Saint Mark’s offers a variety of social and formation opportunities on Wednesday night. These offerings are known as the Cathedral Commons, since they provide a space in which the cathedral parish community can come together to share, learn, and grow.
Many of these offerings are presented as "hybrid" events, with a full experience available both to those gathered in person in Bloedel Hall, and to those joining from home online. Others are offered online via Zoom only, and certain events (such as the Rogation Day procession and Twelfth Night gathering) are offered only in person.
Special events, presentations, and forums sometimes occur on other weeknights—these events are also posted on this page.
SCHEDULE
5:30 p.m. | A service of in-person Evening Prayer is now offered at 5:30 p.m. in McCaw Chapel (behind the altar platform in the cathedral nave).
6–6:30 p.m. | The Community Dinner, prepared by Chef Marc Aubertin and his team, is served in Bloedel Hall from 6 to 6:30 p.m. (Due to food safety requirements, food service must end at 6:30 p.m. sharp.) Cost: $6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family.
6:45–8:15 p.m. | A presentation or forum then frequently (though not always) follows the Wednesday dinner, 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.
Cathedral Commons is suspended in the summer months. In 2025, the final dinner and forum before the hiatus is June 4, 2025. In-person Evening Prayer will suspend after that date as well. The suite of Wednesday night offerings will resume in the fall.
UPCOMING WEEKDAY OFFERINGS
Please note: Schedule and descriptions subject to change.
Cathedral Commons—The Art & Craft of God’s Praise: the Hidden Life of Pipe Organs
This two-part forum on May 13 and 20 will be like that dissection lab in high school in which you got an unforgettable glimpse into a small creature's inner workings and learned how they are manifest on a larger scale in your own body. Here, guided by Canon Kleinschmidt, you will get to participate in taking apart and reassembling a miniature pipe organ! Equipped with insights gained through that unusual experience, you will then be introduced to the art, science, … Read More
RECENT WEEKDAY OFFERINGS
Cathedral Commons—The Art & Craft of God’s Praise: Hidden Life of Pipe Organs
This two-part forum on May 13 and 20 will be like that dissection lab in high school in which you got an unforgettable glimpse into a small creature's inner workings and learned how they are manifest on a larger scale in your own body. Here, guided by Canon Kleinschmidt, you will get to participate in taking apart and reassembling a miniature pipe organ! Equipped with insights gained through that unusual experience, you will then be introduced to the art, science, … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Prophet of Justice, Prophet of Life
Join our curate, the Rev. Adam Conley for an introduction to the life, writings, and prophetic witness of William Stringfellow. Stringfellow was a civil rights lawyer and lay Episcopalian who called the church to action in the 1960s and 1970s in the face of historic injustices. This 20th century Christian prophet has piercing words of moral clarity to speak directly to our present day. Come gain insights into Stringfellow's insistence that the church’s commitment to social justice must always remain … Read More
Grief as a Threshold Experience
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026 Facilitated by the Rev. Canon Rich Weyls Grief is the human response to any sort of loss in life. The experience of grief is a liminal space, a threshold between what was and what is, between presence and absence, between the known and the mysterious. In this session, we will explore various forms of grief and move beyond classical stage theories to examine the cognitive, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions of grief and recovery. We will … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Anglican Identity
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process In the final session of Contours of the Christian Life, come explore the gifts of our Anglican heritage. We'll telescope back in time to the early days of Christianity in Britain and hold up to the light the treasures of this ancient faith we still hold and cherish. Canon Wendy Claire Barrie will … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Debriefing Holy Week
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process This session of Contours of the Christian Life is an opportunity to unpack and review the sensory-rich, story-full liturgies of Holy Week with Saint Mark's canons and curate, giving special focus to the Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil of Easter. We'll look at the ancient origins of some … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Eucharistic Living
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. Facilitated by the the Very Rev. Steven Thomason — All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process As part of the Contours of the Christian Life series, Dean Thomason will offer some reflections on the Eucharist and how we embrace sacramental living in our daily lives. We will then reflect on the four principal acts in the Eucharist—take, bless, break and … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Episcopal Identity
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. Episcopal Identity Facilitated by the Rev. Emily Griffin — All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process What happened as the Church of England took root on American soil, and how does that history shape us as Episcopalians today? How do we make decisions as a church body, and who holds authority for what? Join us as we take a tour through time and across … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Baptismal Identity
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: Baptismal Identity in the Body of Christ Facilitated by our curate, Fr. Adam Conley — All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process St. Augustine said that Christians are above all, baptized members of Christ’s risen body, the church. This Contours session examines what it means to center baptismal identity in the Christian life. We will draw from … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Praying Shapes Believing
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. Praying Shapes Believing: Common Prayer in the Episcopal/Anglican Tradition Facilitated by Canon Weyls -- All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours process There is an ancient adage in Christian liturgy that says, "the law of prayer establishes the law of belief." This class will examine "Common Prayer" in the Anglican tradition using the Book of Common Prayer as our resource. We will see how our … Read More
Cathedral Commons—Finding Portals into God’s Story
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. Finding Portals into God’s Story—The Bible and Why We Read It (Especially) Today Facilitated by Dean Thomason -- All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours of the Christian Life process “In Scripture, God has uttered for us, not the last word but the first—a word designed to set us off on pilgrimage, in pursuit of that life that God has willed for … Read More
Recordings of additional past forums can be viewed on YouTube
Looking for something specific and can't find it? Reach out to Interim Director of Communications, Evans Ousley, at eousley@saintmarks.org.