St. Mark’s & St. John’s is proudly located in the Beechwood neighborhood in the city of Rochester. Dismal statistics have made Beechwood and our adjoining neighborhood, EMMA, a focus area of the Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI). There have been many talented and caring people from all corners of our city and surrounding county who have met, strategized, mapped, and then met some more in hopes of stopping the downward spiral of oppressive forces that are at play in our neighborhood. The issues are complex and Rochester, as is true with so many other places in our country, did not get here overnight.
For decades SMSJ was emblematic of what was happening in our neighborhood. We were losing members and money, having to heat and keep up a large physical plant, all the while professing to be a beacon of hope for those who needed it. In 2012 the church's leadership decided to chart a different course. We stopped praying for our own institutional survival and started praying that God would direct our hearts, minds and hands in a way that we could make our neighborhood a place more reflective of God's dream for all of us. So we stopped attending meetings and literally started digging.
Since then, we have started seven urban vegetable gardens. Tangible signs that transformation, life, and health are possible NOW. We've nurtured and harvested thousands of pounds of vegetables and distributed them to our most vulnerable sisters and brothers and their children. We've laughed and cried with our neighbors... mowed grass, picked up trash, pulled weeds, spread compost, handed out food, anointed those who sought healing, danced with our kids, watched the sun go down on the front steps with our neighbors, canned salsa and sauce, and tried to not take ourselves too seriously. We've witnessed the miracle as groups from Starbridge and Heritage Christian Service planted tiny seeds and were amazed together as they grew into something we could share for lunch. Along the way we have been changed, and are continuing to be changed by the magnificent people who live, work, and love in our neighborhood. Come be a part of it.
Our Team
Cindy (she/her) 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.
The Rev'd Cindy Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Rector
Maria Hartz, M.Div.
Operations and Missions Director
Maria (she/they) has been serving as the Operations and Missions Director 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 is completing a Certificate in Anglican Studies from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. Maria also holds two Bachelor’s Degrees in Missions and Ministry (University of the Cumberlands) and Spanish (The College of Saint Rose). Maria continues to walk through the process towards ordination to the Priesthood in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
The Rev'd Patti Blaine, M.A. BCC
Deacon
Patti (she/her) 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.
Amy Jacobs
Food Sovereignty Intern
Amy (she/her) is a senior Public Health and Sociology student at Nazareth University, originally from Morrisville, New York. She has worked with SMSJ previously as a volunteer in the EDEN Gardens as the President of the Helping Hands Club at Naz, which is a student-led group focused on community engagement and service, as well as working with the Food Shelf program during the past Spring semester. Amy is very grateful for the opportunity to join SMSJ as a Food Sovereignty intern this semester, and is very excited to get to work and engage with the community further!
Robert Thornton
Audio and Video Producer
The Rev'd Julie Cicora
Retired Priest Associate
The Rev'd Mike Finn
Clergy Emertius
Vestry
Members
Heather Gilfoy
Robert Caruso
Ella Gruel
Theresa Harte
Nancy Ramsay
Ginnie Schindler
Nancy Willer
Wardens
Sharon Kowalski
Walt Snyder
Core Volunteers
EDEN Garden Captains
Mary Ellen Forzst
The Rev'd Mike Finn
Deb Snyder
Food Bagging
Farm Stand
Food Shelf
Linda Casolari
Mary Ellen Forszt
Sharon Kowalski
Joe Casper
The Rev'd Mike Finn
Nancy Ramsay
Nancy Ramsay
Joseph Casper
The Rev'd Mike Finn
Mary Ellen Forszt
Sharon Kowalski
Jane Munt
Ella Gruel
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church
Terri Censak
Linda Casolari
Mary Estey
The Rev'd Mike Finn
Michele Holmes
Ginnie Schindler
Deb & Walt Snyder
Our Statement of Faith
St. Mark’s and St. John’s (SMSJ) is a center for mission 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, come check us out!
Our Guiding Values
Access
We believe that no one should be denied access to necessary health services because of location or inability to pay
Faith
We believe Jesus calls on us to accompany our neighbors, especially those who live in extreme poverty
Impact
We believe in regular evaluation and quality improvement so that we are always adjusting to and meeting the needs of our neighbors
Inclusion
We are committed to serving all members of the Beechwood neighborhood regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or disability status
Community Engagement
We believe in working with our community to foster neighborhood growth and supporting local leaders in affecting positive change
Health Equity
We are committed to providing quality, culturally-responsive health care programs and education that help address the public health issues of racial injustice and health inequity
Our Partners
The work we do at SMSJ would not be possible without all of our partnerships,
formal and informal.
If you are interested in partnering with us, please send an email to admin@stmarksandstjohs.org.
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