Lindsay Irvin

Class of 2025

About

Each of the Vestry members were asked to reflect on the following questions:

WHY DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE ON THE VESTRY AT ST. MARK’S?

I feel called to serve on the Vestry mainly because I was asked! I feel very fortunate to be a part of the St. Mark’s community, and because I want to contribute in a meaningful way to a church that has given me so much. I feel honored to be included in this work.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR PARTICIPATION AT ST. MARK’S AND/OR IN THE COMMUNITY, INDICATING EXPERIENCES THAT YOU THINK WILL BE HELPFUL FOR THE VESTRY.

My main preparation for being on the Vestry has been the temporary spot I held last year when a Vestry member moved away from San Antonio. I love the idea that I have had a prep year before engaging in my real participation as a Vestry member. I have been impressed by the logistical and spiritual leadership of Beth, Ann, and Matt, and the commitment of the Vestry as a group to search for God’s plan for St. Mark’s as a parish family, digging down deep into our experience and faith, instead of coming up with easy answers. This Vestry is very much one that responds from a place of deep spiritual commitment rather than one that reacts to crises on a superficial level.

ST. MARK’S CORE VOCATION IS “FEEDING SAN ANTONIO WITH THE BREAD OF LIFE: FEEDING THE HUNGRY WITH REAL FOOD; FEEDING THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY FOR KNOWLEDGE AND MEANING; AND FEEDING THOSE WHO ARE HUNGRY FOR BEAUTY AND CREATIVITY.” HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE VESTRY WORKING IN SUPPORT OF THIS VOCATION?

As I mentioned when I was called to the Vestry last year, my day job is as a pediatrician. So, my professional life centers around helping children engage with an appropriate and nourishing diet and then watching how that plays into their healthy growth and development. If you take that as a metaphor, I will continue to bring that skill set to facilitating programs and activities that help each of us to grow spiritually in our parish, regardless of our age or our history. St. Mark’s already has a solid place in the city of San Antonio with our historic sanctuary and buildings, now beautifully restored, and in our programs in music and outreach. But there is always more to do. I am interested in expanding our commitment to supporting people with mental health needs and working to see racial justice become a part of who we are as a community.

WHEN DID YOU JOIN ST. MARK’S AND WHAT CONTINUES TO DRAW YOU TO THIS COMMUNITY?

My husband Lennie and I started coming to St. Mark’s as a young couple with small children years ago, partly driven by my husband’s love of history. I rediscovered the church when I was on the cusp of being an empty nester over a decade ago and connected with the fact that St. Mark’s was the church of my grandparents and great-grandparents. I have enjoyed coming to the 7:45 am service ever since. Being able to serve as lector and Eucharistic minister has really been a magnificent experience. My favorite moment this past year was serving at the Christmas Eve service and being surrounded by Meredith, our former youth director, and the choir up at the altar as they thundered out Christmas hymns. Especially to a 7:45er used to the sanctuary as a quiet place, it was a magical moment. We truly are blessed to have Jon Johnson to lead us in music, and an extended supportive staff who put their hearts into keeping St. Mark’s as a solid contributing force for good in the community. And I am very much looking forward to working with my fellow Vestry members and getting to know them better.