As part of our October 7, 14, and 21 worship experiences, three members provided inspirational temple talks. Each of them has agreed to share their reflections in this Pastors’ blog so that our entire St. Mark family might benefit from their hopeful perspectives. While this might seem like a lot to read all at once, just take your time...and enjoy!
My name is Christy Malenchik. In about six months, I will be celebrating a milestone birthday. You know, one of those birthdays that gets all the dramatic attention. I think a natural reaction to the buildup to this event is to take a long look at your life: Where have I been? What have I accomplished? Am I happy? And of course, what do I want to accomplish in the next so many years? What are my goals and ambitions?
For the last 17 or so years, a lot of what has made me, me, is this building, you guys, and the grace of God, which has made it all possible. Mark and I have raised our girls at St. Mark from Baptism to Confirmation, from Sunday School to Summer Intern. Along the way, I have been involved in several ministries that have helped to shape my faith and everything I do. When I look back I would say, yep, I like where I have been and what I have been a part of. Yes, I have made a difference.
Right now (as an empty nester), I enjoy being part of the Altar Guild, youth ministries, and church council. Being on Council is something different for me. We have great leadership discussions and it’s helping to make decisions that affect the whole congregation. I’m getting to work with members that I didn’t know before, and that’s always fun. If asked if I’m happy in the moment, I would definitely have to say that I am!
Probably the most important part of the reflective questions you ask yourself when you are contemplating your life is the future. You can’t change the past or dwell on what you could or would have done differently. Life is so busy in the present that sometimes you don’t have much time to really evaluate; but where you want to go and what you want to accomplish moving forward...well, quite frankly, the sky’s the limit!
I’m excited about the future of St Mark. I teach Sunday School and am a Confirmation Guide. I am perpetually amazed at the children and youth of our church. They are engaged and ask tough questions. The programming we have for our young people is keeping them curious about their faith and how they use it in their own lives. The leadership of St. Mark is working so hard to constantly build up the ministries of our congregation. This helps to make a positive impact on us and in our community.
We are building a safer church, a more welcoming church. Our Ministry Fair held a few weeks ago really showed the involvement of our members and is a gauge of the health of our congregation. We will always have work to do, and I’m thrilled to be a part of continuing to make St. Mark a place that people call home. So, this birthday that is on its way. I think I will choose to look at it as the best is yet to come! It’s going to be awesome, right?! Thank you!
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My name is Kraig Reichwald. I have been a member here for about 10 years. A few weeks ago, Pastor Mark called me and asked if I would consider serving as a member of the Executive Committee on Council. Thoughts started rushing through my head; I am a husband, father, and businessman. I am a busy guy!
I grew up on a dairy farm north of Green Bay. My parents were hard working people who were committed to the dairy farm routine, but on Sundays we were in church. When I grew older, I didn’t go to church very often, and I struggled to find my way. I wasn’t happy and I struggled to make any good decisions. I moved off the farm and decided to move south. I ended up finding some work in Rockford. It was a nice change from the town I grew up in, as far as the amount of things going on. I met my wife and we married in 2006. Life was going great.
One year during Christmas, my dad asked if I had a New Year’s resolution. He challenged me to find a church. I accepted his challenge...much like what our pastors have been talking about over the past few Sundays. I started looking for a church. I wanted to be part of a church that was busy. I wanted to see a full parking lot! I didn’t want to be in a church that was so big that I became lost in the crowd. I did visit a few churches, but it didn’t take long for me to find St. Mark. I didn’t look any further. I feel the warmth of the congregation every Sunday we come. I find the pastors to have good rapport, and they even fought with light sabers one Christmas Eve! My family enjoys the many things going on here...the music, the decorations during the Christmas and Easter holiday, and Rally Sunday, just to name a few. Sometimes, when I am praying, I feel like I am sitting next to mom and dad in the church I grew up in. I am a Lutheran, and that is something I didn’t want to change.
I attended the new member’s class and became a member of the congregation. I attend the 9:30 service, so you may see me ushering sometimes. And when my daughters were born, I brought them to church as babies. They are now in Sunday School. Emma is 7 and Nancy is 4. It is one of my goals to bring my daughters to Sunday School to get attendance awards for every year. About four years ago, we bought a house in Roscoe. I considered for a short time changing our church. We didn’t know anyone in the area, and I thought that might help me find some people in my community. I only talked about it; I couldn’t leave the warmth of this church.
My wife has worked for Janet Waddles/ Rosecrance since getting her degree from the University of Michigan and returning to Rockford (17 years). I work for her family’s manufacturing business. I started in the shop, then joined a sales team for a new product line they were starting. I worked in that area for about 6 years and went into plant management. About a year and a half ago, we purchased Custom Metal Products, and I manage that. I have many challenges, but love taking all my life experience and applying it on a daily basis.
