Blessed Easter!

Easter is my favorite season of the church year.  Perhaps some of you feel the same about Easter.  This year Easter felt even more special.  At times I felt my inner child come alive with excited anticipation of Easter Sunday.  Part of my excitement is because this was my first Easter as a pastor.  But even more so, because this year we were in person, inside the sanctuary.  I was overjoyed to see the sanctuary filled with people.  The kids all dressed up in their Easter outfits.  The smell of the flowers filled the building.  And then the music.  The trumpet and bells playing and the choir and congregation singing; it was all so beautiful!  It was a joy filled Easter Celebration!

One of my family’s traditions is to take an Easter family photo before heading off to church.  This year our tradition changed a little bit since I am typically up and out of the house on Sunday mornings before anyone else is awake.  Instead of a picture outside we took a picture in the sanctuary.  A few other families did the same thing on Easter morning.  At first, I thought I would miss the traditional family photo taken in our front yard, but surprisingly I did not.  I enjoyed starting a new tradition, of taking a family photo inside the sanctuary of St. Mark with the beautiful, colorful glass as the backdrop. 

As we continue through the Easter season, I encourage you to continue to lift up the Easter proclamation; Alleluia!  Christ is risen.  Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!  Look for signs of Easter in the flowers as they begin to bloom, in the birds and animals as they move about the yard, and in the people, you encounter each day.  I encourage you to share the Easter joy with those around you. 

Blessed Easter to you all! 

Peace, Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Lenten Reflection

I am enjoying the Holden Evening Prayer services on Wednesday evenings.   From the glow of the candles, the words of each song, the singing bowl, and the smell of the extinguished beeswax candles, I love it all.  I was first introduced to Holden Evening Prayer while I was on internship.  I learned many of the songs and helped lead the service.  Until this Lenten season, I had not sung the whole Holden Evening Prayer service.  After singing all of Holden Evening Prayer, my love for this service has grown. 

The words of the songs are moving.  As we sing the words Let my Prayer Rise up, like incense before you, a lifting up of my hands as an offering to you, I can see some thin, faint lines of smoke for the burning candles rise up.  I imagine each thin, faint line carrying the prayers we lift up during the service and the ones we hold in our hearts and minds. 

As we journey through Lent and build on the Wednesday evening services, each service brings new meaning for me.  The confirmation class helped light the candles during the first two Lenten services, which is a great way to involve them in the worship service.  This week having Pastor Chad and Andrea McKenna singing together added another layer to the experience.  I loved the difference in the sounds of their voices and when they sang together with a little harmony.  It was so beautiful! 

Holden Evening Prayer services have been a blessing to me.  It is a spiritual practice of singing prayers and embracing a time of silence.  It has been my escape during a busy week as well as an intentional time spent in prayer with God.  I hope your Lenten journey has provided you and continues to provide you with opportunities to connect with God.   

Peace, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

A Memorial in Purple

On Ash Wednesday, our worship space had a brand new look. New linens adorn the table and the lectern, and both of us pastors wore stoles to match. These new paraments were designed and made by Anne Anderson, an artist from Forest City, Iowa, in collaboration with our Altar Guild, led by Christy Malenchik. We commissioned the set to breathe new life and focus into the season of Lent. Anne did an incredible job creating thoughtful Lenten imagery, while also balancing the colors with our stained glass. 

The many details in these pieces focus on the three disciplines of Lent: fasting, prayer, and charity. The church has used those practices for centuries to help folks prepare for Easter and baptism with humility and hope. Lent is often seen as a journey or pilgrimage, following in Christ’s footsteps through the wilderness of temptation, among the ones he heals, and toward his death and resurrection. Images of crossroads, prayer, and service can guide us on our journey, as we spend the season reevaluating our commitment to God through the way we live our lives.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter are all grounded in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ— the greatest hope of our faith. Ash Wednesday reminds us of our mortality; Easter promises new life. It is worth mentioning, then, that this new set of paraments was funded by memorials given in honor of dear St. Mark people who have died and now rest in anticipation of the great resurrection. Memorials are donations made by friends and family after a loved one has died, and they are set aside to fund ministries or physical improvements to our congregation. The decision of how to use those gifts is entrusted to our Memorial Committee. Families may choose to designate their loved ones’ memorials to a specific use. For instance, our Lenten paraments were mostly funded by gifts designated for the Altar Guild which were made in honor of Bill Vivian. Bill joined the church triumphant on March 1st, 2018. As fate would have it, we first used the paraments given in his name almost exactly four years later, on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, 2022.

