St. Mark's welcomes you!

Rector Search

Rector Search

We are actively seeking a new rector for St. Mark's. If you are interested in being the rector for St. Mark's or joining the search committee, please contact our senior warden, Alysoun Marks at office@stmarksfortbend.org.

A letter from the Vestry

July 20, 2017

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Dear Members of St. Mark’s,

We have all had a few days to absorb the news of Father Baetz’s acceptance of the call to be the Rector at St. Peter’s in Kerrville. We know that you, like us, are overjoyed at this new adventure and place that God has called Bert and Sarah to. We are, at the same time experiencing sadness and grief that this dear family will be leaving us soon.

As your vestry, we want to reassure you that our future at St. Mark’s has never been brighter. Father Bert, in his ministry here, has led us through amazing growth, strong leadership development, and deepened spiritual formation.

As your vestry, we are working behind the scenes to make this transition as smooth as possible. We have met with Canon Kai Ryan from EDOT to discuss this process. Over the weeks and months ahead, there will be many tasks to accomplish. We will find an interim rector, form a search committee, and eventually choose a new rector to lead our parish. We want to keep everyone informed on how this process is coming along, as we know that you will want to be kept aware of these events.

For now, what we would like to ask of this congregation, is for the remainder of their time here, join us in celebrating Fr. Bert, Sarah, Eloise and Oliver! We would like to send them off well to their new home. You can do this by praying for them, loving them, telling them how much they have meant to you, writing them a personal note, and attending a celebration lunch, after the Sunday service on August 6. There will be a box in the parish hall where you can place farewell notes and cards. We are also gathering pictures of our parish family during Fr. Bert’s time here. We are hoping to put together a slide show for the celebration on August 6. If you have pictures you would like to share, please email them to Melissa, or bring them by her office.

It is appropriate and customary to present a departing rector with a gift from the parish. We want the family to have something special to remember their time here at St. Mark’s, and we will also be collecting a purse. If you would like to be a part of this gift giving, you can send a check or money to the office, or place it in the collection plate on Sunday, noting that it is for the “Baetz Gift” in the memo.

Over the coming weeks as you have questions, your vestry will be available to discuss these with you. We are available on Sunday mornings, or if you prefer, please contact us directly so that we can speak with you. We believe that God is calling St. Mark’s to a new and exciting journey, as well! We are excited as we pray that God is stirring the heart of our new rector. We ask that you pray for this as well. We also ask that you pray for us, your vestry, in our discernment during this transition.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Grace and Peace,

St. Mark’s Vestry

Alysoun Marks, Senior Warden
Brad Knect, Junior Warden
Rock Moen, Treasurer
Michael Black, Secretary
Kathy Barzilla
Kim Janke
Rhonda Yamauchi

A Letter from the Rector

July 13, 2017

Spirit of the living God fall fresh on me
Spirit of the living God fall fresh on me
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me
Spirit of the living God fall fresh on me

Dear St. Mark's family,

The words above are taken from a hymn in one of our supplemental hymnals, and these words have been at the forefront of my recent thoughts and prayers. For my six plus years as your rector, my family and I have come to know the Spirit of the living God through you and our life together at St. Mark's. My family has known life and death in these past six years, and you have been the vessels of God's Spirit carrying us through this most formative time for us.
You have filled me in my life and ministry, and it is difficult to share with you about where the Spirit is now leading me. I have been invited to serve as the next rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kerrville, Texas, and I have accepted this call.

The words from the hymn capture this transition and new calling for me. I see your faces and hear your voices when I reflect upon the ways in which God has melted me, molded me, filled me, and used me for the glory of Christ's kingdom. We celebrate the past six years of our shared ministry, as the Spirit of the living God has fallen fresh on us and transformed our lives together. I am grateful to God for you because you have shaped me into a more faithful husband, father, and priest. I will leave knowing that it is because of you that I will be of good use to the people of St. Peter's and the greater Hill Country.

My last Sunday with you will be Sunday, August 6, and the next several weeks will be a time for us to treasure our chapter of shared ministry at St. Mark's. Following my last Sunday in the parish, the leaders of our strong vestry, especially our senior warden, Mrs. Alysoun Marks, as well as the staff from our Diocese of Texas, will lead St. Mark's into its next chapter of mission and ministry.

In this time of transition, I reflect on the Spirit-filled process that brought me to St. Mark's. Over six years ago, the Canon to the Ordinary and Bishop Doyle's staff helped and guided us when I accepted the call to be your rector. Our current Canon to the Ordinary, Canon Kai Ryan, is already in communication with Alysoun Marks, and Canon Ryan has assured our parish leadership of the bishop's support in this transition.

Please join me in these next several weeks to celebrate the past six years of our shared ministry, and may we be ever mindful and present to the Spirit of the living God who continues to melt us, mold us, fill us, and use us.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Bert Baetz
Rector