Rector Search & Discernment
Parish Profile
Timeline
Coming soon. Please check back for updates regarding the timeline.
What Saint Mark’s Means to Me
The first time I came to Saint Mark's, I knew I was home. I found a community that deeply appreciates the transformative power of liturgy and music. I discovered a diverse congregation committed to serving others and devoted to spirituality. I encountered preaching that challenged and uplifted me. I connected with new friends with whom I can share my spiritual journey, love and laughter. I know that God wants me to be at Saint Mark's, simply because He wants me to be happy. And I am! - Martha A.
Saint Mark’s means holy meditation and a place for everyone. And it’s a very good place to calm down and relax. - Truman, age 10
Although God is with us everywhere and at all times and in all places, God is with me in a special way here at Saint Mark’s Church. His presence is palpable at the altar. There is music of every generation vibrating through its Mass, as if the stone itself is singing, as if every hymn from the mouths of every faithful soul who’s come before me ricochets from its sturdy pillars and through my heart. “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” – Revelation 5:13 - Kenny P.
My family came to Saint Mark’s when I was seven years old. I joined the Choir of Boys & Girls, and immediately found a community and family there, as well as a love of music. As a member of the choir for eleven years, I have found such a strong sense of community and faith through music and the people in the parish. Children are welcomed with open arms and encouraged to be active members in all sorts of ways. To me, Saint Mark’s is more than just a group of people gathered to worship, but a second family that has supported me in my childhood and now beyond. - Chiara, age 18
Discernment Committee Members
Sarah and her husband moved to Philadelphia in 2012 and began attending the 9am Mass at Saint Mark's not long thereafter. Since that time, she has volunteered in the Hospitality, Neighbor Care, and 20s/30s ministries, as well as the committees for two people discerning calls to the priesthood at Saint Mark's.
Joshua was confirmed at Saint Mark's in 2015. He has served as Accounting Warden, Treasurer, and member of vestry and been an active member of the Guild of Altar Servers for over ten years.
Joshua and his husband began attending Saint Mark’s when they moved to Philadelphia in 2016. In addition to frequently serving at the altar for the 11am Mass, he serves or has served on Vestry, Finance, Hospitality, and several search and discernment committees.
Davis is a liturgical artist. He and his husband, Nick Johnson, came to Saint Mark’s in 1990, and he has served on Vestry, Buildings & Property, Finance and other committees.
Daniel has been an Episcopalian, as of this past January, for 65 years, after about 20 years as a Baptist. He has worn a number of hats over that time: he was an acolyte for most of those years, has taught a Sunday School class of young children, was elected to several stints on the vestry, has served at the Saturday Soup Bowl,
Sharon has served Saint Mark’s in several capacities: Vestry, Stewardship Chair, lay reader (lector), Hospitality, and as a volunteer for outreach ministries and as assistant for the Summer Choir Camp. She is also a member of the Saint Mark’s Singers.
Bob has been attending Saint Mark's regularly since 1979. He's a transplant from the western side of Pennsylvania and had recently lived in South Jersey before landing in Philadelphia. Bob worked 36 years in the child protective services of New Jersey.
Robin and her husband, both originally from Philadelphia, began attending Saint Mark's in 2022. Robin serves on the Hospitality Committee. She resides in the West Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia and works as a lawyer for a global healthcare manufacturer.
Roses first came to Saint Mark's as a Ministry Resident in 2017. In this role, she had the opportunity to participate in almost every ministry offered by the parish, from supervising the Boys and Girls Choir to managing the weekday Food Cupboard to leading the Daily Office and serving at the Altar to teaching Sunday School to attending 20s/30s events.
Genie and her husband, Jim, moved to Philadelphia in 2016 and she was confirmed at Saint Mark’s in 2018. In recent years, she has served on the Stewardship Committee, volunteered with Choir Camp, and served on the 175th Anniversary Committee, focusing primarily on the Gala.
Rachel and her family moved to Philadelphia in 2012 and first came to Saint Mark's in 2014, attending the 11 a.m. mass. After her daughter became involved with the Children’s choir in 2020, they began coming to the 9 a.m. service. She has been involved with hospitality and has served on a discernment committee.
Doug moved to Philadelphia and began attending Saint Mark's in 2017, and was confirmed in The Episcopal Church in 2021. He has sung with the Parish Choir and has served on the Altar Guild, Stewardship committee, and Organist & Choirmaster search committee.
Terry has been a member of Saint Mark’s since summer 2005, after walking into a Mass serendipitously. He has served on the Vestry, Stewardship, and Hospitality. He also participates in The Far Flung Cluster, one of Saint Mark’s neighbor care groups.
Jay began attending Saint Mark's in 2001 and became a member in 2002. He has served in numerous roles in the parish, including as a Vestry member for 14 years and as Rector's Warden for six years. He frequently serves at the altar and has led the parish Bible study for almost 20 years.