We welcome everyone to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, where individuals and families can grow in their relationship with Jesus and one another through a variety of worship styles, ministries, and service.

God’s Ideal Vision for St. Marks:

Following Jesus’ example, we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, nurse the sick, and visit the imprisoned as we see Jesus in the faces of those we serve.

Living Our Core Values:

We strive to model our Core Values in our day-to-day behavior, both within St. Marks and in our daily lives. When we fall short, we pray for God’s divine intervention and support to help us remain true to our highest and best selves.

PRAYER

We pray for guidance from God. Prayer brings us closer to God. God promises to answer.
We pray for each other and for those in need within and outside the walls.
We pray with thankfulness.
We promise to listen – prayer is conversation.

ACCESSIBILITY

We promise that all will have access to worship.
We promise to remove barriers and project invitation and welcome.
We promise to step out in faith with openness to what God wants us to be and acceptance of the diversity of cultures and people.

SERVICE

We promise to develop and/or support Christian-based and other service/support organizations to achieve our vision.
We promise to support the needs of one another just as we support those outside our walls.
We promise to keep our doors open to all in need and share what we have.

COMMUNICATION

We promise to listen to all with understanding, grace and patience.
We promise to use all communication methods to share the gospel with others and all our members.
We promise to use a variety of communication methods to connect with, inform, and educate our members, guests, and the larger community.

EDUCATION

We share what we have learned about Christ and His redeeming love with others.
We offer education opportunities to teach and learn about Jesus through worship, music and teaching, Bible study, Sunday school, confirmation classes, youth programs and outreach activities.

WORSHIP

We provide convenient, relevant, meaningful worship experiences that appeal to the broader community and to the diverse members of our congregation.
Our worship engages the spirit, reveals the truth, celebrates through music and song, and prepares us to share God’s message of love and forgiveness.
We create worship opportunities that are inclusive, multi-generational and engaging for youth.

YOUTH

We promise to intentionally provide a safe environment to learn about and seek God through relevant and age-appropriate opportunities to worship, serve and learn.

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Our words and actions build each other up, encourage and support each other.
We practice empathy and forgiveness.
We encourage openness, honesty, and transparency.

Agenda for the Annual Meeting of the Congregation January 28, 2024,

AGENDA

Call to Order

Opening Devotion and Prayer: Pastor Karla

St. Mark’s Mission

Agenda Review for the January 28, 2024, Annual Meeting

Check for Quorum of 35 members (in person and Live ZOOM participants)

Approve of Minutes of Congregational Meetings

January 29, 2023, Annual Meeting

Approve 2024 Budgets

2024 Budget
2024 Memorial Endowment Budget

Election of Congregational Representatives

Candidates for 2024 Church Council
Candidates for the 2024 Legacy Committee
Candidates for 2024 Nominating Committee
Lay Representatives for the 2024 Pacifica Synod Conference

Reports:

Pastor Karla Halvorson – Pastoral Report
Pastor Alicia Saenz – Pastoral Report
CRTG, Security – Chris Lewis
Chris Lewis – Church Council & Staff
- Thank you to retiring Council Members: Sheri Barker, Skip Knudson, Erick Posada, and Robert Nava
- Thank you to our faithful and dedicated staff: Pastor Karla Halvorson, Pastor Alicia Saenz, Cindy Diaz, Maria Luisa Guzman, Jason Chase, Andrew Vargas, Nathan Estrada, David Hernandez, and Daniel Alinado.

Directions for Voting

After “in-person” Annual meeting in sanctuary (if attending)
After Live Facebook/ZOOM meeting via online link to ballot (see newsletter for link)
Monday, January 29, 2023, 8:30-1 PM, paper ballot to Office

Closing Prayer – The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

MINUTES Annual Bilingual Congregational Meeting

January 29, 2023

MINUTES

Meeting called to order by President Chris Lewis at 10:15 A.M.

Opening prayer: Pastor Karla Halvorson

Check for a Quorum of 35: 64 members present in the sanctuary; 7 attending online. Meeting recorded and broadcast live via ZOOM.

Translation by Pastor Alicia Saenz.

Minutes of January 31, 2022, Annual Congregational Meeting.

Motion to approve: Herb Geier; Second: Billy Cox; Motion passed unanimously.

Recognition of Volunteers: Chris Lewis

Reports:

Pastor Karla Halvorson—Pastoral Report
Alicia Saenz—Pastoral Report
Chris Lewis—Property Report

Review of Candidates for Congregational positions: Chris Lewis

Candidates for 2023 Church Council
Candidates for the 2023 Legacy Committee
Candidates for 2023 Nominating Committee
Lay Representatives for the 2023 Pacifica Synod Conference
Council added Melissa Hernandez as our “Under 30” representative, a position that doesn’t need to be elected. In addition, Pastor Alicia will now be able to take an additional congregation member to the Pacifica Synod conference which will bring our total representatives to 6.

Approve the 2023 Budgets:

2024 Budget
2024 Memorial Endowment Budget

Motion to approve: Dick Bolin; second: Ann Larsen. Unanimously approved.

Voting Instructions: Chris Lewis

After “in-person” Annual meeting in sanctuary
After Live ZOOM meeting via online link to ballot (see newsletter for link)
Monday, January 30, 2023, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM noon, via paper ballot

Closing Prayer: Pastor Alicia

Meeting Adjourned at 11:59 A.M. Motion: Bob Lechner; second: Dick Bolin. Motion carried.

January 30, 2023, Election Results

63 ballots were cast, 58 on paper and 5 cast online.
59 approved the 2023 congregation budget,
59 approved the Legacy budget.
61 approved all candidates for Council, Nominating Committee, Legacy, and Synod Representatives.

Tellers who counted ballots and validated member ballots: Tom Larsen, Gloria Smested, and Nancy Peterson-Rue.

Thank you to all who took the time to cast a vote and those who volunteered to count the ballots!

Council Members Elected to Council 2023:

Krystina Torres, 1st Term, Year 1
Dorothy Geier, 1st Term, Year 1
Gerd Pfeiffer, 1st Term, Year 1
Margarita Alvarez, 1st Term, Year 1
Dennis Coughlin, 1st Term, Year 1
Melissa Hernandez, 1st Term, Year 1

2023 Nominating Committee Elected:

Herb Geier
Bennie Valeu
Paty Hernandez
Sherri Coughlin

2023 Legacy Committee Elected:

Gabby Hernandez

2023 Pacifica Synod Conference Lay Representatives Elected:

Dick & Caye Bolin
Melissa Hernandez (under 30 representative)

Respectfully Submitted,

Sheridan L. Barker, Vice President substituting for Erick Posada, Secretary

Proposed Candidates for Church Council 2024

CANDIDATES

Note: A Council Term = 2 years.

A member is restricted to serving 2 terms in a row.

2024 Current Council Terms:

Margarita Alvarez: 1st Term, Year 2, elected 2023.
Dennis Coughlin: 1st Term, Year 2, elected 2023.
Dorothy Geier: 1st Term, Year 2, elected 2023.
Melissa Hernandez: 2nd Term, Year 2, elected 2021.
Gerd Pfeiffer: 1st Term, Year 2, elected 2023.
Krystina Torres: 1st Term, Year 2, elected 2023.

Candidates for 2024 Congregation Council:

Chris Lewis, (Term 2, 1st year, elected 2022)
Bruce Mansfield, (Term 1, 1st year)
Patty Villa (Term 1, 1st year)
Luz Rivera (Term 1, 1st year)
Karl Larsen (Term 1, 1st year)

Candidates for 2024 Nominating Committee:

Sheri Barker, retiring Council.
Erick Posada, retiring Council.
Roberto Nava, retiring Council.
Consuelo (Chelo) Acosta
Linda Nerat

The 2023 Nominating Committee included Sheri Barker, Herb Geier, Patricia Villa, Ben Valeu and Sherri Coughlin.

Candidates for Pacifica Synod Conference Representatives are Sheri Barker and Patricia Villa with Erick Posada (alternate)

St. Mark’s Church Council President’s Annual Report

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Dear St. Mark’s Family!

First, I would like to state my sincere gratitude for allowing me the opportunity to serve this congregation as a member of your Congregation Council in 2023

It seems that we just finished preparing for 2023 and here we are preparing for 2024! Our monthly agendas have been loaded with action items and as soon as one is completed, another presents itself! I am absolutely amazed at the dedication, devotion, and energy exhibited on part of the leadership and members of this congregation as together, we move our beloved church upward and onward. As each member of the Congregational Council has provided their detailed reports, I will simply summarize for you, some of the events of this past year.

