“We will go forth in grace alone, Christ alone our cornerstone”
Scott Wesley Brown
OUR VISION
Scott Wesley Brown
OUR VISION
As a newly merged church, Grace St. Mark’s trusts the Holy Spirit to guide us as we strive to demonstrate the love of Christ through our words and actions, providing hope and optimism in today’s world.
OUR MISSION
Provide meaningful worship centered on Christ and His teaching.
Connect with those who do not know Christ or have drifted away from church membership.
- Celebrate our faith in a blended service which feeds the hearts and souls of all with a relevant message based on the Bible and Christ’s example.
- Call and support a pastor who is led by the Holy Spirit and challenges us to grow.
- Support a variety of music which inspires and enhances our faith.
- Be in constant communication with our Lord through prayer.
- Reinforce a sense of belonging.
- Stay connected to members unable to attend church with visits and communion, possibly transportation.
- Recognize and feed the needs of a senior population with friendship and sincerity, appreciating their talents, life experiences, and sense of tradition.
- Support and participate in Bible Study and prayer group opportunities.
- Strengthen the session and diaconate, providing training on the expectations and responsibilities of the office to which they have been installed.
- Identify and define committees’ responsibilities and increase volunteerism to meet these needs.
- Provide means to inform our melting pot of parishioners what it means to be Presbyterian. “Presbyterianism 101”
- Improve communication within the church family and the community by revamping weekly news items, producing a meaningful monthly publication, making public announcements available in neighborhoods, newspapers, electronic sign.
- Develop and maintain a strong presence on social media, keeping it current, vital, and inviting.
- Retain a dedicated staff, advised, directed, and evaluated by a skilled pastor.
- Focus on new residents and the 40-65 age group.
- Support church with our time, treasure, and talent
Connect with those who do not know Christ or have drifted away from church membership.
- Offer learning and other inspirational opportunities, (“Christianity 101” concerts, speakers, trips) to the community, filling a need for hope and a relationship with others.
- Raise awareness through social media and community news publications of worship services, events, and opportunities i.e., Food Pantry, Grace’s Closet, Thanksgiving Baskets available at Grace St. Mark’s
- Encourage and support pastoral contact with other pastors in the community, becoming aware of common needs and sharing our readiness to serve and participate in ecumenical opportunities.
- Maintain a relationship with the Tampa Bay Presbytery and be informed about their work and that of the national organization, PCUSA.