Blessing of the Animals and St. Francis Day Celebration
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025, 4:30 P.M., on the front patio and outdoor labyrinth
On Saturday, October 4, Saint Mark’s will once again offer its beloved Saint Francis Day tradition. This Saturday afternoon outdoor offering has a truly festive community atmosphere. The cathedral extends a special invitation to folks in the neighborhood who may not usually attend Saint Mark’s. Dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, ponies, chickens, and all creatures great and small are welcome.
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. Music will be offered by the young choristers of the Choir School. After the service, animals can receive an individual blessing from a priest if desired. A festive reception with treats for pets and people will conclude the afternoon.
All are invited to attend, with or without their animal companions. Stuffed animals are also welcome to be blessed, as are photographs of pets who would not find attending the event a blessed experience. Animals should remain leashed or kenneled. You are welcome to bring your own chair to use on the lawn, although chairs will also be provided.
"Celebrating Creation"
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 (Labor Day), 10 A.M.–2 P.M., in the cathedral nave
A cathedral open day of wonder, experiences, making, and learning about the natural world.
AT 10 A.M.
- Gather on the outdoor labyrinth for Forest Bathing in the Saint Mark's Greenbelt led by Saint Mark's Community member Brian Sellers-Petersen.
AT 11 A.M.
- An information chat/Q&A with the Saint Mark's Cathedral beekeepers• Join the Saint Mark's Quilt Ministry to design and construct a quilt with fabrics inspired by nature, to be given to Donna Jean's Place women's shelter. No quilting/sewing experience necessary!
Ongoing opportunities indoors and out
- explore the Saint Mark’s Greenbelt and gardens• learn about our watershed and local wildlife• self-directed nature meditations• nature scavenger hunt
Activities for all ages
- water play
- giant bubbles
- windowsill gardening
- make seed balls
- decorate a walking stick
- make a nature mandala
AT 1 P.M.
• Live music in the cathedral nave with Clarke Reid
Forest Bathing with Brian Sellers-Petersen at the Celebrating Creation Open Day
Join Brian Sellers-Petersen, former member and longtime friend of the cathedral, for a Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) experience in the Saint Mark’s Greenbelt. Brian will offer an introduction to the Greenbelt and to the concept of Forest Bathing—a practice that encourages people to connect with the sensations of being immersed in nature. A Forest Bath or Nature Immersion Walk is a guided, easy paced, mindful walk, that invites participants to explore nature through their senses. This practice offers an opportunity for moments of reprieve, introspection or to simply experience the benefits of engaging with the outdoor world. In Japanese, it is Shinrin (forest) yoku (bath) which translates to bathing in the forest atmosphere. Check out a recent Substack post by Brian to learn more.
About Musician Clarke Reid
Clarke Reid plays piano, keyboards, synth, trumpet, and bass, and will be offering music in the cathedral nave at 1 a.m. during the Celebrating Creation open day. He writes:
I’m originally from Seattle and recently moved to Durango, CO. I spent a lot of my 20s traveling and have lived in Chile and Spain. My musical experiences, influences and inspirations are many! I grew up taking classical piano lessons and singing in the St. Mark’s children’s choir with Dent Davidson. Roosevelt Jazz Band was formative in my teenage years and I’ve kept that love for jazz into my adult life. I’ve also played cumbia with Seattle band the Cumbieros and am currently part of rock/pop/americana band Desert Child playing around Southwest Colorado.
"Hopeful Arts"
SATURDAY, JULY 26, 2025, 10 A.M.–4 P.M., in the cathedral nave
An open day of creativity and contemplation at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, in conjunction with the exhibition Healing & Hope in War Zones: Children’s Art from Gaza and Ukraine, on display in the cathedral nave at the same time. Featuring:
SCHEDULE:
11 a.m. - Introduction to Healing & Hope in War Zone with exhibition co-organizer D’Vorah Kost
11:15 a.m.–1 p.m. - Design a Quilt/Tie a Quilt—no experience necessary!
12–2 p.m. - Printmaking Workshop with artist-in-residence Sandy Nelson
2 p.m. - String Trio Concert
The Argonaut Trio—Chantel Charis, Alex Fang, and Sophie Naden-Johns—will be sharing selections from Trio Élégiaque No. 1 in G Minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Trio in D Minor, Op. 120 by Gabriel Fauré, and Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 17 by Clara Schumann.
3 p.m. - tour of the cathedral’s art and architecture
THROUGHOUT THE DAY:
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- Poetry corner for youth and adults—including poems to read and invitations to write and share your own
- Storybooks and carpet area for kids
- Creative activities for all ages
- Refreshments including popsicles and grilled cheese
- Walk the labyrinth
- Relax in the Leffler Vegetable Garden
- Explore in the Greenbelt
D'vorah Kost, one of the organizers of Healing & Hope in War Zones, has shared the GoFundMe of Wejdan Diab, the teacher working in Cairo with the Gazan children who created many of the artworks in the exhibition. Learn more and make a donation to support her work here.
D'vorah also commends the following organizations to those who wish to support relief efforts in Gaza: IMRelief , which delivers aid directly, and the organization HealPalestine.org
As always, you are encouraged to donate to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, either directly or through the cathedral's giving page at saintmarks.org/give (select "Holy Land Humanitarian Relief" from the list of options).
"Quiet Pride" at Saint Mark's
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:
- refreshments including grilled cheese, popsicles, and fruit
- A craft station with a variety of projects (and you are invited to bring your own knitting, needlework, etc.!)
- Outdoor fun including giant bubbles and the splash pad
- special kid-friendly activities
- Reading areas for kids and adults
- A display for sharing pride stories, feelings, and prayer requests
- A separate quiet sensory space (in Thomsen Chapel)
- At 2 p.m., a collective art project led by Sandy Nelson
- At 3 p.m., a tour of the cathedral building highlighting queer history
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
2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
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.
2024 New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk
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.
The Pageant of the Nativity
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.
Cozy Compline—Bedtime Prayers at the Cathedral
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.
2024 St. Francis Day Celebration with Blessing of the Animals
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.
Remember Your Baptism!—A Cathedral Pilgrimage for Everyone
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.
Art Installations by Sandy Nelson
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.
One Response
Elisbeth Haight
I am trying to find who to connect with for an art offering. Would you please let me know who that might be? Thank you!