Karen Blissit
Karen Blissit
Parish Administrator
Karen has been parish administrator at St. Mark’s since June, 1997. She keeps financial records, oversees buildings and grounds and provides administrative support to the clergy.
Karen is a “people” person. Before her call to St. Mark’s, Karen worked as an executive secretary for a local telephone company and as a fidelity & surety bondwriter for a major insurance company.
In her playtime, you will find Karen and her husband on the banks of the Arkansas River or taking care of their mini-farm.
Craig Chotard
Craig Chotard
Organist/Choirmaster
Craig has been the organist and choirmaster at St. Mark’s Church since 1971. He is a native of Lake Village, AR and holds degrees from Henderson State University and from the University of Colorado.He has attended the Summer Overseas Course of the Royal School of Church Music in England, and is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda honorary music fraternity.
Craig has served three terms as the dean of the Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In the Diocese of Arkansas he has been a long standing member of the Commission on Liturgy and Music. He designed the Austin organ installed at St. Mark’s in 1981. Craig also teaches private lessons for piano and organ students.
Luke Gilbert
Luke Gilbert
Family Ministries Coordinator
Luke Gilbert is St. Mark’s Family Ministries Coordinator. He graduated from Westminster College with a degree in Psychology in 1994. Two years later, he was hired as St. Mark’s Youth Minister, and has been here ever since.
Luke is married to his best friend Sydney. He enjoys golf, movies, sports (especially the Razorbacks), reading a good book, and spending time alone with God. Please feel free to contact Luke with any questions about St. Mark’s children, youth, or young adult programming.
Kathy Roberts
Kathy Roberts
Lay Ministry Coordinator
Kathy has been at St. Mark’s for-almost-ever, and this is her second time to serve on the staff. Her primary responsibilities are for Newcomers, Adult Formation and Parish Life. In addition to her staff ministry, Kathy also sings in the choir and tutors at Baseline Elementary as an Amigo.
At other times in her life, she has been a parent of three (now grown), an English teacher, and a lawyer. When Kathy is not at St. Mark’s, you’ll find her reading, walking, gardening, sewing, knitting, watching Project Runway, talking policy and politics with her husband, Bobby, or trying to out-smart Annie, their dog.
Cheri Shelby
Cheri Shelby
Day School Headmistress
Before heading St. Mark’s Dayschool, Cheri held a series of jobs including high school English teacher, counselor for the Arkansas Employment Security Division, and GS3 for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
She was blessed to find a career befitting her basic child-like nature and inability to sit still. St. Mark’s School has been a major part of her family, as she has seen her children and grandchildren learn and prosper in this nurturing environment.
In her other life, Cheri can be found at the tennis courts, ski slopes, exercise room, and Starbucks. According to the children at St. Mark’s, her main job includes “telling everyone to go to the bathroom,” and “making sure everyone is OK.”
Carlene Reynard
Carlene Reynard
Parish Secretary
Carlene has been St. Mark’s parish secretary since July, 2007, shortly after she and her husband moved to this area from southwest Arkansas.
When she is not in the office, she enjoys gardening, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her four grandchildren.
Katie McDonald
Katie McDonald
Youth Director
Katie moved to Little Rock after graduating from the University of Tulsa in 2006 and loves Central Arkansas. She has worked at Camp Mitchell since 2003 and spent the last 3 summers as the Summer Program Director. Katie now has a wonderful job working as St. Mark’s Youth Director.
When Katie is not at St. Mark’s or at a Youth Event, you will find her walking her dog, spending time with her friends, reading, and watching funny movies. Please feel free to contact Katie with any questions about St. Mark’s youth programs.
