STANDING COMMITTEES and Teams

     This Child Development Center (CDC) Committee serves as a liaison between the Child Development Center and the Church Council.  The committee consists of the CDC Director, a member of the church staff, a Church Council representative, and other members of the congregation interested in early childhood care and education.  The committee meets quarterly, or as necessary.  In the past year they have reviewed and presented a budget to the Council, evaluated staff salaries & benefits as well as tuition.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE (OESS)         

    The Education Committee is now part of the Outreach, Education, and Spiritual Suppport Team (OESS). Miriam Haugen is the currect Suday Church School superintendent. Any children, both members and non-members, are welcome to attend.   

ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE 

Mary Alice Bjork, Chairperson

    The Saint Mark Lutheran Church Endowment Fund is a trust fund that manages requests given to the church.  The purpose of the fund is to further the mission of the church above and beyond its regular program.      All gifts are paid out of the Funds earnings and any expenses are also from earnings.  No congregational budget is expended for the work of the fund.    Recent gifts of $18,000.00 (1999 and 2000) were paid out to entities working for the homeless, hungry, troubled youth, worldwide disease, and retired ELCA pastors receiving meager pensions (the latter through the ELCA Special Needs Pension Fund).  These gifts have reached the Salem community, the ELCA-at-large and worldwide (Through a special program to erase iodine deficiency).    The fund is managed by investment professionals and monitored by Saint Mark's Finance and Endowment Committees.  The balance of the Fund at May 28, 2000 was $277,707.22.

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE (OESS)  

    The Evangelism Committee, now a part of the Outreach, Education, and Spiritual Support Team (OESS), continues to focus on outreach projects for the congregation.  Our activities included, but are not limited to:  new member orientation, name tag project and update, college student outreach, and media advertising. 

Fellowship

Liz Brooks, Chairperson

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Charlie Arnest
Chairperson

    Having recently been restructured, the Committee's purpose is to assist Saint Mark's Business Administrator and Church Council in forming and administering financial policy in keeping with Saint Mark's mission and ministry.  Areas of concern include records of contributions and income, systems of receipts and expenditures, maintenance of general ledgers and funds. the budget process, and regular systems review and audit.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE (OESS)

Norma Barns, Chairperson

   The Library Committee now a part of the Outreach, Education, and Spiritual Support Team (OESS). During the coming year the Library would like to add titles to supplement the Sunday Church School materials, provide additional titles for the CDC library program and for other young children of the congregation, materials for adults, especially those mentioned in sermons and adult programming.  In addition new display materials and periodical storage would add to the accessibility of library materials for users.  Catching up on the processing of donated materials so that they are ready to circulate is also a goal.    The Library Committee is charged with maintaining and promoting the library collection and space.  Help with checking in and shelving materials, writing reviews for The Marker, repairing books and preparing new books for use is always appreciated.  Help with the Book Fair in terms of setting up the display, handling sales, and repacking are also helpful

LUTHERAN FINE ART

Delia Miller is the Interim Director of LFA
Alice Kirk is LFA's secretary

    The Lutheran Fine Art Center is dedicated to the enhancement of the worship service and worship space through the arts.  In this capacity we maintain two libraries:  a collection of two and three-dimensional art and a collection of music folios.  Materials in our libraries are available without charge to all Christian denominations within a 50 to 100 mile radius.  In addition to the libraries, we offer sponsor performances and workshops in art, music, and drama.  When appropriate we offer scholarships for the study in the arts.  We are funded by three anonymous donors.    Our recent activities have included the reception for David Higgs after the organ dedication concert in November.  In December, we purchased several new pieces of art for the library and in January presented a forum on the subject of viewing art.  In February, thanks to an anonymous donor, we again purchased a new piece of art - another print of Sadao Watanabe to add to our growing and valuable collection.  In March, we equipped our office with a computer, digital camera, color printer, and monitor.  Our next step is to develop a web page and get the Center on the Internet.  Also in March, we purchased 8 new banner stands designed and hand-crafted by Hap Saabye.  March, April and May, the committee reviewed and revised the guidelines for the operation of the Center.  In August, we again sponsored a reception following the Bruce Bengtson organ concert.  The year 2001, we are working in concert with the Salem Art Association to bring a juried art show of works appropriate to the liturgical setting.  With God's grace and your continued support we have much work left to do.

