Action Team
Action Team Vision
St.Marks UMC’s vision is “to bring disciples to Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”. The transformation occurs through active concrete actions on the part of each and every individual to live out their Christian faith and do Christ’s work in alleviating the causes and symptoms of homelessness and hunger, minister to the sick, support just health, environmental and education policies, confront the powers and principalities who wage war and work in many other areas of social betterment for human beings and the natural world. As Christ’s disciples on earth, we are “the hands and feet of God”.
Action Team Mission
The mission of the Action Team is to raise the awareness of the St. Marks family about the cooperative and connected ministry in our global village. It coordinates publicity, communication and advocacy through a variety of ministries.
The Action Team provides publicity for special church offerings, coordinates donations to the First Sunday Table, provides programs of assistance for special adult education classes and events, such as California Church Council information, and coordinates local, national and global outreach ministries to communities and individuals in need.
Action Team Chair: John McCormack, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com
Action Team Members: Linda Short, Cathy Cline, Howard Lawrence, Blythe Muraki, Sally Weinland, John Fields, Byron Aarstad
Homelessness and Housing
St. Marks has adopted homelessness as its main focus. It advocates for affordable clean and safe housing and just mortgage and rental practices and provides temporary or permanent housing and material aid (water and sanitation facilities) for local, national and global communities in need. It supports the work of the following programs to achieve adequate housing for all, as well as other organizations and initiatives combating homelessness.
Family Promise of Sacramento http://www.sacfamilypromise.org/ and Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network http://www.familypromise.org/ –Family Promise of Sacramento is a nonprofit program designed specifically for homeless families that helps them achieve self-sufficiency and regain a home for themselves and their children. Shelter for the families is provided through a unique, innovative method by utilizing an interfaith hospitality network of 16 churches and hundreds of volunteers throughout the Sacramento region. St. Marks contact is Joyce Estes joycere111@gmail.com, (916) 481-0418
St. Marks Winter Shelter Program–http://www.stmarksumc.com/node/855 A program to provide temporary shelter for Sacramento’s homeless persons during cold winter months. St. Marks, in collaboration with Volunteers of America (VOA) and Sacramento Steps Forward, provides sleeping accommodations, meals, clothing, foot massages, fellowship and other services to 100 persons for one to two weeks per Winter season. Contact: Barry White, elkgroveguy2003@yahoo.com and Simon Vu, simon455@hotmail.com.
St. Marks Community Breakfast–Held on the last Saturday of the month at 10 am in Grace Café, the breakfast provides food and fellowship for the local Arcade-Arcade-Carmichael community. Basic health screening and flu shots are also provided on some Saturdays by our Parish Nurse, Pam Taylor, ptaylor@stmarksumc.com. Coordinator: Cynthia Suzuki.
St. Marks Food Basket–Provides non-perishable food for local families and individuals on an as needed basis. Refers persons to other local food banks. Provides turkeys with food baskets during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Contact: Doris Olson, djegolson@yahoo.com.
Faith and Homeless Families Initiative–http://www.communitycouncil.org/homelessplan/faithfamilies.html Helps families permanently escape homelessness by providing limited, short-term rent assistance, builds partnerships between homeless family service providers and congregations to develop housing resources and supportive services, and recruits volunteers from the faith community to help homeless families by providing support and encouragement as well as financial management and goal setting advice. Goal is to have all faiths participate to train and mentor one homeless family for 6 months and to engage 50 congregations per year. Executive Director: Nora Benavides, n_bb@comcast.net
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UM-VIM)– http://cnsite.brickriver.com/page.asp?PKValue=1185 Provides mission opportunities in construction/reconstruction, disaster relief, medical, connectional and educational venues that will enable the persons volunteering to do mission service, and, the persons to whom they are in covenant relationships with, to progress along their faith journey, with simplicity, authenticity, and relevancy. We are in service locally within this Conference, through the rest of the United States and internationally through out the world.
