As we look at St. Mark, and discover the strengths and passions that define her, we see that the best way for us to bring God to the culture is for us to do everything we can to be a “family of believers”. A family is made up of people of all ages, and is well versed in the need to help and care for babies, toddlers, children, teens, parents, adults, the elderly, and the dying. Focusing all of our energy on just one group is not who we are. We strive to do all that we can to meet everyone where they are and give them a place to belong. This requires us to meet one another in the middle. To put our own preferences aside at times so that other members of the family are fed and nurtured. Our family values never change (the good news of Jesus), but how we share them often does.

We pray that as your immediate families gather together, and you see all of the changes that have happened, the new experiences that you share, and the old traditions that you celebrate, you would see that the Church was meant to function in the same way. A family of believers meeting one another wherever and however best meets the needs of those we call our brothers and sisters in Christ from 1 to 100. God bless!