I am so grateful to those who give memorial gifts, as well as willed bequests. Those types of donations are able to support this congregation in ways a budget cannot, and they make a lasting impact on our community. In the last several years, we have been able to redo the parking lot; replace the roof; remodel the kitchen; update our video technology for live-streaming; and purchase new sanctuary Christmas trees, microphones, projectors, offering plates, picnic tables, computers, and artwork, to name just a few. 

While we are on the subject, I should note one major change to how we use memorials: For a long time, memorials have been used almost every year to purchase computers for our staff, but computers have become increasingly short-lived. After reevaluating this practice, the council decided there must be a better way. The budget we approved at the annual meeting now covers the ongoing expense of computer technology as necessary office equipment. In addition, thanks to ending last year with a surplus, the council recently moved to reimburse our Memorial Fund for computers purchased in 2020 and 2021, which total $5044.16. I am thrilled that these donations can now be used for more meaningful and life-giving gifts to our congregation!

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Preparing the Ashes!

On February 23^rd the confirmation class, Melinda, and I took the old dried palms from past Palm Sundays and burned them to make the ashes that will be used on Ash Wednesday.  The process to get from palms to ashes begins with taking the old palms and cutting them into small pieces to fit in the large metal bowl.  After we filled the bowl, we went outside to burn the palms.  Each confirmand was given the opportunity to help light the palms with long matches.  There is something special about using long matches to light a fire that everyone seems to enjoy.  It didn’t take long for the palms to quickly burn to a small pile of ash.  While the confirmands enjoyed some hot chocolate, I stayed outside with the smoldering ashes until they cooled enough to bring them inside.  After the ashes were fully cooled, we sifted them through a flour sifter twice.  What was left was finely sifted black ashes, that will remind us that we are dust.  After we put the sifted ashes in the jar, we talked about what is said when they receive the imposition of ashes, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  We also talked about what it means when we say that we are dust, and how we are connected to and a part of the earth. 

We went back to the café to enjoy a snack.  As we enjoyed our snacks we talked about what was surprising about the process.  The responses were; they were surprised how quickly they burned, how little ashes there were compared to the large amount of cut up palms, and how black the ashes were compared to the yellow/green color of the dried palms.   I have burned palms with confirmands before and each time there seems to be that element of surprise, a bit of fear at how quickly the palms ignite, and a bit of awe at the whole process.  For me, one of the best parts is the connection between the celebration of Palm Sunday where we shout Hosannas to the humbling reminder on Ash Wednesday that we will return to dust.  Also, the youth get to be a part of the “behind the scenes” preparation for a worship service.  This is one of the more unique worship preparations. 

On Ash Wednesday Pastor Chad and I will make the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes from old palms burned by the confirmands.  I love this and it warms my heart knowing the confirmands helped with Ash Wednesday preparations.   

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber

Celebrating 2021

 This article is adapted from the 2021 Annual Report of the Senior Pastor.

Every year, our congregation prepares an annual report. It’s a thick packet of updates from staff and committees about everything we have been up to. And even though we are required to put it together, it can be a real gift. It may not be a birthday card stuffed with cash, but this collection of reports is here to remind us of everything we already have. After all we have been through the past two years, I pray that you will be able to read what is inside, reflect on the richness of our community, and find joy in the life we share together. Members can pick a copy up at church or call the office for assistance.

When you do read through it, one thing you will see is a timeframe of all the various ways we have worshipped since the pandemic began almost two years ago. I knew we had been through a heap of various strategies, but until I saw it all laid out, it didn’t hit me just how much we have done. We slowly eased back into the building, returned outside for Palm Sunday and Easter, and then added a second service in May. We celebrated our 60th anniversary with a special service in April and a weekend full of events in September. Every month was a little bit different. We worshipped in the Sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall, the parking lot, and the east lawn.

That service on the lawn became an unexpected favorite for so many. It also took the most work. Every Sunday for four months, our praise band set up our worship space on the lawn, led the service, and then packed it all up again. You would be hard pressed to find a more dedicated group of church musicians. We are already planning ways to continue that unique summer service with a more permanent outdoor worship space.

When we added a second service, it was an opportunity to evaluate not just what we needed in the moment, but what would serve us best as a larger congregation. We settled on sticking with two services, with an hour for Sunday school between. Having a dedicated learning hour has enabled our families with young children to worship together. I hope and pray more families take advantage of the opportunity to raise children to grow in faith both in the classroom and in worship. And I hope we find more ways to welcome children as vital members of our worshipping community.

We had a small taste of post-pandemic life in late summer, when we left our masks at home and prayed that those difficult days of caution were behind us. And though we have since returned to the same strict measures we were using a year ago, that moment of closeness helped many of us remember what we appreciate about this place. We can endure the changes and restrictions if it means we can be together and keep one another safe. And, we can continue to stay connected to those who are yet unable to be with us in person.

