St. Mark’s held our annual Community Health Fair on Saturday, August 17, hosted by the Life Center. Thanks to all of the St. Mark’s volunteers who helped set up, host the event, and clean up afterwards. A special big Thank You goes out to Pete Morrison for leading the Life Center efforts. Thanks also to Boy Scout Troop 881 and to our DJ, Marvin Flores. This year, we used the parking lot for general information, food and entertainment, and the Fellowship Hall for all of the health screenings. We served 109 families, and we had a total estimated attendance of about 250. All 100 school backpacks were distributed by Second Story and ICNA Relief. All of the eggrolls, fried rIce, pupusas, and frozen treats were distributed, and we had been planning for about 200-300 people. A variety of health and social service providers distributed information to our guests at 15 tables in the main area. Our neighbors also received pediatric dental screenings and health screenings for Hepatitis-B, A1C, Cholesterol, and HIV. The Health Fair included singing performances, grocery gift card raffles, musical entertainment from our DJ, a Lion Dance, and a special presentation by Supervisor Lusk. It was a long day, but we all felt very blessed to be able to hold this event for our neighbors.

A St. Mark’s 70th Anniversary Proclamation from Fairfax County

At our Community Health Fair last Saturday, Franconia District Supervisor Lusk presented us with a plaque commemorating 70 years of service by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fairfax County!

County of Fairfax, Virginia

Proclamation

WHEREAS, St. Mark's Lutheran Church was founded on December 6, 1953 in a farmhouse on Backlick Road, with 52 adults and 45 children attending worship services and Sunday school; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Duane Carlson became the church's first pastor, in 1954, and with his wife Alice led the congregation for 37 years, expanding offerings to include confirmation classes, choirs, a garden club, vacation bible school and many other programs; and

WHEREAS, in the early 1960s St. Mark's played a key role in the founding of Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO), which continues to assist our most vulnerable residents with food, clothing and other needs, and is one example of the church's philosophy of social involvement and community inclusivity that also includes programs for refugees and immigrants, among other efforts; and

WHEREAS, art has also been a vital component of St. Mark's congregation, through beautiful music shared at concerts, chorale presentations and services, and visual art including the sculptures of Una Hanbury that welcome the congregation; and

WHEREAS, under the current leadership of Pastor Albert Triolo and Pastor Saul

Cardona, worship services are conducted in English and Spanish to over 200 parishioners weekly, food distribution programs are offered weekly and the church facility and programs continue to expand; NOW THEREFORE

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all Fairfax County residents, does hereby congratulate St. Mark's Lutheran Church on its 70th anniversary and for its extraordinary accomplishments of religious and community support.

Signed, 

Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Rodney L. Lusk, Supervisor, Franconia District
August 17, 2024