Highlighting the year was the ordination of Pastor Alicia Saenz who had overcome significant challenges to prepare for this long-awaited event. We are grateful for all the clergy and lay personnel who assisted Pastor Alicia achieve this honor.
The first meeting of the Campus Revitalization Task Group (CRTG) was held on March 16th and immediately went to work organizing and conducting preliminary tasks such as obtaining pre-approval for a loan to fund the work anticipated to prepare the upper campus for a daycare operation, reviewing the plans presented by the architect, searching for a viable tenant, and completing the installation of required perimeter fencing.
Confirmation classes were resumed resulting in 11 new confirmands in November!
Our audio/visual systems were upgraded providing improved quality transmission of our services through various social media.
Very successful Vacation Bible School with over 50 children and 30 volunteers.

I would describe this past year as nothing short of phenomenal! When one accepts a position of leadership, one can only hope that the organization will be responsive and supportive, and I have to say that everyone associated with this organization was all of that and more! The “can do” spirit of this relatively small group of dedicated council members was stunning!

They were presented with the numerous complexities and challenges commensurate with the continued process of transitioning through a very difficult period in the life of this congregation. In addition to the Congregational Council proper, there are many additional members who selflessly and quietly give of their time and talent to assist in every aspect of our mission. I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the phenomenal staff of Cindy Diaz, Jason Chase, Maria Luisa Guzman, Melissa Hernandez, Andrew Vargas, Nathan Estrada, David Hernandez, and Daniel Alinado without whom, I dare say, we would be totally ineffective.

We will be recognizing the efforts of these members and staff at the annual meeting.

It goes without saying that we are truly blessed with two wonderful pastors who through tireless efforts and exceptional skills and resourcefulness, continue to energize, nurture, and expand many of the ministries that had lost momentum. The candor, transparency and genuine affection demonstrated between the clergy and laity has been instrumental in promoting peace, harmony, and productivity within the entire organization.

Our Congregational Council continues to work diligently and improve our efficiency. We thank Skip Knudsen for his service with music and worship. We were sad to see him resign for family reasons, but we welcomed Bruce Mansfield as an Interim member.

2023 Congregation Council – 12 people

Chris Lewis, president,

Sheri Barker, Vice president,

Erick Posada, secretary,

Krystina Torres, Treasurer,

Dennis Coughlin, property

Margarita Alverez, Outreach and Evangelism,

Melissa Hernandez, children and youth

Robert Nava, security

Gerd Pfeiffer- Campus Revitalizarían

Pastor Alicia Saenz

Pastor Karla Halvorson,

We are grateful to Bruce Mansfield as our new music and worship council liaison.

I am pleased to report that we have several new candidates (names to appear in the Nominating Committee report) to consider for positions of leadership going forward, which will allow us to further expand our efforts to get the work done that is ours to do. Thank you to all who were interviewed and accepted the challenge!

In closing I would like to remind all of us that we have been called to serve the Lord in the various capacities in which we are engaged. He has given us the time, talent, and resources to carry out His mission and while we are tempted to take credit for our accomplishments, let us always remember that we are His instruments to carry out His ministries. Thank you all for your support during this past year. Let us all join together in His spirit to move to even greater achievements in the ensuing year!

Blessings,
Chris Lewis,
President

Pastor Karla Halvorson 2023 Annual Report

PASTOR KARLA’S REPORT

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

These words are my guiding light, my hope and my strength. Jesus sets the pace, chooses the direction, and works with us, allowing us to co-create with Him to do God’s Will.

Worship

We continue to offer both in person and on-line options for worship in English, Spanish and bilingually. This year we conducted the following bi-lingual services or events:

Jan-Annual Meeting worship

Feb-Ash Wednesday drive through

Feb- March Lenten Prayer Around the Cross

April Palm Sunday Children’s Pageant (with Glory Chinese Lutheran)

May- Pentecost Sunday

June- Vacation Bible School Sunday

July- Confirmation Camp Sunday

September- God’s Work Our Hands Sunday

October- Reformation/ Confirmation Sunday

November- Interfaith Thanksgiving service at St John’s Episcopal

December- St Mark’s Christmas Traditions service

= 15 bilingual services

Sunday worship continues to be a joy with creative music, helpful worship assistants and worship that is being constantly adapted. Thanks to our Altar Ministry and all the worship assistants, ushers, AV helpers and worshippers for creating a worship experience that matters. I am grateful to work with Pastor Alicia as we live into the dream of One Congregation, Two languages.

Attendance has been somewhat affected by health problems with some of our members. We began the year with an average attendance in the 9 am service of about 70-80 in person. That has decreased by about 10% this Fall. On the other hand, attendance in the 11:15 service has risen.

What’s amazing is how strong our on-line and email following is. People want to know what’s happening at St Mark’s and seem proud of what we’re doing. Please see Deb Lechner’s report for a full overview. I am so pleased to report that people want to be here and want to worship with us either in person or virtually, but sometimes they simply cannot.

Member Care has been a key focus of our ministry at St Mark’s for 2023. Our Member Care group is strong and wonderful under the guidance of Dorothy Geier. As part of the natural aging process, we expect and plan to focus on the pastoral needs of our congregation. Our days of service and Advent celebrations include intentional outreach to our homebound. I am so blessed to have both Pastor Alicia and Dorothy Geier fully willing and able to step in for end-of-life care. We are also grateful to Caye Bolin Smith for her coordination of funeral receptions.

With the help of Pastor Alicia, Dorothy and Herb Geier and Dick Bolin, we had a very helpful planning session entitled “Getting Our Affairs in Order with the Help of God”. All of this is now available on our website www.stmarkschulavista.org. Look under funeral planning.

Music

Jason Chase is enrapturing us with his talents and organization. Our Concert series is in full swing. Our Concert Series Ministry Team now consists of Jason Chase, Karen Wilkins, Tom Larsen, (Skip Knudsen), Deb Lechner, David Barker, and me. The 2022-23 series concluded in July and included.

9/24/22 Autumn Concert “From Barcelona to Broadway: Her Song. “

11/16/22 Guest Organist Jason Chase, Organist

3/4/23 Concordia University’s Bell Choir on Tour

3/18/23 “Spring Celebration Concert”

5/24/23 Guest Artist Emil Luxemburg, Violinist

7/1/23 “A Patriotic Celebration” Margaret Gaillard Organist and Jason Chase,

9/16/2023 Sat. @ 3pm 1 st Arts Workshop – Performed by Jason Chase, Director of Music/Pianist

10/14/2023 Sat. @ 3pm “La Luna Y las Estrella’s” – “The Moon & Stars” – Latin Music

10/20/2023 Point Loma Nazarene University

11/11/2023 Sat. @ 3pm “If I Sing” Angie Mulder and Jason Chase, and we look forward to more concerts and music seminars in 2024.

We created five liturgies for a bilingual Lenten Service of Healing called Prayer Around the Cross. It seems to meet a need within our community and congregation, so we plan to offer it again in 2024.

We are grateful for Lisa Mansfield as bell choir director and her family. We plan to continue the bell choir Tuesday evenings into 2024. It’s a joyful time.

Pastors/ Administration/ Staff/ Office Volunteers

The highlight of the year was the ordination of Pastor Alicia Saenz. She overcame tremendous odds to finish her course work and prepare for this momentous event. This bilingual service was very well attended by area clergy and those who helped Pastor Alicia along the way. We are also grateful for the Internship committee, led by Gabriela Guiterrez, and the budget committee, led by Diane Flint-Wages. It gives us great pleasure to call her Associate Pastor of St Mark’s.

We continue to be very impressed and grateful for Cindy Diaz, our office manager. She warmly greets all who come, answers questions or directs people where they need to go and serves as a wonderful partner in ministry. This year she also began attending the Chula Vista Collaborative to spread the news about St Mark’s and our ministries as well as gather helpful information of what’s offered in Chula Vista for our members.

Maria Luisa Guzman, our custodian, continues to be a gift from God. Her work is more than work- it’s ministry. On her own time, she coordinates the walk-up food distribution for the second Friday of the month distribution (Project Hand). She is greatly respected by all who help her and a natural leader.

Melissa Hernandez enthusiastically leads our youth and children’s ministries. Her job description continues to change and grow, now including leading youth planning meetings, youth Bible studies, coordinating with other congregations, as well as Sunday school and Children’s message. She and I meet weekly to plan children and youth Christian education and all- family outings. (Also see Children and Youth section.)

