Mission and Vision – Working With Purpose and Meaning

Camille Foster, Chair Missions Committee

What’s the difference between Mission and Vision? What is important about the distinction and the power of combining both?

For churches, Mission often defines “what” we do; the specific local, regional, and global outreach activities in which we engage. Here’s the question: Is it enough to merely engage in missions activities for the sake of doing so often because we think “it is the right thing to do”? 

Many would challenge that as a group of believers, we need to think beyond actual activities themselves and realize that in order to truly effect sustainable change we also have to have a vision. Sometimes visions are realized fairly quickly sometimes they take years. Look at where we’ve come as a country with respect to civil rights. The point is those who work should work with purpose.

Vision defines a desired future and helps guide all who accept and understand it. Shared vision can be can be a tool for building a sense of commitment by "developing shared images of the future we seek to create."  

I would encourage you to ask yourself the following questions: As a member of Saint Mark do you think we have a vision that supports our mission? What change do we want to see in the world? How can you be part of developing, strengthening, and driving both the vision and the mission?

For more information about current mission opportunities at Saint Mark contact Phillip Thomason pthomason@stmarkumc.org or Camille Foster lcfgolf@yahoo.com.

Saint Mark vs Saint Mark's - A Short Rant from Your Resident Marketer

Joe Miller, Chair Publicity and Promotions Committee

What’s in a name? Better yet, what’s in our name? OK, one more question: What’s NOT in our name?  Let’s take them one at a time. 

What’s in a name? A name, while maybe not the most important element of identity, is the most fundamental component of a brand identity. It’s a simple point of consistency among many possible incarnations of a person’s or an organization’s (or even a church’s) presence. Think of your name. How do you feel when someone misspells or mispronounces it? Especially someone who knows you?  

What’s in our name? Saint Mark United Methodist Church is the agreed upon set of words which comprise our name. Saint Mark for short. Our church hasn’t always been called this, but over the years (about 138 years actually), this is what our church leaders have agreed upon.  You can read more about our history here.

What’s NOT in our name? Despite what many may think, there is no “s” or “ ‘s “ at the end of Saint Mark. On occasion you may have a need to refer to something in the possessive, which could warrant an apostrophe s. Here’s an example of how it works, “Saint Mark’s stained glass windows are an incredible part of Saint Mark’s history. But if you want to see the windows, you need to go to Saint Mark.”

I’m reminded of the old 1-800-MATTRES commercials – leave off the last “s” for savings! Maybe for our purposes, we can leave off the last “s” for Saint Mark. It’s certainly not the most crucial element of our church identity, but it is a small step we can all take to drive even more power and unity to the Saint Mark name through consistency.

2010 VBS Will be a Blast!!!

Saint Mark's Vacation Bible School (VBS) is Monday, June 7 through Friday, June 11 this year.  Our theme is Galactic Blast!!  Registration packets will be in the mail the week of April 12.  We are still looking for some Cadet Captains (shepherds) for the morning and some chaperones for the Afternoon Adventures.  If you're interested in helping us before that week, our VBS work days are Sunday, April 18 from noon-3 pm, Sunday, May 2 from noon - 3 pm, Sunday, May 23 from  10 am - 3 pm, and Saturday and Sunday June 5 and 6 from10 am - 2 pm.

Earth Day at Saint Mark

Larry Lucas - larry@larrylucasinc.com

According to Wikipedia, Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment.   Saint Mark members will be joining other Atlanta Earth Day work teams on April 17th to help clean up a section of the Beltway.  

   Our goal is to have a team of more than 25 workers, so please join us as we make our MARK on the Beltway.  The team will meet at the corner of Monroe and Kanuga (across from Park Tavern) at 8:45 a.m. The work project will be from 9:00 until noon.  Be sure to wear jeans (no shorts), comfortable shoes, and old gloves and bring trash bags.  Due to the Dogwood Festival, it is recommended that you park on Virginia Avenue, east of the bridge.   If you have questions, please contact Larry Lucas at larry@larrylucasinc.com.