Newest Posts

• ELCA Elects a New Presiding Bishop
  11 Aug 2025
  

  The Rev. Yehiel Curry was elected July 30 to serve a six-year term as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The election took place during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly being held July 28–Aug. 2 at the Phoenix (Ariz.) Convention Center. Curry was elected on the fifth ballot. There were 799 votes cast, with 400 votes needed for an election. Curry received 562 votes, and the Rev. Kevin Strickland, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, received 237 votes. Curry is the first Black presiding bishop of the ELCA. Speaking to the assembly after his election, Curry reflected on his membership at Shekinah Chapel in Riverdale, Ill., where he eventually became a lay mission developer while he participated in the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries program, which prepares individuals for ordained ministry in the ELCA, with a focus on emerging ministry contexts like ethnic-specific, multicultural, rural and inner-city settings. He spoke to the assembly about his initial hesitation in accepting that first ministry role. “Perhaps I’m out there in one of you,” Curry said. “I never saw myself as good enough, so for two years, I said no. I finally said yes. When I said yes, your support, this church’s support, of that ministry meant everything. So if you want to know what your benevolence dollars look like, it looks like me, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for your investment.” Curry has served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod since 2019. He previously served as mission developer (2009-2012) and pastor (2012-2019) of Shekinah. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., in 1995 and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) in 2013. LSTC is one of seven ELCA seminaries.

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• Rock Vespers Returns!
  2 May 2025
  

  Join us the second Sunday of May, June, July, August and September at 6pm for this unique, wonderful service of contemporary, popular rock music!  Invite your friends!

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• 10th Sunday After Pentecost
  17 Aug 2025
  

  The word of God is a refining fire. Jesus is the great divide in human history. He invites our undivided attention and devotion. Today in worship we are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” In the word and in holy communion we are invited yet again to look to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”

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• New Southwestern Washington Synod Bishop Elected!
  11 Aug 2025
  

  We welcome our new Southwestern Washington Synod Bishop Keith Marshall!  He was elected to serve a 6 year term during our Synod Assembly on June 13-14 at the Olson Auditorium at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Siblings in Christ of the Southwestern Washington Synod, Grace and peace to you all! As I officially begin serving you as your bishop today, I want to offer my greetings, introduce myself, and share a bit about what you can expect in the months ahead. For the past ten years I had been serving as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Enumclaw. My wife, Elisha, and I have been married for the past 18 years. She does remarkable work, serving the most vulnerable in our community as the Executive Director at Plateau Outreach Ministries. Together, we are raising two wonderful boys: Jeremiah (16) and Zachariah (9). Between high school choir concerts, Little League baseball games, and chasing around our almost one-year-old Golden Doodle, Chewie, we are a busy family! Since Synod Assembly, life has been a whirlwind of change, marked by farewells, joys, grief, and excitement. Throughout this journey, I have been sustained by Christ and by the prayers from many of you on behalf of myself, my family, Hope Lutheran, and our entire Synod. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming support and encouragement you have shown me over the past month and a half! Over the coming months, one of my top priorities will be connecting with as many people in the synod as possible. That, of course, means visiting congregations on Sunday mornings to preach! I am excited to see the many churches in our synod and meet the people in our faith communities. Additionally, if you have a special congregational event that you would like me to attend, please let me know. If my schedule permits, I would love to be there! As I go around our synod, I hope to do much more listening than talking. I want to hear your stories, your insights, your hopes, your concerns, your wisdom, and your passion for ministry here in the Southwestern Washington Synod. You are the ones already faithfully rooted in your corners of our synod, and I’m eager to learn from you! As we begin a visioning and strategic planning process for the SWWA Synod, listening to you will help synod staff, synod council, and myself discern where God is leading us together. As I said during the Synod Assembly, it is the honor of my life to be called to serve as the Bishop of the Southwestern Washington Synod. My heart and passion for ministry have always centered on ensuring people know they are seen, heard, and deeply loved by God and by the church. I have lived out that calling through outdoor ministry, youth ministry, pastoral ministry, and now, I pray, in this new role as your bishop. I will diligently and faithfully live out this call, serving you with patience, prayer. vision, and hope. I am filled with excitement for the future of the SWWA Synod and for the ways in which God is already at work in us, through us, and with us! In Christ, Bishop Keith Marshall

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• Rev. David I. Nelson, Pastor Emeritus
  11 Aug 2025
  