Audio/ Visual: Andrew Vargas, Nathan Estrada, Sheri Barker, David Hernandez and Daniel Alinado as well as Deb Lechner continues to improve and evaluate our sound, video and on-line presence. Thank you, team!

Much thanks to Tom Larsen, lead counter, and David Barker who arrived early Monday morning to count and deposit offerings. We could not do this without you!

Dennis Coughlin and Walt Bergener are here several days per week, troubleshooting, building, repairing, and supervising outside contractors. We are so very grateful.

Kyra Petrin and team care and beautify this campus year-round. She is aided now by Pedro Hernandez who oversees the entire campus’ outdoor needs.

Beginning this Fall, Cindy, Maria Luisa, Jason, Pastor Alicia, and I meet monthly to schedule and coordinate events. We share devotions, prayer and support one another.

Children and Youth

Highlights of the year:

We were able to have a tri-lingual Easter pageant with Glory Lutheran (Spanish/ English/ Chinese) as well as an Easter pancake breakfast fundraiser for Confirmation camp. We held several

All- family events this past year including swimming parties and SeaWorld.

On top of regular Confirmation and Sunday School/ Nursery care, we had a very successful Vacation Bible School “Lava Lava Luau” with 54 kids and about 30 adult volunteers. We added a Friday “open house “to get to know the families better.

Nine of our kids went to Confirmation camp at Luther Glen with Laura Marquez

This Fall, Melissa hosted a youth event for local Lutheran congregations with guest speaker Nick Orth-Lopez.

Melissa and I meet weekly to plan and review events, and she leads an every-other-month youth planning meeting via zoom.

Mutual Ministry/ Internship Committee

This year, our Mutual Ministry committee completed the work of Pastor Alicia’s Internship Committee led by Gabby Guitierrez. Together we completed the necessary work and created the Letter of Call for Pastor Alicia. We resumed regular (four times per year) Mutual Ministry work this September. Members include Diane Nissen, chair, Chris Lewis, Erick Posada, Gabby Guitierrez, Doug Nerat and both pastors. We were saddened to say goodbye to Mary Lu Bucknell who moved away, but glad to invite Doug Nerat to our team. We meet quarterly to discuss goals for the year, continuing education, budget concerns and reviewing the year. More info at https://sdsynod.org/wp-content/uploads/filebase/call-process/Mutual-Ministry-Handbook.pdf

Pacifica Synod Council and synod wide involvement

I was elected to a two-year term on synod council beginning summer 2021 and concluding May 2024.

I am on the review team for the Pacifica Synod Cathryn Wright Fund Grants (training for lay leadership). I have also resumed my position on the Pacifica AMMPARO Network planning team, at the request of the Pacifica Synod staff (AMMPARO is a network of non-profits, faith communities and Lutheran clergy and members who are interested in assisting migrants, immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees. https://www.elca.org/ammparo

Grants
This past year we received, among other grants, the Latino Ministry Grant ($10,000) , the Matthew 25 grant for social services, and a few others. We have also asked you to apply for Thrivent Action Team Grants, and with these $250 grants, have accomplished many projects worth about $3,000.

Lutheran Social Services Updates

Our work with Lutheran Social Services continues to flourish. We love working with Gabby Bernal, Danney Alkana and Mari Lizagarra with Upward Bound and Talent Search. Our ties with LSS Project Hand and Johnny Violora and Enrique Enriquez have grown and our participation in the huge food distribution has increased. Maria Luisa Guzman and Chris Lewis are regular volunteers and Dora Tucker and I have begun promoting the church and church events to everyone in line. With about 450 cars/ people per distribution, this is an amazing opportunity! We will conclude this year with a party for all the volunteers with tamales created by Margarita Alverez.

Ecumenical Work and Community Outreach

The Chula Vista clergy network has grown to include Chula Vista Methodist and First Presbyterian churches as well as Community Congregational Church, St John’s Episcopal, Frederika Manor, Temple Beth Shalom, and St Mark’s. We meet for lunch every other month and have had several services together including a vigil at Temple Beth Shalom, an evening called Confronting Anti Semitism in the United States and the Thanksgiving Eve service at St Mark’s.

We continue to support our Chula Vista Police Department with our well-used Police Break Room, coloring books and toys for police to distribute to kids in need, and our weekly prayers.

Our God’s Work Our Hands Sunday was focused on our own congregation and those in need. We made cards for our homebound and planted succulents, got out into the neighborhood and made many Blessing Bags to give to anyone in need. We enjoyed a carne asada meal following our morning of outreach.

Areundaum Korean and Glory Mandarin Lutheran

Our friendships with these two congregations are blessed by God. We have a good working relationship, accommodate each other’s needs, and are respectful of the property and each congregation’s items. This takes constant work and diligence, but it’s always worthwhile.

Congregational Statistics

What’s next?

Your church leadership is well aware that we have the double responsibility of exceptional member care and outreach / evangelism. I am so grateful that we are a team with the common understanding that we serve our one true Master, Jesus Christ.

We will increase representation of our Spanish speaking members in positions of leadership.

We will serve our community through low-cost childcare, food distribution, prayer services, quilts, community celebrations, and intentional invitations to join our church. We welcome Southwestern Community College to our campus this summer for English as a Second Language classes with 2 classes already scheduled for Fall 2024. We will continue to honor our faithful Chula Vista Police Dept through a break room and supplies, we will work side-by-side with Glory Lutheran, Areundaum Korean, and both Lutheran Social Services organizations.

We will step out of our comfort zone and find ways to meet the needs of this community through your ideas coupled with thoughtful planning. By the grace of God, St Mark’s will remain a beacon of hope and help, leading people to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Alicia Saenz 2023 Annual Report

PASTOR ALICIA’S REPORT

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

This passage gives me great assurance, knowing that God is with me wherever I go makes me strong and courageous, not because I am strong, but because God is with me. God is with St. Mark’s with His strength and courage, with his power, He is encouraging, transforming, healing, strengthening us. We at St. Mark’s and the whole church that makes the body of Christ in the world need the courage and power that can only come from God, this power is present in St, Mark’s as we courageously keep thriving together with God, despite adversities, struggles, and temporary separations, knowing that God is with us and he has a plan that we are here to fulfill for God’s glory.

Jesus said: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

St. Mark’s operates under this commandment.

Worship

We continue to offer both in person and on-line options for worship in both English and Spanish. This year we conducted 15 bi-lingual services and events.

Sunday worship continues to be a blessing that renews and refreshes, the Body and Blood of Christ, strengthen us for the following week.

The music is uplifting and inspiring. Thanks to our choir at the 11:15 service, they are great and work really hard to deliver music that is really appreciated by the people who attend the service. Big thanks to Manuel, Laura, Gloria, and Jason.

Thanks also for the 9:00 am service music, it is always a joy.

Thanks to our Altar Ministry and all the worship assistants, it is important that you all know, the Altar Ministry serves both the 9 and the 11:15 service, they are amazing.

Thank you all for your support and patience when I cover for Pastor Karla, thanks to the ushers, AV helpers and worshippers for creating a worship experience that matters.

I thank God for Pastor Karla and feel very blessed with the opportunity that God has granted me to work with Pastor Karla as One Congregation, Two languages.

Attendance has been, for the 11:15 am service we are worshiping with an average of 25 people, we received new members this year that will increase the number of people worshiping every Sunday and we are working nonstop in inviting and evangelizing efforts.

Member Care, as you might know, I am in charge of the member care services for the people of the 11:15 service and that also involves a lot of care for their family and friends, which I am happy to do. I am now also part of the Member Care for the 9 am service–don’t get sick, but if you do, you might see me visiting you in the hospital.

It is very humbling to work side to side with the two-member care angels such as Dorothy Geier, who guides the member care ministry, and Pastor Karla. Thanks to everybody else who works in the Member Care Ministry. As Pastor Karla said, both Dorothy Geier and myself are fully willing and able to step in for end-of-life care.

Coordination of funeral receptions. We are also grateful to Caye Bolin Smith for her, with the help of Pastor Alicia, Dorothy and Herb Geier and Dick Bolin, we had a very helpful planning session entitled “Getting Our Affairs in Order with the Help of God”. All of this is now available on our website www.stmarkschulavista.org. Look under funeral planning.

