May 2022 Vineyard

The
Vineyard Press
ST. MARK’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sharing Christ’s Abundant Love
“I am the vine, you are the branches. “ (John 15:5)
MAY 2022
PROJECT AWARENESS
Supporting Your Mental Health
7 days of mindfulness to prioritize mental health.
Monday, May 9 through Sunday, May 15
Held at St. Mark’s. Open to the community.
May is Mental Health Awareness month, and St. Mark’s is
stepping up to reaffirm our commitment to be allies for
our people and our community around mental health.
For too long, churches have failed people with mental
health issues. Often the response is “have more faith” or
“pray harder.” St. Mark’s strives to be different. We are
building a culture where talking about mental illness isn’t
uncomfortable, where there is no stigma, only support.
The last two years have been difficult, and few of us have
been unaffected physically or emotionally. This month
is a great time to focus our awareness on our mental
health and to prioritize healthy practices.
St. Mark’s Mental Health Team has created a 7-day
“Project Awareness” to offer opportunities to become
more mindful of our personal mental health and more
educated about mental health resources. During the
week, a variety of mental health professionals will join us
for presentations, discussions, Q&A, and group sharing.
Here’s the schedule:
“Mental Health Through the Ages”
Monday, May 9, 7 p.m.
A school counselor, college counselor, family therapist,
therapist specializing in veteran care, and elderly care
professional discuss how to spot mental health issues in those
we care about.
“Therapy Isn’t Just Sitting on the Couch”
Tuesday, May 10, 7 p.m.
An art therapist, music therapist, play therapist, equine
therapist, and drama therapist share their craft and how it
helps those with mental health issues.
“This Is What We’ve Been Waiting For?”
Wednesday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
St. Mark’s Mental Health Team facilitates a conversation
about returning back to “normal” after COVID and realizing
that things are not as they were.
“First Responders: Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)”
Thursday, May 12, 7 p.m.
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain, with social workers and
mental health professionals, discuss how training first
responders in CIT can help de-escalate mental health issues.
“Stress Reliever Workshop: Yoga and Meditation”
Friday, May 13, 10 a.m.
Aurora University instructor Annie Craig leads a yoga and
meditation class to provide a hands-on experience of how
these practices can support mental health.
“Sabbath: Rest Matters for Your Mental Health”
Saturday, May 14
Instead of an event, this is a day for making intentional
time to rest on your own. St. Mark’s Mental Health Team will
provide an article you can read at your leisure.
“You Are Not Alone”
Sunday, May 15, 11:30 a.m.
NAMI KDK Executive Director Sara Gray will share
what supportive services are available and how we, as a
congregation, can support their work. Open Q&A.
Attend the events that call to you.
Invite friends & neighbors to join you.
Open to the whole community.
All events are free.
CLICK HERE for a printable handout sheet. Or pick up printed copies at the Welcome Center.
Share the Project Awareness web page: StMarksAurora.net/AWARE

youth
“Tree of Healing”
Vacation Bible School
Monday, July 11
through
Friday, July 15
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon each day
This year’s VBS program title, “Tree of Healing,” comes
from the Book of Revelation, which tells us that “the
leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
The tree is a symbol of God’s promise and a reminder
of God’s desire for all nations to experience healing.
This summer’s “Tree of Healing” VBS is a chance for
children to consider what health means and how
God invites us to share in the building of a just world
where all can enjoy the gifts of God’s creation. As
in previous years, each day will focus on a different
country and how our daily theme applies there.
Day One – Roots of Creation (Psalm 104)
Day Two – Healthy Minds and Bodies
(3 John 1:1-5, 11-14)
Day Three – Different Bodies, Different Gifts
(Psalm 139: 1-18)
Day Four – Being Filled (Exodus 16:11-16, 21-26)
Day Five – Bearing Fruit (John 13:3-15, 33-35)
Each day begins with a skit to introduce the daily
theme, plus lively VBS music. Then participants
“travel” through six rotations: Crafts, Games, Bible
story, Around the World, Simulation station (an
interactive and hands-on activity) and, of course,
Snacks!