Sharon Lohse , Chairperson

PROPERTY COMMITTEE  Jim Heiser, Chairman

    The Property Committee is responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds of Saint Mark Lutheran Church.  This includes repairs, replacement, improvement of the facilities and new projects as they arise.  We are fortunate to have several knowledgeable and talented committee members who do much of the maintenance work on a volunteer basis, thus saving many dollars each year.  For some projects we ask for volunteers from the congregation.  Larger items are put out for bid and must be approved by the Church Council and/or the Congregation.    Every year there are seasonal events: The Spring cleanup before Easter includes washing windows, dusting, polishing pews, and knocking down cobwebs. This is a time for a general cleanup of the grounds. Several leaf raking parties are held in the Fall. 

SOCIAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE Carolyn Van Otten ,  Chairperson

    The Social Ministry Committee directs its efforts towards expanding Saint Mark's social outreach to those who suffer from hunger and homelessness in Marion and Polk Counties.  In this regard, the Committee especially works in support of House of Zion (ELCA Hispanic Outreach Mission, Woodburn), HOME (Homeless Teens, Salem), Salem Hospital NICU (ABC Quilts, Salem), Salem Outreach Service (SOS, Homeless family shelter, Salem), Habitat for Humanity (home construction for the working poor, Salem), Salem-Keizer School District (disadvantaged children's needs at Christmas), Jason Lee Soup Kitchen and Jason Lee Emergency Food Bank (Feeding the hungry and homeless, Salem).  The committee has also worked in support of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Social Ministry has taken on the job of helping with the Yatima Orphanage.

 

VISITING THEOLOGIAN

   Chairman - open

    The Visiting Theologian Program is our gift to the community.  For the past twenty six years the Visiting Theologian Committee has selected and invited a prominent theologian to preach and teach in their area of expertise.  The Committee plans an itinerary that brings our guest in touch with the community, our members and the local clergy.  Lodging and transportation is provided for our guest during their stay.   In the previous twenty five years of this program, the funding has been provided by an individual(s) in our congregation.  This year the committee expanded it's membership and looked for ways to increase the congregations awareness of the visiting theologian program and it's need for funds.  The result was the Wine, Wisdom & Song wine tasting at Witness Tree Vineyard.  

WORSHIP AND MUSIC COMMITTEE  Judith Linder, Chairperson

    According to the Saint Mark Bylaws, the "Committee on Worship and Music ... shall assist the church council in seeing that the services of God's house are conducted regularly and in accordance with the liturgy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and that hymnals and other devotional materials are provided and properly cared for.  This committee shall supervise, and strive to advance the welfare and effective service of, the choirs of the congregation.  It shall arrange for the care of paraments, vestments and musical instruments and, in consultation with the pastor, the organist and the choir directors, shall furnish music supplies appropriate for use in the worship of a congregation of the ELCA."    In carrying out these responsibilities, the Committee on Worship and Music involves itself in overall policy regarding worship-related services and events conducted at Saint Mark and music of the organists and choirs.  It oversees the provision and training of assisting ministers, worship assistants, lectors, ushers, acolytes, greeters, and others who contribute to the worship life of congregation.  Recently, the committee has joined the pastors in choosing hymns for Sunday worship services in an effort to strengthen and broaden the hymn repertoire of our members.  As the opportunity arises, the Committee assists and promotes the involvement of Saint Mark choirs and musicians in worship or music-related events with other congregations.  Of particular note over the last two years was the participation of members or our choir in the joint presentation of Mendelssohn's oratorio, "Elijah," and the hosting of a joint concert with St. Paul's Episcopal Church celebrating the music of J.S. Bach on the 250th anniversary of the great Lutheran composer's death.

YOUTH COMMITTEE (OESS)  

   The Youth Committee, now a part of the Outreach, Education, and Spiritual Support Team (OESS), provides direction and support to the staff as they minister to the youth of our congregation and their friends.  The committee strives to provide opportunities for youth to grow in their faith, to learn to serve others, and to have fun.

   Recent activities have included raising enough funds so 12 youth and 3 adults could attend the National Youth Gathering in St. Louis.  Three youth attended Leadership Training School in August.  Service projects have included the soup kitchen, lots of dishes after various dinners, and a play by the Middle School group at Willamette Lutheran Home.  The High School group is looking forward to their annual Retreat in September.