Our Concert Series Ministry Team led by Jason Chase now consists of Jason Chase, Karen Wilkins, Tom Larsen, (Skip Knudsen), Deb Lechner, David Barker, and me. The 2022-23 series concluded in July and included ten concerts, including a Latin Music Concert on 10/14/2023 Sat. @ 3pm “La Luna Y Las Estrella’s” – “The Moon & the Stars,” which featured Jason Chase on the keyboard, Manuel Alvarez and Manuel Alvarez Junior playing guitar, Joel playing the bass, Laura Marquez and Gloria Cortez singing; we also had Miguel Campos playing the piano and singing some songs. We are excited with anticipation for the concerts and music seminars in 2024.

Pastors/ Administration/ Staff/ Office Volunteers

Pastors

The biggest accomplishment this year was my ordination. I am relieved to have finished the seminary work, which took me so long. For the ordination, not only one must complete all the seminary work, but there are many requirements you have to fulfill, I want St. Mark’s congregation to know that without Pastor Karla’s help, I would have not been able to complete all those requirements on time to be ordained in June. I am very grateful to Pastor Karla for all her help with the process, she practically took the process in her hands so that I could finish the seminary work. We are blessed to have such a good compassionate Pastor as Pastor Karla. Thanks also to all of you in St. Mark’s, you have been very patient all those 11 years, you never pressured me, but always encouraged me. Thank you to all who helped in the bilingual service and thank you for the remarkably beautiful reception, which was guided by Gabby Gutierez, but I know a lot of people contributed in many ways, thanks to those who attended as well. I am grateful for all area clergy who took time of their busy Ministry life to attend, most of them had helped me along the way. I am forever grateful for the Internship committee and the call committee, led by Gabby Guiterrez, as well as the call committee also led by Gabby Gutierrez, which included the budget committee, led by Diane Flint-Wages. It is a great privilege and blessing to serve as the associate Pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

We continue to be very impressed and grateful for Cindy Diaz, our office manager. She is patient with me, she does all translations, she does an incredible amount of work and still is patient and kind to members and all who come.

Maria Luisa Guzman, our custodian, continues to be a gift from God. Maria Luisa is also a member or our congregation and contributes with ministry in different ways on her own time, helping with outreach events, such as Ash Wednesday, Day of the Dead, La Posada, and anything else asked from her, she also coordinates the walk-up food distribution for the second Friday and is greatly respected by all who help her, a natural leader.

Christian Education

James Jerpseth and I lead Sunday morning Bible studies on various books of the Bible

and we enjoyed a variety of All-Congregation events on Sunday mornings. “Stories of Our Lives”

continues to be an important aspect of our lives together. Confirmation classes, now Youth Bible

Study also takes place during our Christian Education hour. Our Tuesday afternoon, 3 pm Bible study, which focuses on the upcoming Gospel, is open to anyone in person or on Zoom. We hope you can join us.

Bible Study in Spanish every other Thursday at the Alvarez’s home. Our Bible study focuses on specific ways of using the work of God to guide, encourage, and heal. All are welcome!

Evangelism and Outreach

We are taking outreach and inviting people to church extremely seriously at St Mark’s. Our events in the parking lot (Ash Wednesday, Dia de Los Muertos) as well as the monthly food distribution open doors for us to invite many. The concert series helps people become familiar with our congregation as well. Pastor Alicia and Margarita Alverez help us focus our attention on those who are not yet here. We’ve had fun role-playing how to invite others, our signage, fliers, and church information trifolds are vastly improved, and we pledge to find new and innovative ways to intentionally invite people to visit, attend and join St Mark’s Lutheran Church. Our Lenten prayer services welcomed friends and family members as well as the joyous celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

Mutual Ministry/ Internship Committee

This year, our Mutual Ministry committee was extremely busy completing and without their help I would not have been able to be ordained. I am very grateful for all the time invested.

The Chula Vista clergy network has grown, and I have participated in some of the Ecumenical Events.

For 2024 we will strongly and courageously continue to serve with love for one another, we will provide member care, we will continue with our outreach and evangelism efforts, we will continue to serve our community providing what is needed in the community that God has sent us to, such as welcoming Southwestern Community College to our campus this summer for English as a Second Language classes with 2 classes already scheduled for Fall 2024, low-cost childcare, food distribution, prayer services, quilts, community celebrations, and intentional invitations to join our church. We will continue with prayers and service, remembering Jesus’s promise: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b.

