-833-2180 Office/ 740-602-3253 Cell/ 740-444-4499

KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM paid $246.09 for shopper’s support from February 1st- April 30th. This is free money just given to St. Mark’s because of our members who registered their Kroger cards in the program. Don’t forget you need to re-register your card, effective May 1st, and it must be done online. If you do not have a computer the church office is now prepared to help you. If provided with the necessary information, Deborah can sign up your card. She will need the card’s 12 digit number (most begin with a “4”) and the name associated with that card. Simply put this info on your communion card or slip of paper and drop it in the collection plate. Or call the church office @ 740-362-6771. This is a great program that has benefited St. Mark’s at no cost to you so please register your card today and continue to help St. Mark’s with your participation in this

THE PEOPLE IN NEED food pantry of Delaware has a need for the following items:
Potted & Canned Meats
Vienna Sausages
Rice-A-Roni
Tuna Helper
Cake Frosting
Saltine Crackers
Canned Pasta
Instant Coffee
Mandarin Oranges Corn Muffin Mix
Snacks for children since school is out for summer. Easy to prepare food for latch key children is needed, as well as, everyday food and taxable items. Thank you for your continued support of the PIN Food Pantry.
program.

MINUTE TO THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING held on June 8th are posted on the bulletin board with additional copies in the Narthex.

OUR WEEKLY RADIO BROADCAST costs St. Mark’s $60. If you would like to celebrate an occasion, honor a person, or remember a loved one, please consider sponsoring one of these broadcasts. We realize you may not have the full $60 but we welcome any amount of sponsorship you can offer. Perhaps you would like to join with other members to commemorate the same occasion/person. Simply note on your check/giving envelope that the funds are for a radio broadcast sponsorship. Also, sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we can note it in the weekly bulletin.

THE CHURCH NEWSSTAND that was outside the office door has been moved to the Narthex. This should be more convenient for our members to pick up the information available.

FELLOWSHIP TIME – Sadly, due to the lack of interest and support we may be force to cancel the Fellowship Time between services. In an attempt to attract more financial supporters we changed the sponsorship so you could sponsor a week instead of an entire month. The average cost to support this ministry is $10-12 per week. Please help us and sponsor a week of Fellowship Time so we are not forced to lose this wonderful time of visiting with our fellow members. Sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board (next to south door in Narthex).

WE NOW HAVE AN OPERATING ELEVATOR/LIFT! This is great news for our members who have not been able to attend services because they could not access the sanctuary. This was a huge undertaking and there are so many people to thank such as Mike Paullin, Les Schinke, Tom Moore, Jim Hake, and many many more.

LET YOUR GIFTS AND TALENTS WORK FOR ST. MARK'S -- We would like to have 80% participation from our St. Mark’s members in this endeavor. Let God direct and help you in selecting a ministry that talks to your heart and check how long you can commit to that ministry. When we use our gifts and talents for God the blessing will begin to flow!

Please print:

NAME: ___________________________________

PHONE #: _________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: __________________________

Please check 6 or 12 months next to the ministry you would like to help.
Stewardship -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months□.
Outreach -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Fellowship -- I can serve for 6 months□ 12 months□.
Music -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Finance -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Deacon -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Trustee -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Hospitality -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Nursery -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Children’s Church -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Education -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Sunday School -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Administrative -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Landscaping -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.
Other -- I can serve for 6 months □ 12 months □.

“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”                          2 Corinthians 9:12

LET’S GET INVOLVED with Habitat for Humanity!  To help with the current building project at 125 S. Liberty Street, contact Habitat at 363-9950 or go to www.HabitatDelawareCo.org. To make a donation to the continuing Habitat projects, send your checks to: Delaware Co. Habitat for Humanity, 305 Curtis St., Delaware OH 43015. For more information, stop by the Mission Tree in the narthex today!

COUNCIL POSITION VACATED -- Due to the recent resignation of Sharon Patterson as Education Elder we are need of someone to take her place on the Church Council. If you are interested in filling this position please call the church office for more details and a job description. We all thank Sharon for her wonderful service to St. Mark’s.

YOUTH NEWS.................from Matt Brooker, Youth Director

YOUTH SUPPORT COMMITTEE – Matt Brooker is starting up a committee to support the youth group at St. Marks made up of any adult who wants to be involved in planning and decision making. If you are interested in helping, there is a meeting on Sunday, July 18th, after the 10:30 service.