St. Marks Haiti UM-Volunteers in Mission Teams– http://cnumc.org/pages/detail/1084 St. Marks has sent one team of seven disciples to Haiti (October, 2011) to engage in earthquake restoration work and Bill Borah, a license contractor, is assigned to work long-term in Haiti, coordinating the reconstruction and development of UMC schools, churches and residences. St. Marks local contact: Joel Bulaya
United Methodist Committee on Relief (U.M.C.O.R.)– www.umcor.org The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States. Our mission, grounded in the teachings of Jesus, is to alleviate human suffering—whether caused by war, conflict or natural disaster, with open hearts and minds to all people. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. Contact: Kevin Jenkins, (916) 533-4309, kjenkins@stmarksumc.com.
Habitat for Humanity, International www.habitat.org and Sacramento Habitat for Humanity–www.shfh.org
A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Our ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety. St. Marks UMC has participated in the building of several houses locally and St. Marks members have traveled to a number of countries on Global Village work teams to build Habitat homes. Contact: Miriam McCormack, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com .
Cottage Housing /Quinn Cottages/Serna Village– http://www.cottagehousing.org/ Creates healing communities that are solution-focused, participant driven and strength-based where homeless people help themselves and each other, to transition from the streets to self-sustainability. Contact: Sally S. Weinland, (916) 483-1548, salwnlnd@yahoo.com
Sacramento Housing Alliance– http://www.sachousingalliance..org/ The Sacramento Housing Alliance (SHA) promotes quality affordable and accessible housing and enhanced opportunities for lower income households and homeless individuals. Since 1989, SHA has been at the forefront of the effort to create more affordable housing opportunities for people throughout the Greater Sacramento Region through advocacy and education.
Loaves and Fishes– www.sacloaves.org Without passing judgment, and in a spirit of love and hospitality, Loaves & Fishes feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless. It provides an oasis of welcome, safety, and cleanliness for homeless men, women and children seeking survival services. Founded in 1983, it is governed by a board of directors selected from Loaves & Fishes and from the community-at-large – people who have demonstrated compassion and concern about the needs of the homeless and the indigent poor. It recognizes the dignity and spiritual destiny of each person, and hope by our attitude of hospitality and love, to nourish not only the physical needs of those who come to Loaves & Fishes, but also their spiritual need for love, acceptance, respect, and friendship. It serves each person with the belief that "as often as you did it for one of my least brothers and sisters, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40). St. Marks contributes material goods and money and provides volunteers, including a team that prepares a meal for 400 homeless persons the last Saturday of each month. Contacts: Ann Parsons, (916) 488-3345.
Francis House Center of Sacramento– www.francishouse.info Francis House Center is a soulful place that provides assistance, mentoring and resources for Sacramento’s homeless community. For more than 40 years, Francis House has served as a beacon of light and hope to the most vulnerable among us. It is a place where people are treated with dignity as they arrive seeking help for some of the most basic needs. Each person receives individual attention as they meet with one of our many volunteers. “This is a place that treats me like a real person,” is a comment we hear often. Francis House Center offers a number of services, some of which are not provided anywhere else in the Sacramento region. For example, it is the only place which offers vouchers for California I.D.s, birth certificates, and California driver’s licenses. Without identification it is virtually impossible to obtain a job, cash a check, or rent an apartment. The Job Development Center, with computers, job announcements, capable mentors and compassionate counselors is filled to capacity every day. For many of their homeless guests, the JDC is a lifeline to opportunities otherwise unavailable to them. The Fast Track program supports the newly employed with transportation vouchers ensuring their ability to get to and from work for the first two weeks. These vouchers are a simple offering, but can make all the difference in one’s ability to keep a job once they get it. St. Marks supports Francis House with money, material goods and volunteers. Executive Director: Faith Whitmore, (916) 443-2646
