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The family of God is a space of being, belonging, and becoming; and relationship with the Triune God as Divine Parent is characteristic of value and dignity, provision and protection, transformation and maturation, purpose and calling. ~ Rev. Dr. Josh Spoelstra

FATHER'S DAY

AND

CHILDREN'S DAY

In the United States, we celebrate Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June, or June 21st this year. This celebration started back in 1910 when Sonora Smart Dodd was inspired by a Mother’s Day sermon to begin a day in honor of Fathers. She and her five siblings had been raised by her father, Henry Jackson Smart, after her mother died in child birth, so it is understandable that she would want to honor fathers. She felt that there needed to be a day to honor fathers just as there was one to honor mothers. She had originally chosen June 5th, her father’s birthday, but for logistical reasons, it was not celebrated until June 19th, 1910 in her home town of Spokane, Washington.

The idea of a day for honoring fathers is not new. In the Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19th has served as a day to honor fathers. Of course, St. Joseph was the legal father who raised Jesus as his own. It is natural that it should be a day to honor all men who nurture and raise children whether fathers in a traditional nuclear family, or single fathers like Henry Smart, or foster fathers like St. Joseph.

When I was a child, my sister and I went to our parents and said, “There is a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day. There should be a children’s day.” My father’s response was, “Every day is children’s day.”

Guess what, there is a Children’s Day! In 1856 on the second Sunday in June, Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard, pastor of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, held a special service dedicated to and for the children. While the idea of a day for honoring children is practiced at different times in many places around the world, a set date for a Children’s Day has not been established in the United States.

The first American celebration of Children’s Day (1856) predates the first American Mother’s Day (1908) and the first American Father’s Day (1910). I guess the children always come first. Let us all celebrate the families that God gives us and the love they share.

• Golden Corner Food Pantry
• Ann Hope UMC Feeding Ministry
• Collins Children's Home

Church Finances through the Month of May 2026

Expected Contributions to Date $ 407,088.46 

Received Contributions to Date $ 440,349.13 

Expenses Paid to Date $ 389,021.69

Uplifting Campaign Status through the Month of May 2026



Amount Pledged through 5/31/28 $ 364,702.00 

Outstanding Amount to Date $ 177,377.81

A detailed Analysis of Revenues & Expenses is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

MINISTERIAL EDUCATION FUND

Through apportionments, Saint Mark supports the worldwide ministry of the church. Apportionments are the funds that we give for the ministry of the larger United Methodist Church, and they would make up about 8% of our annual budget, if we included them all. Today we are highlighting the apportionment for the Ministerial Education Fund.

The Ministerial Education Fund (MEF) is the basic financial source for preparing and educating clergy leadership for The United Methodist Church. Some of these funds go to schools based on the number of full-time United Methodist faculty and senior administrators within them. MEF funds sent to the 13 United Methodist schools of theology are based more directly on the number of students in Master of Divinity programs who are registered candidates for ordained ministry and how many graduates have been ordained in The United Methodist Church. Forty percent of the MEF reserved for theological schools is divided based on the number of United Methodist students enrolled in candidacy for ordination and the number of graduates ordained after completing seminary. Twenty-five percent is distributed among the seminaries for basic support. The remainder is divided as follows:

• 3.5% based on the number of United Methodist faculty and senior administrators;

• 3.5% based on gender and ethnic inclusiveness of faculty, administrators and students; and

• 3% for grants to be used in programs of spiritual formation, continuing education and other theological education initiatives.

• 25% of the receipts remain in annual conferences to assist candidates for ministry, to support continuing education for pastors and clergy recruitment, and to provide financial aid for students.

Many of your pastors have received grants from this fund during their seminary education, including your current pastor. For more information on the MEF go to Umcgiving.org/mef.

“Our-portion-ment” for Congregational Development is $3,206 this year. Only half of that has been included in the budget for 2026. Please give faithfully so that Saint Mark can, hopefully, support these apportionments in full.

Planned gifts are not only for the wealthy. Anyone can make a gift that honors God and blesses the church’s future.

CLICK HERE to email Pastor Alex with your prayer concerns.

CLICK HERE for the Family Ministry newsletter

to see all that's happening with children and youth!

WACKE Camp is seeking donations of recyclable materials (in good, clean condition) that our kids can use to make craft projects. We need a variety of materials including plastic, glass, aluminum, and cardboard in small and large sizes.

Please contact Jackie Evans for details. You may bring donations to Julie Spoelstra's office through July 13th.

The Berries Committee hosted about 45 disciples this past Saturday at our third annual Fish Fry in the Commons Room. Once again Paul Herren (photo top left) shared his and Eddie Rembert's haul of fish from Florida waters. Attendees brought side dishes and fabulous desserts to round out the feast. After dinner, Kim Herren emceed a game of trivia, won by Ilene Lund! It was a delicious and fun event. Thanks to all who contributed and attended!

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