St. Mark’s United Church of Christ Makes a Gift to Bridging 

On June 11, Christie Lokken presented a gift to Bridging on behalf of St. Mark’s United Church of Christ of Bloomington, which recently closed its doors. During her visit to the Bloomington warehouse, Bridging Executive Director Joel Spoonheim gave her a tour and shared our mission and vision along the way. Christie stated that she and her children had previously visited Bridging to drop off donations, and following the tour, she expressed how impressed she was with the quantity and quality of the items available to our clients. “It warmed my heart to experience the space the way a client would, and to see the quality and integrity of the items that help make a home out of a house,” said Christie. “It raises your spirits to see so many people helping people.”  

St. Mark’s had a long history of service to the community and the world.  Established in 1954, the church building was constructed by the congregation in 1956. “The love that went into the space was felt,” said Christie as she recalled that members of the church laid the floors and built the cabinets.  

St. Mark’s is now closed, and the property was sold to the Housing Redevelopment Authority of Bloomington. They will be developing the land and building over 13 single-family affordable homes.  

“Year after year we saw that Bridging was a notable organization that we saw helping our neighbors,” said Christie.  The alignment of our missions is striking. The next chapter for the property reflects the same values St. Mark’s lived out for decades – serving the needs of others and creating opportunities for people to live, work, and belong in the community. Similarly, Bridging’s work brings comfort, dignity, and hope into the homes of individuals and families throughout our community – each playing a role in helping people feel truly at home. 

“Sharing with others the proceeds from the sale of the property is yet another way to continue the legacy of St. Mark’s,” Rev. Jennifer Jaimez wrote in a letter. “We are thankful for the work that you do, and we pray that this donation will support your work as you make a difference in the lives of others.” 

Following the tour of the Bloomington warehouse, Christie said, “It takes the sting out knowing that our gift will be going out to the community and will bless others.”  

Through this gift, the impact of St. Mark’s will live on – not within a single building, but in the lives and homes of neighbors across our community who can experience the comfort and hope that a furnished home provides. This generous gift will help further Bridging’s mission of furnishing homes with hope while also ensuring that St. Mark’s mission of love, service, and kindness continues – one home at a time. 

“When you’re doing work that is good, you just feel it,” Christie reflected.