October 9, 2024
Dear people of St. Mark’s,
It is with the greatest pleasure that we inform you that we have extended a call to the Rev. Donald M. Fleischman to serve as St. Mark’s priest-in-charge and that the Rev. Fleischman has accepted the call.
Don is currently serving as priest-in-charge at Good Shepherd/Buen Pastor Episcopal Church in Sun Prairie and as rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Madison. We are particularly excited by Don’s varied background, which includes stints as a rector but also as an interim campus minister. He also has a professional media productions background, as well as a BA in Music and advanced degrees in the Old Testament, Biblical Languages, and Anglican Studies.
Don is eager to help us raise the necessary funds to complete our building project, as well as to grow our parish and build our youth programs. Don’s wife, Gypsy, a writer, is also excited to become a part of our community. Gypsy and Don have four young adult children.
As most of you know, the Vestry served as the search committee, and we wish to thank its members for the many hours they put into the process and for the commitment and determination they showed to call a priest who would be able to meet the current needs of the parish and lead St. Mark’s on a path to an exciting future. There were multiple meetings with the candidates, and Vestry members fanned out to visit parishes and get a sense of how each candidate interacted with worshipers and their preaching style.
We were blessed to have candidates for the position who were gifted and eager to serve our community. Because the candidates were all exceptional, the decision as to whom to call was a difficult one. To put it bluntly, there was no wrong candidate, only one that was slightly more “right.”
We look forward to welcoming Don on the first Sunday of Advent (December 1). In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns about the transition, please feel free to contact either of the wardens.
Below you will find a message from Don. Thank you for your prayerful support over the last several months.
Vince Katter, senior warden
Anne Burris, junior warden
To the people of St. Mark’s Parish,
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I am excited to have been called to be the next priest at St. Mark’s. If the vestry folks that I have already met are representative of the spirit of the parish, I am convinced that we are in for a fruitful ministry together.
During the next two months, while I wrap up my ministry at two great parishes in the Madison area, you will be putting in place the infrastructure for the beginning of our ministry together. We all have a lot to do. Know that I will be praying for you and hope that you will send prayers my way as well.
Our first Sunday together will be our liturgical New Year’s Day, the first Sunday of Advent. This is an appropriate day to begin a new collaboration because it is a literal new year, but also, because Advent, most of all, is a season of preparation and anticipation. We will be engaging in both of those activities on that Sunday. I can’t wait.
With many blessings,
Don+