The “Around the World” stories each day are based on
projects supported by ELCA World Hunger. Not only
will children hear about the work our church is doing
around the world, but through “Tree of Healing,” they
will be part of the response.
It’s going to be a great week! Register your kids now.
Sign up to volunteer. We NEED your help to make VBS
a success!
CLICK to register your kids
(age 3 through grade 5)
CLICK to sign up
to volunteer
LOMC retreat 2018
Confirmation retreat @ LOMC
Saturday, May 7
Our Confirmation students are finally getting a chance to head out to LOMC
(Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center)! They’ll be participating in a one-day
retreat on May 7th that includes a Bible study about teen anxiety, teambuilding
ropes course, small groups, and games, such as Human Foosball
and GaGa. It has been several years since we were able to do a LOMC
confirmation retreat, and we are so excited for this opportunity.
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youth
HS Senior Recognition
Sunday School wrap up
St. Mark’s could not provide the amazing
programming for children and teens that we do
without SOOO much help! We thank our volunteers
for their dedication and hard work to support our
kids and enrich their faith formation each week. We
held a celebration on May 1st, our last Sunday of
the school year, for kids, teachers, and parents with
treats, crafts, and games!
FDL wrap up
Over 20 volunteers commit to helping on Wednesday
nights during the school year, and we couldn’t do
it without them. The FDL teachers, Confirmation
teachers, Youth Group leaders, and our kitchen crew
are an amazing group! On the last Wednesday night
of the school year, May 4th, we celebrated them on
Step-Up Night. We also recognized our 5th-grade
students “stepping up” into Confirmation and our
8th-grade students “stepping up” into HS Youth
Group.
HS Youth Group wrap up
What a year it has been! Every Wednesday evening
from 6 to 7:30 p.m., our HS students gather with
Pastor Patrick in the Luther Room to discuss faith,
grow through fellowship, and engage in fun. We thank
Anna Themanson, LaVern Allen, and Emily Nadler for
joining us on Wednesday nights. They have been such
a blessing to our young people! On Wednesday, May
4, we thank our HS ministry leaders during Step-Up
Night, with gifts and a celebration of a great year
together, and we honor our HS seniors.
3
On Sunday, May 15, we will recognize and
celebrate our St. Mark’s HS seniors. This group
of seniors has been such a blessing to our
church and have set such a high bar for our
younger saints. Each senior is destined for
incredible things, and we will affirm that during
our worship service on the 15th. Here are our
HS seniors graduating this May:
Jillian Bantz
Cara Davenport
Madeline Drafall
Grace Friend
Ava Gonzales
Aiden Hobson
Katie Mabrey
Josh Munson-Rodriguez
Jacob Nowak
Brady Reiseck
David Simpson
Katie Ulrich
Gavin Williams
Thank you, HS seniors, for the blessing you’ve
been! We pray you know St. Mark’s will always
support you and be a place you can call home.
Blessings on the next chapter in your life story.
Mission Trip
July 24-29, 2022
Currently, 21 people
(adults and students)
are signed up for our
summer mission trip to Minneapolis, MN. It
is not too late to sign up. Final signup date is
Friday, May 13th, when our paperwork is due
to YouthWorks. If you have questions, contact
Pr. Patrick.
Wednesday, May 25, 6 – 7 p.m.
Parent/student mission trip meeting
This is an important meeting with many
details for the trip. Participants and parents,
mark May 25th on your calendar!

thank yous
Thank you from Deb
Dear St. Mark’s friends,
It has been an honor and a
privilege to serve St. Mark’s
Lutheran Church for the
last twenty years. During
those years, I have served
with three senior pastors,
one interim senior pastor,
four associate pastors, three
interim associate pastors,
two interns and multiple
staff and volunteers in all
areas of ministry.
I can say that no day was the same, although during
the pandemic it sometimes felt that all the days
blurred together during the lonely months that we
worked from home.
I have so enjoyed my connections with you, the
people of St. Mark’s, and the people of the community
who have touched my life through the years. I will
always remember and treasure the love, comfort, and
support you shared with my family and me during the
shocking loss of my beloved husband, Ben, ten years
ago in March.
In my retirement I plan to spend more time with my
family and friends, do some traveling both around
the country, and the world. (I still have about twelve
states that I have not visited yet, that are on my
bucket list.)
I plan to downsize and move to a condo in the area by
the Spring of next year. I also look forward to signing
up for some of the volunteer opportunities here at St.
Mark’s and in the community that I couldn’t do while
working full-time.
Thank you to Randy and Debbie Steinheimer and the
Church Council for the wonderful Celebration and
Godspeed event on April 2/3. Thanks for the beautiful
reception, sweet treats, punch, beautiful flower
bouquets and the vintage china pendant necklace.
The pendant was cut from the border of a classic
Japanese Noritake pattern called “Remembrance”
from the 1950s. Since I was born in the fifties, that is
so special to me, and I will treasure it forever.
Thank you for all the cards with such kind words and
encouragement, gifts, gift cards, and monetary gifts.
Also, thank you to Pastor Patrick, Kari, and Marcia
for all the work in putting together the video tribute.
It was overwhelming to watch and hear all the kind
words and love expressed for me by so many!
Thank you to Pastor Patrick, Kristin, Kari, Marcia,
John, and Al for your support, love, teamwork, the
fun retirement/ birthday lunch at Panchos, and the
generous gift.
Thank you all so much for your support and kindness
to me as we all worked together to share Christ’s
Abundant Love to our community both near and far.
With love and gratitude,
Deb Arcilla
Let there be light!
Have you noticed how bright the sanctuary
is looking these days? We owe a huge thanks
to the brave souls who got up on scaffolding
to clean the lights! Thank you Rob Creaney,
Roger Shields, Matt Greising, and Al Lettow!
4

Welcome, Joni!
congregational life
Our new Office Manager,
Joni Ackley, officially began
working at St. Mark’s on
Tuesday, April 19th. We’re
so grateful that she has
stepped in and is learning
the ways and means of how
St. Mark’s works.
Please stop by and introduce yourself, if you’re in
the building during the week. We also asked Joni to
introduce herself to you. Here’s what she said:
“I grew up in north-central Kansas in the town of
Beloit. I attended Fort Hays State University and
moved to Chicago in the late nineties. My mom,
brother, and his family still reside in Kansas.
After working in Chicago and Naperville, I moved
to Aurora in 2002, where I met my fiance, Warren
Thomason. We were together almost 19 years until
he passed unexpectedly in January 2021. We shared
a mutual love of Halloween and put up a whole yard
display every year.
While I don’t have kids of my own, Warren has three
adult sons—Michael, David, and Matthew —and a
grandson Benjamin, whom I stay in contact with,
along with the rest of his family.
I enjoy gardening, billiards, almost any kind of
music, and spending time with family and friends.
My Rottweiler named Reaper, who thinks he is a
90-pound lap dog, and a cat named Brat keep me
busy as well. As the new St. Mark’s Office Manager,
I am very much looking forward to getting to know
everyone better.”
Congregation Support Ministry
St. Mark’s takes our role in caring for our own seriously.
During COVID, we created an entirely new care ministry
called “WeCare” to provide support for our people during
the pandemic. That concern and creativity to provide care
hasn’t stopped.
Yes, we have one less pastor; however, care is never just
the job of the pastor(s). Here at St. Mark’s we approach
care differently. Rather than one person providing all the
care, we have a systems approach to care.