Sacramento Steps Forward–sacramentostepsforward.org Works to provide permanent housing for all homeless persons in the Sacramento area, including transitional housing. Sacramento Steps Forward is now incorporated in the State of California and has received 501(C)3 tax exempt status from the IRS as a non-profit organization. Over the next year Sacramento Steps Forward is building its capacity to take over the $15 million in federal Homeless Continuum of Care grants and other homeless contracts from Sacramento County. The Continuum of Care is responsible for housing over 3,200 men, women and children each night in shelters, transitional housing and permanent housing. We will continue to update the community as needed. Program Coordinator: Shannon Stevens, sstevens@sacstepsforward.org
Safe Ground Sacramento–www.safegroundsac.org. Works with local political and economic bodies to create and maintain safe, clean temporary housing for Sacramento’s homeless persons. Paula Lomazzi, Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee, (916) 442-2156, shoc_1@yahoo.com
To learn more about homelessness and housing ministries, contact John McCormack, Chair, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com
Community Projects Ministry
Advocates for and supports projects which improve the lives of children and families locally and nationally, including improved access to health care and education. Supports Sacramento Area Congregations Together (A.C.T.), Neighborhood Accountability Boards (N.A.B.), Central Downtown Food Basket, Prison Ministries, Maryhouse, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.), Wellspring Women’s Center, Literacy Little League, Salvation Army, Francis House, San Juan schools programs and Helping One Student to Succeed (H.O.S.T.S.).Information about Sacramento ACT is available at www.sacact.org and St. Mark’s A.C.T. Committee meets the third Monday each month. The national organization can be found at www.piconetwork.org and the California PICO Project is at www.picocalifornia.org. To learn more about this ministry contact Howard Lawrence, Chair, (916) 481-3592, HowardL141@aol.com
Members are Cynthia Lawrence, Doris Olson, Bob Richards, Pat Cannon, Jayne Nichols, Flo Perry, Betty Youngren, Sally Weinland and Doris White.
Prison Ministries– Working with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Jail and Chaplaincy Program and Loaves and Fishes, the Prison Ministries Team collects and distributes paperback books to local prison inmates and provides visitation services. Contact: Dee Simpson. Members: Al and Pat Arthur, Bobbie Morford, Lois Adamek.
Interfaith And Ecumenical Ministry
As a progressive church, St. Marks seeks to eliminate distrust, cultural and religious bias and the resulting conflict, violence and war, while building global understanding and cooperation locally and globally among faith groups and establishing common ground between races, cultures and faith traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and other religions. Supports the work of the following organizations:
California Church IMPACT/California Council of Churches– <http://www.calchurches.org/2-about-us-mission.htm> - Advocates for legislation that promotes just and fair economic, environmental , social and health practices.
Rev. Libby Sholes, Director of Public Policy sholes@calchurches.org
One Great Hour of Sharing (UMC)–Yearly collection of money from all UMC’s to support justice ministries throughout the world.
http://www.umcgiving.org/site/c.qwL6KkNWLrH/b.3837989/k.D394/Special_Sun...
Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento (ICGS)– http://www.sacramentointerfaith.org/ Incorporated in 1920 as the Federation of Churches, serves the Sacramento area by recognizing that the entire faith community can work together to foster greater understanding and respect among people of different faiths and to address human needs in the community. Jon Fish, President, president@sacramentointerfaith.org. Contact: Miriam McCormack, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com
National Council of Churches (NCC)– http://www.ncccusa.org/ Since its founding in 1950, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA has been the leading force for ecumenical cooperation among Christians in the United States. The NCC's member faith groups — from a wide spectrum of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical, historic African American and Living Peace churches–include 45 million persons in more than 100,000 local congregations in communities across the nation.
World Council of Churches (WCC)– http://www.oikoumene.org/ A worldwide fellowship of 349 churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service.