HELP FAMILY PROMISE – Matt is looking for kids to help Family Promise set up for their Ice Cream Social scheduled for July 24th, at Mingo Park. Please contact Matt if you are interested in helping.

LOST & FOUND – There are an array of various items that have been found in the church over the years (yes, years) and turned into the office. If you lost something in or around the church please call the office to see if it has been found.

JULY BIRTHDAYS...
1st
Don Maxwell
Diane Croy
Charlie Poling
Brandon Bice
2nd
Mackenzie Kempton
3rd
Paige Stimmel
Skyler Larson
4th
Mark Stoffer
Jason Damron
Leah Dillinger
5th
David Gibson
6th
Doris Stegner
Lucas Phillian
Max Lenz
7th
Bill Reidenbach
Ashley Allan
Logan Mayer
10th
Edith Balser
11th
Gary Snyder
Janet Wuertz
12th
Betty Decker
Gayle Crawford
Patricia Thielking
Dylan Cartwright
13th
Mike Thiele
14th
Bobby Roidt
Mike McDonough
15th
Drew Stimmel
Kaitlin Terry
16th
Ava Vogel
17th
Virginia Litsinberger
18th
Courtney Kerin
19th
Jim Hake
20th
Michael Blinn
Chris Minot
21st
Robert Durrett
Dawn Huston
William Polter
22nd
Jackie Moffett
Calvin Bice
24th
Jo Eastham
25th
Tina Decker
Joshua Rein
Jia Radloff
27th
Kara Moore
Janet Ritter
Margaret Kempainen
28th
Laurie Eichenlaub
28th
Rose Blesedell
29th
Cory Barringer

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS...
1st
Luke Thompson
Ryan Polter
2nd
Dave Cotter
3rd
Larry Davis
Austin Kempton
Heather Darling
4th
Larry Huston
Barb Meyer
Bev Bauer
Linda Tustian
5th
Beth Majovsky
8th
Teresa Huffman
9th
Brian Tustian
Matthew Gray
10th
Richard Sprau
Dan Clark
Brain Allan
Christina Warner
11th
Lois Maxwell
Susetta Hoffman
12th
Zachary Kerin
Zachary Griffith
13th
Tim Moore
14th
Carole Reed
Dan Huffman
Alex Allen
15th
Jackie Radloff
Matt Blinn
16th
Dirk Shearer
Richard Cochran
18th
Mary Ann Roidt
19th
Lee Ann Walton
Regan DeWitt
20th
Chad Poling
21st
David Corwin
22nd
Nettie Warden
23rd
Michael Peters
25th
Frederick Dinovo
26th
Virginia Manville
27th
Drew Rea
28th
Loretta McAllister
Sherryl Sheets May
30th
Judy Snyder
31st
George Berry

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS...
1st
Nicholas Shearer
Ryan Shearer
3rd
Jaime Quatman
4th
Kathi Paullin
Reanna Terry
Caitlin Davis
5th
Ron Rea
Alexandria Hardman
6th
Vada Eaglin
Michelle Pittman
Olivia Wallace
7th
Carla Moore
8th
Sharon Larson
Kim Thompson
9th
John Bryant
Sharon Patterson
10th
Gary Rae
11th
Elizabeth Bice
Walter Slaughter
12th
Graham Eastham
13th
Rachel Altvater
14th
Cullen Rea
15th
Matthew Roidt
16th
Ted Fields
18th
Wilma Pena
Annie Moore
20th
Emily Manganello
22nd
Linda Willeke
23rd
Shirley Vachon
Les Schinke
Dave Gibson
25th
Christina McDonough
Kathleen Kempainen
27th
Debbie Thomas
30th
Heather Latiolais

