Welcome to Our Community!
Whether you have already visited us or are researching the internet for a church to attend, we welcome you to this exciting and growing community of faith.
Most of us are searching for something beyond ourselves, for meaningful connections, a place where our children receive a sense of the sacred and our teenagers feel comfortable, safe and supported, for the freedom to ask our questions and discover awe, for a sense of belonging. Whatever your reasons, we invite you to explore St. Mark’s, a place where we come as we are, accept each other for who we are, strive to grow and open to change along the way.
Our Mission
St. Mark's Episcopal Church is an extended family of loving people bound by faith in Christ. We seek to deepen our relationship with God, strengthen our faith community, support each other, and serve our neighbors. We do this by celebrating our faith through meaningful liturgy and prayer, sharing our stories and traditions, and participating in ministries of fellowship, compassion and justice.
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 [NRSV]
Parish Retreat – Sign up now!
Our retreat will be from October 15-17 at the beautiful and serene Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, featuring the Rev. Dr. Bill Rankin, co-founder and CEO of Global Aids Interfaith Alliance (GAIA). The topic will be “Being Christian in a World Community”. Grab a flyer off the welcome table or download the form below to register.
Download the Parish Retreat Flyer..
Parish Retreat 2010...Inquirer's Class
Twice a year we offer a course for those interested in learning more about the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, and St. Mark’s. This course explores the history of our church, our unique identity as Anglicans, and the background and meaning of our worship.
Newcomer's Dessert
Each spring and fall, visitors and new members of Saint Mark’s are invited to an informal gathering at a parishioner’s home. These events give people an opportunity to meet other people new to Saint Mark’s as well as an opportunity to meet established members and clergy. Visitors will receive an invitation in the mail prior to the event.
New Member Welcome Sunday
Two Sundays a year are set aside for welcoming new members to Saint Mark’s. During both the 8:00 and 10:00 services, those who have become members are recognized by name and with prayer. New members will be notified in advance as to the date of Welcome Sunday.
Connecting and Caring
We Can Do Better For Our Youth
A public meeting was held Sunday, May 2nd at St Mark’s* with Barb Mitchell and Barbara Klausner from the PAUSD School Board. See the links below for a partial recap.
It’s time to for us to be proactive, not just reactive. It’s time to create and sustain more programmatic ways of knowing and supporting each other, ways that in both good times and bad serve to strengthen us all as a unified, caring community.
* Planning Congregations: All Saint’s Episcopal Church, Congregation Beth Am, First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, Iglesia Fuente de Vidaa, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.
Click on the links below for a partial recap.
Research Powerpoint illlustrating the need and advantages of "connecting"
Testimonies
Download Current Newsletter
Calendar at a Glance