Newest Posts

• Shepherd’s Table Community Dinner – All Are Welcome (01/28/2026)
  13 Jan 2026
  

  Join us at St. Mark for a free community dinner, no RSVP required. This “all are welcome” meal is offered in honor of a member’s son and in the spirit of Luke 14:12–14: sharing food, community, and grace with anyone in need.

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• Pastoral Message from Bishop Keith Marshall
  17 Jan 2026
  

  Beloved Members of the Southwestern Washington Synod, I find myself at a loss for words in this moment. I sit shocked and heartbroken, crying out to God, asking where we are to turn in a time as our divisions continue to grow and what has become normalized is so shocking and startling. As your bishop, I find myself deeply concerned for our hearts, our communities, our families, and ourselves. Along with the violence and hate we see on display daily, I am concerned to what extent that level of dehumanization and desensitization has taken hold among us. I am troubled and concerned that violence, hate, and rhetoric have become so normalized that we risk embracing the very things we claim to be crying out against. I am troubled that these efforts to dehumanize others may lead many to walk away from what we hold as Lutherans to be true: that two things can be true at the same time, for we are people of “and,” not “either/or.” The gospel calls us to live in this tension, not to escape it. We are called to resist the normalization of dehumanizing those with whom we disagree and to rise above the forces that would harden our hearts. There is nothing more antithetical to the gospel than denying the humanity and Imago Dei of another. When we begin to do so, we begin to embrace that which we know is not true and not of God. In this moment, I invite you to guard your hearts and minds from the violence and hate. Do not blind yourself to it, nor ignore it, hoping it will simply go away. Rather, I invite you to follow the way of Christ: praying for all who grieve, naming injustice wherever it occurs, and refusing to let fear, anger, or ideology eclipse our calling to love our neighbor, to stand with the marginalized, and to bear faithful witness to the gospel. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7 Rev. Keith Marshall Bishop, Southwestern Washington Synod

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• ELCA Presiding Bishop Offers Statement on ICE Shooting in MN
  15 Jan 2026
  

  Learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17). Alongside our siblings in Christ in Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota and all who have been impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement and violence by federal law enforcement agents, I mourn the shocking shooting death of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on Jan. 7, 2026. I join calls for a thorough investigation into this case, accountability for the shooting and a de-escalation of ICE enforcement across the United States. Alongside the Lutherans who have held vigils in Minneapolis and around the country, our church prays for God’s peace in this community and justice in this case. The ELCA is committed to upholding and guaranteeing basic human rights for the safety of migrants and their families. Our church works toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the United States. We decry language that dehumanizes immigrants who are beloved children of God and escalates tensions between federal agents and communities. Surges of immigration enforcement and violent encounters like we are seeing in Minneapolis — as well as in Chicago; Atlanta; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; and Washington, D.C.— have indiscriminately targeted our neighbors, creating fear and uncertainty. This has created conditions where immigrants, those accompanying them and federal agents are all at risk. ELCA social teaching provides guidance in complex situations: “Public safety depends upon trust in law enforcement to respect and protect the rights of all” (“Gun-related Violence and Trauma”). As a church, we are concerned by the trend of law enforcement and federal agents involved in immigration enforcement relying on the use of force in our communities without sufficient accountability or oversight. God calls us to be witnesses to God’s presence, healing and hope. I invite ongoing prayers, vigils and advocacy for peace and justice, and I affirm the ELCA’s “pledge to continue our church’s historic leadership in caring for refugees and immigrants” (For Peace in God’s World).  In Christ, The Rev. Yehiel Curry Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Resources are available from the ELCA’s migration strategy AMMPARO (Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation, and Opportunities). Bishop Curry Issues Statement on ICE Shooting About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. For information contact: Candice Hill Buchbinder Public Relations Manager Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

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• Baptism of Our Lord
  11 Jan 2026
  

  In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism, we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

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• ELCA Presiding Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Venezuela
  7 Jan 2026
  