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS...
1st
Kay Cotter
Kristen Kimbleton
3rd
Harriett Spitalny
Mike Paullin
4th
Sandra Terry
Alicia Sprau
5th
Becky Pagnard
Aaron Iverson
6th
Cynthia Wallace
7th
Lori Poling
Meghan Swisher
8th
Allen Ulrich
Sharon Maxwell
9th
Alton Litsinberger
Howard Shearer
Elizabeth Hake
10th
Gisela Fildebrandt
Dave Swisher
Kaitlyn Matz
11th
Kelly Stannard
Alex Stanton
12th
Darlene Foster
14th
Lenny Presthus
Boots Sheets
Sheila Milligan
Susan Copsey-Pearce
Melanie Eichenlaub
16th
Von Redd
Janice Fraker
Jason Latiolais
17th
 Marlene Sheets
Leah Milligan
19th
Pam Stoffer
Sean Cameron
21st
Tyler Laurence
23rd
Bill Fisher
25th
Tammy Polter
26th
Robert Balser
28th
Bobbi Frey
William Lenz
30th
Bob Barringer
31st
Howard Kraft

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS MISSING OR INCORRECT PLEASE CONTACT DEBORAH (740-362-6771) IN THE CHURCH OFFICE SO WE CAN UPDATE AND CORRECT OUR RECORDS. THANKS!

CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS AND MINUTES...

COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LAY LEADERS please remember to check your box in the church office regularly. This is where all Council related correspondence will be placed for your information and review.

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -- APRIL 21, 2010
Call to Order
Vice President Mike Milligan called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M.
Roll Call
Present: Mike Milligan, Gisela Fildebrandt, Pastor Quatman, Tim Moore, Edie Balser, Matt Brooker, Lois Maxwell, Sharon Larson (representing Jennifer Martin), Lana Lowary
Absent: Delsi Martin, Sharon Patterson, Gil Schroeder,
Opening Prayer
Pastor Quatman opened with a reading and discussion of Psalm 115 (King James Version)
Reading of the Minutes
The Council Minutes from March 25, 2010 were reviewed. Lois Maxwell requested that the following correction be made. She is NOT planning to retire as church organist. This correction will be made to the March minutes. The minutes were not voted upon.
There was no correspondence.
Treasurer’s Report –Full report on file
• Income in March was only $577 more than February. March did include Palm Sunday, but not Easter Sunday. Easter will be reflected in next month’s report. However, Easter attendance was 61 less than last year.
• Expenses in March were $1166 less than February. For the month, our expenses were $6676 greater than our income. For the year expenses are $19,590 more than income.
• We have averaged $4089 per week for the year. We needed to average $5596 to cover expenses. We need to average $5204 every week for the entire year to make budget and we are already behind, so that number should be revised.
• Our expenses are less than last year, but so is our income.
• Our general fund is down to $3301. We will need to transfer our Contingency Fund to cover expenses. It is likely our attendance will drop off in the coming months and probably our giving as well.
Financial Secretary’s Report – Report on file. Giving to Current Expenses has increased, while giving to their funds had decreased.
Pastor’s Report – report covering February 16 – April 21 on file
• Pastor Quatman has conducted 6 funerals in 6 weeks (Micki Warner, David Tobolski, Edith Fields, Juanita Gruber, Raymond Hoffman, and Eileen Downing).
• Pastor Quatman performed two baptisms (Alayna Day and Connor Mooney).
• Pastor Quatman has seven prospective members.
Visitation Pastor’s Report – none at this time
Youth Director’s Report – Matt Brooker
• The youth will volunteer at Andrew’s House in May...
• Softball will begin on the 17th or 18th of May at 6:15 or 7:10. More players are needed.
Congregational Input - letter on file
Larry Davis addressed the council regarding financial and attendance issues and the future of the congregation. Weekly attendance has fallen to approximately 140 per week, and giving has fallen as a result. Larry, along with 10 other congregational members (see letter) have recommended that Mike Dickey of Wolf, Rogers, Dickey review the budget with the purpose of recommending a revised budget that is more in line with our attendance and our income. The cost of such a review should be $1000 to $2500. Mike Dickey is recommended because of his experience with non-profit organizations.
Our current budget is made by the finance committee, brought to council, and then voted upon by the congregation. While the congregation has the right to offer input, this rarely happens. The budget is expense-driven.
Discussion of the letter followed. Pastor Quatman suggested that the problems St. Mark’s currently faces are not about money or attendance, but about spirit. Our efforts need to focus on ways to get people in our doors (to focus on the Word) and then to get people out our doors to focus on stewardship.
Tim Moore suggested that we have a finance plan, if we also have a spiritual plan.
Mike Paullin stated that we need to get out and learn to serve. By doing that, we will get more people in our church.
Lois Maxwell moved that we hire Mike Dickey to perform an evaluation of our budget. Tim Moore seconded. The motion passed unopposed.
Lois Maxwell moved that, following the report, we then have a special congregational meeting with open discussion of the report, (as per recommendation in the letter) after it has been completed and Church Council has had an opportunity to meet and discuss its contents.. Tim Moore seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
The Finance committee will contact Dickey.
Lois Maxwell thanked the writers of the letter for their input and their obvious care and concern for the future of St. Mark’s.
Pastor Quatman moved to appoint Sharon Larson as Deacon Chairperson. Edie Balser seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Elder’s Reports
1. Worship Elder –
1. The worship committee has been trying many avenues to find an organist for first service. None has been found.
2. Thank you to Carla Moore for her help providing music during the 8:00 service.
3. May 2 and May 9 there will be a short survey to rate the blended service.
4. The music department would like to do another fellowship fund raiser, offering a picnic with music and a freewill offering. Money raised would be used to buy music, buy another African drum and help to update the sound system.
5. The music department proposes a fund raiser, allowing people to ‘buy’ a hymn for $5.00 (or $20.00 for the entire service) for the June, July and August services. The music department would choose the music for the last Sunday in August.
6. The worship committee meets the first Tuesday of each month and plans the music for a month at a time.
2. Care and Service Elder - Delsi Martin - Full Report on File
3. Education Elder – no report at this time
4. Outreach Elder - no report at this time
5. Stewardship Elder - position still vacant
Deacon’s Report – no report at this time
Sharon Larson has assumed the position of deacon Chairperson.
Trustee’s Report – no report at this time
• Position still vacant.
Presidents Report - none at this time – Position vacant
Vice President’s Report - none
Report of Special Committees – none
Congregational Input
Howard Shearer stated that, according to the constitution, a staff support committee is appointed.
New Business
Mike Paullin will get in touch with Mike Dickey and will work with Larry Davis and Dale Barringer to move forward with a financial study.
Lois Maxwell moved to adjourn and Tim Moore seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
The meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lana Lowary, Recording Secretary
Note: These minutes were approved at a special council meeting May 4, 2010.

COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -- MAY 19, 2010
Call to Order
Vice President Mike Milligan called the meeting to order at 7:10 P.M.
Roll Call
Present: Mike Milligan, Gisela Fildebrandt, Pastor Quatman, Edie Balser, Matt Brooker, Lois Maxwell, Delsi Martin, Sharon Patterson Sharon Larson, Gil Schroeder, Lana Lowary, Lauren Eastham
Absent: Tim Moore
Opening Prayer
Pastor Quatman opened with a discussion of the 50 days of Pentecost and a prayer
Tom Moore offered his services as trustee chairperson. Sharon Patterson moved to accept Tom Moore as trustee chairperson. Edie Balser seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed and Tom Moore joined the council table.
Reading of the minutes
The minutes from the special meeting on May 5 were reviewed. Minor corrections were noted (Lauren Eastham, not Lorna). Lois Maxwell moved to accept minutes with corrections. Delsi Martin seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed.
Treasurer’s Report (full report on file)
• We are still $20,000 short of meeting expenses for the year.
• The expenses in April were similar to last April’s expense. Year to date expenses are lower than last year’s, but so is income.
• Had we not transferred the remainder of our Contingency Fund into the General Fund, the General Fund would have had only $2486.38. This is the last of our cash reserve.
• Our attendance still remains a factor. Our average attendance from January through April has been 152 (10 less than last year’s average for this time period). It is likely to drop off during the next few months along with the offering.
Discussion followed, including ways to keep expenses down, including turning up the temperature during the summer months. Pastor Quatman asked for volunteers to do temple talks concerning the financial situation, as he has been doing.
Other suggestions:
o Council could offer a challenge to the congregation for a week or two of tithing
o The offering could be counted during the service so that the totals could be reported to the congregation before the end of the service so that people could have a second chance to increase their offering.
o Promote Simply giving
o Place financial news in the bulletin apart from the newsy portion. Let the congregation know that the increase in recent weeks is appreciated.
Pastor’s Report
No new funerals! There are still 4 people in critical cancer treatments. Also Debbie may be out of the office with illness in her family. Pastor Quatman will be leaving for vacation on May 24 and will return on June 7th. Heinz Raidel will give the sermon on May 30th and Gil will do so on June 6th.
Financial Secretary’s Report – no report at this time
Visitation Pastor’s Report – none at this time
Youth Director’s Report – none at this time
Elder’s Reports
1. Worship Elder – Full Report on file
The worship committee is working on a spoken word service for first service and using three pre-recorded hymns since there is no organist.
There is a breakfast planned for June 13 at 9:00. The breakfast will include a silent auction of donated items and services.
Children’s Choir will have a special surprise on May 30.
There was a discussion of the Television Broadcast. This broadcast does not cost Saint Mark’s anything and is watched by many who cannot attend our services.
There is the possibility that we will be able to eliminate the private phone line that has been needed for the radio broadcast. Dale Barringer and Tim Moore are meeting with the owner of the radio station concerning this.
2. Care and Service – Full report on file
3. Education Elder – Report on File
Youth will be distributing fliers to advertise Vacation Bible School (dates June 14 – June 18 - 6:30 P.M.). Tom Moore offered to make a banner for Vacation Bible School. Other possibilities for advertising were discussed. The question was raised: Did Nicole Kempton complete the CPR Instructors training so that she could train staff. Money was approved for this in 2009.
4. Outreach Elder
Gil spoke on Tim Moore’s behalf. He spoke with Tim about forming an outreach committee and went over what the constitution says about outreach. They have identified areas for focus:
Radio/TV - including improving audio - 1 person is needed
Website - 1 person is needed
Calling on members who may not have been in church for 3 to 4 weeks. A committee is needed to do those calls, using a script or guidelines for response
Discussion included the possibility of calling people who have been away from church for a longer time and the use of information gathered in the calling process.
5. Stewardship Elder
A committee will be formed to help with stewardship. Lauren also would like to put out informational material (as a bulletin insert) on all the committees we have so that people know what is available and can volunteer in some area.
Discussion included the suggestion of forming a prayer committee. This could take the form of small groups that would meet in each other’s homes.
Trustee’s Report
Tom outlined some of the items he would like to address:
Make certain the building is taken care of.
Address the parsonage. Can it be rented?
Elevator - nearing completion. The Church council thanks Mike Paullin for spearheading all of the research and work in getting the elevator replaced.
Checking insurance and seeing if we have (or need) an annual riders for nonmembers attending VBS.
Old Business
The current contract that Family Promise has for the day center was reviewed (on file). Mike Milligan will continue to gather more information from Family Promise. At the same time, the possibility of using the parsonage as a rental for profit will also be pursued
Mike Dickey is close to finishing his report. Church council will meet in a special session June 9.
Tom Moore moved to adjourn. Sharon Larson seconded the motion. The motion passed unopposed and the meeting closed

