On August 20, 2022, the Church Council and staff met for their annual retreat to plan and collaborate on new goals for the church year. They came up with three goals based upon suggestions from the staff, Congregational Discernment Committee, Ministry Model Task Force, and Appreciative Inquiry Workshop as well as feedback from the congregational discernment survey. The major and consistent themes present in these congregation responses were especially valued, considered, and incorporated in this process.
Grounded in these 3 goals and the church’s mission and vision statement, a list of seven priorities was created to address actions the council believed should be taken in the near-term future. These priorities are in addition to the responsibilities of the Church Council. We look forward to a year of community building and spiritual growth!
At our council retreat, we acknowledged St. Mark’s statement of vision and mission:
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is growing together in faith to abundantly nourish our community, so that led by the Holy Spirit, all would experience God’s grace, welcome, and peace in the name of Christ.
Consistent with this mission and vision, we agreed upon three goals for this council year:
- Foster a unified Lutheran community across all demographics
- Maintain a place in which people grow in spiritual & relational depth
- Become a place of welcome and safety for the Greater Huntsville community
In addition to the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of this council that are set forth in our governing documents, we will evaluate or champion the following activities (priorities) this council year:
- Revise standards and policy to use the St. Mark’s facility as a means of outreach to the community.
- Increase the opportunities for youth participation at St Mark’s, including participating in roles traditionally offered to adults.
- Create an “elevator speech” and basic marketing material (trifold) that succinctly describes what it means to be Lutheran, ELCA, and a member of St. Mark’s in Huntsville.
- Support a Family Retreat, despite the period of transition between permanent minister positions.
- Assess the congregation’s desire and willingness to engage in small groups.
- Assess the St. Mark’s campus and sanctuary from a handicap accessibility perspective.
- Seek to increase volunteers from the congregation