  On Sunday, July 13, St. Mark celebrated naming Rev. David I. Nelson as our Pastor Emeritus. What is a Pastor Emeritus?  The word “Emeritus” means “retired, but retaining one’s title or rank.” The title of “Pastor Emeritus” is an honorary title given to retired pastors to recognize and show appreciation for the life-long service of a pastor who has made a significant impact on a congregation. Why did we bestow this honor upon Rev. David I. Nelson? David served St. Mark first as an interim and then as a called pastor for 10 years, from 1996 to 2006 when he retired.  David was a beloved pastor whose passion for justice and for art gave shape and color and life to his ministry.  Among the many things during that time, David and Mary also established the Hope Fund to assist students in the North Thurston Public Schools and the SAFI School Project to help children in Tanzania get an education and better their lives.  In addition to preaching and worship leadership, David created art for the various seasons of the church year using the altar wall and the whole sanctuary as his canvas.  He assisted with the remodeling of the church building, the construction of our labyrinth, and the creation of our unique rock church sign out front. But this honor has just as much to do with what David has done in the almost 20 years since his retirement. David has continued to enhance our worship and deepen our spiritual experiences through his art. He has shared his creative gifts not only by creating art, but also by encouraging and teaching the next generations of artists, some as young at 10 years old, how to do it. Not only do we have our altar wall, and the sanctuary itself, we also have our art gallery in the hallways.  David has created a lasting legacy of faith, art and creativity at St. Mark. In this creativity we all know:  the space between heaven and earth, between the creator and the created, between the human and divine, becomes so thin we experience God in our very midst. Pastor Beth stated: “David, when I brought the proposal to church council to name you as Pastor Emeritus, it was not only for this legacy of faith, creativity and art you have established at St. Mark and your continued work with students in Tanzania through SAFI, but it was also because of the love and support you  have shown not only to the people and ministry of this congregation, but also to Eric and me. You may not know this, but when Bishop Hoffstad called Eric and me to ask if he could submit our names to the St. Mark call committee, he told us, ‘It is important that you know their retired pastor, David Nelson, who served there for about 10 years, is still a member there.  I know this isn’t typical because it is hard to make that work, but I am confident, if anyone can make it work, David and the two of you can.’ Our first introduction to you was during our call process when we came to meet with the people of St. Mark during Lent.  We had dinner first and during dinner, you told us you had served as a pastor here and was still attending worship, but that you didn’t want to interfere at all. You said, ‘If it is ever a problem for me to be here, please tell me and I will leave.’ During the service that followed, you got up to speak about the artwork you created on the altar wall.  Not only was your art and the commentary on it amazing, I was amazed as  I watched you speaking to the congregation in your wonderful, poetic David way.  I also watched everyone else listen to you.  They were absolutely captivated. On the way home, Eric and I agreed, we would be idiots if we ever thought about asking you to leave.  It was obvious to us that you loved this church and they loved you and we would love you too.  And we do. As a side note, when we heard you speak about your art that first time, it was like magic.  People were spell bound. You weren’t preaching that night, but you were!  I said to Eric, ‘I think he is a wizard.’ So, David, from the day we first met you on, between Eric and me, you have been affectionately named “The Wizard.”  You are a wizard in the best possible way—and a  Wise, Gracious, Creative, Extraordinary Mentor and Friend.  Thank you for being our go to person, for Pulpit supply, pastoral care, and for so many other things. You have been unwavering in your support of us as pastors.    It is a joy to celebrate you becoming St. Mark’s Pastor Emeritus.” This title honoring David as Pastor Emeritus is also an honor for Mary, his wife.  About Mary, Pastor Beth shared: “This celebration would not be complete without also recognizing Mary Nelson. What a gift you are, Mary!  What a gift the two of you are together.  David wouldn’t be David without Mary. Mary also continues to share her gifts of love and friendship and bringing people together in beautiful and profound ways.  And there is also the life giving ministry you have done together with SAFI.  You make a fabulous team and we are blessed to have both of you at St. Mark.   We love and appreciate you very much. ” Pastor Nelson had an opportunity to speak and he thanked the people of St. Mark, his wife Mary, his daughter Jen and her family, and his long time friend, Pastor Paul Lundborg who were all also in attendance.  To the people of St. Mark, Pastor Nelson said, “I have served in several different churches. You are my heart congregation.” The official resolution passed by the St. Mark Church Council which names and honors Pastor Nelson is as …Read More

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• 9th Sunday after Pentecost
  10 Aug 2025
  

  Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so.

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• 8th Sunday after Pentecost
  3 Aug 2025
  

  Welcome to today’s service. If you would like to participate during communion, please have wine and bread ready to do so.

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