Saint Mark's Episcopal Church sits on Old Columbia Pike in the Fairland area of Silver Spring, Maryland, on the eastern edge of Montgomery County. The parish belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and through it to the worldwide Anglican Communion. St. Mark's is known locally for its two Sunday morning celebrations of the Holy Eucharist, a Wednesday communion held inside the chapel of the nearby Riderwood retirement community, and an unusually busy slate of outreach programs that include a free community health clinic, a monthly fresh-produce distribution, and a backpack ministry for neighborhood schoolchildren.
Mission and Vision, Adopted in 2024
In February 2024 the congregation adopted a mission and vision that distills what St. Mark's is about. The mission is short and plain: "To love God, love our Neighbors, and serve Christ in all persons." The vision unpacks it into three commitments: to invite, welcome, and connect people to God and one another in a thriving church community; to foster opportunities for people to serve those around them; and to promote equity, justice, accessibility, and care for creation. The parish describes itself as "a vibrant and diverse community which puts our love for Christ into action" and welcomes worshipers of every age and family situation, with or without family, searching for a spiritual home or simply seeking a relationship with the church.
Two Sunday Eucharists: Rite I at 8:00, Rite II at 10:30
Sunday worship is the center of parish life, and two different rites of the Holy Eucharist are offered each Sunday at the church on Old Columbia Pike. The 8:00 a.m. service uses Rite I, the more traditional language from the Book of Common Prayer. The 10:30 a.m. service uses Rite II and is the principal service of the week, with music led by the choir under the direction of the Director of Music.
Bulletins are published in advance for both services. Bulletins for the 10:30 Rite II service are also produced in a Spanish-language edition called the Boletín, making the liturgy easier to follow for Spanish-speaking parishioners and visitors.
The 10:30 Rite II service is livestreamed on Facebook, and recordings of recent services are posted on Vimeo. Recordings of a Christmas Eve service and a Service of Lessons and Carols on the First Sunday after Christmas are available there as well.
The parish posts a Notice of Video Recording at the entrance: services and events may be live-streamed or recorded, and by entering the building worshipers consent to photography, audio, and video recording for live streaming, promotion, advertising, and similar uses. Anyone who prefers not to appear on camera is invited to sit on the pulpit side of the nave, behind the videographers.
Wednesday Eucharist at Riderwood Chapel
A second weekly communion happens on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m., but not at Old Columbia Pike. The Wednesday Service is held at Riderwood Chapel, 3140 Gracefield Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904, inside the Riderwood retirement community. The Riderwood Ministry exists "to provide an Episcopal presence in the nearby Riderwood retirement community by the celebration of Holy Eucharist each Wednesday at 10:30 a.m." This midweek Eucharist is not livestreamed, but printable bulletins are posted online so that residents, family members, and others can follow the readings and prayers from wherever they are.
Worship Rooted in the Book of Common Prayer
St. Mark's worships in the Episcopal tradition. Worship draws on the Book of Common Prayer and the Revised Common Lectionary used for Sunday and Daily Office readings. The parish draws its music from the Episcopal Hymnal 1982, the Hymnal 1940, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, and Wonder, Love, and Praise, as well as the supplemental prayer resources Enriching Our Worship 1 and 2. Connections to the national Episcopal Church, the Episcopal News Service, and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington are also maintained.
Music, Acolytes, and the Worship Team
The Director of Music leads and directs the volunteer choir, which sings for the 10:30 Sunday service and for special services through the church year. No auditions are required to join. Choir rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., September through May.
Worship at both Sunday services depends on a wide circle of lay volunteers:
- Acolytes carry the cross, torches, or Gospel book in procession and assist the priest in preparing for communion. The role is open to anyone from age 5 to 90.
- Altar Guild prepares the altar for worship and cleans up afterwards. Guild members care for everything on and around the altar: candles, communion silver and vessels, linens and hangings, clergy vestments. Work is done in teams of two every third or fourth weekend.
- Lectors read the first lesson and lead the psalm.
- Eucharistic Ministers lead the lessons and prayers and are licensed to administer communion.
- Ushers greet arrivals, take up the collection, and guide people to and from communion.
- Counters count and record offerings from Sunday and other services.
- Worship Committee works with the Priest-In-Charge to plan worship activities for the year.
Pastoral Care at the Heart of the Parish
Pastoral care sits at the heart of St. Mark's parish life. Care is offered in many forms: home and hospital visits; ministries of shared presence, listening, and support; intercessory prayers; help meeting basic needs; and, where appropriate, referrals to outside agencies and professionals. Depending on the need, pastoral care is provided by clergy or by laity.
