The Broader Church
Diocesan Representatives
We are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the Episcopal Church of the United States. Parish members elect our delegates to the annual diocesan convention and may serve in various other roles within the diocese. The General Convention (our national convention) is held every three years.
Parish Delegates to Diocesan Convention
J.R. Randall (Class of 2027), Tom Getman (Class of 2025).
Diocesan Council
The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, DC South Member
Diocesan Committee on Congregational Stewardship and Parish Support
Thom Sinclair & Randy Marks, members
Standing Committees and Vestry Teams
Advisory Committees offer support for our clergy, program staff, and wardens.
Convener: Betsy Athey
Elders are former Wardens and Co-Directors of Christian Education. They meet at the call of the Rector and/or wardens to offer counsel on the life and labors of the parish.
Co-conveners: Betsy Athey, Bruce Sherman
Membership Committee: provides a welcoming spirit in our community so visitors and new members find a way into the community. They also continue to care for long-time established members.
Convener: Jeb Ory
Vestry Liaison: Todd Thorpe thorpedc@gmail.com
The Communications Working Group provides technical and editorial services for our website.
Co-Conveners: Pamela Blumgart, Chris Berendes
Vestry Liaison: Elizabeth Becker
Annual Stewardship Appeal – Fall 2024 ~ It's an invitation to parishioners to pray about their giving and commit for the next 12 months.
Convener:
Vestry Liaison:
The Finance Committee drafts the parish budget, monitors income and expenditures throughout the year, conducts financial needs analysis with clergy, staff, and parish leaders, and makes recommendations to the Vestry on financial matters.
Chair: Doug Ammon
Vestry Liaison: Hank Donnelly
The Endowment Board manages the invested monies given to the church by parishioners for specific purposes.
Co-chairs: Karen Wiedemann and Kim Bayliss
Money Counters are members approved by the Vestry who count and deposit the Sunday collections.
Chair: Katherine Powers
The Stewardship Committee, chartered by the vestry, provides strategic coordination and planning for various stewardship priorities, including annual giving/canvass, Legacy Lions (planned giving), capital campaigns, major gifts, the Endowment, and membership development.
Chair:
Vestry Liaison:
The Fabric Committee assists the Junior Warden in managing the parish buildings and grounds.
Chair: Martha Huizenga, Junior Warden
Manciple:
Rector’s Appointments
The Columbaria are the purview of the Rector and the Rector's designees. There are two. One is located in the Chapel of the Nazarene (right of the high altar) and has space available. The Nave Columbarium (high altar) is filled. If you would like to purchase a niche, please contact the Coordinator. If you have questions about the columbaria, please contact the Rector.
Coordinator: Penny Hansen.
Archives and Parish History Committee sorts and catalogues the historical documents of the parish. Mary Cooper and her late husband, Bert, began compiling the history of our historic building, its beautiful windows, and the key events in our life as a parish when they first arrived in the 1960s. Bert’s book, last updated in 2010, chronicles St. Mark’s from its founding as a mission church serving government workers in the neighborhood through its period as the pro-cathedral before the building of the Washington National Cathedral and on to the development of the church we are today. After Bert’s death—and with the first space genuinely dedicated to preserving historical documents— this committee was formed.
Contacts Kenn Allen, Mary Cooper, Bridey Heing
The Personnel Committee assists the Rector and the Vestry to support and understand the needs and structures in place for paid staff. Develops policies and strategies to support the mission and vision of the church.
Chair: John-Anthony Meza
Vestry Liaison: Jan Lipscomb
Parish Programs
Music
Director: Jeff Kempskie, Director of Music
Chancel Choir; Jeff Kempskie, Director
Children Choir: Judith Rautenberg
Handbell Choir: Sarah Headley and Katherine Anderson, co-directors
Choir President: Nick Rogers
Youth & Family Ministries
Director of Youth & Family Ministries: Caleb Nelson Amaker
Vestry Liaison: Meg Platt
Nursery Coordinator & Manager: Deborah Cunningham