The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation 2022 Annual Report
“Your Word is a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
The St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation continued its mission of conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships, both within the church and out into the community.
 
A highlight of the year was “Sending God’s Message Into the Future” during Foundation Week where the focus was on the interns and seminary students who have been helped with grants from the Foundation. During Foundation Week, the 14 interns and students responded to questions on where they have been studying, various places where they have served in the ministry and what they are doing today. A photo display, slide show and video presentation highlighted how they have helped spread God’s message throughout the community, the country and the world.
 
The following maps show the places the interns and seminary students have gone to spread God’s Message.​
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The Foundation was able to carry forward its mission by endowing grants for $9,500 during 2022.
  • Two grants have been given this year to help a church family who have opened their home to 5 siblings.
  • Helping North High School families, a grant was given for food gift cards to the Polar Back Pack program during the recent holidays.
  • For the second year, the Foundation helped with funding for the North High School/St. Mark’s Church coat drive which gives people warm outdoor clothing during the cold winter months.
  • The Foundation continued its partnership with the Lutheran Social Services program “Circle of Welcome” to help with ongoing expenses for the Afghan family sponsored by St. Mark’s congregation.
  • Eric Gustafson, an intern at St. Mark’s during 2021-2022, received a grant to help with his continuing studies at Luther Seminary.
  • The new Grace Space for our littlest members was constructed this past year with help from the Foundation.
  • The youth of St. Mark’s worked to raise money for God’s Global Barnyard and the Foundation helped them complete their goal.
  • The youth were also recipients of a grant to help fund their adventure canoe trip.
 
The Foundation continues to work with church staff, the congregation and stake holders in the community to find ways to help those in need.
 
The Foundation was blessed in 2022 with financial gifts of more than $242,000 through legacy gifts, donations, memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars, Amazon Smile and employee matching gifts from Wells Fargo Bank and U.S. Bank. The Foundation’s assets are invested to continue to support the community through grants in 2022.  The finance committee works to maximize the return on investments through engagement with professional financial advisors, creates the budget for the Foundation, and monitors the financial health of the assets of the Foundation.

The Foundation continued its commitment to keep the congregation informed about the Foundation’s progress and activities. The Foundation website continues to be a good resource of information about the Foundation. Announcements about the Foundation are found in the weekly updates.
 
The St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees includes: President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Judy Duffy, Paul Ellefson, Kathy Hanon, Ken Indrelie, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Karyn Mikel, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz, and legal advisor Bill Baumeister.
 
For more information about the Foundation, please browse the St. Mark’s Foundation website at www.stmarksnspfoundation.com

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 The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation 2021 Annual Report

“Your Word is a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
Although the COVID pandemic has continued through 2021, the St. Mark’s Church Foundation Board of Trustees continued its mission of conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships, both within the church and out into the local community.
 
Due to the generous donations from both our congregation and the larger community, the Foundation Board was able to provide $9,500 in grants which will impact many people’s lives in a meaningful and impactful way in 2021 and the future.
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“St. Mark’s Church and North High School personnel collaborated on a coat drive that the Foundation was able to help fund with a $1,000 grant to purchase coats and other warm clothing."

  • Also helping North High families, a grant was given for food gift cards to the Polar Back Pack program during the recent holidays.
  • Jeanette Perrault was awarded a grant to help her gain first-hand knowledge and experience about the current immigration situation in Texas.
  • The Foundation has partnered with the Lutheran Social Services program “Circle of Welcome” to help St. Mark’s sponsor an Afghan family as they settle in St. Paul.
  • Another community program the Foundation continues to help is the North St. Paul Area Food Shelf, which was a grant recipient helping the ongoing need to feed the community.
  • Seed money was given for new outdoor signage at St. Mark’s to keep our presence showing in the community.
 
The Foundation continues to work with church staff, the congregation and stake holders in the community to find ways to help those in need.
 