There are many branches of our Congregation Support
Ministry (CSM), which we will be highlighting during the
month of June. They include:
Card Ministry
Care Ministry
Deacons
Health & Wellness
Mental Health Team
Prayer Ministers
Fellowship
Connections
Shepherds
Meal Train
Prayer Team
Funeral Luncheons
Wedding Hosts
Transportation
As you see, there are lots of ways caring takes place! Each
branch has a chair person and team that make each
ministry happen within our congregation. If you are
interested in joining our CSM team and providing care
to our people, contact Pr. Patrick. Next CSM leader
meeting is Wednesday, May 18, 7 p.m.
Mother’s Day offering: “Help Feed a Refugee Family”
The last day for “Feed a Refugee Family” donations is Mother’s Day, May 8th.
Galvanized by the crisis of Ukrainian refugees, we are participating in the ELCA
Good Gifts project to help feed refugees all over the world. When people are
forced to flee war and violence in their homeland, one of the most pressing
needs is food. Every $50 we collect feeds a refugee family for a week, and $200
feeds them for a month. Your donation, of any amount, will help! You can pick
up a donation envelope at the Welcome Center or give online.
5

adult opportunities
New member exploration
Sunday, June 5, 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Interested in St. Mark’s? Looking for a faith community where every
individual is welcomed and affirmed? Want to participate in God’s work?
Wondering what it means to be a member of this congregation?
If any one of these questions describes you, join us for our Spring New
Member Exploration meeting on Sunday, June 5. The meeting will be held from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m, and
lunch will be provided. The New Member Exploration provides an opportunity for you to ask questions, build
relationships, and gain clarity about St. Mark’s mission. We’ll also have a chance get to know each other and
share our congregational story. If you are interested in attending the New Member Exploration, contact
the church office (630-897-6891) or email Pr. Patrick. We look forward to engaging with you on June 5th!
Adult Study
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Community Room
“The Bible According to …” series
Starting in Lent, the Tuesday morning Adult Study began a deep dive into
Scripture, covering topics such as:
• Women in the Bible
• Homosexuality: What the Bible really says
• Divine Judgment: How to approach God’s wrath
• Divine agency: Why does God choose to act in and through humanity?
• Difficulty passages in the Bible: How do we approach these stories?
• Historical Critical Interpretation: How to read the Bible
• Approaches to the Bible: It matters!
Each week we build on our understanding of Scripture and have a deeper and richer approach in how we
interpret the Bible. Too many churches claim there is only one way to read Scripture! During the Tuesday
morning Adult Study, we are making a different claim and getting more comfortable in how we talk about the
Bible. Together, we are seeing the beauty and gift that the Bible is for our community. Join us on Tuesday
mornings at 10 a.m. Anyone is welcome.
Adult Fellowship
Thursday, May 26 (sign up by Monday, May 16)
Tour of the Mausoleum in Justice, IL
The Adult Fellowship group is headed to Justice, IL, for a guided tour of
the Mausoleum, a Polish religious history museum. One of the museum’s
highlights is the world’s largest stained-glass window. It’s also home to
Chicago’s most famous ghost, “Resurrection Mary.” Sign up at the Welcome
Center or call Peggy Shields (630-907-1361). The group will leave St. Mark’s
at 9 a.m. (sharp), and arrive at 10 a.m.
6

save the dates
Pride Parade 2018
Pride Parade
Sunday, June 12
The Aurora Pride Parade is BACK! The past two
years, we have participated in Aurora’s Pride Drive
by waving at cars from our front lawn. So we are
excited to hear the Pride Parade is returning! This
year, we’ll once again have an opportunity to walk
in the parade together.
The date of the Pride Parade is Sunday, June 12.
St. Mark’s will be there, proudly proclaiming that
we welcome and affirm our LGBTQIA+ siblings!
It’s our way of expressing our priority to be a
community leader. It’s our way of living out our
RIC (Reconciling in Christ) designation.
The RIC Team is gathering plans and preparations
for the Pride Parade. Logistics and details on how
to sign up for the June 12 Aurora Pride Parade will
be coming out this month. Look for details at the
Welcome Center and in future communications.
Music Sunday
Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m.
