Ministries
Education Ministries
We are learning constantly. Here at St. Mark’s, we strive to have learning opportunities for all ages, preschool through adult. Through the school year, our calendar consists of Sunday and mid-week options – and are always open to new ideas! We also offer multiple summer camp experiences, register here. Contact Director of Christian Education Traci Billman for more information
Sunday Learning for Preschool – 12th Grade – Sundays at 8:45am
- Preschool thru 6th grade
- Each Sunday, kids will meet in the chapel for music and opening prayer before going to their classrooms.
- Confirmation (7/8th grade)
- Studies include an overview of the catechism, the church year, Martin Luther, faith & science, and spiritual questions
- Sr. High (9th -12th grade)
- A combination of lessons based on current media & events and service projects.
Adult Learning Opportunities:
- Sunday Learning:
- Committed: A video-based class that focuses on bible-based series.
- Donuts: A discussion-based class that meets to talk about topics ranging from Christian movies to everyday politics and current events. And of course, there are donuts!
- Faith & Discovery: A traditional class that includes book studies and group discussions. They are currently reading The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr.
- Mid-Week Opportunities
- Crossways: A comprehensive course that goes through all 66 books of the bible in detail. This class is offered both on Sunday mornings (as part of the Sunday Learning hour) and Tuesday mornings at 10 am. Participants will be asked to pay a fee for each module. Please contact Director of Christian Education Traci Billman with any questions.
- Thursday Reading Group: A book study that meets for eight weeks to read and discuss popular and thought-provoking Christian books. They are currently reading Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured World by Taylor Brorby. This group meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm via Zoom. Contact Traci Billman for the Zoom link.
We’re a joyful and musical congregation! We celebrate and grow musical talent at all levels through a wide variety of music ministries. Our ministries include both members and guests. Contact Minister of Music Patrick Marchant for more information.
- Contemporary Praise Team
- Wind Ensemble
- St. Mark’s Handbell Choir
- St. Mark’s Choir
- Sunday School Children’s Choir
Food Ministries
St. Mark’s feeds hundreds in the Huntsville area each year. Help is always needed and there are many opportunities to nourish others through our food ministries. If you would like more information, or would like to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you!
In partnership with Manna House, St. Mark’s provides a prepared meal for the residents of Johnson Towers on the first Thursday of each month. Meals are served from Manna House’s mobile kitchen in front of the Towers and through delivery for less mobile residents.
This nationwide program mobilizes communities, individuals and groups to provide food on weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. For some children in our community, the only consistent meals they receive come from their school. We help by providing 75 bags of food for kiddos at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary.
Take what you need. Give what you can. Located on the Franklin St. side of St. Mark’s, our free pantry is available without qualification or judgment for anyone in our community. Primarily used for non-perishable food stuffs, we also occasionally stock hygiene items and devotionals.
One of our oldest outreach ministries, our food pantry provides groceries, enough for three days, to those who call. Calls come from the community, HSV Hospital, the HSV Assistance Program, and school counselors. We also provide 10 food orders per week for ENABLE (formerly CASA).
In collaboration with All Saints Lutheran and funded by Thrivent Action Team Project Kits, the Kitchen Ministry prepares ~250 meals one Saturday per month, typically on the 2nd or 3rd Saturday. Hot bulk meals are prepared and delivered to Manna House and the 305 8th Street Group Home. Freezer meals are packaged for pickup by ENABLE and for St. Mark’s members and neighbors in need.
Working with “Meals on Wheels,” St. Mark’s is currently responsible for 8 routes on the third and fifth Tuesdays, and fifth Thursdays of each month. Usually working in pairs (one to deliver, one to drive), food is picked up at Madison County Senior Center.
Hospital Ministry
Once a month, our hospital hospitality team meets to bake and provide baked goods for different departments at Huntsville Hospital. It is an opportunity for us to give back to the hardworking healthcare workers in our community. Quarterly, we lead art projects with patients from Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children, ages ranging from 3-19 and on occasion, also create craft kits for children who are part of the Child Life program.
God’s Work. Our Hands.
“God’s Work. Our Hands.” Sunday is an annual event in September where churches throughout the ELCA go out into their communities for a day of service. St. Mark’s has participated in GWOH since its inception in 2009. Projects over the years included visits to homeless camps, CASA Gardens, Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding Center, Downtown Rescue Mission, and many more.
Holiday Drives
Our Holiday Food Drive, in partnership with other local Lutheran congregations, serves holiday meals to over 100 families each year. Additional holiday drives collect critical supplies and gifts for “Mom Bags” for single mothers as well as mittens, scarves, hats, and other winter gear for our Mitten Tree.
Adults will find many opportunities to learn and serve together throughout the community.
- Serving at St. Marks: Service opportunities include Church Council & Boards of Ministry, Stewardship Committee, Care Team, A/V volunteers, Altar Guild, and worship assistants.
- Fellowship Groups: Many formal and informal fellowship groups meet throughout the year including Supper Club, Quilt Guild, Tai Chi class, Free Spirits Senior Ministry, Faith & Fiction Book Group, and many more.
- Women’s Circles: Women of the ELCA (WELCA) meet regularly in small groups for bible studies, fellowship, and service activities. Each year, our circles also sponsor a local charity. Our WELCA program includes Deborah, Martha, Rachel, and Ruth Circles.
Children’s faith formation and education is brought to life through many ministries and programs throughout the year. Registration is now open for our summer programming! Contact Director of Christian Education Traci Billman for more information.
- Sunday Learning (see Education Ministries above)
- Senior Youth Group
- Confirmation Youth Group (7th & 8th grade)
- Tweeners (5th & 6th grade)
- Quarters (3rd & 4th grade)
- Summer Day Camps (Register here!)
- AFFIRM ELCA Southeastern Synod Youth Gathering
- ELCA Youth Gathering