a special message from

Wayne Alloway

Dear members and friends of St. Mark's,

After much prayer, reflection, and conversations with family and church leadership, I want to let you know that I plan to retire as Senior Pastor of St. Mark's in June 2026. This is a bittersweet decision, as it will mark the end of my 24-year journey as your pastor. When I step away, I'll be 68 years old, and Analise and I feel a call to spend more time with family, especially our four wonderful grandchildren—two of whom live three hours away, which makes it difficult for us to see them as often as we would like.

To ensure a smooth transition, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and our District Superintendent are working together to develop a thoughtful plan. Beginning in June of next year (2025), we will welcome a "Senior-Pastor-in-Waiting" to St. Mark’s. This new pastor will serve alongside me for a full year, working closely with our staff, getting to know our congregation, and learning the unique rhythms and relationships that make St. Mark's a special place. This transition will allow me to guide and mentor this person through the nuances of this role, helping to set them up for a strong start.

I’m pleased to share that the salary for this transition year will be provided by sources outside of our annual operating budget. This means that our ongoing ministries and missions will remain fully supported as we welcome our new pastor-in-training.

Some of you may find this news surprising, and I understand. This church has been my heart and home for so long that the thought of stepping away stirs up countless emotions. Serving as your pastor has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, a journey filled with profound joy, shared growth, and a deep love for each of you. Together, we've weathered difficult times, celebrated transformative victories, and grown as a community rooted in Christ.

It is my hope and prayer to remain connected to St. Mark's even after my retirement. I would be honored to serve as "Pastor Emeritus" and offer part-time ministry support as needed—filling in where helpful and lending a hand however I can. In this way, I hope to continue our journey together in a new capacity.

I believe wholeheartedly that this transition comes at the right time, with the right people in place. St. Mark's is poised to flourish under the guidance of a gifted young pastor who will bring fresh vision and energy to our community. I am confident in the future of this church and excited to see how God will continue to work among us.

Thank you for the many years of trust, support, and love. Let's embrace this next chapter with faith, gratitude, and hope. I look forward to our time together in the coming months and to the opportunity to walk with you through this transition.

Grace and peace,

Sunday | 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary & Online

Have you ever felt like you were on the outside, watching others find a place to belong, wishing for an invitation to come in? The story of Ruth is about more than just her journey from Moab to Bethlehem; it’s about the surprising ways God includes those we might least expect, widening the circle to bring people from the edges into the heart of His story. Ruth wasn't an Israelite. She was an outsider, a foreigner, and a widow. Yet she chose to stay with Naomi in an act of fierce loyalty and faith, becoming part of the very lineage that would lead to Jesus. Her story shows us that God's love is bigger than any boundary we set.

Ruth's faithfulness and God's welcoming love encourage us to let go of the boundaries we build and instead to reach out in love and understanding. We are called to look beyond differences and to see each person as a beloved child of God, someone who is invited into God’s wide-open circle. Join us as we explore what it means to say, "You're in" to those around us.

Saturday | 5:00 p.m. | Bliss Chapel

I've always been impressed with stories about encounters with Jesus. He touched the lives of many different kinds of people in many situations. Jesus didn't respond to any of them in the same way! Jesus treated them as individuals. He had custom made responses. Jesus could sense what their needs were.

On one occasion, a couple of men were curious about Jesus. They followed him at a distance. Jesus noticed these men and turned to ask, "What are you looking for?" They answered Jesus with a question, "Where are staying?" Jesus answered, "Come and see."