You are invited to a special Sunday morning
worship on May 22nd. It will be a celebration
of thanks and praise for our adult vocal and
handbell choirs, and our kids’ music and
choirs. We’re grateful for their gifts of music
and the time commitment they have shared
with us this year.
We celebrate all the ways these musicians
made music this year—COVID or no—and
look forward to the future to see what God
can do in us and through us as we continue to
grow in faith and love here at St. Mark’s.
Family Fun Sundays
• Sunday, June 26 - intergenerational theme
• Sunday, July 17 - extension of VBS health/wellness theme
• Sunday, August 28 - water theme
Remember all the fun we had last summer? Our Family Fun
Sundays were a hit with churchgoers of all ages! We enjoyed
a magician, princesses, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, and
wildlife. Plans are now underway to bring back the fun for
three Family Fun Sundays this summer. Mark these dates on
your calendar:
We hope you can attend all three events! Stay tuned for more info as the plans shape up.
7

neighbor news
Sunday team
St. Mark’s and the Dominican Literacy Center
Forging a new partnership
St. Mark’s is incredibly blessed to have formed
partnerships that make a difference in our
community. From The Neighbor Project and McCleery
Elementary School to PADS, Hesed House, and so
many more, our congregation has made a huge
impact.
About a year ago, the Outreach Team began a search
for another community partner that would allow St.
Mark’s to make an impact through the Hansen Fund,
a fund set aside for community outreach on behalf of
the church. After many site visits, conversations, and
discernment, the Outreach Team recommended a
one-time $10,000 donation to the Dominican Literacy
Center in Aurora, which the Council confirmed in
March.
Programs at the Dominican Literacy Center help
women learn to read, write, and speak English, as
well as help immigrant women and men prepare to
pass their naturalization tests and become new U.S.
citizens. The permanent staff along with hundreds of
volunteers believe that helping our immigrant siblings
is a worthwhile and noble venture!
You are invited to join in this outreach venture. On
the weekend of May 7 and 8, we will talk more about
the Dominican Literacy Center and ways that our
congregation can be involved in this partnership.
Watch the video above to see highlights of the
important work of the Dominican Literacy Center.
Dinner at PADS
Saturday, May 14, 6 to 9 p.m.
Our next dinner service date at PADS is Saturday,
May 14, and we are looking for volunteers. If you
want to cook, you can make up some Sloppy
Joes (click here for the recipe) and drop off your
food at Hesed House at 6 p.m. or contact Janet to
coordinate a hand-off. If you want to volunteer,
we serve about 200 guests for dinner and prepare
100 sack lunches for the next day. Sign up at the
Welcome Center or contact Janet Guinanne.
Aurora Food Pantry
shelf stocking
Monday, May 9 and May 23, 3 to 4 p.m.
As food prices continue to rise, food insecurity
increases. The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry is
getting new families signing up each distribution
day! On the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month,
a team from St. Mark’s helps stock the shelves
to get ready for distribution. If you’d like to
join the team, contact Linda Pfeiffer or sign
up at the Welcome Center. The need-—and our
work—will continue through the summer!
8

neighbor news
The Neighbor Project
Lydia’s Piecemakers
Maintenance workshop
Earlier in 2022, The Neighbor Project hosted a
maintenance workshop for participants in its
Networked Saving program. The workshop focused
on indoor home maintenance to help prepare
families for homeownership. Austin Bredow led
the two-hour workshop, which covered HVAC
maintenance, safety/security within the home,
minor plumbing problems and fixes, mold/mildew
prevention, and pest control. Participant feedback
was incredibly positive, as maintenance training is a
topic families are always requesting!
If you are particularly handy and would like to
volunteer to lead a future maintenance workshop,
please contact Sarah Bredow for more information.
Family support
St. Mark’s support of Lizbet and her family was
completed when she graduated from the Networked
Saving program and was able to purchase her own
home. We are now sponsoring the Thang family at
the Oak Avenue property. This is a Burmese family
who learned of the program through family members
who completed the program five years earlier! Wordof-mouth
referrals continue to be a strong source of
excellent program candidates.