Pastoral Acts Attendance 2023

PASTORAL ACTS & ATTENDANCE

date	time	eyeballs (live)	facebook views* (week)	youtube* (week)	in person	newsletter open/click (week later)	Notes
Jan-1	9:00	2	NA	15	37	80/5 (102/8)
Jan-1	11:15	1	81	16	18
Jan-8	9:00	5	48	14	62	93/8 (105/11)
Jan-8	10:00	3	66	5			Stories of our lives
Jan-8	11:15	5	66	15	28
Jan-15	9:00	5	46	12	67	86/4 (106/8)
Jan-15	11:15		58	7	22
Jan-22	9:00	5	42	15	67	83/20(104/27)
Jan-22	10:15	3	63	14			budget Q&A
Jan-22	11:15	2	NA	9	19
Jan-29	10:00	7	57	11	90	90/14 (108/23)	Annual Meeting
Feb-5	9:00	5	38	10	73	88/3 (110/5)
Feb-5	11:15	1	47	5	38
Feb-12	9:00	1	39	8	72	78/4 (101/12)
Feb-12	11:15	1	71	7	40
Feb-19	9:00	3	48	11	69	(110/14)
Feb-19	11:15	4	66	12	29
Feb-22	noon	5	NA	26		(115/4)	Ash Wednesday
Feb-26	9:00	2	32	14	58	91/14 (107/19)
Feb-26	11:15	4	37	10	25
Mar-1	6:30	0	45	14	26		Lenten Service
Mar-4	11	1	NA	33		(135/5)	Aimee’s Celebration of Life
Mar-4	7	3	31	7			Bell Concert
Mar-5	9:00	6	43	7	72	82/16 (103/24)
Mar-5	11:15	3	36	6	21
Mar 8	6:30	5	51	13			Lenten Service
Mar 12	9:00	6	55	8	55	75/2 (101/9)
Mar 12	11:15	1	23	18	23
Mar 15	6:30	1	38	32			Lenten Service
Mar 18	3:00	1		17	60	112/1	Spring Melodies – Concert
Mar 19	9:00	5	40	8	79	83/12 (110/24)
Mar 19	11:15	1	45	14	22
Mar 21	12:30	NA		40			The Chosen Bible Study
Mar 25	10	5	46	29	NA	93/12	Nan’s Celebration of Life
Mar 26	9:00	5	47	9	69	75/11 (102/20)
Mar 26	11:15	2	51	9	26
Mar 29	6:30		47	21			Lenten Service
Apr 2	10:00	5	60	16	164	96/6 (108/12)	Palm Sunday
Apr 7	6:30	8	68	11		113/8 (118/8)	Good Friday
Apr 9	9:00	5	50	21	111	85/6 (105/11)	Easter
Apr 9	11:15	4	51	21	53
Apr 16	9:00	8	58	10	70	76/3 (100/10)	Holy Hilarity Sunday
Apr 16	11:15	1	71	30	47
Apr 23	9:00	5	65	9	59	80/5(104/9)
Aor 23	11:15	2	65	10	28
Apr 30	9:00	6	50	22		80/4 (97/9)
Apr 30	10	2	60	3	78		Q&A ForumCRTG
Apr 30	11:15	2	50	16	27
May 7	9:00	3	38	21	71	97/19 (100/19)
May 7	10	3	NA	24			Q&A Congregational Meeting
May 7	11:15	2	46	18	32
May 14	9:00	5	36	10	74	80/11(103/18)	Mother’s Day
May 14	11:15	3	34	8	36
May 21	9:00	7	70	20	58	80/13 (104/21)
May 21	10:15	1	70	7			Congregational Meeting
May 21	11:15	2	70	17	30
May 28	10:00	4	43	10	72	88/6 (103/13)	Pentecost
June 4	9:00	5	39	16	62	80/6 (101/16)
June 4	11:15	1	48	14	23
June 10	3:00	4	51	25	142	125/18	Pastor Alicia Ordination
June 11	9:00	7	51	9	71	99/10 (102/11)
June 11	11:15	2	48	21	19
June 18	10:00	5	61	12	80	80/5 (103/6)	VBS Celebration
June 25	9:00	6	46	8	60	83/6 (101/10)
June 25	11:15	3	27	10	29
July 1	3:00		118	21		108/1	Patriotic Concert
July 2	9:00	7	57		58	77/6 (102/8)
July 2	11:15		81		29
July 9	9:00	3	NA	6	72	80/5 (110/15)
July 9	11:15		NA	NA	32
July 15	10	4	91	30	48	111/0	Frank Waibel Memorial
July 16	10	2	54	1		105/3 (106/3)	Confirmation Camp Sunday
July 23	9	4	31	7	64	73/5 (101/8)
July 23	11:15	2	49	10	28
July 30	9	8	51	12	70	74/2 (106/8)
July 30	11:15	2	51	8	22
Aug 6	9	NA	34	9	62	(94/7)	guest pastor Maria Santa Cruz
Aug 6	11:15	NA	29	15
Aug 13	9	8	78	9	48	77/4 (98/8)
Aug 13	11:15	0	NA	10	30
Aug 16	5	8	94	6		119/2	Prayer service
Aug 20	9	4	65	55		77/8 (99/17)	hurricane service from Pastor Karla’s home
Aug 20	11:15	2	104	NA
Aug 27	9	8	47	9	57	79/5 (96/10)
Aug 27	10	4	76	6			Congregation Meeting Q&A ESS
Aug 27	11:15	1	31	20	25
Sept 3	9	5	57	12	65	78/8 (104/11)
Sept 3	10	NA	65	10			Five Wishes
Sept 3	11:15	3	53	16	24
Sept 9	10:30	2	NA	67		120/5 (124/5)	Jean Myers Funeral
Sept 9	3	NA	NA	20			Concert American Hymns History
Sept 10	9	8	53	5	52	66/10 (101/22)	God’s work, our hands one service
Sept 17	9	5	63	12	59	84/11 (106/17)
Sept 17	10	2	59	5			Congregational meeting and vote to send letter of intent
Sept 17	11:15	5	22	11	54
Sept 24	9	6	42	12	60	68/0 (95/9)
Sept 24	11:15	2	36	14	23
Oct 1	9	7	45	11	66	70/4 (99/8)
Oct 1	11:15	2	49	25
Oct 7	6	NA	NA	NA
Oct 8	9	7	38	8	58	76/7 (95/12)
Oct 8	11:15	1	44	19	32
Oct 14	3	3	109	8	70		Latin Concert
Oct 15	9	6	51	11	67	75/14 (98/24)
Oct 15	11:15	2	41	9	25
Oct 20	6:30	5	59	11	86	110/1 (115/1)	Classical Concert Band
Oct 21	11	3	42	5			Myrna Bolin Funeral
Oct 22	9	6	30	18		74/3 (100/9)
Oct 22	11:15	2	44	23
Oct 29	10	4	14	8		80/6 (99/9)	Reformation and Confirmation Sunday
Nov 4	3	3	24	NA			Nick’s testimony
Nov 5	9	6	53	11		78/4 (93/11)	All Saints Sunday
Nov 5	11:15	1	49	21
Nov 11	15:00	5	65	11			concert Angie and Jason “If I Sing”
Nov 12	9:00	3	68	3		84/9 (94/10)	Veteran’s Day and Commitment Sunday
Nov 12	11:15	NA	NA	NA			Not recorded or streamed because of Isaac’s Baptism
Nov 15	18:00	NA	NA	NA			Solidarity service
Nov 19	9:00	8				76/4
Nov 19	11:15	2
Nov 26	9:00	7	71	10	72	72/6 (96/10)
Nov 26	11:15	1	55	19	30
Dec 3	9:00	7	62	10	65	76/5 (96/10)	first advent sunday
Dec 3	11	2	42	11	35
Dec 10	10:00	3	38	6	88	69/2 (93/6)	Christmas Around the World
Dec 17	9:00	5	48	54	61	77/3 (96/7)
Dec 17	11:15	0	28	10	25
Dec 24	9:00	4	41	21	50	76/18 (100/24)	Christmas Eve
Dec 24	11:15	3	39	40	23
Dec 24	5	4	45	41	137		Candlelight Service
Dec 31	9:00	7	47	11	62	67/3
Dec 31	11:15	0	42	93	25

Campus Revitalization Task Group

CAMPUS REVITALIZATION TASK GROUP Annual Report 2023

Members: Chris Lewis (chair), Gerd Pfeiffer (co-chair), Walter Bergener, Rich Bolin, Dennis Coughlin, Sheri Barker, Frank Lizarraga, James Jerpseth, Juan Santana, and Diane Flint-Wages

Campus Revitalization Task Group (CTRG) was put in place in March to serve as the entity charged with generating options for developing the church campus. As part of the church mission to serve the local community, consensus was reached early on to pursue locating a childcare facility.

The group met with our architect, Mr. Kent Coston, where he presented an overview proposal and options for remodeling our campus to accommodate a childcare facility safely and legally.

An initial and significant part of the revitalization project is to provide improved security to protect children using our campus. A fence around the inner part of the inner campus was installed to secure the area for children.

Next major step was to identify potential tenants. We contacted local organizations which provide childcare services and held introductory meetings with several of them. Over the course of several weeks, Educational Enrichment Services (EES), the largest childcare provider in San Diego County with 19 locations and 1,300 children emerged as the best candidate. They have been looking to add a location in Chula Vista for more than two years as this an area of high need for this service. In subsequent meetings with EES, preliminary agreement was reached on the space and other requirements for opening a facility on our campus.

To move the project forward, a letter of intent between St Mark’s and EES was prepared following a special congregational meeting on September 17 with approval to proceed. For EES, their board of directors approved the letter of intent shortly after that.

With the document in place, there have been frequent meetings and communications with EES and the architect to address all relevant aspects for launching the main phase of the project. For this purpose, we organized several site visits and walk throughs to review the current building space in detail.

Key work items CTRG manages.

Work with the architect and input from EES on a detailed plan for the remodeling to ensure all requirements – building codes, local and state laws & safety requirements are incorporated.
Prepare the lease contract between St Mark’s and EES and verify EES financials. Once agreement is reached with EES, a special congregational meeting will be called to review and decide on approval.
Secure financing – we are preapproved for a loan from Mission Investments that would cover the construction cost, if needeD
Explore additional/alternative sources of financing for the construction project to reduce the amount of loan financing we would have to take on. We are working with a grant writer to explore possible sources of grant funding and submit applications.

We are targeting the second quarter of 2024 to begin construction and startup of childcare services later in 2024.

Respectfully,

C Lewis and G Pfeiffer

Legacy Committee & Memorial Endowment Report

THE LEGACY COMMITTEE

The Legacy Committee is ready to receive your gifts and add to the Endowment Fund! Add to the Legacy of our Church by helping to fund the following types of beneficiaries:

Church member projects/ministries
Community projects/charities (within communities served by congregation)
Church at large (statewide, nationwide, worldwide)

2023 members were:

Dick Bolin – Chairman

Sharon Martin – Secretary

Janet Collins – Treasurer

Gabby Gutierrez – Member

The Distribution Policy, per the bylaws is as follows:

The Committee is limited to an annual distribution of 4% of the Fund balance, defined by the account balance as of December 31 of the previous year, which includes all interest, dividends, realized/unrealized capital gains from the previous year. Any distribution that is larger, may be approved by the Congregation Council.
A grant application will be available for requests. Recipients will be determined by the Legacy Committee.
The Committee is not limited in its use of the distribution for ministry to its congregation. The Committee may share up to 25% of the distribution with the following recipients: our synod, ELCA Churchwide ministries, ELCA-related ministries, or all other non-Lutheran charities within the San Diego area.

This past year:

We met monthly to review Grant Application requests and to discuss Legacy Planning and opportunities.
We received generous contributions from several other families within our Church. These were applied to the principal balance of the Endowment Fund and will assist our Church and our local community in the upcoming years.

We met once during the year with Lisa Higginbotham from the ELCA Gift Planning area for Southern CA.
Dick (our Chairman) also met another time with her in May at the Pacifica Synod Conference to discuss planned Legacy Giving.
We offered a Panel presentation regarding the “Five Wishes Program” to assist the congregation with Legacy giving.
We are seeking to fill a vacancy within the Committee.