The Foundation was blessed in 2021 with financial gifts of more $12,000 through legacy gifts, donations, memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars, Amazon Smile and employee matching gifts from Wells Fargo Bank and US Bank. The Foundation is a perpetual fund that will continue supporting the community through grants in 2022. The finance committee works to maximize the return on investments through our financial advisor, creating the budget for the Foundation, and monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the assets of the Foundation.
 
The Foundation continued its commitment to keep the congregation informed about the Foundation’s progress and activities. The Foundation website continues to be a good resource of information about the Foundation. Announcements about the Foundation are found in the weekly updates. “Foundation Week” was presented the first week of October with support from church staff, a message from Jeanette Perrault who had been a grant recipient, and a newsletter highlighting activities.
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The 2021 St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees are: President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Paul Ellefson, Kathy Hanon, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz, Pastor Mary Froiland and legal advisor Gerry Duffy.

For more information about the Foundation, please browse the St. Mark’s Foundation website at www.stmarksnspfoundation.com.

The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation 2020 Annual Report
“Your Word is a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

The St. Mark’s Church Foundation and its Board of Trustees had to learn how to navigate during the Covid-19 pandemic that everyone experienced this past year. Despite the pandemic’s chaos, the Foundation Board continued its mission of conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships, both within the church and out into the community.
 
One of the highlights for the Foundation Board was the grant request that we were able to fulfill that helped one of the community’s most needed nonprofits, the North St. Paul Area Food Shelf. The food shelf was in dire need of additional refrigeration storage and the Foundation was able to grant them the amount needed to obtain that refrigeration unit.
 
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​"Volunteers at the North St. Paul Area Food Shelf check out the new refrigeration storage."
 
The Foundation was able to award $3,000 in grants during 2020 thanks to the generous donations from the congregation at St. Mark’s and people in the community. In addition to the grant given to the North St. Paul Area Food Shelf for the refrigeration storage unit, the Foundation awarded Jeanette Perrault a grant to help with expenses during her time of internship in Florida and gave Emily Ronsberg a grant to help with expenses during her seminary studies at Wartburg Seminary. The Foundation continues to work with church staff, the congregation and people in the community to find ways to help those in need.
 
The Foundation was blessed in 2020 with financial gifts of $6,441 through legacy gifts, donations, memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars, Amazon Smile and employee matching gifts from Travelers, Wells Fargo Bank and US Bank. Despite the volatility in financial markets this year, the Foundation’s investments returned solid gains. The finance committee works to maximize the return on investments through our financial advisor, creating the budget for the Foundation, and monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the assets of the Foundation.
 
The Foundation continued its commitment through 2020 to keep the congregation informed about the Foundation’s progress and activities. The Foundation website is still a viable means of information for people to find out about the Foundation. The regular announcements about the Foundation are now found in the weekly updates from the church. “Foundation Week” also took on a different look, as it was an abbreviated message given on the first Sunday of October.
 
The Board of Trustees’ meetings were held via teleconference or Zoom so the work of the Foundation could continue.
 
The 2020 St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees: President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Jim Allen, Paul Ellefson, Kathy Hanon, Beth Jensen, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz, Pastor Mary Froiland and legal advisor Gerry Duffy.
 
The Foundation Board would like to thank Jim Allen and Beth Jensen for their hard work and dedication during their tenures on the Board of Trustees. They have indicated they will not be returning in 2021 and will be missed.
The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation
2019 Annual Report

Your Word is a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

The following comments are from Foundation grant recipients awarded in 2019 to highlight the grant importance and the Foundation’s dedication to its mission:

“This past summer I learned a lot about myself, my style of pastoral care and what a clinical setting is like. As much grief and sadness that I encountered, I also came across a lot of hope and those who appreciated a conversation.” – Jeanette Perrault, a daughter of the congregation, whose Foundation grant helped fund her Clinical Pastoral Education this summer.

