Introducing Jennifer Kubit McCullough

Jennifer Kubit McCullough has most recently served as Creative Organizer of Youth Ministry at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, CA. In this role, Jenn worked alongside the congregation, staff, and volunteers to show young people that the church is theirs and that they are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly. While in seminary, she also served as a Ministry Intern at Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church in Anaheim Hills, CA. Before deciding to pursue a call to ministry as a career, Jenn taught middle and high school Literature and Composition for 8 years at the Orange County School of the Arts.

As a long-time member of St. Mark Presbyterian Church and as a staff member, Jenn served in a number of roles including member of the Pastor Nominating Committee; leader for a Brew Theology conversation group; facilitator of a panel discussion on racial justice; member of Adult Discipleship and Nurture Commission; and as a Lenten devotion leader.



In the area of youth ministry at St. Mark, Jenn helped lead youth delegations to retreats at Triennium and Montreat; was a Youth Group and Youth Sunday School Volunteer; and was a Member of the Children and Youth Ministry Commission. Jenn received her B.A. in American Literature and Culture from the University of California, Los Angeles and received her teaching credential in English from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In May 2022, she completed her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado through the school’s online/hybrid Journey program. She will be ordained later this year.  



Jenn, who grew up in Orange County, loves music and musical theater, being outdoors, eating/trying new foods, exercising, and reading. She and her husband Shane are parents to three creative and playful kids. As a family, they are committed to making the world a more just and joyful place.

Shane grew up in San Diego (and is San Diego sports fan) and has a large extended family in Southern California. He has worked in the real estate industry for more than 15 years building high-density apartments and mixed-use projects through Southern California. In his free time, he loves reading, puzzles (crossword, word, or jigsaw), time with kids, and exercising.

Bryn, 11, is a huge reader, a lover of animals, and an actress and wants to be a librarian. Dean, 9, loves baseball, building LEGOs and is interested in politics and world events; he received a letter from President Biden that is displayed on the family’s refrigerator. Jack, 7, is a natural comedian who loves video games. He was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (“but that's only a part of who he is,” says his dad) - he wants to be a gardener when he grows up.

I give you thanks, Holy God,

that you have made me your own,

a treasured possession.

Hold me close to your heart

and bear me up on eagle's wings;

in Jesus' name I pray. Amen

Dear Friends,

I hope that you will be there to join us this Sunday, as the band and choir unite in one final collaboration before their much-deserved summer hiatus. Our grand finale is the offertory Anthem “The Blessing”, arranged by Heather Sorenson. We did this piece at Pastor Jon’s final service, but this is a different arrangement, with gorgeous cello, piano and synthesizer playing a full strings section.  

This piece will serve as our temporary farewell, as we part for a few months this Summer and therefore leave you, the congregation, with a blessing. I want to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated band and choir members for the gorgeous music that they have made this past year. We have grown together in number and musicianship and I’m looking forward to working together in the Fall.  

This Summer, we will have members of the groups singing in small groupings- trios, duets, quartets, and we will have a mixture of both traditional and contemporary music. Next week, I will be away on education leave in Montreat, North Carolina, and then my family will join me for another week of vacationing in the mountains. I will be leaving you in the very capable hands of Jackie Scheer and will look forward to seeing you when I return on July 9th.

With love,

Rebecca

Director of Music

[email protected]

Per Capita Special Offering

Ark and Dove is now receiving the Per Capita Special Offering. The church pays a combined $40.00 per member to the General Assembly of the PCUSA ($9.85), The Synod of the Mid Atlantic ($1.15), and the Presbytery of Baltimore ($29.00) to cover the Administrative Expenses of our denomination. Per Capita funding is how Presbyterians mutually share the costs of coming together and to set directions for the future. Contributions to Per Capita provide the ecclesiastical infrastructure that binds our ministry. It enables churches to call pastors; supports those pastors in their ministries; provides for guidance in troubled times; encourages those called to church leadership; and enables us to gather as the body of Christ. You can pay your per Capita by clicking here.

YTD Expected Unpledged Income $9,167

Actual Unpledged Income $7,243

Behind $1,924

YTD Expected Pledged & Electronic Giving $216,645

YTD Actual Pledged & Electronic Giving $205,707

Behind $10,938

Our theme this year for Prek-rising 5th graders is ChangeMakers Lab. Children are invited to discover and share creative ways to make a difference in the world through words and actions. Changemakers Lab invites children to ask questions, make observations, and work together to solve problems, as well as see and experience the transforming love of God.