All that rushed through my head the night Pastor Mark called me. I couldn’t refuse. After talking it over with my wife, I accepted. I look forward to joining the Council. I am excited to see how I can help this church grow, and how we can continue to make the church a place people want to be. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to serving you. Please pull me aside if you ever need to talk. I might be a shy public speaker, but I am never too busy for a conversation. In leaving, I would like to say: I can’t brag about my love for God, because I fail him daily; but I can brag about Gods love for me, because it never fails.
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I’m Maureen Hargrove and I currently serve as Secretary of the Congregation Council. I have been a member of St. Mark for 24 years. In that time, I have served 8 years on Council as secretary, vice president, and president. I mention that only because I want you to know that for many stewardship drives, I was sitting in the sanctuary like you are this morning. And for many other stewardship drives, I’ve been more involved in the actual development of the budget being presented. I have never felt more positive and confident about the position we find ourselves in this year. There are 3 things that provide me this optimistic feeling.
First, I’m encouraged because you all knew this was pledge Sunday and you showed up anyway.
Second, the budget that we are presenting this year is one of the most responsible we’ve ever been able to present. This year, thanks to a lot of hours invested by our (former) finance manager, Dave Blunt, we were able to re-finance our mortgage at a low interest rate, while still being able to continue with the building improvements that we feel position us for the future. The upgraded security system will be in place soon; steps have been taken to begin work on the portico; and the mandatory and costly parking lot maintenance will be completed in the spring.
We were also able to switch insurance carriers which will save us $9000 this year. Thanks to Brian Venstrom, our property manager, many routine building repairs have been done by him, saving us thousands in outside costs. This year, the Council has done extensive research on job descriptions and pay scales throughout the ELCA to make certain our payroll and staffing reflects current trends. And I know every ministry, employee, and volunteer, has taken a lot of time to carefully evaluate their budget requests for 2019. They are all very conscientious stewards of your money.
The third area that brings me optimism, and perhaps the most exciting, is the people power that I’ve witnessed this past year. You’ve heard the saying that 10% of the people do 90% of the work. Well, St. Mark has proven that statement wrong, over and over. I find the involvement of so many members in so many areas truly inspiring.
Yes, we have a talented and dedicated staff. They do their jobs well and keep things going smoothly throughout the year. However, they will be the first to tell you that they could not achieve that success without the support of many volunteers. Consider the participation in our amazing choir, the Bells choir and the Praise Band. Consider the Altar Guild, who readies the sanctuary and prepares for every Sunday service. Consider the Worship and Music people who do seasonal decorations, special events, and the Concert Series. Consider the people who put together and conduct the New Member Classes.
Consider the many Sunday School teachers who work with our children in a program that has grown greatly in attendance this year. I assure you, Sunday School numbers are not growing in many Christian churches. Consider the Confirmation Program, Middle School and High school youth programs that have reached out to include other churches in our area. Consider the Barnabas Ministry reaching out with care and support to our members in need. Consider all of our members who gather for Bible Studies and Circles. And I’m sure you are thinking of other groups right now that I have failed to mention.
Equally as inspirational to me are all the people who participate in programs outside our walls to share God’s love with our community. Coming from St. Mark, we make monthly meals for over 125 children at Rock House Kids. We serve lunches at Carpenters Place. We provide 120 sack lunches for Habitat for Humanity and have crews of people helping with the new builds and at the Restore. We started a uniform co-op that provides affordable uniforms to the families of students at Ellis and Lewis Lemon Elementary School in inner city Rockford.
We have volunteers participating in the IREAD Program sponsored by the Literacy Council and the United Way. In fact, we have more volunteers in the IREAD Program than any other church in the area. We support RALM with volunteers at Becca’s Closet and by working with Laundry Love. Our quilters share their talents with Habitat families, the residents of Rockford Rescue Mission as well as provided beautiful quilts for fundraisers. And again, I know I have not mentioned everyone’s efforts. I have never been prouder to be a member of St. Mark. In a busy, fast paced world with many pulls on your time and your money, I know you, too, make your church and your faith a priority. I know that because you are here today!
So, ask yourself: What does St. Mark mean to you? What do you mean to each other in the church? What do we mean to the community? Annual Stewardship drives are necessary. For 2019, our budget goal is $825,800. That’s an increase of only $661 from last year. The campaign will remain open until this goal is met, and we will update you every week as the pledges come in. Today, it’s about prayerfully and realistically offering the best you possibly can.
No, 10% of the people can’t do 90% of the contributing to be successful in this campaign. But you have long proved you’re better than that. If 100% of us just did what we could, our budget will be met, and, even better, we will continue to be that welcoming and dynamic church for ourselves, for each other, and for our community.
