1957 Pruneridge Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050 :: directions | email :: 408.296.8383

St. Mark's Mission, Goals, and Objectives

St. Mark’s Mission is to be “a Christian community responding to our call to be faithful in seeking and serving Christ in each other, our neighbors, and the world.”

The purpose of this planning process is to identify how the people of St. Mark’s can be blessings to each other and to our neighbors. The goals shown here are built upon earlier work by parishioners and will assist us in meeting the spiritual needs of our members and in expanding our services to the broader community of which we are a part.

The Vestry and the Growth Strategy Planning Team look to St. Mark’s parishioners to take this process forward. We invite everyone to look at the personal gifts we can bring ­ drawing on who we are, what we love and how we can share with others. Please send your ideas to Canon Linda (canonlinda@st-marks.org) or Karl Kadie (kkadie@gmail.com).

Overarching Goal: Grow our Faith Community

Through continual wondering, articulate and embody our unique identity in a way that will lead others to find a spiritual home with us. This identity, drawn from St. Mark’s Mission and the Baptismal Covenant, will be compelling, embrace diversity, and differentiate us from other community churches, as well as recognize the spiritual needs of those who are not now a part of the St. Mark’s community.

Timeframe: 2 years
Measures of Success:
  1. Increase annual attendance at minimum 10% for all three Sunday services in year #1, but truly aim for more: 8:00am = 25%; 10:00am = 20%; 5:00pm = 15%.
  2. Written identity statement for St. Mark’s (who we are, and what we do) that’s approved by the Growth Strategy Committee and the Vestry.
 

Supporting Objectives

1. COMMUNICATION. Clearly and consistently communicate St. Mark’s unique spiritual identity and vision within St. Mark’s and throughout the greater community.

Timeframe: 2 years.
Measure of Success: Receive favorable local press coverage and positive feedback from parishioners. Metrics include:
  1. 3 articles in year #1, and 4 articles in year #2
  2. Feedback from Parishioners = 70% positive or better response to annual surveys
  3. Evidence of broader communication = Repeated instances of parishioners clearly articulating the offering and vision (anecdotal)
Actions:
  • Prepare a profile on the type of people most likely to appreciate and join St. Mark’s
  • Investigate Google analytics for key words and tracking website activity
  • Develop and add testimonials, with photos, to the website
  • Provide a regular communication bridge to Valley Village community
  • Establish contacts with local publications, and communicate regularly on St. Mark’s activities
  • Revisit use of yellow pages
  • Develop an information packet about St. Mark’s that can be given to the greater community
  • Publicize and promote major events to the public like the Pentecost picnic

 

2. SPIRITUAL CENTER. Become a spiritual center for the greater community.

Timeframe: 2 years.
Measure of Success:
  1. Reputation = St. Mark’s becomes known for particular events within the community, such as music, reconciliation, poetry, or multi-cultural worship, at least two types within year #1, and three types within year #2;
  2. Community Impact = at least 2 special events that draw over
Actions:
  • Establish a standing committee on St. Mark’s as a spiritual center
  • Conduct “Poetry in Song” Concert
  • Hold annual Pentecost picnic
  • Establish a Center for Reconciliation, with a formal offering to the public
  • Investigate interfaith worship and forums
  • Conduct movie series for youth and adults
  • Conduct hiking trips / groups
  • Hold Thanksgiving event (interfaith?)
  • Put on Car Wash with Guided tours / Open House

 

3. WORSHIP. Expand and deepen St. Mark’s existing worship practices to embrace a sense of wonder.

Timeframe: 2 years.
Measure of Success: Develop and provide three new, or enhanced worship experiences, which could include special services or improvements on existing services (like Lent) within year #1.
Actions:
  • Assess community needs through resource tools like Percept/census data
  • Add a healing component to weekend services
  • Add a youth-oriented and youth-led service
  • Deepen All Saints Day service
  • Establish more special worship occasions
  • Continue adding in-depth focus on seasonal workshop (that is, sharpen the focus on Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Season after Pentecost worship)

 

4. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS. Improve St. Mark’s physical setting to facilitate a more welcoming environment.

Timeframe: 5 years, with measurable improvements identified for each year.
Measure of Success:
  1. Develop a realistic, staged plan with specified improvements for each of the 5 years
  2. Annual survey results from existing parishioners and newcomers that show at least an 80% favorable opinion of the physical buildings, grounds, and setting.
Actions:
  • Develop 5-year plan for parish hall, including a list of best uses
  • Investigate adding a portable building for rest rooms, storage, etc.
  • Develop a capital campaign committee to address capital outlay on the parish hall
  • Fix DVD player and availability for church events
  • Determine how St. Mark’s facilities can best support young mothers, children, and families
  • Develop a plan for cosmetic repair of chapel
  • Install a wireless router to improve web and network communications

 

5. SERVICE. Provide caring inreach and outreach services.

Timeframe: 1 year.
Measure of Success: Inreach and outreach services are provided to those in need.
Actions:
  • Develop a support plan for the outreach committee
  • Develop a budget line item for SMUM
  • Invite Outreach to Vestry committee
  • Establish program to involve children and youth in outreach, and for them to develop their own outreach programs
  • Update Prayer Tree
  • Establish emergency response team for critical events
  • Establish funeral Reception team
  • Provide CPR training at church to ensure skilled people available
  • Participate in community blood drive
  • Set up pastoral care committee
  • Set up reception/integration process and committee to implement it
  • Set up formal greeting process, with assigned greeters and greeter training

 

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