Autumn Newsletter

Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 03:50PM by Registered CommenterSean Mullen | CommentsPost a Comment

The Autumn 2008 issue of the Lion's Mark is available here.

Saint Mark's Adopts Mission, Vision & Values Statements

Posted on Monday, April 7, 2008 at 03:21PM by Registered CommenterSean Mullen | CommentsPost a Comment

After engaging in a process of prayer, discussion, and consultation with the entire Parish, the Vestry  recently adopted a mission statement for Saint Mark's.  The leadership of the parish sees this as an important early step in strategically planning for the challenges and opportunities the parish faces in the coming years.  In addition to the mission statement, the Vestry also adopted vision and values statements.  These steps are taken with the conviction that the health and welfare of the parish  are linked to a clear articulation and shared understanding of our mission, vision, and values. 

 Mission Statement
Saint Mark’s is a community
that gathers in faith,
serves in love
and proclaims hope,
through Jesus Christ.

Vision Statement
Saint Mark’s is a welcoming church that seeks to grow
through spiritual nourishment, evangelism and outreach,
bearing witness in the Anglo-Catholic tradition
to God’s grace in Philadelphia and the wider church.

Values Statement
Saint Mark’s is a loving community that values:
•    reverent sacramental worship
•    gracious hospitality
•    generous outreach
•    comprehensive Christian formation
 
The Vestry met in September 2007 to discuss draft versions of all these statements, and to pray about the mission of the parish.  Those drafts were circulated by mail to the entire Parish with notice of three opportunities to provide feedback in open forums throughout the Fall. In due course, a fourth session for parish feedback was scheduled to accommadate as many voices and ideas as we could.  At a second retreat in January 2008 the Vestry reviewed the feedback collected from the parish and  spent time in prayer again to make changes as seemed approriate to reflect the mind of the parish at large as well as the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we were able to discern it.  Together, the Vestry and clergy agreed to the final versions of these statements and pledged to continue to engage in a process of strategic planning to enable the growth and impact of the ministries of Saint Mark's.


Eastertide Newsletter

Posted on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 02:30PM by Registered CommenterSean Mullen | CommentsPost a Comment

The Eastertide edition of The Lion's Mark is available here.  Inside, you will find updates on Saint Mark's roof rehabilitation project, book club, mission trip to Honduras and much more!

Lent 2008 Newsletter

Posted on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 03:36PM by Registered CommenterSean Mullen | CommentsPost a Comment

The 2008 Lenten Newsletter is available here!  Inside, you will find Saint Mark's Calendar of Events through Easter Sunday, along with information about our mission trip to Honduras, ECS Pastoral Care training and much more!