Our Middle Schoolers (Rising 6th-8th graders) will focus on learning about the 6 Marks of Discipleship throughout the week. They will have opportunities to do activities and learn about Daily Prayer, Daily Bible Reading, Regular Worship Attendance, Commitment to Spiritual Growth and Relationship Building, Generous Stewardship, and Acts of Mission, Mercy, and Justice. There are plans to have two off-site activities during this time. (Bowling Alley and Skate Center). More details will be shared with participants who sign up.

Registration for VBS can be found here.

As always, with any questions or concerns please reach out to me at [email protected].

Peaceful Demonstration

The Anti-racism and GLEAM teams invite all to join us in a peaceful demonstration to show the community we stand steadfast behind the faith statements displayed on our banners. Security will be present. Please don’t share on social media. For details contact the church admin. All questions, please contact Paula Sparks or Deb Saylor.

Sunday Service Christian Education Opportunities

9:00 AM Service:  

• Nursery open for children age birth to 3

10:30 AM Service: 

• Nursery open for children age birth to 3, 4 year olds may attend 
• Summer Sunday School for PreK-5th grade, early middle schoolers are welcome to attend as well.

Leaders and Helpers Needed

To ensure that we can continue to offer the above services we need 2 adult/teenage leaders, from different nuclear families to help provide leadership. Please consider volunteering for one of the following this summer. 

Please sign up here: Nursery Volunteers

You will be assisting Cara Moody as needed and be another set of eyes/hands in the nursery.

Please sign up here: Summer Sunday School

We need help! All materials and lesson plans will be prepped for you. 😎

Ark and Dove Book Club’s June Read

Ark and Dove Book Club has chosen Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall as their June reading selection. Join us on Zoom Friday at 7:30 on June 23rd for our discussion of this international bestselling novel based on a true story. Contact Kim Champagne [email protected] for more information.

Second Saturdays Prayer Class

Kim Champagne is facilitating a monthly contemplative prayer class in the Ark and Dove Room every second Saturday, in which together we will practice one of many types of ancient prayers of the heart. We will focus on a particular type of prayer each month, with our first meeting beginning with breath praying and then moving into the Morning Prayer from the Divine Hours. June Class is canceled. Next class is July 8th.

For more information contact Kim at [email protected]

To find out more about these books and the rest of our library’s collection,

see the Online Library Catalog

Parent Group Fellowship

Parent Group will meet on Sunday, June 25th at 11:30 in the Marshall room or outside. All caregivers of children through college-age are welcome to join in for casual conversation. We'll share lunch and sitter costs.

Find out how to get involved at Ark & Dove!

There are so many ways to be involved at Ark & Dove! Are you interested in ways to volunteer? Considering becoming a member? We will be having a ministry & membership interest meeting on June 24th from 9AM until noon. Breakfast will be provided, and childcare will be provided if needed. RSVP at arkanddove.org/interestmeeting. We look forward to seeing you!

By popular demand, the IRIS Group, the LGBT+ focused group for teens, will now meet twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, at 7pm in-person in the Calvin room, led by Adora Grace Nilsen-Johnson and Craig West. The next meeting is on the 21st. Expect fun, games, and discussion! Bring friends!

Huh? What’s a Ladew? It’s a topiary garden located in Monkton Maryland.  The Friendly Seniors are arranging a trip there on Friday, June 23. They have gardens, of course, a butterfly house, a nature walk, and a manor house to explore. They have a dining room so we can eat there if we want or bring our own and use the picnic tables.  This is open to anyone of any age, church member or not. Admission costs are Adult: $17, Student or Senior $12, Children $5. For an additional $7 there is a guided tour. Tickets are good for the whole day, excluding special events. Since there is no group rate, people are asked to buy their own tickets. Please let us know if you plan to join us by emailing [email protected] by Monday, June 19, and indicate if you need, or are willing to provide, a ride. Sounds like a fun day to me!

Click Image to see more details of the Garden!

We will not continue the monthly Affinity Group during the summer to give us a chance to regroup and plan activities for the fall. We welcome any suggestions you may have for us going forward. Stay informed on our Social Justice FB page!