Desiree Neumann is grateful for the opportunity to serve the St. Mark community as a member of the Church Council. She began attending services at St. Mark in 2019 after struggling for several years to find a church community that truly felt like home. From the very first service, she knew St. Mark was the right fit. Since then, the church has played an influential role in her faith journey, from her reaffirmation of baptism to her wedding.

One of Desiree’s favorite aspects of St. Mark is its welcoming and inclusive nature. Everyone is greeted with the same enthusiasm, whether they are a longtime member or a first-time attender. As a nurse and now a nurse practitioner, her schedule sometimes prevents her from attending Sunday services, but no matter how much time has passed, she is always met with joy, love, and support.

Another aspect of St. Mark that she deeply appreciates is the encouragement to actively engage with and understand the gospel. Each service leaves her feeling spiritually refreshed and with a strengthened relationship with God.

Outside of church, Desiree works as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in Charlottesville. She earned a Master’s degree from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, horseback riding, ballet, and spending as much time as possible with her husband, Brian, and their two dogs.