Joy and Apprehension

There are so many exciting things to celebrate in May; welcoming new St. Mark members, college and high school graduations, school ending for the summer, and other celebrations. There is so much to be joyful about. On May 10^th we welcomed five new members which is always an exciting time for the church.  It was a great day full of celebration and vibrant conversations in the café as we welcomed the new members to St. Mark.  The room was buzzing. 

Many folks are preparing for graduations from either college or high school.  In my family we have three graduations this year, Aiden graduates from college and Soren graduates from high school, and my niece also graduates from college.  This is a joyful time but one that often comes with apprehension for what comes next.  It is normal for joy and apprehension to be felt at the same time.  

I am currently reading a book titled Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler.  In her book she shares what joy is.  “She says joy is a privilege.  We all have joy moments.  Joy does not mean others suffering is invalid or that we don’t care about them. Joy is inherently unselfish. Joy is a gift. Joy makes you more hopeful.”  Joy is a big emotion and one that we all deserve to experience. Even when times are hard or we face difficult decisions, there can and will be moments of joy.   

Joy is a blessing and one that I try not to take for granted.  The joy of my families upcoming graduations also comes with a little grief.  Change can be hard and joyful at the same time. I am excited for all the graduates and for what comes next for them.  I will miss seeing them and talking to them.  I am excited to get to know the new members of St. Mark.  I love getting to know people. 

As we lean into the joy of the spring season I ask you to pray for the new members and greet them on Sundays.  Please wear a name tag on Sunday morning so folks can learn your name.  I ask you to pray for all the graduates as they prepare for what is next.  This is an exciting time!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

How Long is Easter?

I learned a lesson during the children’s message a few weeks ago: Never underestimate kids. I gave them a one-question pop quiz and asked them how long Easter is, fully expecting them to say it’s only a day. After all, that’s a perfectly common response you would expect from most people. Instead, a number of them shouted, “Fifty Days!” Which, as it turns out, is the correct answer.

For centuries, Churches around the world have agreed that the season of Easter lasts for seven Sundays, culminating at the feast of Pentecost. This is why the linens decorating the communion table and lectern remain white, almost a month after Easter Sunday. It is why the pastors wear white stoles and we begin every service with a thanksgiving for baptism. Supermarkets sold out of chocolate bunnies weeks ago, but in churches around the world, it is still the Season of Resurrection. 

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that our kids have a decent grasp on the church calendar. The curriculum we use in Sunday School is tied to the same calendar, with lessons based on the readings we hear in worship. Every week, they begin their time together by examining the giant pie chart on the floor, pictured below. They talk about where we are in cycle of the year and visualize the rhythm of the Church. There is a chart just like it on the bulletin board in the hallway by the narthex, which you are welcome to examine any time you’re in the building.

During these fifty days of Easter, we focus a lot on resurrection. We hear stories about Jesus visiting the disciples after that fateful Sunday morning, as well as stories from Acts about the early church. Along with the decorations and prayers I mentioned earlier, the season has a decidedly distinct feel. But, here is something we don’t teach in Sunday school: Every Sunday of the year is a little Easter oasis. In fact, Easter itself is one of the reasons why we worship on Sunday to begin with.

In the middle of the second century, one of the earliest Christian theologians wrote about the relatively new idea of gathering for worship once a week. In his First Apology, meant to explain the budding religion, Justin Martyr wrote, “we hold this meeting together on the day of the sun since it is the first day, on which God, having transformed darkness and matter, made the cosmos. On the same day Jesus Christ our savior rose from the dead.”

When Easter is over, even next Lent when folks might feel the need to be introspective and dour, Sundays are days of Resurrection. On the first day of every week, we gather to remember the gift we have in God’s creation, celebrate the life we have been given, and hope for the life to come. And during the remainder of the week, the good news of Easter is the Good News that we share in everything we say and do as people who put our trust in Jesus Christ.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Easter Joy!

Easter is a beautiful time in the church.  The church is decorated with beautiful flowers, there is a new paschal candle, and the white paraments adorn the altar and lectern.  People begin wearing spring colors that bring a new hope for the upcoming warmer weather.  Outside we watch the trees begin to bud and bloom.  The tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are showing their glorious colors; things are changing. 

The church changes from the heaviness of the season Lent to a lighter and brighter Easter season. At churches around the world people proclaimed, “Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed.  Alleluia!” It is a joy to hear the shouts of Alleluias after several weeks without them.  On Easter we remember the empty tomb was discovered by Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.  These women did not keep it to themselves they went and told the disciples.  In the gospel of Matthew, we hear that the women with fear and great joy, ran to tell his disciples.  Despite their fear they were filled with great joy for Jesus had risen. 

What has brought you joy this Easter season?  Did time spent with family and friends on Easter Sunday bring you joy?  Is it the changing season and the promise of warmer weather?  There are so many things that bring us joy in the spring.  I encourage you to look for signs of joy that are around you.  It may feel hard to find at times, but if we look with intent you will see bits of joy. 

