OUR NEWLY ELECTED LEADERS
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church by The Narrows
May, 2015
CHURCH COUNCIL
PRESIDENT: BILL KLANCKE
I have been a member of St Marks since 1967 and have served on Council, chaired the building committee, served on a call committee, various Council committees and served as Council President. Sharon and I worship at the 8:30 service. My favorite activity is spending time with our 5 grandchildren.
VICE-PRESIDENT: ANNA AHRENS
My husband, Chuck, and I have been members at St. Mark’s for sixteen years. We have two boys, Tyler (9yo) and Carter, (7yo). We worship at the 9:45AM contemporary service, and I am a vocalist in the worship team. I grew up singing in the church, as my Dad is an Episcopal priest. When Chuck and I joined St. Mark’s, the worship team was just forming and they partnered in initially leading the music. I have also participated in the Worship and Music Committee, Preschool Board, and Health Care Advisory Team. I serve as the Director of Family Services at Mary Bridge Children’s and am privileged to support the emotional needs of children and families. I love participating in family activities such as baseball, tennis, and football!
SECRETARY: DEBORAH HERFORTH
I have been attending St. Marks for a little over 3 years now. I love the community and mission work the church does. I have been able to go on a Mexico trip and have participated in Habitat for Humanity both locally and in El Salvador. This summer I am also looking forward to joining our youth in Detroit for the Rise Up conference.
PEACE AND JUSTICE: JOHN AVERY
Carol and I joined the church in 1990, so it’s been 25 years. We raised our family in St. Marks and have been grateful for our church from which we have found our mainstay group of friends as well as people with whom we worship. I attend the 8:30 service and sing in the Celebration Ensemble. I particularly love serving on the Peace and Justice Ministry team as I get to mix it up with so many thoughtful team members who live out their faith in the context of service to our community and world. Previously I’ve served as Council President. In addition to teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Green River College in Auburn, I love to hike and garden.
CONGREGATIONAL CARE: BARBARA HOLME
My husband, Vic, and I became members in 1971. We currently attend the 8:30 service. In our early years, we focused on youth activities and outings. In our middle years, still Youth Committee, however serving on council numerous times. Memorable times include co-chairing the 40th anniversary of St Marks with Vic, serving on steering committees for two building projects, Social Ministry Committee work, Leadership Development Team as a resource to Church Council, and serving as Faith Journey Companions. Currently, I help with the DeLong Backpack Program, serve as a Counter, am active in the Ruth Ann Circle and on the Leadership Development Committee, and serve on the Congregational Care Committee. I enjoy retirement from 40+ years in Education I find it decadent to be able to sit down in the middle of the day and read a good book!
FAITH FORMATION WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH: BENNETT FORS III
I began attending St. Mark’s when I was in sixth grade. Typically I attend the 9:45 service on Sundays if there aren’t classes that day. During my six years at St. Mark’s, I went on the Montana Mission Trip, became confirmed, volunteered at several potlucks and other meals, as well as going to Ingelaurie’s cooking workshops. In my daily life, I’ve really enjoyed my job as an instructor at STEM Coaching Center.
STEWARDSHIP: COURTNEY STRINGER
I have been a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church since 2013. I most frequently attend the 9:45 a.m. service, although I often will attend the 8:30 a.m. service if I am up in time. Since joining St. Mark’s, I have been involved with the Stewardship Committee, where I blend my career in fundraising with my passion for serving St. Mark’s. I serve as a communion assistant and participates in the young adult group. I have also been a lector, provided temple talks, and served as a faith journey companion. In my spare time, I love wine, traveling, and coaching women’s Lacrosse.
OUTREACH: LISA DANIELS
I have been a member of St. Marks for the past 34 years or so. We moved to Washington in 1980 and began going to St. Marks shortly after. I attended Sunday School and Vacation Bible School here. I was confirmed, married, and had all three of my children baptized at St. Marks. I have met some of my best friends in this congregation and truly cannot imagine going anywhere else. I spent many years working in the nursery, teaching preschool, and volunteering at Vacation Bible School. I have also spent the last several years singing with the worship team at the 9:45 service, which is the service that I attend with my family every Sunday. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking with my family and spending time with friends.