“Parents were thankful for the vast information and the resourcing, and kids were struck by the ways technology is impacting them. It was an incredibly worthwhile event and spoke to the church’s desire to meet the relevant needs of our people.” – Pastor Ivy following the “Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age” presentation that was funded by a Foundation grant.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be representing the ELCA and St. Mark’s while witnessing to the amazing work and community the Lutheran Church of Rwanda is cultivating here.” – Emily Ronsberg, a daughter of the congregation, who is in Rwanda through the YAGM program. The Foundation was able to help Emily reach her goal to support her year-long sojourn in Rwanda.

The Foundation is committed to conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships. During 2019, your generous donations enabled the Foundation to help carry God’s Word forward at St. Mark’s Church and into the world around us.

The Foundation awarded $3,600 in grants during 2019. These included helping with expenses for the St. Mark’s youth adventure trip; paying the license fees for “Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age” so St. Mark’s could offer the presentation free to those interested in attending; joining six other churches to help defray expenses for “Worship on the Farm”; extending help to Jeanette Perrault, a daughter of the congregation, for Clinical Pastoral education fees; joining others to help another daughter of the congregation, Emily Ronsberg, as she volunteers in Rwanda through the YAGM program; and supplementing the expense of the food gift cards given with the Polar Back Packs at holiday times.

The Foundation was blessed in 2019 with financial gifts of $5,708.95 through legacy gifts, donations, memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars, Amazon Smile and employee matching gifts from Travelers, Wells Fargo Bank and US Bank. The committee works to maximize the return on investments through our financial advisor, creating the budget for the Foundation, and monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the assets of the Foundation.

The Foundation continued its commitment through 2019 to keep the congregation informed about the Foundation’s progress and activities. That information is conveyed through the Foundation website, announcements in the “Markings” and worship bulletins, the “Friends Focus” newsletter and the “Foundation Week”.

St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees: President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Jim Allen, Paul Ellefson, Kathy Hanon, Beth Jensen, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz, Pastor Mary Froiland and legal advisor Gerry Duffy. For more information about the Foundation, please browse the St. Mark’s Foundation website.

St. Mark’s Foundation
Carrying God’s Word Forward
http://www.stmarksnspfoundation.com
The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation
2018 Annual Report

“Your Word is a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105
 
“Shopping for needs of needy families – providing them with new socks, essential school supplies, shoes and other items as needed. This was a reminder of God’s presence, giving provision and love in their lives, even when situations seem particularly challenging.” – Response to a grant helping St. Mark’s families who were experiencing financial difficulties.
 
“It was a life-changing experience – working in homes in the Appalachian area of Kentucky. Serving three families with construction chores such as painting, installing a water heater, installing flooring, among other projects, the youth built relationships with the homeowners and among the youth group.”  – Response to grants supporting the youth mission trip to Kentucky.
 
“Support, both financial and prayerful, help, sustain and renew me in countless ways. Knowing I have this support has been and continues to be critical as I walk this path.” – Response to a grant helping a daughter of the congregation continue seminary studies.
 
The Foundation is committed to conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships. The above examples from recipients of some of the grants awarded in 2018 show the Foundation’s dedication to its mission. During 2018, generous donations enabled the Foundation to help carry God’s Word forward at St. Mark’s Church and into the world around us.
 
Grants and Disbursements – Awarded $5,000 in grants including financial support for two students engaged in ministry studies, families who were experiencing financial difficulties, the youth mission trip to Appalachia, the Adult Wellness Series, and the Polar Back Pack program.
 
Finance – The Foundation was blessed in 2018 with financial gifts of $4,695.78 through legacy gifts, donations, memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars, employee matching gifts and Amazon Smile. The committee works to maximize the return on investments through our financial advisor, creating the budget for the Foundation, and monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the assets of the Foundation.
 
Communications – The communications committee continued its commitment through 2018 to keep the congregation informed about the Foundation. That information is conveyed through the Foundation website, continued announcements in the “Markings” and bulletins, the “Friends Focus” newsletter and a “Foundation Week” each year.
 