This past week I have found joy in the flowers that are blooming in my yard. I found joy in worship on Easter Sunday, and in the conversations with the children after worship.  I found joy watching the families take pictures in the sanctuary after Easter Sunday worship.  I even got in on a few photos. I have found joy as I walked through the church this week and see the Alleluia butterflies in places throughout the building.

Dear siblings in Christ, I pray that you find the joy that is all around you.  May the joy of Easter fill your heart with what you need and may you feel the deep love of Christ every day.   

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Reflecting on Heritage and Faith

During my first year at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, I was stopped on my way to the library by a group of retired alumni who were visiting the seminary. They were being shown around by a professor of mine, and they seemed friendly enough. That is, until I introduced myself, prompting one of the older pastors to remark, “McKenna? How does someone with a last name like McKenna end up at a Lutheran school?” 

I don’t remember exactly how I responded to such an asinine question. Most likely, I walked away after making some brief comment about how I didn’t grow up in this denomination but chose to be part of it as an adult. Looking back, I wish I had come up with a more snarky response. I had only identified as a Lutheran for about five years. The history class that covers Lutherans in America wasn’t for another two semesters, but this exchange was my first lesson. This was the moment I realized how ethnically entrenched our denomination can be. If a white guy like me can be made to feel othered in this church, imagine what people of color endure. If my All-American last name can seem out of place, what chance is there for people whose names signify Hispanic, Asian, or African heritage? And while we’re on the subject, what in the world does lutefisk have to do with the Lutheran doctrine of justification by grace through faith?

Despite that interaction outside the library, my heritage is a privilege. I know this, because it’s not something I have to think about on a daily basis. I get to choose how much I identify as an Irish-American, which is why when March 17th rolls around, I wear green like anyone else. That’s about it. Of course, when I’m feeling nostalgic I can always dig into my ancestry like it’s an extra-curricular research project or a fun puzzle to solve. But, such endeavors have little impact on the way I live my life.

Folks like me, whose families came to this country willingly before anyone had heard of the automobile, experience heritage as little more than traditions, celebrations, and food. We never have to worry about how our ethnic backgrounds might disrupt our future. Those who have come here more recently, though, worry about it every day.

Right now, a Lutheran pastor in our own Northern Illinois Synod is in that sort of daily struggle with his heritage. For him and his parishioners, their ethnicity is like a target on their backs. Worship attendance is down at the church because people are scared of being profiled in the streets and being taken by masked men in unmarked vans. Recent precedence reveals that the government could take away this pastor’s refugee status without cause and force him to return to a country where his life was in danger. They cannot hide their identities or forget where they came from. They can only hope that their chosen neighbors live with mercy and welcoming hospitality.

 As Christians, our scriptures call us to be inspired by our heritage to open our lives up to others. This past Sunday, we heard from Deuteronomy 24, where it is written, “You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice; you shall not take a widow’s garment in pledge. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.”

In our church and in our community, we are called to welcome all people with thoughtfulness and grace because we were once in need of that same kind of welcome. So, let us recognize that the thing that makes us Lutherans more than anything else is our trust in grace that is freely given by God, not because of who we are or what we have done, but because God loves us. And, let us share that same loving grace with all of our neighbors, as we work for a world where all are welcome. 

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Pastor Katrina's 2027 Sabbatical Announcement

In the summer of 2027, I will have a three-month sabbatical.  The sabbatical leave is not intended to be a vacation, nor is it intended to be something routine.  The sabbatical leave provides an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal; for enrichment and spiritual growth; for study, travel, skill development or special projects; and a time for prayer, rest, and reflection. It is a gift to both the leader and to the community, providing an opportunity for new ideas, new possibilities, and the deepening of the life of each.

With the help of a sabbatical team, I am applying for a grant from the Lilly Endowment.  The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program asks, “What will make your heart sing?” This question holds profound possibilities for the ministries of the pastor and the congregation. It is not a guaranteed grant, but I am hopeful.  I have a team of St. Mark folks who will be my sabbatical committee.  My team is Bob Osolin, Mike Fager, Sandy Lindstrom, Pat Coffman, and Sharon Erickson.  I am grateful for their support.  They will help with the grant application and, if I am rewarded the grant, the follow up report after my sabbatical. 

If the grant is awarded from the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program, I plan to go to Sweden and Germany.  While I am there, I plan to visit the towns where my ancestors lived, as well as other towns and cities.  I will spend approximately 7 to 10 days in each country.  I have never been to Sweden and it has been over 30 years since I have been to Germany.  When I was in Germany, I didn’t get a chance to visited the small town where my ancestors lived.  I have always wanted to visit the places where my ancestors lived to learn more about the culture and walk the grounds they walked.  I plan to take my family to Germany.