To learn more about our ecumenical ministry, contact Miriam McCormack, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com
Missionary Relations Ministry
Responsible for initiating and maintaining contact with our missionary and UM-Volunteers in Mssion work in Honduras, Congo, Angola, Bolivia, and many other developing countries and supporting this work through gifts of money, material aid as well as provision of Sunday School curriculum materials. St. Mark’s United Methodist Church has a long history of supporting mission work throughout the world. Bill and Esther Finster came from St. Mark’s and were missionaries in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1960-1985. They introduced to us the Chimonyos, who live in Zimbabwe. The Action Team continues to help support our missionaries including Mama Shimba Bulaya, our missionary contact in the US, who is actively working at the translation of Sunday School material into French and preparing a Nutrition book for use in the Congo. We are continuing to send our church materials to the Chimonyos at the Mabelreign UMC in Harare, Zimbabwe. They have thanked us for sending this material to them and have assured us that they make good use of used educational materials. Additional information about United Methodist global work may be found at www.umc.org. To learn more about this ministry, contact Neva and Jim Munro, jmunro@macnexus.org
Peace, Justice, and Sustainability/Civic Responsibility
Advocates and works for justice, quality of life and sensible use of sustainable resources (energy, food, water, clean air) for all people and for peace throughout the world, first by being informed and engaging as many persons as possible in critical study of the world’s great economic, environmental, cultural and political issues and formulating plans to inspire and support action whenever our faith calls us to address these issues. Recognizes that policies that deplete resources and environmental policy, are a threat to both health and peace. Supports outreach to many local and global organizations, including Tikkun (Network of Spiritual Progressives), Methodist Federation of Social Action (M.F.S.A.), and initiatives against global warming.
To learn more about this ministry, contact Bob Richards, Chair, (916) 992-0561, r-ards@hotmail.com
or Doris Olson, Co-Chair, djegolson@yahoo.com. Members: Judy Tracy, Ken Fors, Alice Ainsworth, Sally Weinland, Dennis Beaty, Esther Huston, Don Reynolds, Ruth Reynolds.
Sacramento United Methodist Union (S.U.M.U.)
Supports the formation and growth of new United Methodist Churches in the Sacramento region. Represents St. Marks United Methodist Church on the S.U.M.U. Board. Contact: Cynthia Lawrence, St. Mark's Representative, (916) 481-3592, CELaw3592@aol.com
Global Hunger Task Force
Works to alleviate hunger in the local community, nationally and around the world, with gifts and education to overcome poverty, malnutrition and waterborne diseases and to advocate for just, sustainable food and agricultural policies that lead to local self sufficiency in food production. The task force supports the following below programs. Contact: Cynthia Lawrence, (916) 481-3592, CELaw3592@aol.com
Members: Jane Henderson, Fred Stallcop, Cecilia Stallcop.
First Sunday Table–http://www.stmarksumc.com/first-sunday-table. During the worship services on the first Sunday of each month, the congregation at St. Mark’s is welcomed to the communion table, a celebration of which portrays the physical and spiritual food we receive from God. We are reconciled with God by the love and sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. We are renewed by the touch of the Holy Spirit to live more joyously and intentionally. In the entryway to the Sanctuary, the congregation is welcomed to participate in the First Sunday Table sponsored by the Action Team. As we are fed and renewed by communion, the First Sunday Table enables us to reach out in our community in love and reconciliation. The First Sunday Table is a long standing tradition at St. Mark’s and seeks contributions of needed items and funds as well as time and talent. Contributions to Loaves and Fishes, Central Downtown Food Basket, Francis House, River City Food Bank, and Wellspring Women’s Center will be accepted at the table and sent to the designated organization. Items for St. Mark’s own food closet, for guests at Loaves and Fishes, and for Family Promise families will also be received at the table. Checks may be made payable to the organization and will be mailed in a group to the designated organization, showing St. Mark’s support of their efforts. Opportunities for volunteers can also be found at the First Sunday Table. Howard and Cynthia Lawrence, Coordinators, (916) 481-3592, HowardL141@aol.com.
Summer Sharing Table– Sells fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and used books, DVD’s and other items in Siummer months. Proceeds benefit Heifer International and unsold produce is donated to River City Food Bank.
Heifer International– Donates live animals and seed crops to farmers in the U.S. and developing countries to creates sustainable, agricultural livelihoods. http://www.heifer.org. http://sacramento.heiferblog.org/ Contact: Cynthia Lawrence, (916) 481-3592, CELaw3592@aol.com
Arden Arcade Carmichael Faith Communities (AAC-FC)– Coordinates local food, durable medical equipment (D.M.E.) and clothing banks for maximum efficiency in serving local clients in the Arden Arcade and Carmichael communities. http://www.facebook.com/groups/254559201233477/ Contact: Kevin Jenkins, (916) 533-4309, kjenkins@stmarksumc.com
Fair Trade Coffee/Products– Supports small farmers in developing countries through sale of fair trade products.