Governance – The Foundation continues to work on updating its bylaws and committee charters to improve the Foundation’s administration and management.
 
St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees: President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Jim Allen, Paul Ellefson, Beth Jensen, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz, Pastor Mary Froiland and legal advisor Gerry Duffy.
 
St. Mark’s Foundation
Carrying God’s Word Forward
http://www.stmarksnspfoundation.com
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The St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation
2017 Annual Report
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The St. Mark’s Foundation is committed to conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships inside and outside the walls of St. Mark’s. The Foundation’s purpose is to receive and manage financial gifts and to subsequently disburse income that will strengthen the ability of St. Mark’s Church to pursue its mission beyond that supported by the church’s general operating budget.
Via donations, memorials, legacy gifts, Thrivent Choice Dollars and AmazonSmile, the Foundation was blessed in 2017 with financial gifts of nearly $18,700. A summary of the Foundation’s 2017 activities and a recap of the grants made over the past five years are highlighted below.
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  • ​​​Governance – An ongoing reviewal of the Foundation’s bylaws, articles of incorporation and committee charters to improve the Foundation’s administration and management is part of the governance of the Foundation. The Foundation made several recommendations to the church council regarding communication and coordination between the Foundation and various church programs. Of note is the recommendation by the church council to award the Foundation 25% of all undesignated financial gifts exceeding $1,500 that are given to the church.

  • Finance - The Foundation met its yearly budget goals, overseen by the finance committee. Continued focus will be on growing income through donations and investment returns. During 2017, the Foundation maintained its investment portfolio and provided expected grants. Due to the generosity of gifts and the growth of investments, the Foundation is continuing to stay well ahead of projections. During the past year, between additional gifts and investment returns, the growth of assets was approximately 20%.
  • Communications – The communication committee initiated several communication items designed to inform members of the congregation about the Foundation’s purpose and activities. These initiatives included the Foundation’s newsletter “Friends Focus” and “Foundation Sunday,” which was an opportunity for Foundation trustees to greet the congregation members and provide information about the Foundation. Other Foundation initiatives included sponsorship of a handbell concert in conjunction with Twin Cities Bronze under the direction of Amy Maakestad and organization of a legacy workshop in cooperation with church staff. The Foundation website was upgraded in 2017 and will continue to be evaluated for content. Ongoing website updates, announcements, brochures and other literature will continue to be developed to strengthen communication with pastors, staff, church council and congregation.
  • Grants and Disbursements – Awarded $2,000 in grants including financial support for students engaged in ministry studies (two awards, namely $1,000 to Jenn Luong and $500 to Lindsey Bina) and an award of seed money of $500 to be used in promoting the development of a St. Mark’s Columbarium and Prayer Garden. In 2018, the Foundation plans to more clearly define and focus the purposes for which grants are made and to seek a greater number of proposals that will enable the accomplishment of such purposes.
 St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees are President Terry Kapaun, Vice President Craig Sterling, Treasurer Tom Michel, Secretary Barb Michel, Jim Allen, Paul Ellefson, Linda Kapaun, Rod Larkins, Steve Linder, Bill Pickett, John Pottratz and legal advisor Gerry Duffy.

St. Mark’s Foundation
Carrying God’s Word Forward
http://www.stmarksnspfoundation.com

​The St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation
2016 Annual Report

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The St. Mark’s Foundation is committed to conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships. The Foundation’s purposes are: to receive gifts; to oversee the administration of the gifts; and to disburse the income to financially strengthen the ability of St. Mark’s Church to pursue its mission apart from and outside the general operation of the congregation.

