Programs
Education
At St. Mark there is always room for questions and imagination. Children, youth, and adults continue to grow in their faith and in their understanding of what it means to follow Christ as they learn about faith stories and experiences in a context that is safe, open, and adventuresome.
At present our children are divided into two age groups, birth-5 years and 6-9 years. We also have a dynamic group of youth who gather on Sunday mornings to discuss “hot” biblical topics with a trusted adult. Children and youth are an integral part of our opening worship time and are then given the option of remaining in worship or attending a class.
After worship there are often opportunities for adults to gather and learn from a guest scholar about subjects such as environmentalism, biblical studies, or justice and political issues. Adult workshops lasting four to six weeks are scheduled two or three times each year.
Music
St. Mark has a long, happy history with music as an important part of worship. Our Music Director, Carol Stewart-Smith, has been directing the choir and finding other opportunities to worship our Lord through song for 25 years. Ms Stewart-Smith has a BA in music and continues her learning through workshops each year.
Worship is accompanied by two fine musicians Dan Rasmussen and Rev. John Salmon. Their musical experience continues the rich history of hymn singing at St. Mark. Our congregation singing includes hymns, songs and spiritual songs from the 1980 Presbyterian Hymnal and the 2003 Sing the Faith.
Recently, St. Mark acquired a Hamilton baby grand piano for the sanctuary. Built in 1938, its rich color and tone is a wonderful addition to our program.
These days, St. Mark’s choir is about eleven at full strength. With a wonderful singing space from the balcony, our small choir sounds larger than it is, filling the sanctuary with music. We sing a wide variety of music carefully chosen to suit the voicing of the choir. The choir sings works from early church to current, excelling in a cappella singing. We always welcome new members. Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings at 7:30, then the choir gathers at 9:30 Sundays for final preparation of the anthem.
Come join us, enrich your musical side and add to our worship in ways only music can.