Thanksgiving Coffee
http://www.thanksgivingcoffee.com/
http://www.mirembekawomera.com/
Sindyanna of Gallilee Fair Trade Olive Oil
Contacts: John and Carol Klein, jcklein@surewest.net
Loaves and Fishes–Saturday Breakfasts–St. Marks sends a team monthly to prepare and serve the Loaves and Fishes breakfast for 400- 500 guests. http://www.sacloaves.org/programs/diningroom/ Contact: Ann Parsons, (916) 488-3345
Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services: http://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/
Central Downtown Food Basket: http://www.cdfb.org/
River City Food Bank: http://www.rivercityfoodbank.org/ Eileen Thomas, Executive Director. Paula Jenkins, Office Manager, pjenkins@rivercityfoodbank.org
Give Ye Them to Eat (GYTTE) (Puebla, MX)–The integrated development ministry of the "Give Ye Them To Eat" program enhances villagers' lives with training that moves them from subsistence living to sustainability. As a social outreach project of the Methodist Church of Mexico and an Advance Special project of the GBGM, the purpose of the "Give Ye Them To Eat" program is to strengthen the capabilities of marginalized people in the rural communities of south-central Mexico to meet their basic needs, and to assist them in determining and sustaining a just and integrated development process so people can achieve the full promise and potential of their life as a child of God.
GYTTE Program E-mail: GYTTEphm@aol.com
GYTTE Program Web Page: www.gytte.org
Program Directors: Terry and Muriel Henderson, UMC Missionaries
Church World Service–Blanket Sunday http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=blankets_main
CROP– Communities Reaching Out Project- Hunger Walk
https://secure2.convio.net/cws/site/SPageServer?pagename=crop_main
Bread for the World– Represents the poor of the world in advocating for just and sustainable agricultural, economic and hunger practices to state, federal and international bodies. http://www.bread.org/
Emergency Preparedness
St. Marks works with local emergency response organizations to be prepared for adequate and coordinated responses to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, fires or pandemic disease outbreaks, through coordination with other churches, first responders and other relief organizations.
St. Marks Disaster Response Plan Task Force– Has developed a Disaster Response Plan in case of natural or man-made disaster, terrorism or pandemic outbreak. Keeps emergency contact records of all St. Marks members and constituents. Kevin Jenkins, Coordinator, (916) 533-4309, kjenkins@stmarksumc.com.
California Nevada UMC Annual Conference Disaster Coordinator– Responsible for managing and implementing UMC disaster response plans for the entire Annual Conference of 400 United Methodist Churches at the direction of the Bishop and in coordination with Red Cross, U.M.C.O.R. and various first responders. http://www.cnumc.org/pages/detail/1424 Norm Hardin, Conference Coordinator, nmhardin@aol.com
American Red Cross–Capital Region Chapter: https://redcrosscrc.org/ http://www.redcross.org/ Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. Also, Red Cross works closely with Habitat for Humanity, UM-Volunteers in Mission and other faith-based organizations.
Sacramento CERT– Community Emergency Response Team: http://www.sacramentocert.net/
Sacramento Regional VOAD–Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters: http://www.nvoad.org/ St Marks has a seat at this table of NGOs and non-profits, which coordinate resources and work with local and state government agencies to prepare for and respond to disasters. St Marks is the place-holder for UMCOR and other Ca-Nv Annual Conference connections at this regional level. This regional VOAD network includes 2-1-1 Sacramento and the local offices of many other agencies, such as Food Link, Salvation Army, the local Seventh Day Adventists and Southern Baptists who are active in the day-to-day fight against hunger and homelessness. Kevin Jenkins is a member of their Executive Board. Contact (916) 533-4309, kjenkins@stmarksumc.com
For more information re: outreach programs and opportunities for service, contact John McCormack, Chair of the Action Team, (916) 451-5709, firetester14@gmail.com , or Rev. Alan Jones, Pastoral Staff Liaison, ajones@stmarksumc.com.
