Parish Life
A. Ministries and Organizations
1. Nursery
A nursery is staffed by two ladies and available for children birth to 4 years old on Sundays and special events. Our nursery director has been with us for 27 years. Both workers are certified in the Safeguarding God’s Children program through the Episcopal Diocese of Texas (EDOT). The nursery is a fun, safe environment where children can play or take a break. We have a variety of toys for all ages and a kid friendly bathroom just the right size for children.
1. Nursery
A nursery is staffed by two ladies and available for children birth to 4 years old on Sundays and special events. Our nursery director has been with us for 27 years. Both workers are certified in the Safeguarding God’s Children program through the Episcopal Diocese of Texas (EDOT). The nursery is a fun, safe environment where children can play or take a break. We have a variety of toys for all ages and a kid friendly bathroom just the right size for children.
2. Daughters of the King - Our DOK meets monthly. There are 13 active members. The DOK have partnered with the Women's Crisis Center to provide handbags containing items a female might need in an emergency departure from her home. Prayers are extended to persons on our parish prayer list as well as names shared at our meeting.
3. Heart and Hands
A group of ladies from St. Mark’s rotate on a monthly basis serving as chairman of the Heart and Hands ministry. Meals are provided for persons needing one after a death, surgery, illness, or other necessary reasons. The Heart and Hands ministry organizes the menu and food procurement for funerals.
4. Inreach Committee
The Inreach Committee plans events within the church. They organize the menu and persons to bring food for Baptisms and special events such as the Easter Brunch and Festival of Lessons and Carols Reception.
A group of ladies from St. Mark’s rotate on a monthly basis serving as chairman of the Heart and Hands ministry. Meals are provided for persons needing one after a death, surgery, illness, or other necessary reasons. The Heart and Hands ministry organizes the menu and food procurement for funerals.
4. Inreach Committee
The Inreach Committee plans events within the church. They organize the menu and persons to bring food for Baptisms and special events such as the Easter Brunch and Festival of Lessons and Carols Reception.
5. Episcopal Youth Community
Our EYC meets on Wednesdays. Meals are provided by parishioners and parents. In addition to team building activities, they are led in prayer in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer. The EYC group has an outreach ministry where the kids purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts for the Angel Project in December. Names of children in need are provided by school nurses to our EYC director. They also determine how money will be spent on The Heifer Project.
Our EYC meets on Wednesdays. Meals are provided by parishioners and parents. In addition to team building activities, they are led in prayer in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer. The EYC group has an outreach ministry where the kids purchase, wrap, and deliver gifts for the Angel Project in December. Names of children in need are provided by school nurses to our EYC director. They also determine how money will be spent on The Heifer Project.
6. Parish Fellowship
In addition to monthly pot luck luncheons, we have an adult Christmas Party in December. At both the beginning and end of the Sunday School year, we have a water day on the church grounds complete with grilled hamburgers and all the sides!
7. Sunday School
We have an engaged and energetic pair of moms teamed up as the Sunday School Coordinators who orchestrate Christian Education classes for children Kindergarten through 8th Grade. There are 17 congregation members supporting the program as teachers. Christian Education is on an upswing with a key focus area for St. Mark’s to maintain our current momentum.
In addition to monthly pot luck luncheons, we have an adult Christmas Party in December. At both the beginning and end of the Sunday School year, we have a water day on the church grounds complete with grilled hamburgers and all the sides!
7. Sunday School
We have an engaged and energetic pair of moms teamed up as the Sunday School Coordinators who orchestrate Christian Education classes for children Kindergarten through 8th Grade. There are 17 congregation members supporting the program as teachers. Christian Education is on an upswing with a key focus area for St. Mark’s to maintain our current momentum.
8. Friday Morning Community Breakfast
9. Lenten Series
For the past four years, adults have actively participated in a scheduled Lenten series. We have viewed and discussed the first three seasons of The Chosen and several Max Lucado publications. The Lenten studies are typically conducted on a weekday evening and include a simple supper.
10. Advent Series
Intergenerational crafts have been made after a Sunday service in the parish hall. Making Advent wreaths and calendars have been a few of our favorite activities.
For the past four years, adults have actively participated in a scheduled Lenten series. We have viewed and discussed the first three seasons of The Chosen and several Max Lucado publications. The Lenten studies are typically conducted on a weekday evening and include a simple supper.
10. Advent Series
Intergenerational crafts have been made after a Sunday service in the parish hall. Making Advent wreaths and calendars have been a few of our favorite activities.
11. Vestry
St. Mark’s vestry meets the third Tuesday of each month. While the priest selects the Senior Warden, the vestry as a whole chooses the Junior Warden, Secretary, and Treasurer.