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES -- JUNE 8, 2010
Call to Order
Vice President Mike Milligan called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Roll Call
Present: Mike Milligan, Pastor Quatman, Matt Brooker, Lois Maxwell, Delsi Martin, Sharon Patterson, Sharon Larson, Gil Schroeder, Lana Lowary, Lauren Eastham, Tom Moore
Absent: Tim Moore, Gisela Fildebrandt, Edie Balser
Opening Prayer
Pastor Quatman opened with a prayer.
New Business
Mike Dickey presented his report based on his study of the finances of St. Marks (Report on File). His report is based on predicted giving equaling 91% of last year’s giving (that has been the result of the first four months of 2010). His study suggests that if we do nothing different this year, we will have to borrow approximately $5500 in October, but should be able to pay that loan back by the end of the year. By the end of 2010, he predicts a balance of -$54.00. By the end of next year, having no contingency fund to use, our balance would be -$40,051.
Mike Dickey also mentioned that we have no debt (a positive) and have $611,393.00 in Endowment Funds and $59, 641.00 in Restricted Funds, all of which require some sort of permission or approval to access.
Mike Dickey suggested that in the short term, we can adjust expenditures, but for long term goals, we need to increase receipts.
Discussion then followed, including ways to increase membership, bring people back and prevent more people from leaving.
The finance committee will meet to discuss this report and to formulate a plan of action for our congregation. They will report back to council at the June 23 meeting. At that time, plans will be made to address the congregation concerning our financial future.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lana Lowary, Recording Secretary

Note: These minutes will be presented for approval at the June 23 council meeting.

