Coming Soon! Blessing in Abundance Campaign

Did you know that St. Mark's is now the largest Lutheran congregation in our ELCA Southwestern Washington Synod? We have been richly blessed and we excited about the opportunity to not only take care of our own needs as a growing congregation but reach out to help sister congregations who are need of our support. That's why we have decided to share 10% of all gifts to the Blessing in Abundance capital appeal with two local ministries that you will hear much more about in March. Stay tuned for details!

Season of Lent:  Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

January offering income came in $5,939 above projections for the month. On a fiscal year-to-date (YTD) basis, this puts offerings $37,489 below budget and just slightly down versus last year's actual giving at this time. Expenses continue to be well managed - $4,091 less than projected in January and $20,112 under YTD. On net, this puts our combined General and Mortgage Funds up (actual YTD income v. actual YTD expenses) by $20,309. We had budgeted to be up by $37,405.

While offerings are just slightly under last year's actual ($5,386 or 0.9% below), in order to meet our financial obligations (e.g., payroll, utilities, and mortgage) and ministry targets (e.g., funds invested in the training of our Stephen Ministers, support of youth trips and activities), we need offerings to be 5% above last year's actual giving. We are very grateful for the continued generosity of this congregation; and know that the additional growth we approved by vote at last year's Congregational Meeting stretches and challenges us as individuals and as a congregation. We give thanks for the ministry of St. Mark's that goes on each and every day - both in our Church building and beyond our walls - and rejoice in the congregational aspirations of ministry growth together.

Please feel free to contact Jennifer Droubay or Mike McKeller in the Church office at 253-752-4966. Thank you!

A huge thank you to all who supported the St. Valentine's Celebration fundraiser here at St. Mark's on February 11.  Hosted by Empowering Life, a Lutheran nonprofit, the event raised funds to support Lutheran pastoral care and other programs at the Washington Correction Centers for Women in Gig Harbor (Purdy) and Belair.

We are grateful for the generous response from people at St. Mark's.  If you missed the event and would like to make a donation, please see Joan Nelson or mail your check to Empowering Life, P.O. Box 1803, Gig Harbor, WA 98335.  

Overwhelmed By the Needy in the World?

by Paul Baughman

Do you like to get more bang for you buck? Try "Lutheran World Relief." They report that in 2015 they have spent $43.3 million in impacting the lives of over 4 million people experiencing poverty around the world.  That represents 85.7% of their total expenses.  Fundraising took 7.7% and general management consumed only 6.6%.  What charity do you know that puts better than 3/4 of their income to the cause they support?  I found on of the cancer causes asking for my support, spends 64.7% for fundraising.  Check it out at www.lwr.org/impact

A couple other helpful sources are  www.lwr.org/groundup, which has information regarding a "coffee and cocoa initiative" reaching 427,000 people at 22 projects in the Philippines and other similar places.

And realizing new potentials in Nepal can be viewed at www.lwr.org/nepal.  This work touched 20,000 people, 1708 households, with 2,914 food packs and 4,699 household receiving quilts, personal care kits, and tarpaulins for shelter, plus 100 water filtration units for schools. 

Hungry for more? Try  www.lwr.org/programs.

2017 Mexico Mission Trip

We are looking forward to another great opportunity in 2017 to build houses and deepen relationships with people in Mexico. The dates for this year's mission trip are  June 23-July 1 . As always, the trip is open to people who are High School age or older. All those who are interested in learning more about this year's Mexico Mission trip are invited to an Interest Meeting on  Sunday, February 26 at 12:15pm . You are welcome to get some lunch first in the Parish Commons and then join us in the narthex for the meeting.

DeLong Backpack Program

2017 St. Mark's Reads:  "Healing the Heart of Democracy" by Parker Palmer

Do you know an 8 th  -12 th  grade musician who is involved in choir, band or orchestra? Lutheran Music Program offers two- and four-week summer residential academies where students grow musically through study and performance while participating in daily worship in a supportive community.

On Friday, March 3 rd at 7 pm, we invite you to learn more about our program at the home of Geoffrey and Amy Boers in Milton, just north of Tacoma. Dessert and excellent company will be provided. Please call or text Amy at 253-686-9610  if you plan to attend and look us up at www.lutheransummermusic.org.

Presented by  AM  associated ministries
Building Bridges of Interfaith Unity - Interfaith Women's Conference Connections.  Hope.  Commitment.  Saturday, March 4, 2017  8:30 - 4:30.  Curtis Senior High School, University Place, WA.  Registration is open.  Cost $35 for full day.  Reserve your seat today.

The Quilters need your help sewing quilt tops together at home.  See the table in the Narthex for sewing instructions and kits.  Any questions, contact Pat Buck or Celesta Smith (253-229-7726)

 

There is a need for someone to help serge layette kits (blankets and diapers) or loan the quilters a serger for this work. For more information, contact Randi Holland (253-905-5693)

If you shop on Amazon for the holidays, please consider designating St. Mark's (or your other favorite charity) to receive the money Amazon donates from each purchase. Login through www.smile.amazon.com and type in "St. Mark's Lutheran by The Narrows" to select our church. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same prices, selection and shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. 

• 5/6th grade-Unit 9 Conversion with Angelie and Irv
• 7/8th grade Confirmation-Deborah with Bruce and Carl
• 9-12th grade-with Zach Zimmerman

• 6-9th grade youth (current) Servant Trip- Cost: $622.00 per person Includes lodging, meals, transportation, and more. $150.00 due ASAP guarantee your spot.  Limited Scholarships are available and you can fund-raise to get your balance reduced.  6-9th grade parents you will register and pay for your son/daughter through the church.   See Montana info on youth board.
• 10-12th grade youth(current)-Summer Camp at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp July 16-21(travel dates July 15 &22). Check out www.flbc.net for more information and to register your child-you will do this on your own. But let me know so we have room for them in the van. 
• 4-5th grade youth (current) are also headed to Flathead July 16-21(travel dates July 15 & 22).  Cost: $410.00 for camp PLUS $40.00 to St. Mark's for misc. expenses (Silverwood, transportation, etc.). Limited scholarship funds and fundraising opportunities are also available.  We will be going with the 6-9th grade servant trip, and any high school youth wanting to go to camp.