The Thangs have been steadily completing the
program requirements and hope to purchase a home
in late 2022/early 2023. Thank you, St. Mark’s people,
for the continued support that helps make this
possible!
Lydia’s Piecemakers have joyfully resumed weekly
Monday activities in the St. Mark’s building. All people
interested are welcome to join their efforts, either
from your home or at the church.
Quilt kits
Like to sew? You can help by picking up a quilt kit.
Look for the two baskets on the bench near the
kitchen unit in the narthex. One basket has quilt kits
ready to sew, and one is for returned quilt tops ready
and waiting for Monday-morning quilt assembly.
All are welcome to work at home on these kits and/or
join us on Monday morning. Even with all the laughter
and chatter Lydia’s Piecemakers engage in, we have
shipped hundreds and hundreds of quilts to those
parts of the world needing a warm and caring touch.
Hat and scarf ministry
We are currently looking for someone to help
coordinate the hat and scarf ministry. We have LOTS
of yarn ready to use, and even looms for people
who do not knit or crochet. Last Fall, St. Mark’s
distributed over 200 articles of warmth, including
hats, scarves, and mittens for use in Aurora at Hesed
House, McCleery Elementary School, and Mutual
Ground. This will not be possible in 2022 without a
coordinator. If you are interested, call Laurel Haase at
630-892-9525.
Baby bundles
Another very active part of Lydia’s ministry consists of
building baby bundles used in third-world countries
to encourage mothers to seek pre-natal care. Call
Debbie Steinheimer at 630-712-2052 for more
information.
9
—Betty Lankers

church matters
Transition update
Council Happenings at St. Mark’s
Greetings from St. Mark’s Council!
c
The St. Mark’s Church Council has
decided to pursue the hiring of a
part-time pastor. After consulting
with the Metro Chicago Synod, the
Council and Synod support the
action of hiring a part-time pastor
to ease some of Pastor Patrick’s
responsibilities, such as leading
weekly worship and assisting with
pastoral care of our members. In
addition, a part-time pastor would
keep St. Mark’s finances in line with
or lower than the existing budget for
personnel expenses and allow St.
Mark’s the autonomy to select and
interview its own candidates for the
position.
At its Sunday, April 24 meeting, the
St. Mark’s Council approved a job
description for a part-time pastor.
The job description extends a sixmonth
contract seeking a part-time
pastor to faithfully provide and
facilitate a ministry of care and
nurture, including two weekends
per month of worship leadership,
including preaching.
The job description is being sent
to potential candidates at this
time, and we await responses with
cautious optimism. The pool of
potential candidates comes from
the Metro Chicago Synod’s roster of
retired pastors who have expressed
interested in pulpit supply.
It is the Church Council’s desire
to keep you informed of the
incremental steps it is undertaking.
The Council asks for your continued
prayers for St. Mark’s as we move
through this transition together.
—Randy Steinheimer, Council President
This month’s Council meeting was yet another packed agenda. We
started by welcoming our newest staff member, Joni Ackley—and
celebrating her birthday! As Recording Secretary for the Council, Joni
will be taking minutes at each Council meeting.
Highlights from the April 24th meeting include:
• the formation of a committee to explore data about our return
to worship. This will assist us as we consider our future pastoral
needs based on the number of worshipers and their needs. If you
are interested in this committee, please talk with Jon Miller.
• the approval of a job description to assist in hiring a part-time
pastor. This pastor, on a short-term contract, will assist with
worship and pastoral care.
• the approval of Mike Bauman to a term on St. Mark’s
Endowment Team.
• updates on our congregational care initiatives. Look for much
more information to come throughout the month of June, as we
re-introduce our various care ministries and show how they all fit
together.
• budget and treasury updates as we continue to track our
finances. Treasurer Rob Creaney is happy to answer budget
questions.