2023 approved Budget was $6,272 which was distributed as follows:

$1,500 for St. Mark’s Music Concert Series Ministry

$2,000 for St. Mark’s Evangelism and Posada Lunch

$1,500 for St. Mark’s Youth Ministry Events

$1,272 for St. Mark’s Youth Retreat/Convention Meeting Events

Respectfully Submitted by Dick Bolin, Chairperson

Media Tech Annual Report

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY

2023 has been another momentous year in our media tech work. Each year for the last 5, we have added layer upon layer of professionalism and production capacity. Last winter, we replaced the main 18-year-old analog sound board with a new complex and amazing digital unit. The media techs have been working hard to learn how to use all the “bells and whistles” to provide the best sound possible, in the sanctuary and online. In addition, Nathan and Andrew moved the original sound board to Jacobson Hall and significantly upgraded the sound there. We have also added new over-ear microphones for the pastors which has created a more consistent vocal production, no matter where they are in the sanctuary or how they turn their heads. That doesn’t mean our sound is always perfect—some weeks the sound gremlins are hard at work, hammering our system with radio or TV signals from nearby stations. The team is working hard to learn how to minimize those distractions. We are also expanding the team by training several of our St. Mark’s youth to run the media booth. We especially thank Debbie Lechner and Jason Chase.

Debbie monitors each broadcast from home, providing real time feedback to help us ensure the home experience is as good as in the room, and Jason shares his professional experience in sound and video to help the team improve. In addition, we are grateful every day for our expert sound advisor, Tyler Heredia, who responds via text to provide expertise when we are facing a crisis, advises and helps us purchase new equipment, and shows up in person to train, refine settings or install new equipment. We continue to pray that our audio, visual and broadcast production provides the best possible experience whether you are in the sanctuary or online.

2023 Property Report

PROPERTY REPORT

2023 has been another eventful year in maintaining our beautiful 70-year-old property. We are sincerely grateful for the generosity of our members and friends, keeping us solvent and able to provide the maintenance and improvements that have been required.

January – Fencing: Building perimeter fencing around the patio was the first step in creating a more child-friendly property for our St. Mark’s events, as well as beginning the preparation for the installation of a childcare facility. Half of the necessary funds were provided by an ELCA Latino Ministry Foundation Grant.

February – Trees: A tree was blown over on the I Street side of the property and promptly removed by the City because it was in the city easement. That led to the study of other vulnerable trees. As a result, 3 others have been removed this year due to disease, location, or threat of falling onto Hilltop Drive.

July – Windows: Two windows in Jacobson Hall were replaced because they were cracked.

September – Landscaping Maintenance: Our traditional First Saturday property clean-up volunteers are, unfortunately, getting older. As a result, Council hired Pedro Hernandez (Patty Hernandez’s husband and Melissa’s father) to provide regular property clean up by keeping the lawns mowed, the pine needles and trash swept away, and the bushes trimmed monthly. Pedro’s efforts complement those of the Saturday volunteers and our Master gardener, Kyra Petrin. Thank you, Kyra, Pedro and our 7-14 monthly volunteers.

October – Water Leak: Leak from men’s restroom in the sanctuary flooded the lower restroom and the choir room. Because it was caused by a deteriorated cast iron sewer pipe that runs vertically between the walls and down to the pipe running under the building, the loss was covered by our property insurance. We are grateful to Santana Plumbing, owned by member Juan Santana, for the replacement of the sewer pipe and to the dedicated team who dried and repaired the walls and flooring, replaced water fixtures, installed drywall, and painted: Dennis Coughlin and his family, along with Walt Berenger. Well done!

Still Pending – Sanctuary Lighting: For the second year in a row, we have struggled to get the lights in the sanctuary replaced. First, we thought we had a good bid, but we needed to find a 20’ lift that would allow the vendor to replace the lightbulbs. Then, we found the lift and discovered that the lighting problem is more complex. We anticipated simply replacing the current incandescent bulbs with LED, that led the discovery that the entire light fixtures will need to be replaced to accommodate the LED bulbs—the current fixtures cannot be retrofitted. We are now awaiting another bid to replace the light fixtures. We are praying that the current lights hold on a bit longer.

Campus Safety & Security Report

SAFETY AND SECURITY

With the increasing threats to Christians around the world, and more recently in San Diego County, St. Mark’s has stepped up our efforts to ensure our church property remains a sanctuary of safety and peace. The first step was inviting the Chula Vista Police and other local law enforcement to use our Youth Center as a break room. This has increased police presence on our property and in the neighborhood. The most obvious and immediate result has been that St. Mark’s staff is no longer likely to encounter homeless people sleeping on the campus.

The second focus has been on locating a security expert to help us create and implement a campus-wide safety plan. In August, Council signed a contract with DEFEND Security Solutions LLC, owned by two San Diego Police Department officers who have already made their own church in Eastlake less vulnerable to security issues. The contract provides a step-by-step approach to improving safety for our members and visitors. The first step was completed in November. A Vulnerability Assessment was completed, identifying and prioritizing areas of concern around the campus. The report is being reviewed, and Council will address the highest priority recommendations in early spring. Recommendations include a) first aid equipment and training, b) emergency evacuation procedures and training, c) fire extinguisher operations, and d) active shooter/violent intruder training.

Youth and Children 2023 Annual Report

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

These are words that keep me going with my everyday life. Life is just a strong word that if you do not know how to manage it and do not walk around with God, then it can be tough.

Worship

During worship we offer children’s messages.

We also offer busy bags for the kids during service time if they do not feel comfortable in joining the nursery or if they would like to stay with their parents.

During communion we try to offer kids to help out if they would like to, so the pastors give their communion spots to them and they can be able to be free to pray for any one.

Sunday worship

I enjoy going on Sundays and especially when I know I am going to do the church children’s message. I enjoy it a lot because I know the kids do, but not only the kids, adults also enjoy it. They always give me wonderful feedback.

Attendance

Our attendance for kids on Sunday worship has been very low. Sometimes we only have 1-4 kids or some days we have no kids at all.

The bigger kids are busier because they have an outside life which sometimes includes sports, band, or any other types of physical activity. However, we do have a big youth group–there are 14 of us.

Children and youth/Nursery care

Children and youth has had a huge impact in church because we have increased the number of students and also have increased the number of activities. We went from having 10 percent participation in activities to now having full participation in 50% of our activities. The highlights of activities were VBS and confirmation camp. This is the second year we have provided VBS, and each year we have about 58 kids including the helpers. Confirmation camp is another big one. We had about 8 kids go to camp this year. We have also had other major events like SeaWorld, talent show, movie nights, and a youth guest speaker. Nursery has also had a big impact because we switched it around. We have made the sanctuary conference room into a Nursery room so it can be closer to the church. We are working on making it all childproof and more kid friendly.

What’s next?

My next thing is to try to work on getting the Nursery to look like an actual Nursery.
Increase the number of young children, and make sure that parents know we have nursery care so our attendance for the young ones can go up.
Take the high school kids to the National ELCA Youth Gathering in 2024 summer.
Plan on more events for 2024 for children and youth.
Make sure to have more helpers for VBS.
Spread the word of our church and invite more youth to our church.
Have the other young ones go to confirmation camp.

Melissa Hernandez

2023 Financial Statements

FINANCIALS

Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023

Summary Financial Report as of December 31, 2023

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 2024 Budget

BUDGET

	Year Ending 12/31/22	2022 Budget	Year Ending 12/31/23	2023 Budget	2024 Budget
INCOME
Envelopes	278,849	290,000	310,516	319,500	316,270
Spanish Ministry	10,730	18,000
Loose Offering	1,471	1,550	2,049	1,550	2,230
TOTAL MEMBER GIVING	291,050	309,550	312,565	321,050	318,500
Other Income (Special)			14
Thrivent Choice	1,857	2,500	2,579	3,600	3,500
Interest Income	94	150	146	150	120
FACILITY USE FEES
Lutheran Social Services	9,360	8,100	12,372	12,377	15,771
Areumdaun Church	19,800	18,000	21,384	19,440	28,182
Glory Lutheran Church	7,805	7,200	9,840	7,776	10,945
Facility Use Fees-Other	3,880	2,700	4,160	4,000	4,800
TOTAL FACILITY USE FEES	40,845	36,000	47,756	43,593	59,698
Synod Grant for Spanish Ministry					22,917
TOTAL INCOME	333,846	348,200	363,060	368,393	404,735

