THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 11:45 A.M., Bloedel Hall. Registrationrequested. DEADLINE: 10 a.m. on Monday, November 20.
Several members of the cathedral community have expressed interest in joining chosen family here at Saint Mark’s for a Thanksgiving Day feast in Bloedel Hall following the service of Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m.
All are welcome, and feel free to bring others in your circles to join the fete. Turkeys (and a vegetarian alternative main dish) will be provided; bring a side dish, bread or dessert if you can. No worries if not—just come and be a part as we give thanks together in this place. In order to plan for room setup and the size of the turkey, please reserve your spot no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, November 20. Register using this link or submit the form below:
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2-4 P.M., at Brier Patch Farm, 22526 Hickory Way, Brier, WA
Tyler Morse and Rebekah Gilmore have extended an invitation to all to visit Brier Patch Farm for a fall gathering and short tour of the farm. Come see how a local, organic farm prepares for winter. We’ll share hot beverages and good conversation, with a focus on how soil and farming are connected to our care for creation. This gathering will be an excellent opportunity for Saint Mark’s folks of all ages to enjoy some time together and learn a little bit about farming in the Pacific Northwest. More details to follow. For questions, contact Kathy Minsch or Marjorie Ringness at creationcare@saintmarks.org or Tyler Morse at tyler@brierpatch.farm
UPDATE: Check out some snapshots from the event below!
The Pageant of the Nativity at Saint Mark's: An Inside Look at Its History, Inspiration, and Imagery
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Anyone who has attended the cathedral's Pageant of the Nativity since 2015 can confirm: this is not your average children's Christmas pageant! Bejeweled crowns, the creative use of cathedral finery, four choirs with guest instrumentalists, a focus on prayer and Holy Scripture, and even a Royal Hound make this grand liturgy welcoming the Incarnation something unique to Saint Mark's. At this Sunday morning forum, the Pageant's co-producers, Rebekah Gilmore (director of the cathedral Choir School) and Dr. James Savage (former Director of Music at St. James Cathedral in Seattle), will give a behind-the-scenes look at the traditions and imagery which originally inspired the liturgy, how it has changed over the past 8 years, and the ideas that lie at the foundation of this special telling of the birth of Jesus through music, action, and art.
Saint Mark's Receives $100,000 Grant from Trinity Church Wall Street to further explore affordable housing on the Cathedral campus
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to share that Saint Mark’s is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from Trinity Church Wall Street Philanthropies to help fund feasibility and predevelopment costs for further exploring affordable housing on the Cathedral campus. The grant will span a six-month period through April 2024 and supports the completion of key assessments of the St. Nicholas site such as financial feasibility, geotechnical surveys, environmental and historic building rehabilitation studies.
From its formation by Vestry leadership in fall 2022, the Affordable Housing Exploratory (AHE) Committee has been committed to offsetting pre-development costs in exploring affordable housing on campus. In May 2023, Enterprise Community Partners awarded Saint Mark’s $35,000 that funded initial feasibility costs, including working with a consultant, architect, and surveyor.
The work of exploring affordable housing on campus is guided by Saint Mark’s mutual ministry goals of Restorative Justice and Systemic Change, Intergenerational and Innovative Community, and Creation Care and Carbon Reduction. Safe and affordable housing is a foundational need to live and thrive but the rise in the cost of buying and renting homes in Seattle continues to make it challenging for individuals and families to live in the city.
In September the AHE Committee shared initial background on affordable housing and progress made in this phase of exploration in two parish forums. Recordings and resources from those conversations, in addition to FAQs, can be found at saintmarks.org/affordablehousing. No decisions have been made, and the AHE Committee continues to seek your input -- email affordablehousing@saintmarks.org with comments or questions.
While no decision has been made about this project, the grant from Trinity Church Wall Street will enable the Saint Mark’s Vestry to make a well-informed, data-driven and mission-guided decision about redevelopment at the appropriate time. We are glad for this partnership with Trinity, and we will continue to communicate at key stages in the exploratory process.
Faithfully yours,
The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector