June - 2009

NOTES FROM PASTOR

Investing in the Future

As I write this, many wait anxiously for the word:  will GM file for bankruptcy or not?  If so, how will it affect retirees?  How will it
affect those recently ‘let go’?  What about those of us who may not work with the Big Three, but, by virtue of living in Southeast Michigan, know that we will be affected by what happens next.  We know how far the effects of a single event can ripple.

One never knows the effect one has on another.  This goes far beyond business dealings.  We rarely appreciate the impact God can make through this community of faith, even upon those who have not been part of the community for some time.

We received news of deaths touching people who were once deeply connected to St Mark.  The first was Sadie (Howard) Moore.  Sadie was a member of St. Mark in the 1970s.  She’d most recently lived in Dayton, but when her children asked about her wishes for her funeral, she said she wanted to go back to ‘her church’.  The kids weren’t quite sure what she meant.  They were surprised when she said, “St. Mark”.

It was great to sit with her kids and hear them talk about when they were acolytes.  Sadie had lots of kids, and many were baptized here.  One daughter was married here.  There were even a few grandchildren baptized here.

The kids have scattered widely since then, from Virginia to Amman, Jordan!  Only one daughter continues to live in Southeast Michigan. And yet, their connection to St. Mark is very real.  It felt very right to have Sadie’s funeral at St. Mark.

Barbara Gamsjager’s mother died on May 20.  Barbara and her daughter, Nancy Durden, were active members in the mid to late 90s.  Barb now lives near Howell, and misses worshiping at St. Mark.  Barb was one of the first people involved when we started Bible Study here early in my ministry.

People who no longer worship at St. Mark are still affected by their experience here.  Even small things can have a big effect.

That’s why I’m going to two camps in June – first, “The Jesus Code” sponsored by the synod’s BRRICK (Building Racial Reconciliation in Christ’s Kingdom),  then Confirmation Camp with three of our young people.  I am always amazed at the impact camp can have (Shelby Hepner mentioned in her confirmation paper how significant she found the Passion Walk at camp to be).

On June 7, I will attend the Synod’s Annual BRRICK worship service at Salem Memorial in Detroit.  I hope many of you will  come with me!  There will be a potluck following the service, designed to help relationships grow.  It may seem like a small thing…but who knows what the effects might be?  God does – and I can’t wait to see.

In Christ,


Pastor Julianne Smeck