 

UPDATES AND RECENT NEWS...

FAMILY PROMISE - St. Mark's will be hosting the Family Promise guest starting Sunday, July 18th.  We are in need of the following items: Plates, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry soap and bleach. Please help if you can by placing the items in the Family Promise Bin near the Care and Service tree in the narthex. Thank you for your continued support.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU goes out to Les Schinke for his day long repair of the church office air conditioning. Les was up on the roof in spite of the near 100 degree heat. This repair saved St. Mark’s a huge amount of money.

THE 4th ANNUAL JAMI WILSON MEMORIAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT AND SILENT AUCTION -- This year's tennis tournament is about 5 weeks away on Saturday, August 7th, at Hayes High School tennis courts (289 Euclid Ave.) beginning at 9:00am. Please see the flyer on the bulletin board for more details. Registration forms are available on the newsstand. Deadline for registration is July 30th. New this year is a silent auction with some great items generously donated by local Delaware businesses. So even if you don't play tennis, you can come out and support the cause! Thanks for your support, Janean Baumal, 954-401-1657.

PRAISE BAND PRACTICE has changed from Thursday evenings to Sunday mornings at 9:15am.

THE FORE CHRIST GOLF TOURNAMENT is scheduled for Saturday, July 31st, at Chapel Hill Golf Course in Mt. Vernon, OH. This will be a “Texas String Scramble” with registration from 11:30am-1:00pm. The shotgun start will be at 1:30pm with dinner following the golf games. Prizes include: scramble winner, longest drive, shortest drive, closest to the pin, and raffle prizes. This year 100% of the proceeds will go to the “Wounded Warrior Project”, an organization honoring and empowering military personnel wounded in service of our country. See the flyer and pick up your Participation/Sponsorship Form in the Narthex. If you need further info call Ron Eppley @ 614-787-7477.

VACATION – Pastor Bruce will leave on vacation Monday, July 19th, returning on Monday, July 26th.

THE POWER OF GIVING IS IN YOUR HANDS – Delaware charities are banding together and asking you to go online and vote. It is free and will help critical non-profits win at least 20K a piece! Please tell others to get involved. To vote go to: www.delawarecares.com.

THANK YOU to all our St. Mark’s members who patronized The Delaware Country Community Market (222 E. William St.) and signed up the church as your charity of choice. As a result, we received a check for $5.39 for the month of June. 

MEIJERS Department Store has a Community Rewards Program similar to the one at Kroger. Watch upcoming bulletins for further information. Please try to participate in this program to benefit St. Mark’s.

THE CARE AND SERVICE TEAM will be meeting on Monday, August 2nd, at 7:15pm.

DIAPER SUNDAY is scheduled for August 8th. Donations will be given to the "People In Need" (PIN).  Please bring a new package of diapers to the Mission Tree in the Narthex.

THE MARY MARTHA GUILD will meet on Wednesday, August 11th, at 1:00 & 7:30pm. Watch future bulletins for details concerning the lesson.

A THRIVENT ADVOCATE is urgently needed to represent our congregation when we are requesting “Care Abounds in Communities” and “Thrivent Choice” dollars for our projects. If you are interested in this appointment and would like to see a full job description, please call the office @ 740-362-6771. 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY -- Please plan to attend the Dedication Ceremony Saturday, July 24, at 3:00pm for our Apostles Build II home, when we will welcome Habitat homeowners Franklin & Bernice Moore, and granddaughter, Mya, into their new home at 125 S. Liberty St., Delaware. Thank you for your prayers, financial sponsorships and words of encouragement throughout this project. May God’s blessings be bestowed on you, your family and friends!

THE WORSHIP TEAM will meet on Tuesday, August 3rd, at 6:30pm. Future meeting are scheduled for September 7th and October 5th.

REJOICE with Forrest & Jennifer Sheets as they present their daughter, Madelyn Patricia, to be baptized. Madelyn is the granddaughter of Keith & Mary Kay sheets and the late Thomas & Patricia Maher. She has two big sisters, Sadie and Allison. Please help welcome Madelyn into the family of God.