PRESCHOOL BOARD
JACKIE STENGER
I became a member of St. Mark’s on November 17, 2013, attending the 8:30 service. Since that time I have been a Greeter, a Lector, member of Preschool Interview Committee and a short time helping with Fair Trade. Paul and I regularly attend the Wednesday evening dinner and Midweek Renewal. In my professional life I was a member of a Parent Cooperative Preschool with all 3 children, a Head Start teacher for the Tacoma School District, a Parent Cooperative Preschool Coordinator for Bates Technical College, a Supervisor of child development teachers, co-op preschool teachers, parent-infant/parent-toddler teachers, etc. also at Bates. Three things I love to do in my daily life: do Sudoku puzzles, play Lumosity games and Free Cell on the computer.
ANNE BETTGER
Dave and I joined St. Mark’s around 1985. I started out volunteering on the Youth Committee and taught Sunday school. When the preschool started up I worked as a teacher for 10 years. When the position of the director became available I applied and got the job! For the next 10 years I was the director of St. Mark’s Preschool. My goal as director was to have a successful school and an outreach (ministry) to the community. My life was centered around the preschool – to make it the best possible. After an approximately two year retirement I returned to work as a teacher. My thoughts were twofold, my granddaughter could attend with me and I missed teaching as well. Now after four more years of teaching another retirement approaches. My husband and I are traveling to Budapest and the Danube River in August and plan to travel more in the future. We are also looking forward to spending more time with our 2 daughters and four grandkids. So, as I start this new phase in my life and find more free time, I would like to become more involved with church activities.
GRACE FINCH
I have been worshiping at Saint Mark’s since I married my husband Michael there in 2007. We have since had three children that have been baptized, attended preschool, participated in children’s music, and attended Vacation Bible School here. We try to make it to the 9:45am service when we can, but as our kids (now 6, about to be 4, and 1 1/2 years old) make church a cardio workout, we were admittedly pretty excited to have access to sermons via podcast. That said, we have high hopes to make it to services in person more consistently as the kids are able to participate in Sunday school and sit still for longer! I have worked in non-profit fundraising for the past 8 years and recently accepted a position as the Washington Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Aside from shuttling kids to swimming, gymnastics, ballet, t-ball, etc. I love to cook, bake, and craft. Life is currently joyfully busy and full, and it would be an honor to serve on the St. Mark’s Preschool Board.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
SHARRON BONNEA
I’ve been a member of St. Mark’s for six years. I normally attend the 9:45 worship service where I often serve as Communion Assistant and Lector. I am a member of the Altar Guild, Bell Choir and the Worship and Music Committee. I love spending time with my grandchildren, taking long walks, reading and children’s theater.
PATRICK O’NEIL
I have been a member of St Mark’s for about three years, and we currently attend the 8:30 service. I have served on Church Council and the Adult Faith Formation group. In my daily life I like to spend as much time with my children, Thomas (10) and Katherine (8), as possible.
SHARON KLANCKE
I have been a member of St. Marks Lutheran Church since it’s beginning 61 years ago. Over the years I have served on the church council, been superintendent of Sunday School, Christian Ed director and served on various other committees involved in church development. It has been a joy to watch the church grow over the past 6 decades. Outside of church I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and gardening.
ENDOWMENT FUND COMMITTEE
JENNIFER DROUBAY
I have been worshiping at St. Mark’s with my husband, Troy, since we moved back to Tacoma in 2005. I attend the 9:45 service, although I am often down teaching Sunday School at that time. I have co-taught the youngest of our Sunday School classes for the past three years, as our children Gabe (almost 6) and Sara (now 4) have joined the classes. In my daily life, I loves to garden, knit, and spend time with my family.