I am so grateful that we were able to call Rev. Katrina Steingraeber to be our new associate pastor. Since beginning in July, she has settled in and continues to grow and thrive. Over a year after you called me to be your senior pastor, you all installed both of us in a moving service during Rally weekend. I am thankful for Pastor Chuck, who has been the only one of us allowed to visit our folks in the hospitals since the pandemic began. Our volunteers with outreach, Sunday school, and worship ministries have continued to make our congregation a community. And our staff has worked with joy to hold us all together. Every day is a reminder of just how fortunate I am to be able to not only be a member of this congregation but to lead it as well. 

In Christ,

Pastor Chad McKenna

Thank you for the Saints!

Each of us has had someone in our life who have influenced us, inspired us, and impacted our life in some way.  This could be a teacher, a coach, a minister, or anyone who impacted your life.  I give God thanks for the many saints who have impacted my life.  Some of them have gone on to their heavenly home and others are an active part of my life. 

I recently came across a prayer of thanks and praise for the saints.  The prayer is written by Janet Morley.  Here is her prayer…

“For all the saints who went before us who have spoken to our hearts and touched us with your fire, we praise you, O God.    

For all the saints who live beside us whose weaknesses and strengths are woven with our own, we praise you, O God. 

For all the saints who live beyond us who challenge us to change the world with them, we praise you, O God.”

I am thankful for the saints who touched me with their fire.  These saints gave me the determination to pursue ministry and become a pastor.  My love for the church and its work grew thanks to their fire.  I find comfort in knowing that others have weaknesses, just like I do.  I used their strengths to help me improve.  We need strong people in our lives.  Being able to lean on and/or draw from each other’s strengths is needed in many aspects of life, I have found this especially helpful in ministry.  I have found I learn the most and I remember what I have learned when I am the most uncomfortable.  I find this most often when discussing or learning about difficult topics.  I experienced this a lot during seminary, where I was challenged by professors and fellow classmates.  I have learned to lean into the uncomfortable and to listen to other people’s experiences.  This is not easy, but necessary work! 

Who are the saints in your life?  And how have they influenced you or inspired you?  I invite you to take a moment and give God thanks and praise for the saints in your life.  I am truly grateful for all the saints in my life, past and present a like.  I thank God for each of them. 

Peace,

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber  

COVID update from Pastor Chad

 “Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”                                                                                                                                                -Isaiah 40:31

Dear St. Mark people,

One of the many things I have learned these past two years is that patience is a limited resource. When we run out, we can either give up altogether or find some spark of hope to keep us going. Like most parts of the world, Covid cases in our area are the worst they have ever been. Hospitals are running out of beds, and healthcare workers are beyond exhausted. Everyone is tired. My prayer today is that our faith in the Lord will give us the strength we need to endure for just a little while longer.

After talking with the staff and our council, it is clear that we need to take some additional precautions to keep everyone safe here at St. Mark. Our Sunday morning schedule will be staying the same— we will still be able to worship in-person for now. However, we ask that folks sit only with members of their own household and to avoid physical contact with others, including during the passing of the peace. To help with social distancing, some rows will be blocked off. And even though everyone will be wearing a mask, worshippers will be asked to sing softly.

Except for Holy Communion, all food and drink is suspended for at least the remainder of January. Yes, I regret to say that includes even coffee and donuts on Sunday mornings. The goal here is to ensure everyone leaves their masks on at all times while in the building. So, fuel up on caffeine at home, leave that to-go cup in the car, and come fully charged to worship!

Sunday School, Adult Forum, Bible studies, and other meetings may continue to meet in person with these mitigations in place. That being said, your safest bet during this major surge is to stay home and meet remotely whenever possible. Weekday groups that choose to meet in-person should provide a remote option for those at home, which the office can help you set up. On Sundays you have the option to worship with us via our 9:00am YouTube livestream. We have at-home communion supplies available outside the café so that we can stay connected through that holy meal during the next few weeks. You can pick those up during office hours, or whenever the building is open. If you live in Winnebago or Boone County and need communion supplies delivered, let the office know, and someone will bring that bread and wine to your home.

Most of the experts anticipate this surge will drop as quickly as it jumped up, so our hope is that these extra measures will only be needed for a short time. We will continue to adjust our practices as needed until this surge is behind us. As always, I encourage you to stay connected to one another. Check in with a call or message, pray for one another, and support each other with grace. May God continue to grant us the patience, strength, and compassion we need to endure this pandemic together.

Peace,

Pastor Chad McKenna