As the Foundation moves forward in its mission, a recap of the distribution of grant money given by the board of trustees in the past five years is highlighted in the following graph: 










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During 2016, the Board of Trustees continued to work on all aspects of the Foundation – monetary growth, communications and grant disbursement. ​

  •  Finance - The Foundation implemented a yearl budget, overseen by the finance committee. Continued focus will be on growing income through donations and investment returns. The Foundation reviewed the past five years’ of giving and growth and did a forecast of what the future may hold. Currently, the growth is at approximately 4% yearly.
  • Communications - The Foundation developed the “Friends of the Foundation” network that is open to all people of St. Mark’s who wish to participate. The Foundation website will be upgraded in 2017 and will include the annual report and financials. The Foundation worked with church staff on legacy workshops and will continue to co-sponsor the workshops. Ongoing announcements, brochures and other literature will continue to be developed to strengthen communication with pastors, staff, church council and congregation.
  • Grants and Disbursements – Grants were approved for $1900 during 2016. The grants included: $500 to Intern Pastor Kate Knutson for her continuing studies; $500 for Easter food gift cards and $900 for Thanksgiving food gift cards for the Polar Back Pack ministry. Work continues on defining the grant disbursement process including setting deadlines for grant applications.

The Foundation has been blessed with gifts of nearly $19,000 during 2016 from the people of St. Mark's. Their giving, through memorials, Thrivent Choice Dollars and donations plus a generous legacy gift from a long-time member, will ensure the continued mission of the Foundation into the future.

The St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees includes: Bill Pickett – President; Paul Ellefson – Vice President; Barb Michel – Secretary; Jim Allen - Treasurer; Shari Hamilton, Terry Kapaun, Tom Michel, Shirley Pickett, Craig Sterling, Pastor Bonnie Wilcox, and Gerry Duffy - legal advisor.
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Respectfully submitted,

William Pickett
President, Board of Trustees
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation

​The St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation
2015 Annual Report

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Thirty years ago, a dedicated group of St. Mark's people established the St. Mark's Church Foundation. These people envisioned a legacy that would carry God's message forward to future generations in our church community. The St. Mark’s Foundation continues to be committed to conveying the Christian message to people through excellence in worship, education and the building of relationships. The Foundation’s purposes are: to receive gifts; to oversee the administration of the gifts; and to disburse the income to financially strengthen the ability of St. Mark’s Church to pursue its mission apart from and outside the general operation of the congregation.
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As the Foundation moves forward in its mission, a recap of the distribution of grant money given by the board of trustees in the past five years is highlighted in the graph below.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
During 2015, the Board of Trustees continued to work on all aspects of the Foundation – monetary growth, communications and grant disbursement.
  • Finance - The Foundation implemented considerable change in the financial structure and approach to investments. The board engaged professional asset management to provide higher investment returns. Continued focus will be on growing income through donations and investment returns.
  • Communications - The Foundation now has its own website, stmarksnspfoundation.weebly.com, launched in 2015 with considerable help from Intern Pastor Tom Westcott. The Foundation now has a new logo, and is actively working on bookmarks for the pews, brochures, promotions, announcements and other means to bring the Foundation's message to people. Work continues to strengthen communication with pastors, staff, church council and congregation.
  • Grants and Disbursements – Grants were approved for $1655 during 2015. The grants included:  $500 to Luther Seminary in honor of Pastor Steve Nelson's retirement; $480 for Easter food gift cards and $675 for Thanksgiving food gift cards for the Polar Back Pack ministry. Work continues on defining the grant disbursement process.
  • Senior Pastor Bonnie Wilcox became a member of the Board of Trustees.

The St. Mark’s Foundation Board of Trustees includes: Bill Pickett – President; Paul Ellefson – Vice President; Barb Michel – Secretary; Jim Allen - Treasurer; Mary Anderson, Shari Hamilton, Terry Kapaun, Tom Michel, Shirley Pickett, Craig Sterling, Pastor Bonnie Wilcox, and Gerry Duffy - legal advisor.

Respectfully submitted,
 
William Pickett
President, Board of Trustees
St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Foundation

​"As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's grace."
1 Peter 4:10