SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2025, 12–6 P.M., in the cathedral nave
On Saturday, June 28, while the Capitol Hill PrideFest is going on just a few blocks away, the cathedral nave will be open to all for contemplative and creative community-led activities, or just a quiet pause. Opportunities include: refreshments, rainbow crafting, contemplative practices, a station to honor queer ancestors, quiet space for sensory-sensitive folks, a tour of the cathedral building highlighting queer history, kid-friendly activities, and more.
If you would like to be present as a host, greeting visitors and answering questions, please sign up using this forum.
Confirmed activities include:
Quiet Pride is inspired by a hugely successful event last year at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Baltimore. In their words, they provided "a mellow Pride space for tender queers... great for anyone who wants to sit down, cool off, hydrate, or is introverted, sensory-sensitive, or just likes the quiet." If you would be interested in helping to plan the offerings at Saint Mark's, or to be present as a host during the event, please email Canon Barrie! wbarrie@saintmarks.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025, 12:30–3:30 P.M.
On the Sunday of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, people all ages and abilities gathered at the cathedral in the afternoon for a variety of projects in the service of our community partners—Operation Nightwatch/Donna Jean’s Place Shelter, L’Arche Seattle, and Lowell Elementary School.
The afternoon began with lunch together. Some participants assembled welcome baskets for the first residents of Donna Jean's Place—making an inventory of received items, filling shower caddies with toiletries, and creating handmade cards. Others crafted a wooden sign for our neighbors Lowell Elementary School (Home of the Lowell Dragons!).
Some new friends from L’Arche Seattle joined in the projects. After lunch a team from Saint Mark's traveled to L'Arche Seattle's Angeline House near Volunteer Park to help with trimming back some shrubs and breaking up larger branches that have already fallen or been trimmed, raking, and taking down a large outdoor canopy.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 6 P.M.–MIDNIGHT (Holy Eucharist at the center of the labyrinth at the stroke of midnight, observing the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.)
The 25th Anniversary Offering!—Since 1999, Seattle's most peaceful New Year's tradition.
As the old year passes and a new one begins, take time in the quiet, candle-lit space of the cathedral nave to pause, look inward, and experience a large indoor labyrinth laid out in the nave. Invitations to other contemplative practices are offered, and musical accompaniment will be provided by guest musicians throughout the evening. Drop by any time between 6 p.m. and midnight; stay for a few minutes or a few hours. Activities especially appropriate for younger children will also be available. Tea and cookies will be served. More details, including musician line-up, will be announced on this page when they are available. All are welcome; freewill donations gratefully received. At the stroke of midnight, a special, intimate service of Holy Eucharist led by Canon Rich Weyls is offered in the center of the labyrinth, observing the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus—a beautiful way to begin 2025.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024, 7 P.M.
A retelling of a sacred story on a cathedral scale—a Christmas Pageant like no other! Learn more here.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2024, 7–8 P.M.
Participants of all ages, from within the cathedral community and beyond, were invited to come in p.j.’s for milk and cookies and then get cozy for the Church’s bedtime prayers sung by the Schola (youth choir) of Saint Mark’s Choir School. Pillows and stuffed animals welcome!
After some time to gather with milk and cookies, the program began with a reading of Candle Walk by Karin Holsinger Sherman. The children present were given miniature lanterns, and then invited to settle in while the choir chanted the office. The liturgy followed the form familiar to this community, the so-called "Seattle Rite" of Compline, originally based on an order published in 1928 but evolved and adapted over the 68-year history of weekly sung choral compline at Saint Mark's. The service culminated with the quiet and moving 1943 setting of "This little light o' mine" by John W. Work, Jr.
The event was designed to be especially child-friendly, but meaningful to all members of the community.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024, 3:30 P.M. (activities), 4:30 P.M. (liturgy), on the front lawn and labyrinth
On Saturday, October 5, Saint Mark’s once again offered its beloved Saint Francis Day tradition. A few years ago this offering was moved from Sunday morning to Saturday afternoon, and the outdoor celebration has a truly festive community atmosphere. As in previous years, the cathedral extended a special invitation to folks in the neighborhood who may not usually attend Saint Mark's. Dogs, cats, bird, bunnies, ponies, chickens, and all creatures great and small are welcome. New this year: Professional Pet Photographer Julie Austin was present offering to take free photos of animal friends, starting at 3:30.
The service at 4:30 p.m. includes prayers for healing humanity’s relationship with the earth, and for all the creatures who share the earth with us. After the service, animals can receive an individual blessing from a priest if desired. A festive reception with treats for pets and people concluded the afternoon. Learn more here.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024, 1:30–4:30 P.M.
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 7, 2024, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, invited parents, godparents, sponsors, and those baptized of every generation to make a pilgrimage to consider the fortifying qualities of baptismal waters that mark us sacramentally and indelibly as Christ’s own forever. Those who gathered explored what it means to have inquiring and discerning hearts across a lifetime, the courage and will to persevere, a spirit to know and to love God, and to have joy and wonder in all God’s works of creation, including you and me, through reflection and activity stations for all ages located throughout the cathedral. At 3 p.m., all gathered for a liturgy of renewal of Baptismal vows.
Three large-scale installations by artist, designer, and cathedral community member Sandy Nelson, titled Communion of Saints, Waters of Baptism, and Hands of Pilgrimage, will be on display in the cathedral nave for the duration of the Sacred Spaces offerings. All three were created in collaboration with members of the Saint Mark's community of all ages. Hear Sandy explain each of the works in the videos below.
