Pastor Mark was installed in September of 2022 as our sole pastor, serving Immanuel Lutheran - Easton, Maryland. Our congregation is blessed to have Pastor Mark lead our congregation in Word and Sacrament and sharing the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ with Easton and the greater Eastern Shore Community.

Pastor Mark’s Background:

Pastor Mark is blessed to be the husband of Katherine (Taglauer) Tooley for 31 years and Papa to three beautiful grown children - Sarah Elizabeth, Laura Katherine and David. Mark and Katherine met in 1990 while she was serving as a DCE at Holy Trinity Lutheran - Bowling Green, KY. They later married in 1993.

Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky, Mark graduated in 1988 from Indiana Bible College with a BA in Theology and in 1992, with a BS in Psychology at Western Kentucky University (WKU) - Bowling Green, KY. He later earned his Ed.S. in 1995 - WKU and practiced as the School Psychologist in the Bowling Green City Schools (1995-2005). During his years in Bowling Green, Mark also worked for the Kentucky Department of Education as an educational consultant.

While working in the public school system, Mark heard God’s call to ministry and earned a Masters of Science degree in Family Life Ministry from Concordia Nebraska (2004). In 2005, he was called to Peace Lutheran - Conway, Arkansas as the Director of Family Ministry. In 2017, Mark completed his seminary work in the Specific Ministry Pastor program at Concordia Seminary.

For many years, Mark has served in ministry areas such as: counseling, family, youth, college, education, music and worship. Throughout his time in the Mid-South District Mark served in leadership on the Family Ministry, Youth Ministry and College Ministry Boards. Mark also led the District’s West Region Youth Board. He is a licensed trainer for Stephen Ministry and the Concordia Center For The Family. Mark is also certified in the Prepare/Enrich inventory, used in pre/post marital counseling.

Throughout their marriage, Mark and Katherine have been active musicians, singers and songwriters - sharing the Gospel in multiple venues and publishing two CD projects. In addition to his music, Mark is as avid woodworker and gardener.

Before accepting the Divine Call to Immanuel, Mark served as Vacancy Pastor for both Our Savior Lutheran in Cabot, Arkansas and First Lutheran Church in Harrison, Arkansas.

“I DIDN’T KNOW THAT ABOUT YOU.” - TOP 20

Favorite book in the Bible: Romans

One food you will never eat: Black or green olives… however, I’m lovin’ my Rapa Scrapple

Favorite sport: Basketball… especially the Kentucky Wildcats - Go Big Blue!!!!!

Favorite musical artists: Merle Haggard (Classic Country) and Russ Taff (Classic Christian)

Your go to Bible verse(s): Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

What are you the proudest of? The devotion to my beautiful bride and amazing children.

What are the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made? The best was when I switched from the PC world to the MAC world - thus a MacBook Pro/Air. The worst: 1979 Datsun F10

What would you describe as a perfect day? A day in the workshop building anything, later grilling for the family and sitting on the back patio, under the beautiful pergola and lights enjoying a meal together and talking/laughing forever.

What’s something I would never guess about you? I always wanted to sing at the Grand Ole Opry.

What are three words that best describe you? Approachable, Energetic and Listener

If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Eating Skittles

If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? Furthering my skills at woodworking for sure!!!

Where do you most want to visit in the world? Ireland and the Holy Land

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into? Painting

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen? Meir Woods in California

If you could go back in time ten years and tell yourself something, what would you say? Shut up and keep that thought to yourself.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've done in your life? Sing at the Wild Horse Saloon in Nashville.

What's a charity or cause that you support? Choices Pregnancy Center here in Easton - This ministry is AMAZING!

What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends? I love a good night of Poker with the guys.

What’s the most useful thing you own? Pick any tool in the shop…. I love my tools!

Lou Diefenderfer is the friendly voice you will hear when you call or come to Immanuel Lutheran. Our office hours are Monday through Friday 10am-2pm.

“I DIDN’T KNOW THAT ABOUT YOU.” - TOP 20

Favorite book in the Bible: Mark

One food you will never eat: Anchovies

Favorite sport: Reading

Favorite musical artists: Alan Jackson & Toby Keith

Your go to Bible verse: Luke 12:7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

What are you the proudest of? My family

What are the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made? The Best: Education for my daughter. The worst: Race car set for my husband.

What would you describe as a perfect day? Spent singing gospel, lunch/dinner with my family, reading

What’s something I would never guess about you? I watch too much tv

What words best describes you? Short, kind, dedicated

If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Kindness

If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? Spanish language

Where do you most want to visit in the world? Niagara Falls

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into? Sewing even more quilts

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen? Grand Canyon

If you could go back in time ten years and tell yourself something, what would you say? Stay retired!

What's the most spontaneous thing you've done in your life? Take this job

What's a charity or cause that you support? Trappe Volunteer Fire Company

What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends? Sewing- particularly quilting

What’s the most useful thing you own? iPhone- texting, emailing, calling, using address book

Amanda Clougherty serves as our primary musician here at Immanuel Lutheran. A daughter of the congregation, Amanda serves as our organist for our 8:30 AM Traditional Service, keyboardist for our 11:00 AM Praise Service, and during our pastoral vacancy has taken an increased role in planning our Sunday service.

“I DIDN’T KNOW THAT ABOUT YOU.” - TOP 20

Favorite book in the Bible: I don’t have a favorite, but I enjoy the psalms because so many lyrics to hymns or praise music are from David’s songs to the Lord through Psalms.

One food you will never eat: Garlic

Favorite sport: Any University of Maryland athletics game

Favorite musical artists: Anne Wilson, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks and lots of Christian Artists

Your go to Bible verse(s): There are lots of bible verses that I turn to but it’s through music. My favorite hymns: Great is thy Faithfulness, It is well with my soul. Anne Wilson’s: Sunday Sermons, My Jesus and Hey Girl

What are you the proudest of? my family, children and farm

What are the best and worst purchases you’ve ever made? I don’t know… I guess best purchase, Sean’s wedding ring and that commitment to my best friend and partner

What would you describe as a perfect day? A day spent on my farm taking care of the cows, field work and some sewing.

What’s something I would never guess about you? I’m a little bit of a Mopar Car Enthusiast

What are three words that best describe you? Dedicated, passionate, loyal

If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Garden Weeding

If you could take a week off from your regular life to immerse yourself in learning something new, what would it be? Learning how to Cut and bale hay or learning more sewing skills

Where do you most want to visit in the world? I’m a home body so my bucket list is not very deep. It would be fun to travel to all 50 states.

What’s one hobby you’d love to get into? More quilting

What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen? Sun setting over my family farm.

If you could go back in time ten years and tell yourself something, what would you say? Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, what you believe and what you want in your life.

What's the most spontaneous thing you've done in your life? I’m not spontaneous. I do get a random manicure from time to time.

What's a charity or cause that you support? Giving back to our community is important to us. Currently we are most heavily involved with our Talbot Agriculture & Education Center, the Talbot County Fair and Talbot County 4-H.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends? Get food and drinks and hang out together

What’s the most useful thing you own? my planning calendar