St. Mark’s vestry meets the third Tuesday of each month. While the priest selects the Senior Warden, the vestry as a whole chooses the Junior Warden, Secretary, and Treasurer.
12. Finance Committee
St. Mark’s is in sound financial shape in reference to our cash flow, capital fund management, and investments. In 2024 we had 62 pledges with an average pledge of $4,071 annually and an operating budget of approximately $252,000. Our recent capital campaign for the organ renovation project resulted in approximately $250,000 donated to cover renovation costs.
13. Endowment Committee
A separate Endowment Committee oversees the endowment fund and decides the annual amount of money that can be disbursed to the church in preparation of the annual budget. They meet quarterly with Wells Fargo Bank. The endowment fund is approximately $1,100,000.00.
14. Foyer Dinners
Foyer Dinner groups are coordinated periodically for fellowship. These small groups gather in parishioners’ homes. We have received positive feedback on this initiative and identified this as an area of continued interest.
15. Parish Calendar Planning Committee
This committee meets monthly and is comprised of representatives from several of St. Mark’s ministries. They are responsible for the organization and planning of church activities for a six-month outlook planning period.
St. Mark’s is in sound financial shape in reference to our cash flow, capital fund management, and investments. In 2024 we had 62 pledges with an average pledge of $4,071 annually and an operating budget of approximately $252,000. Our recent capital campaign for the organ renovation project resulted in approximately $250,000 donated to cover renovation costs.
13. Endowment Committee
A separate Endowment Committee oversees the endowment fund and decides the annual amount of money that can be disbursed to the church in preparation of the annual budget. They meet quarterly with Wells Fargo Bank. The endowment fund is approximately $1,100,000.00.
14. Foyer Dinners
Foyer Dinner groups are coordinated periodically for fellowship. These small groups gather in parishioners’ homes. We have received positive feedback on this initiative and identified this as an area of continued interest.
15. Parish Calendar Planning Committee
This committee meets monthly and is comprised of representatives from several of St. Mark’s ministries. They are responsible for the organization and planning of church activities for a six-month outlook planning period.
16. Pastoral Care Team
The Pastoral Care Team meets monthly to review all parishioners and identify individuals or families who could benefit from prayers, visits, or any additional support.
The Pastoral Care Team meets monthly to review all parishioners and identify individuals or families who could benefit from prayers, visits, or any additional support.
B. Annual Events
1. Loyalty Dinner
Our Stewardship Campaign is often kicked off with a dinner prepared and served by our EYC members. Tips earned are used for the Angel Project. It has been held both in our Parish Hall and at members’ homes.
2. Shrove Pancake Meal
3. Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
1. Loyalty Dinner
Our Stewardship Campaign is often kicked off with a dinner prepared and served by our EYC members. Tips earned are used for the Angel Project. It has been held both in our Parish Hall and at members’ homes.
2. Shrove Pancake Meal
3. Easter Brunch and Egg Hunt
4. Angel Project at Christmas
5. The Festival of Lessons and Carols in December
In collaboration with the First United Methodist Church from Wharton, the Festivals of Lessons and Carols service is celebrated in the evening on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. St. Mark’s hosts a reception after the service.
5. The Festival of Lessons and Carols in December
In collaboration with the First United Methodist Church from Wharton, the Festivals of Lessons and Carols service is celebrated in the evening on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. St. Mark’s hosts a reception after the service.
6. Trunk or Treat
Our Trunk or Treat festival is held the Sunday before Halloween. We have 12-15 trunks for children to trick or treat at or play games. The children from the surrounding neighborhood enjoy this event. We grill hot dogs and serve a lite dinner. Parishioners decorate their vehicles and dress up in costumes.
Our Trunk or Treat festival is held the Sunday before Halloween. We have 12-15 trunks for children to trick or treat at or play games. The children from the surrounding neighborhood enjoy this event. We grill hot dogs and serve a lite dinner. Parishioners decorate their vehicles and dress up in costumes.
7. Hanging of the Greens
8. Blessing of the Animals
9. Advent Angel Project - One or more families from our congregation are chosen to receive treats from St. Mark’s Elves during the month of December. Families are chosen based on events in their lives that have been sad and/or overwhelming. Sometimes it is due to a death in the family or illness.
C. Partnership Organizations/Community Connections
1. Matagorda Regional Hospital - Baby blankets and clothes are collected and donated to our local hospital.
2. Ministerial Alliance
3. Women’s Pregnancy Center - Baby bottles are provided to church members to fill with money. Donations benefit our local pregnancy center.
C. Partnership Organizations/Community Connections
1. Matagorda Regional Hospital - Baby blankets and clothes are collected and donated to our local hospital.
2. Ministerial Alliance
3. Women’s Pregnancy Center - Baby bottles are provided to church members to fill with money. Donations benefit our local pregnancy center.