  January 7, 2026 Dear siblings in Christ, There is concern across this church about the Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. military action in Venezuela and what has or will follow. I believe that this Sunday’s celebration of Jesus’ baptism, and our own, can provide understanding, guide our prayers and promote faithful action at this time. The baptism of our Lord reminds us that Jesus is God’s own beloved child, who has come to fulfill an age-old promise to bring justice and peace to the nations (Isaiah 42:1). As God’s beloved, Christians share in Jesus’ ministry and compassion for the vulnerable. Our prayers remain with the people of Venezuela. We pray for their safety and well-being, for their livelihoods, and for reliable access to food, health care and clean water. Our church walks in solidarity with them through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela — their people, pastors, deacons and ministries. Support is also expressed in the broader Christian community, both in Venezuela and among the Venezuelan diaspora, who have long called for and worked toward peace, democracy and human rights. As baptized children of God, Lutherans are set free to seek the well-being of our neighbors. Over 600,000 Venezuelans in the United States face uncertainty without renewal of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and deportations of Venezuelan migrants continue despite these anxious times in their homeland. As Venezuela navigates a tenuous situation, our nation has a responsibility for a mindful humanitarian response. We continue our call for humanitarian support for migrant-serving organizations in neighboring countries and pathways to asylum in the United States for Venezuelans and all with credible fears of persecution. As followers of Jesus, we seek justice for the nations. As a church in this country, we call for what transpires next to center the Venezuelan people and their right to self-determination. We, as a country, must resist any temptation to use this occasion to foster special or corporate economic interests. As Venezuela faces continued instability, more people are likely to face displacement. Let us avoid further polarization as we respond to what is unfolding. Lutheran theology affirms that two things at once can be true. The removal of Nicolás Maduro, a corrupt authoritarian, and the end of his brutal repression are causes for celebration for many. At the same time, U.S. action in Venezuela without the constitutionally mandated authorization of the U.S. Congress violated international law and created a dangerous precedent that weakens global peace and security. Our social teaching tells us that any conflict must meet strict moral criteria rooted in the principles of “right intention, justifiable cause, legitimate authority …” (For Peace in God’s World, page 11). In this highly complex and dangerous moment, Christians remember that Jesus is God’s beloved child. Through our baptisms, this identity and mission forms us and calls us to civic action. We are called to speak the truth in love but with clarity about accountability for any abuse of power. In this time, we can advocate boldly for a peaceful way forward and urge the U.S. Congress to exert its authority over war powers and ensure due process is followed. This action is especially critical when risking U.S. troops’ lives and the lives of civilians around the world. As we remember the meaning of baptism for action in the world, let us be fervent in prayer for our siblings in Christ in Venezuela. Let us also support and accompany Venezuelans and their families worldwide. Born in Venezuela, Bishop Pedro Suárez of the ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod wrote the following prayer: By your Holy Spirit, kindle hope that does not disappoint and peace that surpasses all understanding. We entrust Venezuela, its people and your church into your loving hands, trusting not in our own strength but in your steadfast love made known in Jesus Christ, who is our peace. Amen. In Christ, The Rev. Yehiel Curry Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ? – – – About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.7 million members in more than 8,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther. Bishop Curry Issues Statement on Venezuela  

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• Meet Jorgen Behringer and Aubryn King
  7 Jan 2026
  

  Jorgen grew up in Wausau, Wisconsin. Most of his family still lives near Green Bay, Wisconsin. Aubryn grew up in Wenatchee, WA. Currently, Aubryn’s family is generally local, around Lacey and Harstine Island.  Aubryn is a caregiver while going to school. Jorgen has been working for the Army since 2008.  As leisure time activities, Aubryn enjoys knitting, sewing projects, and plays trumpet for a local orchestra. Jorgen’s hobbies include scenery painting and woodworking, which he enjoys very much. They also “try to get out hiking and biking when we can”. Jorgen and Aubryn started attending St. Mark in April 2025. Prior to that, they were going to Gloria Dei while looking for a home church. When asked about their impressions of St. Mark, Jorgen and Aubryn said, “We absolutely love being members at St. Mark. The church community has been very uplifting and inviting. By far, one of the best church communities we have been a part of.”

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• Epiphany of Our Lord
  4 Jan 2026
  

  Epiphany means “manifestation.” On this day, we celebrate the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles—that is, to all nations. Some Christian traditions celebrate three great epiphanies on this day: the magi’s adoration of the Christ child, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and his first miracle, in which he changes water into wine. The word and sacraments are for us the great epiphany of God’s grace and mercy. We go forth to witness to the light that shines brightly in our midst.

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