A place to belong
This is a place where everyone is welcome, relationships are valued, and friends are made. We want everyone to know and experience the love of God. We embrace diversity, nurture a sense of belonging, and appreciate each individual before discussing spiritual and religious beliefs. Christ-centered love and inclusive belonging are important core values of this community of faith.
A place to grow – in faith and discipleship
St. Mark’s is a place where people experience spiritual growth through inspiring worship, relevant sermons, faith formation classes, and discipleship small groups. This is where God becomes real, faith is formed, and discipleship becomes a way of life.
Learn more about our Children & Youth Programs and our Adult Discipleship.
A place to serve
Empowered by the love of God and inspired by the example of Jesus Christ, the people of St. Mark’s are motivated to love our neighbor, serve our community, and make a difference in the world. In partnership with local service agencies, ecumenical churches, and Lutheran organizations we engage our community, work for justice, and generously donate our time, money, and resources to help others and live a life of service.
Learn more about Serving Others with St. Mark’s.
Mission Statement
Making Disciples by Loving Christ, Growing in Faith, and Serving all People [John 13:34-35]
Vision Statement
Experiencing and sharing God’s grace as an inclusive, inter-generational congregation through Worship, Outreach, Learning, and Fellowship
Core Values
Christ-Centered Love
Because we are loved by God and freed by grace, we strive to demonstrate a Christ-centered compassion and love for people, the environment, and all of God’s Creation. [1 John 4:7-12]
Authentic Discipleship
Following Christ’s example, we love and teach discipleship, a life of faith that is focused on worship, relationships, and service to others. [Luke 6:12-19]
Inclusive Belonging
We welcome and include all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, appearance, or anything else that may divide us. [Romans 8:38-39]
Community and Service
We are a joyful, vibrant Christian community who enjoys worshiping together, fellowship, and practicing generous acts of service for our family, our community, and our world. [Romans 12:9-16]
Nurturing Faith Formation
Recognizing that spiritual growth is a life-long process, we encourage all people to worship, learn, and grow in faith by spending time with God’s Word and practicing their faith at home, church, and in the world. [Proverbs 22:6]
WE BELIEVE:
- In the Triune God — Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross to forgive our sin and rose from the dead to give us life.
- We look to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible) to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
- The Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are a gift of God’s grace.
- God reaches out and comes to us through Word and Sacrament to offer love, forgiveness, and salvation by connecting us to the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Those who believe in Jesus are saved by God’s grace (not by good works or deeds)
- The Holy Spirit creates faith and continues to strengthen and sustains our faith in Jesus Christ and the life we have in him.
- The Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed are statements that confess what we believe.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ inspires us to live by faith and serve others in all that we do.
To learn more about ELCA Teaching / Scripture, Creeds and Confessions please refer to www.elca.org.
David Anderson, Cantor
David Anderson, Cantor
Cantor David Anderson leads and encourages the song of the people. Nothing thrills him more than the sound of the congregation singing together! He is also privileged to direct the Chancel Choir, Sonrise Singers, and Celebration Handbell Ringers, and to work with other instrumentalists and soloists. During worship he plays the piano and pipe organ (click here for organ specifications). Outside of church he may be found playing cards, collecting fountain pens, assailing his neighbors with a 1956 Vega 5-string banjo, and trying to catch trout. He graduated from Concordia College New York with a BA in English, and holds a Certificate in Sacred Music from Lenoir-Rhyne University.
×Eileen Cram, Facilities Manager
Eileen Cram, Facilities Manager
As a retired physical education teacher and swimming coach, I have spent a lot of time playing in water. Now, being responsible for the cleaning of the church, I am still playing with water, which is a daily reminder of my baptism. It is my pleasure to work in God’s church, preparing the space for Worship, for the Learning that takes place in our many classrooms, and for Fellowship events. In serving as hostess to the many community groups that meet here, I also participate in the church’s Outreach in our community. Much of my work goes to fulfill our WOLF mission statement.
I also enjoy caring for my grandson, playing bridge, quilting and designing and making banners to enhance worship. I graduated from Osseo High School and the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, with a B.S. degree in physical education, health and recreation. I think I am still quite healthy and active, for an old lady.
×Katie Rivers, Director of Discipleship and Faith Formation
Katie Rivers, Director of Discipleship and Faith Formation
I am a born and raised New Yorker who has found a home in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. I love spending time with God’s children of all ages as we learn and grow in faith together. I’m passionate about youth leadership development, and providing opportunities to include even the littlest Lutherans in the mission of the Church. I’m an avid cribbage player, a lover of music, and enjoy cooking for family and friends.
I have been serving alongside the people of St. Mark’s since 2014 as the Director of Discipleship and Faith Formation. In this position, I support Children and Adult education, Youth Group, Young Adult Ministry, the nursery, College Ministry, and Discipleship groups.
Education
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Music from Concordia College-New York in 2009, and my Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary. I have completed a program in Deaf Ministry, and enjoy continuing education opportunities focused on children and youth ministry.
Hanging out in the Community
I enjoy taking my English Setter, Lady, on adventures to explore the Asheville area, and finding opportunities to listen to live music, especially jazz and sacred music.
×Linda McHenry, Pastor of Caring Ministries
Linda McHenry, Pastor of Caring Ministries
I am Pastor Linda and I am the newest member of the team of St. Mark’s. My role is to join the vibrant Pastoral Care Team who reach out to all who come our way in need of care and visits and support.
I am a child of our loving God, a sister to all whom God has made. I am wife of Jack (also a pastor) mother to Adam (all grown and living in California) and Jack’s daughters, and grandmother to Olivia and Nicholas (7 and 3). I love the mountains and am glad to be back. My favorite things to do include pottery, poetry and prayer; reading, eating interesting food, enjoying a glass of wine and laughing and sharing life with friends. I am also amazed each night at the sunsets over these blue hills.
St. Mark’s loved us and cared for us when we first arrived in Asheville in 1999 and I am grateful to be able to offer love and care to others as part of the St. Mark’s family. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all.
×Pastor Matt Smith
Pastor Matt Smith
My name is Matthew Smith, and I’m excited to be the new Pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran here in Asheville, NC. am a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, where I majored in Psychology and Spanish, and I received my Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, SC. Before entering seminary, I lived and worked in Washington, DC for a year as a volunteer in a free medical clinic through the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. During seminary I served my year of pastoral internship in College Station, TX and added a year of Clinical Pastoral Education as a hospital chaplain in Temple, TX.
×Scottie Miller, Parish Administrator
Scottie Miller, Parish Administrator
×CONGREGATION COUNCIL
Front Row: Randy Warren (Council VP), Zachary Hutson, Amy Zellers (President), Brant Niedenthal, Cat Slater, Pat Patton, Jim Bassler (Treasurer)
Back Row: Becky Knight, Deacon Katie Rivers, Barbara Bassler, Jenny Simmons, Bonnie Richards, Gloria Sanio
(not pictured: James Aydelotte)