At this Wednesday's Healing Eucharist, we celebrated Earth Day, including the reading of The Canticle of The Creatures, by St. Francis of Assisi, excerpted below.

After Wednesday's Gospel Reading, Willie Krischke, a parishioner at St. Mark's, offered a reading from his blog for our reflection. Willie and his wife Megan have worked with Native American students through InterVarsity at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, since 2006.

In recent years, Willie attended a symposium devoted to creation theology. Following that, he wrote a series of blogs exploring the concept of humans as the "youngest in the family of creation." Read them here.

Easter Season
I want to formally thank all of you who were so instrumental in making the season of Lent, beginning with Ash Wednesday, Holy Week and Easter Sunday such a wonderful experience of our spiritual life at St. Mark’s.  It took an incredible amount of work and effort on the part of the entire staff, volunteer groups and clergy.  We are so blessed to have such commitment from so many people that benefits our entire church family.  With Easter we realize that God is supporting and guiding us in our faith and spiritual life into the future. Therefore, it is especially meaningful as we enter the season of Easter and engage ourselves also in the process of transition as a church body and finding our new rector.
 
Transition/Clergy Search Update
I continue my conversations with the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado Office as the Vestry moves forward with the Abbreviated Search Process and next steps. We have received additional paper work and input regarding our charge in designating an Interim Priest and engaging a formal Search Committee. Continued updates will be forth coming via the Newsletter and the St. Mark’s Communications Board located in the Parish Hall next to the office.  
 
Questionnaire Update
As indicated previously, the Vestry continues to receive input to the questionnaire “What Matters Most to Me”. The Vestry will meet for a regularly scheduled meeting on April 27th when we will review the final compilation of the findings. That information will be provided by April 30th to the congregation as promised.
 
Financial Update
According to plan, our accountant has begun the process of closing the 2014 financial statement and we will have identified an auditor who will come sometime in May to begin the external audit.  It will take approximately one to two days for the actual audit.  The auditor will forward information that will be needed for the audit in preparation for her review of the financials.  Once the audit is completed a findings report will be provided to the Vestry for review and follow up, as indicated.  Please look for additional updates in the future. 
 
Blessings to you all, as we begin the Easter season. 
 
Jessica Cox, Sr. Warden

March 29 Meeting Summary:The Vestry met with St. Mark’s members after both services last Sunday, March 29th to provide updates and to answer questions from attendees. Group discussion included the following:
 

• Vestry Oversight & Accountabilities—Vestry members reviewed with attendees the recent history and decisions related to the 2014 financial statement and the approved 2015 budget. We reviewed a summary of ‘lessons learned’ and resulting changes in Vestry procedures.  
• 3rd Ave Arts Update—Vestry representatives met with the 3rd Ave Arts Board to discuss the ongoing relationship between St. Mark’s and 3rd Avenue Arts. The meeting was very positive and resulted in a plan for further discussion and development of a formal agreement in the near future.  
• Questionnaire ‘What Matters Most to Me’—The Vestry reviewed the general findings related to the input received from St. Mark’s members who attended the March 14th ‘All Parish Meeting’. It was suggested that the Vestry forward to the parish the compilation of the input. We have asked for additional input from church members who were not in attendance on March 14th.  Therefore, once we have received the requested additional input, the comprehensive input from the questionnaire will be made available.
• Transition/Clergy Search Process—the Vestry reviewed the ‘Abbreviated Search’ process with attendees which includes the implementation of an Interim Rector and Search Committee.  While we proceed with contracting with an Interim Rector, the plan is to utilize a combination of our current supply clergy and the Reverend Paul Lautenschlager, who is currently engaged to support our supply clergy.  
• Financial Update—Moni Grushkin and I have completed the internal audit of the 2014 financials and have arranged for the accountant closing of the 2014 financials in preparation for the external audit. We estimate the accountant will complete the 2014 financial closing by the end of April. We have requested the external audit and it is estimated to be initiated in early May. Updates will continue as they happen.
• Parish Communications Corner—A special thank you goes out to Joan Dombrowski for setting up the new Parish Communications Board next to the Parish Office.  Ongoing Vestry communications and updates will be posted, so please continue to check there for the most updated Vestry Meeting minutes, financial reports and other important communications.    

 
On behalf of the Vestry, I thank the entire St. Mark’s family for your continued input, support and prayers during our journey forward.  While we are still in a period of reflection and healing, we can all be encouraged with the level of church member participation, positive anticipation and energy in this time of rebirth and growth.  
 
Blessings to you all, as we observe Holy Week, mark the last week of Lent, and begin Easter celebrations. 
 
Jessica Cox, Sr. Warden