EXPENSES
SALARIES & BENEFITS
Senior Pastor
Salary	26,847	26,475	26,475	26,475	26,475
Housing Allowance	50,983	52,950	52,950	52,950	52,950
Total Defined Compensation			79,425	79,425	79,425
Pension/Medical/Disability/Life	18,563	19,403	15,654	19,398	16,690
Professional Expense	1,272	1,700	1,625	1,700	1,700
Continuing Education	807	1,000	543	1,000	1,000
Total	98,472	101,528	97,247	101,523	98,815
Associate Pastor
Housing Allowance					45,000
Portico Pension					4,500
Portico Disability/Life Insurance					990
First Call Theological Education					1,200
Other Professional Expenses					1,000
Total					52,690

Staff Salaries	115,300	123,192	139,913	144,889	125,914
Total Staff Salaries and Benefits	213,772	224,720	237,160	246,412	277,419
Independent Contractors
Other Musicians	1,150	1,500	1,000	1,500	1,500
Supply Pastors	121	700		700	700
Accounting	6,100	6,000	7,500	7,200	7,200
Worship Technician	90
Total Independent Contractors	7,461	8,200	8,500	9,400	9,400
Payroll Taxes	8,876	9,424	0
TOTAL SALARIES & BENEFITS	230,109	242,344	245,660	255,812	286,819

	Year Ending 12/31/22	2022 Budget	Year Ending 12/31/23	2023 Budget	2024 Budget
ADMINISTRATION
Property Taxes	365	500		500	500
Payroll Expense	1,150	1,200	1,590	1,200	1,200
Bank Charge	69	100	67	100	100
Computer Equipment & Supplies	237	1,000	730	1,000	500
Insurance	11,842	12,000	12,657	12,000	12,000
98 Copier-Lease & Supplies	3,192	3,000	4,100	3,000	4,100
Loan Payment Interest Expense
Office Supply & Printing	4,505	5,000	6,676	5,000	5,000
Outside Services
Postage		300	10	300
Mileage Reimb. Staff		2,000		1,000	500
Misc Admin Expense
TOTAL ADMINISTRATION	21,360	25,100	25,830	24,100	23,900
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
Building Maintenance	11,166	15,000	12,864	12,448	13,766
Landscaping			2,400		4,800
Termite Protection Program	3,480	3,200	3,748	3,500	3,500
Utilities	24,244	20,000	28,821	24,933	28,000
TOTAL BUILDINGS & GROUNDS	38,890	38,200	47,833	40,881	50,066
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION	587	1,500		1,000	500
COUNCIL & CONVENTIONS	1,608	1,800	1,431	1,800	900
EVANGELISM & FELLOWSHIP	1,308	2,500	2,352	2,500	2,500
COMMUNITY OUTREACH				2,000	2,000
WORSHIP
Altar & Communion Supply	1,680	700	902	700	700
Worship Music	1,101	1,500	3,092	1,500	1,500
Worship Materials	1,695	2,500	1,114	3,000	2,000
TOTAL WORSHIP	4,476	4,700	5,108	5,200	4,200
PROGRAMS
YOUTH	2,000	2,000	1,840	3,000	2,000
SYNOD BENEVOLENCE	29,000	29,000	32,100	32,100	31,850
MISSION
TOTAL EXPENSE	329,338	347,144	362,154	368,393	404,735
Net Income	4,508	1,056	906
LOAN PRINCIPAL PAYMENT
Net Cash Flow	4,508	1,056	906

Altar Committee Annual Report for 2023

ALTAR COMMITTEE

We on the Altar Committee are thankful to have served the staff and congregation.

Each week we prepare communion for our Sunday morning services. We clean the altar area, change the eternity candle, change parament colors according to the church calendar along with other duties for special Sunday’s services.

Our numbers have declined this past year, and we could really use more help.

Please let us know if you are willing to help. As we move forward this year, we look forward to serving this congregation and pray for many blessings for our church family.

Your Altar Committee,
Ann Larsen

Angel Tree Annual Report

ANGEL TREE

Angel Tree Christmas is a ministry of Prison Fellowship. Angel Tree partners with churches across the United States in providing Christmas gifts to the children of persons who are incarcerated. Parents who are incarcerated may contact a prison chaplain and request to participate in the program.

St. Mark’s has participated in this worthy ministry for approximately 30 years. Throughout this time, Dorothy Geier has consistently provided leadership to this effort. We are grateful for Dorothy’s commitment to Angel Tree Christmas.

In 2023, St. Mark’s congregants generously provided gifts to 14 families with a total of 28 children. Each child received a wrapped gift with a value of $25. In addition, each family received a gift basket which included age and language appropriate gospel messages, an invitation to attend St. Mark’s, and a $50 gift card for groceries. These gifts were personally delivered by St. Mark’s volunteers to grateful families.

Respectfully submitted,

Caye Smith Bolin

Sunday Coffee and Fellowship Ministry

COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP

St. Mark’s hosts a time of fellowship after the 9:00 am service on Sunday mornings. Coffee and snacks are served. Participants may make a small voluntary donation to cover expenses. This time of fellowship is both meaningful and well-attended by St. Mark’s congregants.

‘Sign Up Genius’ was implemented by Deb Lechner in Fall 2022 as an on-line means of signing up to host fellowship hour. This is a convenient and effective way to assist with the coordination of the fellowship ministry. We currently have approximately five individuals or family groups who consistently sign up to provide coffee and snacks. The ministry could benefit from three to four additional participants, so the schedule is consistently full.

Respectfully submitted,

Caye Smith Bolin

Communications and Marketing Report

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

Facebook Group – Our private Facebook Group has gone from 413 members to 446 members this year. We use the page to share important announcements, photos of events and the weekly worship services. Thank you for commenting, liking and sharing fellowship on our private group page! It builds a real sense of online community.

YouTube and the Website – All our services are uploaded to YouTube to our St. Mark’s YouTube channel, reaching members of the congregation who aren’t on Facebook or part of the Facebook group. If you watch the service from YouTube, you can turn on closed captions which help if you’re having trouble hearing the service. We use the YouTube channel as our “online worship” page on the website.

Online Worship – We average 3-5 weekly viewers live on Zoom for the English broadcast and 3-5 on Facebook Live for the Spanish broadcast. Our views of the recorded service on Facebook or YouTube range from 14 to 104 per week. We are still serving enough people online that it seems important to offer the online option. If you’re traveling, homebound, recovering from illness, or if you live out of the area it’s nice to know you can still watch a service at home at any time, go back to hear a sermon a second time, or listen to a favorite hymn again.

Cox Internet – We have recently started having problems with the internet on Zoom and Facebook again even with our “giga-speed”. We still have significant lagging but those of us watching online have gotten used to it.

Equipment – When we first started offering the service online, at the start of the pandemic, we used Sheri’s iPhone because it’s what she had on hand and it worked just fine. We gradually added a couple of iPads, tripods and switching software and an additional technician to help with the broadcast. We currently have a pretty sophisticated set-up, but we realize that the quality of the picture and the lagging that we experience may be due to the iPads. We have also upgraded several components of the sound system this year, replacing the 30-year-old analog components with digital. We have also purchased over-ear microphones for the pastors which is improving the audio feed in the sanctuary and online. We’re hoping to get a grant this year to upgrade from iPads to cameras to greatly improve our broadcast quality.

Tech Crew – – Andrew Vargas began as our first tech three years ago; Nathan Estrada, joined the team in 2022 (both recruited from the Hilltop High robotics team). These young men are now engineering students at San Diego State and have proven invaluable in running the weekly services, broadcasts and maintaining the audio and video equipment. Recently, high school members David Hernandez and Daniel Alinado have joined the team and are being trained to run the system, providing additional support when Andrew or Nathan are unavailable.

Our Email Newsletters –We have steady readership each week and it seems like a good tool for keeping the congregation informed. The newsletters share prayers and prayer quilts, information about events scheduled at St. Mark’s, Angel Tree, monthly gardening, men’s & women’s breakfast events and Bible study, and as well as updates from the Legacy Committee, Council and Pastors.

We’ve also been able to get contact information updated, take votes and surveys and to share music, pictures and fun! We welcome submissions from anyone. It’s really been a great way to stay connected as a congregation!

Dedicated Audience –We send our weekly email to an average of 216 subscribers. About 116 of those readers open almost every email from St. Mark’s, another 26 open more than half of the newsletters. The feedback we get is very positive. We have a growing group of 130 “local churches” and media outlets that we send select messages about concerts to. Thank you to all the people who send in submissions every week, especially Pastor Karla, Pastor Alicia, Chris Lewis, Sheri Barker, Roz Nelson and Cindy in the office. Thank you to Bob Lechner, Sheri Barker, Dorothy Geier and James Jerpseth for sending newsworthy photos!