A Pastoral Care Request form is available online. Messages can also be left by phone at 301-622-5860 or by email at pastoralcare@stmarks-silverspring.org.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs), who are licensed lay ministers, visit and administer communion to parishioners who are unable to attend services, whether temporarily or long-term. The parish encourages members to let the office know of anyone who would benefit from this ministry.
A Free Community Health Clinic Behind the Parish Hall
One of the most distinctive features of St. Mark's is a healthcare clinic that opened on the church property in 2024. St. Mark's partnered with Continuum Healthcare Network to launch the Community Healthcare Clinic at St. Mark's, located in the trailer behind the Parish Hall at 12621 Old Columbia Pike. A mobile dental van was added on-site in 2025.
Doctors and other medical professionals provide free and low-cost medical and dental services to seniors, school students, families, and others in the local community, including people without insurance. The clinic also offers health education classes and medication management. Appointments can be made by calling 240-720-6640.
Food Distribution, Sandwiches, and a Backpack Ministry
Food security is a recurring theme at St. Mark's. The church sponsors a free Community Food Distribution on the first Wednesday of every month from noon to 3:00 p.m. Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and a variety of proteins are given out on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. A small on-site food pantry also serves members of the community experiencing hardship and food insecurity; arrangements are made by appointment through the church office. Non-perishable food collected at Sunday services goes to a local food pantry.
The Sandwich Ministry packs bag lunches once a month - a sandwich, fresh fruit, and a snack - that are delivered to Elizabeth House in Laurel, Maryland. The Backpack Ministry fills backpacks with elementary school supplies for children at a local elementary school whose families cannot afford them. At Christmas, the Angel Tree collects gifts for families in the community who need help making the holiday brighter. The Outreach Committee oversees these activities and decides which charitable projects will receive budgeted parish funds each year.
A Community Garden and Senior Outreach
The congregation also maintains a community garden that provides space for members of the VAS Senior Club and the parish to plant and tend their own vegetables and herbs. The Heritage Haven Seniors Club is one of several community resources, alongside the clinic, the backpack ministry, programs addressing race and social justice, and referral information for help with meals, rent, domestic violence, and mental health.
Christian Formation for All Ages
Christian Education is offered on Sunday mornings, with seasonal offerings that vary through the year. The Christian Formation Committee provides oversight and support for programming for all ages and maintains current topics and schedules.
Welcome, Fellowship, and Coffee Hour
Fellowship is woven through the life of the parish. After each Sunday service, coffee hour is hosted by volunteer hosts and hostesses who set up and clean up; the church provides coffee, tea, supplies, and packaged snacks, and volunteers may bring additional food. The Fellowship Committee plans larger gatherings such as the Parish Picnic, an Advent Dinner, and a Mardi Gras Dinner Dance. The Evangelism and Newcomers' Committee welcomes new people, helps incorporate them into the life of the community, and periodically hosts a newcomers' dinner.
Communications and the Wider Church
St. Mark's stays in touch with parishioners and neighbors through several channels. The Communications Committee organizes email, occasional U.S. mail, and infrequent robocalls, and tracks activity on the parish's Google business pages. The parish maintains a presence on Facebook and on Twitter, where it shares news. A sign in front of the church shares news with the wider community. The parish belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, the national Episcopal Church, and the worldwide Anglican Communion, and partners with Elizabeth House in Laurel on the monthly Sandwich Ministry.
The Vestry and Parish Governance
Lay leadership at St. Mark's is exercised through the Vestry. The Vestry is made up of two Wardens, no fewer than six voting members, and two non-voting members: the Treasurer and the Secretary. The parish also elects a Delegate and an Alternate to represent St. Mark's at the annual Diocesan Convention. The Vestry meets monthly, with special meetings called when needed; minutes are kept and approved at the following meeting. The St. Mark's Annual Meeting is open to all parishioners and includes an extensive written Annual Report covering every committee and ministry.
Office Hours and Practical Details
The church stands at 12621 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with pastoral meetings held by appointment outside those hours. The phone number is (301) 622-5860; the fax line is (240) 560-6613. The Parish Secretary can be reached at office@stmarks-silverspring.org, and the Parish Administrator at administrator@stmarks-silverspring.org.
Giving is accepted online through PayPal, and pledges are received through a separate online form. Service bulletins are posted online in advance, and the parish calendar can be added to Google Calendar, Outlook, or Apple Calendar through standard subscription links.