• plans for a congregation-wide survey in early June to gather
ideas for fostering connections between St. Mark’s members as
a follow-up to our “walking together” sessions. In these sessions,
participants cited the need for members to be committed to caring
for each other, and to ensure St. Mark’s as a welcoming church.
• updates on our new computer software that will allow for more
streamlined operations, better communication, and financial
management.
• plans to better communicate St. Mark’s outreach activities to
allow our congregation to find opportunities to participate in these
ministries and to connect what we do with the “why” behind our
efforts. Council approved an outreach budget that utilizes monies
from the Hansen Fund to support new outreach initiatives.
“Chats with Council”: Council members have enjoyed increased
opportunities to talk with congregation members and listen to
suggestions and concerns. Please continue to join our monthly “Chats
with Council.” Our next chat is Sunday, May 15 before the 10 a.m.
service. Also, look for Council members at the Welcome Center before
both Saturday and Sunday services. Your feedback has resulted in
many positive changes—we’re here for you!
—Lynnette Brent, Council Secretary
10

church matters
St. Mark’s
Council
Randy Steinheimer, President
rsteinheimer@sd129.org
Emma Albers, Vice-President
emma.albers@kimley-horn.
com
Rob Creaney, Treasurer
rob.creaney@sbcglobal.net
Lynnette Brent, Secretary
lynnettebrent@gmail.com
Mike Bauman
jmb15mjb4@gmail.com
Matt Greising
mpgreising@gmail.com
Izzy Jones
isabellemjones06@gmail.com
Tyler Mabrey
yerbam719@gmail.com
Monthly Information
St. Mark’s monthly financial recap
for March 2022
Monthly Budget Goal $ 76,213.92
Monthly Offering information
Envelopes – General Fund $ 61,372.90
LSSI Rent $ —
Miscellaneous $ 20.00
Other (loose, Sunday School, interest) $ 474.74
Total General Fund Income $ 61,867.64
Monthly Surplus (Shortfall) $ (14,346.28)
Summary General Fund Information as of 03/31/2022
Annual Budget $ 914,567.00
Percent of Year Completed 25%
Offerings/Commitments/Other Income $ 175,120.18
received year to date
Actual Expenses year to date $ 271,663.94
Actual Expense Surplus (Shortfall) year to date $ (96,543.76)
Budget Surplus (Shortfall) year to date $ (54,521.57)
Debt Balances as of 03/31/2022
Principal Remaining on Church Building $ 1,180,678.23
Principal Remaining on CDC $ 420,892.89
General Fund owes Special Fund $ 15,000.00
Jon Miller
jgmiller6836@gmail.com
Mark Mueller
mueller1110@comcast.net
Anna Themanson
acthemo@gmail.com
Patrick Fish, Pastor
pfish@stmarksaurora.net
Joni Ackley, Recording Secretary
jackley@stmarksaurora.net
Thrivent Choice
Each Thrivent member can allocate
“Choice Dollars” to go to their home
church. In the past two months, we
are grateful to Thrivent members Al and Phoebe Bergh, David and
Kathy Bloom, Allen and Mary Close, Judy Conant, Caryl Sue Farnum,
Martha Hosler-Fitzgerald, George Huensch, Carol and Jens Jensen,
Phyllis Jessick, Susan Koepke, Fred and Phyllis Krueger, Sheryl
Murphy, and Maybelle Rygh for directing a total of $2,486 of their
“Choice Dollars” to St. Mark’s.
Talk to Pr. Patrick if you are a Thrivent member and have questions
on how to make this designation of your Choice Dollars.
11

Glorious Easter!
For the first time since 2019, St. Mark’s members and friends
were able to gather in person to celebrate Easter. What a joyous
occasion it was! From the processional to the recessional, from
kids laughing to adults waving colors, we gave thanks for new
life and praised our Risen Lord. Alleluia!
Photos: Tom Short, Shortpics.com
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 27 S Edgelawn Dr, Aurora, IL 60506 StMarksAurora.net 630-897-6891 office@stmarksaurora.net