ABOUT US | SMSJ

Who We Are: An Invitation

St. Mark’s and St. John’s (SMSJ) is a center for mission and spiritual home where everyone is embraced exactly as they are. Together we share God's love by living out a Benedictine Spirituality where we work with, listen to and love all those we encounter. We are committed to accompanying our neighbors, especially those living in extreme poverty, because we believe that's what Jesus would do.

We pray for humility recognizing that "church" has not always been a safe and healing place for people over the past 125+ years of our history particularly for people of color, those in the LGBTQ+ community and women. And for this we earnestly pray for forgiveness.

If you are looking to be part of a community that's eager to love, that will challenge you, and pray with and for you, this might be the right one for you!

Who We Are: Our Team

The Rev'd Cindy Rasmussen, Ph.D.

She/Her

Rector

Cindy was installed as Rector of St. Mark's and St. John's in 2008. In addition to serving as our Rector, Cindy is also the Assistant Professor of Public Theology & Eco-Justice in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Professorship and Director of the Program for Anglican Studies at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Cindy received her Ph.D. in Theology and History from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia.

Maria Hartz-Clineburg, M.Div.

She/They

Operations & Missions Director

Maria has been serving at SMSJ since July 2022. After working in the secular non-profit world for several years, Maria’s passions for mission and service were waiting to be intertwined with her faith. Past experiences in children's/youth ministry and faith development programs led her to follow God’s call to pursue seminary and ordained ministry. Maria holds a Master of Divinity from Northeastern Seminary and a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Maria continues to walk through the process towards ordination to the Priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.

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The Rev'd Patti Blaine, M.A. BCC

She/Her

Deacon

Patti has been a Deacon in the diocese since 2017. Along the way, she completed 8 units of Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of Rochester Medical School in 2019. She graduated with an MA in Religious Studies from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in 2022. Since Fall 2022, she has worked full-time as the Pediatric Chaplain for UR Medicine Golisano Children's Hospital. She was board-certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains in December of that year. Patti came to the diaconate after several years of serving in various volunteer coordinator positions and realizing, "Hey, this work is diaconal!" Serving God in the world has been her lifelong passion.

Rob Thornton

He/Him

AV Producer

Rob has been working at SMSJ since 2021. He was introduced to Pastor Cindy and the SMSJ community through Freedom Scholars Learning Center were Rob helped teach literary skills as well as tutor young scholars grades 7 and 8. He a teacher in the RCSD and has been teaching for well over a decade.

Who We Are: Our Volunteers

SMSJ relies on the time, talents, and hearts of volunteers from our own backyard and across the greater Rochester area. We'd love to have you with us!

Vestry

Robert Caruso

Dave Everson

Heather Gilfoy

Ella Gruel

Theresa Harte

Michele Holmes

Sharon Kowalski

Nancy Ramsay

Nancy Willer

EDEN Mission Programs

Joe Casper

Terri & Steve Censak

Mary Estey

The Rev'd Mike Finn

Mary Ellen Forszt

Sharon Kowalski

Jane Munt

Nancy Ramsay

Gary & Ginnie Schindler

Deb & Walt Snyder

Nancy Willer

Volunteer Groups

Nazareth University

Phi Psi Service Fraternity

St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

St. John Fisher University

Teen Empowerment

Titan Service Scholars

University of Rochester

Who We Are: Our Partners

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Who We Are: An Invitation

Who We Are: Our Team

Who We Are: Our Volunteers

SMSJ relies on the time, talents, and hearts of volunteers from our own backyard and across the greater Rochester area. We'd love to have you with us!

Who We Are: Our Partners