St. Mark's UMC in the French Quarter
A Note from Our Pastor
Lenda Faye Matthews
In St. Mark's and the Social Gospel, Ellen Blue captures this pastor's heart and the heart of St. Mark's when she writes--"We are trying to preach the gospel by both word and deed, believing that the latter is as effective as the former." Blue continues with her prophetic summation--"One hundred years later, the proclamation of a saving gospel and the attempt to meet the whole spectrum of human needs remained the methods of choice for the action in the congregation ...On North Rampart Street, the Kingdom of God is as close to hand as it has ever been and as far away."
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Serving as St. Mark's pastor affords me the opportunity to join this community of faith as we commit ourselves to living out, "...God's Kingdom come, God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Not only is St. Mark's committed to bringing the Kingdom close to those who "live with their backs against the wall," but she zealously expresses Kingdom love in the embracing, accepting, and loving of ALL!
As pastor of this incredible church, it fills my heart beyond joy to invite you to join us at St. Mark's - where Y'ALL means ALL!
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Lay Leader
Reita Lawrence
"There are things that are uniquely St. Mark's. People from all walks of life worshipping together is what I imagine the Kingdom of God looking like!"
Karl Harrod
Worship Leader
Karl has invested his life in teaching music, theater, and leading worship in multiple churches throughout NOLA. Much of his time is also spent in directing musicals in community theaters in New Orleans.
Ministers of Hospitality
Abby Viel & Johnny Lee Hayes
Abby & Johnny were life-long friends; both were diagnosed with cancer at the same time; both fought the good fight of faith; and both of their Celebrations of Life services were held 2-months apart--Abby's on October 29, 2022; Johnny's on December 30, 2022. While serving as our Ministers of Hospitality, both manifested the inclusive, extravagant, limitless love for which St. Mark's is known. The heart, love, and smile of both continue to live among us, therefore, their picture remains for all to see the outward beauty of their lives which was matched only by their inward beauty.