Printed Newsletters – We also send out a printed copy of the news once a month to anyone who doesn’t have email or who has requested to receive the news by mail. We’ve tried to pack a lot into the printed version and make them meaningful.

Spanish Newsletters – We also send out a Spanish translation of the newsletter by mail to the Hispanic Ministry members once a month. Many thanks to Cindy for doing the translation, as well as copying and mailing both English and Spanish printed newsletters!

Our Website – is stmarkschulavista.org The website continues to be a great place to read council minutes, find out about concerts and VBS, watch a worship service or see the annual report. Most importantly, it’s how our neighbors find out about our church and what we offer. Pastor Karla and I recently went through each page and updated and deleted pages that were outdated and put links to most used pages on the front page.

Online Presence – St. Mark’s has a LinkedIn page, and we also have a public “information” page for the church on Facebook. The website, YouTube, google maps, yelp, listing in Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, SD Reader online, YellowPages.com, church.org, churchfinder.com and faithstreet.com continue to help with our outreach. These websites come up in search engines when you look for St. Mark’s Chula Vista. All of them (except the website) are free listings, no cost to St. Mark’s.

Banners and Signs – We’re fortunate to be along a well-traveled corridor in Chula Vista and we continue to make banners and improve the signage in front of the church to let our neighbors know that they’re welcome to our events. Sheri recently designed some vertical flags and we’re looking forward to seeing how they help in our marketing and attention-getting. Sheri is also working to put interesting quotes on the large, white Hilltop sign to attract attention regularly. Unfortunately, we are still having trouble getting access to change the message on the corner sign—so the message remains the same, including only the most important basic information, but still useful.

Tri folds and Flyers – Over the summer we put together a tri-fold handout in English and Spanish telling about St. Mark’s. We had it available to share at the end of our VBS week, it was available in the narthex, and it is handed out at the food distributions to let our neighbors know more about St. Mark’s and what we offer. We’ve also started using Canva software to create pretty flyers about concerts and events like the Posada to pass out in the community and send to our “local churches and media outlets” group.

Marketing – Research shows that millennials with their young families shop for a church online and it’s important to look like the church that we want to be and to be in the places they’re looking. However, word of mouth is the best marketing! Thank you for sharing your love of St. Mark’s and inviting friends and neighbors to join you for worship and events here.

Respectfully submitted
Debbie Lechner and Sheri Barker

Member Care Ministry

MEMBER CARE 2023 Annual Report

Probably the most important aspect of Member Care is that it includes every member of St. Mark’s. It is totally heart-warming that members are continually praying for each other, listening, caring, calling, visiting, sending cards, providing rides, noticing when someone is absent a couple Sundays and contacting them, etc. Also want to thank Ruby Hultenius for making special cards on her computer to be sent to our members in need. You are a God-loving and caring congregation.

We have previously stressed the need for an Emergency Contact Person for each member of St. Mark’s. If you have not done that, please contact the church office. We have also stressed the importance of informing your family what you want done with your belongings, including your savings, your house, etc. Perhaps you want to include the Legacy Fund in your estate. Dick Bolin has kindly offered to help members who have questions about deciding where they want to leave an impression. Everything we have belongs to God—we just use it while we’re here.

Besides praying, calling, listening, visiting and taking communion, some other care-giving activities this year at St. Mark’s include: 1) making posters and signing cards for homebound along with baked goods or a plant; 2) a visit to the Norman Center—much to offer free to seniors; 3) funeral planning, Five wishes, “End of life” form, etc.; 4) help with Angel Tree and St. Mark’s “Stars”; 5) being concerned about the shortage of handicap parking—there was no interest in valet parking.

The Member Care Team meets monthly; usually the first Monday of the month at 1:00 pm in the Lower-Level classroom but the day and time may change. We begin and end with prayer. We lovingly share our contact information and how we can better support the church family. We don’t want anyone to “fall through the cracks.” If you have any ideas or suggestions that would make life better/easier for our St. Mark’s family, please share that with this team. We welcome new members!

Respectfully submitted,

Dorothy Geier/Member Care

Outreach and Evangelism

OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM

I’m very focused on doing home Bible studies, and even though I’ve had a lot of cancellations, I will continue to carry the word of the Lord.

April and May – I was very busy, helping to prepare the ordination of Pastor Alicia, thank God we had many volunteers,

In October I assisted with the following:

We decorated and cooked for the Latin concert with the help of Luz Rivera, Consuelo Acosta, Pina sister of Luz Virjinia Morales.
I helped Pastor Karla prepare the 3 Prayer Evenings on different dates.
Maria Luisa went on vacation and this week I came in and covered for her by throwing garbage, cleaning the kitchen, and Jacobson Hall
November – I helped set the tables and decorate for All Saints Day.
I distributed invitations at the markets, laundromats, and Costco for the Posada.

And finally, this is my volunteering for the whole year:

Every Sunday, I pick up the altar at the end of the worship service,
The offering. The hosts, the wine, blow out the candles.,
All year round I also volunteer by sewing and assembling prayer quilts. Thanks to Rosalyn Nelson who gave me the opportunity to do something so meaningful to so many people.

And in 2024: I’m ready for whatever it takes ♥

Margarita Álvarez

Prayer Quilt Ministry 2023

PRAYER QUILT MINISTRY

The Prayer Quilt Ministry (which is ALL the members of St. Mark’s and all those attending our virtual services and receiving our Newsletter) has wrapped 95 recipients in prayer quilts and love this year, and we have tied additional prayers into 5 quilts and 3 prayer pockets. We have also tied prayers into 145 prayer pockets. These are about 4 by 5 inches – to fit in a pocket or a purse. Each has a metal cross inside that says, “God loves you” and there are 5 chains of prayers for the recipient. These are easily carried with you. We have also given 7 Confirmation prayer squares, 1 Baptismal quilt, 1 Baptismal pocket, and 1 Baptismal prayer square this year.

Please call Roz Nelson (422-5463) or the church office (427-5515) if you would like to request a prayer quilt or pocket.

Prayer quilts and pockets are placed on the altar rail for the Pastor’s blessings on Sunday morning. They are then taken to the narthex and tied with prayers by the congregation as they leave the sanctuary.

Pictures of the quilts, prayer pockets and prayer squares are in the Newsletter each week with the prayers being asked for. We ask for your actual ties if you are in church, or your virtual ties if you are at home or visiting our website.

We are a small group working in our homes and would welcome (and need) others who would like to sew or put ties into our quilts to join us working in their homes. Call Roz or talk to her before or after services if you would like to be part of the Prayer Quilt Ministry – sewing, putting ties in, or pinning quilts together.

We are thankful for your love, your prayers, and your donations of time, materials, and money. Donations need to be designated to the Prayer Quilt Ministry. If you are writing a check, it should be made out to St. Mark’s and designated to the Prayer Quilt Ministry.

Roz Nelson/Prayer Quilt Ministry

Project Hand 2023

PROJECT HAND

The members of St Mark’s continue to support Project Hand in a grand manner.

Thank you from all that benefit from your generosity.

Project Hand is an Emergency Assistance Food Pantry run by Lutheran Social Services on the southwest corner of the St. Mark’s property. This important community service consistently serves approximately 1,300 people each year with an emergency 3-day supply of food, available midday Monday through Friday. Many more received needed food from the San Diego Food Bank and Project Hand drive-thru distributions to approximately 400 families each on the second Tuesday (serving Seniors) and Friday (serving anyone in need) each month on the campus of St. Mark’s. Pastor Karla and other volunteers use the Friday distribution to spread the good news about St. Mark’s worship and activities.

Sue Connors and other faithful volunteers continue to make a trip to the San Diego Food Bank in Miramar every two weeks or when needed. They return with 1300 to 1500 pounds of food, which keeps the shelves at Project Hand stocked. Jonny keeps Project Hand running on a daily basis, along with his helpers and volunteers.

For more details on this program, check out our website: https://www.stmarkschulavista.org Most of all, thank you St. Mark’s, we couldn’t do this without you.

Submitted by
Sue Connors & Sheri Barker

Thursday (Lutheran World Relief) Quilters Ministry 2023

THURSDAY QUILTERS

80 Quilts shipped.

Quilt Sale – $1,900.00 was collected.

Shipping Fees – $250.00

Total Quilts made – 102.

Betty Ren / Thursday Quilters