If the grant is awarded, the funds go to St. Mark.  The majority of the funds would cover the cost of my sabbatical; however, a portion of the funds can cover the cost of supply preachers so Pastor Chad is not preaching for 3 months straight.  The funds can also cover the cost of a book study or other activities the congregation can participate in that are related to my sabbatical.  I am looking for a book that I will read while on sabbatical and St. Mark folks can read as well.

I am excited for the opportunity to travel to Sweden and Germany.  And I am grateful that St. Mark has a sabbatical policy and offers their rostered ministers a time for rest and renewal.  The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program will release the name of the recipients in August of 2026.  Please pray for clarity and focus as the sabbatical team and I work on the grant. 

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Know who you are and do it!

On Sunday, February 15^th, I asked several questions during my sermon, however I didn’t really answer them.  I intentionally didn’t answer them hoping to spark some deeper thought about who we are as St. Mark Lutheran Church.  

In a PBS special called Wisdom Keepers, Ray Suarez interviews scholars and religious leaders.  In his interview with Sister Joan Chittister he asked her about the future of the church. He noted the decline in church attendance and how people are not running to the churches like they did years ago. Her response made me think. She said, “Numbers will not save you, and numbers will not destroy you.  Know who you are and do it. And reach out to those who also want to know who you are and how you do it.”  Beloved, do we know who we are as the people of St. Mark, the people of God? Are we living out what God has called us to? 

Ray Suarez also interviewed Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas where he asked her, what is happiness and why am I here? She said, that it isn’t just happiness that people are looking for it is a meaningful life. When we live a meaningful life, it pulls us out of ourselves towards others. How do we help people find a meaningful life?  Archbishop Tutu said, “That we are children of God is a fact. That we act like it is not a fact.”  We are called to live into what it means to be children of God. How have we lived into that identity?

Beloved, I encourage you to sit with these questions. Think about how you would answer them as a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church or simply as a Christian, a follower of Jesus.  Lent is often a time for reflection and a time to sit with God in the valley.  It is also a time to take care of one another, to pray for one another, and a time for fasting.  I encourage you to fast from things that pull you away from God. Lean into what leads you to God.  Stand firm in your identity as a beloved child of God and live that identity. 

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Looking Back on 2025

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As your pastors, we feel blessed to journey alongside you. We want to use this year’s report to highlight just how true that is. We may be your pastors, but you are the ones who make this community what it is. Every Sunday, we rely on up to twenty-two volunteers to make worship happen, along with anywhere from seven to eighteen musicians. Of course, there is always a bit of overlap, but worship happens thanks to everyone who wears a lanyard, stands at a microphone, plays an instrument, assists with communion, and works behind the scenes.

On average, we have had about 185 people in worship on Sundays, and online worship attendance has increased since last year. This speaks volumes to who we are as a church. Thank you for your kindness and genuine hospitality to others. Even when you aren’t volunteering in an official capacity, you contribute to the warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes this place truly special.

The two of us often joke that the real boss around here is our office manager, Jill Davenport. In truth, every staff member is amazing, and we are so grateful for all they do. Church work is not easy and can be exhausting, but it is also life-giving, in large part because of you. Our staff rely on you to do their work well, and they are supported by Sunday School teachers, committee members, front desk attendants, offering counters, one incredibly committed bulletin printing assistant, and so many others.

The generosity of St. Mark’s members is unmistakable. This summer, you went above and beyond when we challenged you to match a gift given from Ulla Kercher’s estate to fund our outreach, youth, and children’s ministries, creating an account with over $25,000 to support those ministries. Every time we ask you to support a local charity with food, gifts, or donations, you do so with enthusiasm and kindness. In the last two months of 2025 alone, you donated a literal ton of non-perishable food to our local pantries, over 130 coats for our refugee community, and 60 gifts for LSSI’s foster children.

In the community, you are the body of Christ. Through the church and on your own, members like you actively serve at Habitat for Humanity, Mosaic, the Uniform Co-op, Carpenters Place, Rock House Kids, Rock River Valley Pantry, Emmanuel Lutheran Pantry, Bridges to Prosperity (formerly One Body Collaborative), Katie’s Cup, and Cornucopia Pantry. We are so grateful for all you do in the name of Jesus.

Near the end of August, we were finally able to take action on last year’s listening campaign. Over 80 people showed up for our Kingdom Caucus to learn about what our listening team heard, and the ways we can grow in ministry. Four different task forces emerged from this meeting, focusing on Senior Supports, Gathering Beyond Sunday, Expanding Outreach, and New Member Initiatives. Those four groups will be hard at work during the upcoming season of Lent to ask for your help in making their ideas a reality.

This past year has been a year full of exciting adventures. We will continue to follow God’s call to love others in this new year, and we cannot wait to see what God has in store! 

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna and Pastor Katrina Steingraeber