Dear Lovelies,
This is an article or letter that I don’t know how to write. I thought of taking a trip down memory lane, and maybe that’s fitting for our 75th anniversary year. I thought about sharing my emotions and sentiments upon leaving St. Mark’s staff. I thought of some lofty diatribe, commencement-speech style. I thought of .. I thought of .. I thought of… So, a stream of consciousness, it is …AND memories and sentiments but hopefully, nothing too lofty.
In 2008, we were a different church, and of course, a different staff. I was trying to bridge the gap between being a stay-at-home mom and working full-time. Three littles in elementary school, a room mom, on the PTA board, and I tried to be present at their school when I could for crafts and party days. There hadn’t been a Director of Children’s Ministry at St. Mark’s before, and the job description was somewhat nebulous. The staff was in the midst of a turnover as the long-time office manager and youth directors had resigned and were replaced. My office was the little volunteer office – that I occasionally shared with the youth director – and quickly crammed full with children’s toys and learning paraphernalia (thus, the yellow paint too – you’re welcome!) It sounds like chaos, but alas, I was younger then.
Between that first year and now, so many things have happened and changed. Lately, it has made me nostalgic, a little sad, and definitely reminiscent. More than the programming or events that have come and gone, it’s the people. As a point of reference, Kinsley Satterfeal was born during my first directed VBS at St. Mark’s in 2008; and we just celebrated her high school graduation. As is the life of churches, many kiddos and their families only stayed with us for a short time, but made a mark nonetheless. Others, of course, are still here – and thank God for you!
My future plans are wide open (and detailed in bulleted lists. HA!) One of those plans is to visit churches. Not church shopping because St. Mark’s is our home, just visiting; there are a lot of beautiful places to admire. While I’m not going to list my phone number and email here, they are in the new directory. Feel free to contact me, we can get together for a chat or swap dad jokes – I’d love to hear about you, any time.
There are going to be a lot of things I miss (a few things I won’t). The people of St. Mark’s are what I will miss the most. Please know, I do not say that lightly. I cannot think of a single person that I don’t want to see again. St. Mark’s has become my family – mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews; a few quirky aunts and outspoken uncles, but all family. I love you all. Wishing you all good things and many blessings (but only the good kind)!
Happy Day!
Traci Billman, Director of Christian Education
Last modified: May 21, 2026