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Greetings to all of you!
It certainly has been awhile since I last wrote to you and I'm hoping to be able to write more often in the New Year.
This week I would like to start by announcing a very important initiative beginning this weekend. As many of you know, this coming May we will be locked into our mortgage loan in which we will have to begin paying principal and interest. As you can see from our December Finance Report below, we currently have $3 Million left to pay on our loan and we are looking to pay down as much as possible before the May deadline. I am hoping we can get it down to at least $2.5 Million which would require payments of around $15,000 per month. This will allow us to operate at our current level and maintain the programs and services that have served the parishioners of St. Mark so well. So, I am asking for your help! If you have never pledged, I would ask you to do so now. If you have paid off your pledge, I am asking if you could help us once again. If you are currently pledging, I am asking if you could accelerate your pledge. If you can't pledge, would you be able to give anything to help us achieve our goal even if it is simply praying for our success? Through the years I have marveled at how generous our parish family has been. I also know that God has blessed many of you due to your prayers and generosity. I pray that you will once again step up to the plate and trust that the Lord will provide. If you have any questions, feel free to call Valerie at the parish office at 813-907-7746 x 333.
Finally, this past January St. Mark had the honor of hosting the Ordination and Installation of a Lutheran bishop who will be serving the people of Florida and the Bahamas. People from all over the country and Florida including 7 Lutheran bishops, Priests, Deacons, and lay ministers were on hand to witness the ceremony. Our very own Bishop Gregory Parkes attended and welcomed the people to our Diocese. The attendees highly praised our beautiful Church and were thrilled to have their ceremony here at St. Mark. It seems our name is getting around and I'm sure the future looks very bright!
Well, that is all for now. As I write this, our golf tournament approaches and I have to get practicing. May God bless all of you for your goodness!
Peace, Fr. David