UPDATE: Due to an oversight, this presentation was inadvertently not recorded. We apologize for the inconvenience.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2023, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

Facilitated by Killian Noe. A presentation of The Wisdom School at Saint Mark's.

Most of us suffer from mistaken identity. We identify as the trauma we have endured or the behaviors that emerge from that trauma. The spiritual journey is the life- long journey of reclaiming our truest identity, which is Love. We will reflect on the many ways we numb our pain instead of staying present to and being transformed by our pain and we will celebrate the hope/joy of living from Love.

LABYRINTH WALK SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 6 P.M. to MIDNIGHT.

Midnight Eucharist at the center of the labyrinth, observing the Feast of the Holy Name.

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 will be 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.

This year, activities especially appropriate for younger children will also be available. Tea and cookies will be served.

At this time masks are recommended inside the cathedral building. However, masks will be required while walking the labyrinth itself, due to the unavoidable close proximity to others that can occur while walking the path.

All are welcome. Suggested donation: $5 or $15/family.

Check out this 2015 Seattle Times article about the event!

At the stroke of midnight, a special, intimate service of Holy Eucharist is offered in the center of the labyrinth, observing the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus—a beautiful way to begin 2023. Canon Jennifer King Daugherty will preside.

2022 Musician line-up:

• 6–7 p.m.  •  More Luck To Us, family folk group
• 7–8 p.m.  •  Mel Butler (Saint Mark’s Canon Musician Emeritus), piano & viola
• 8–9 p.m.  •  Seastar (Fay Wiedenhoeft & Ron Allen), Celtic-inspired heart music.
• 9–10 p.m.  •  Deborah Brown, psaltery
• 10–11 p.m.  •  Lynn Markova, solo vocals

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2023, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

RESCHEDULED FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE IN DECEMBER DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

Saint Mark's Pageant of the Nativity is a children's Christmas pageant like no other. In 2015, the leadership of Saint Mark's Cathedral formulated a vision for a offering that centered Holy Scripture, took full advantage of the inspiring space of the cathedral nave, could be enjoyed by children and adults of every generation, and challenged the choristers of the cathedral to new heights of musical excellence.

Video of the pageants of years past can be seen here. Each year, a different ensemble of instrumentalists creates a different theme for the musical selections—from the colorful Celtic instruments of 2016, to the intimate string quartet in 2019, to an American folk ensemble for last year. This year's offering will feature a spectacular brass ensemble, which, when paired with the mighty Flentrop, is sure to raise the roof!

Don't miss this prayerful and inspirational meditation on Christ's coming into our world—join in person in the cathedral nave, or via livestream.

The Return of The Radix Project

OPENING PLENARY: SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023, 7–8 P.M., online via Zoom only

Click here to download the participant packet (pdf), containing guidelines, scripture selections, discussion questions, and accompanying visual art.

The Radix Project is an opportunity to gather in small groups, share their stories, reflect on Holy Scripture and sacred art, and pray for one another with intention. This fall, the theme for Radix 9 is Hope in Hard Times.

As Christians, we are called to be people of hope, but what does that mean? In the face of so many challenges—globally, ecologically, economically, socially, and individually—it can be difficult to avoid falling prey to cynicism or even despair. Our scriptures are replete with words of encouragement that do not deny the struggles and suffering of life while also offering a buoyant resilience that is nourished by expectant hope—not that God will swoop in and sweep it all away, but that God is stirring in this world with us, and has endowed us with gifts that sustain us until we are primed to see (really see!) the brilliant inbreaking of the holy and healing presence of God’s hope in us, for us, and for all creation. We discover this beautiful truth in community, and Radix groups are designed to help us consider what that looks like. All are welcome and encouraged to participate in a Radix small group.

The Plenary Presentation with Dean Thomason and the Radix Project team will be Sunday, January 8, 7 p.m., via Zoom only. All are welcome and encouraged to join the Plenary, whether or not you plan to participate in the small groups.

SMALL GROUPS MEET: ONCE A WEEK STARTING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 8, 2023. SUNDAY GROUPS CONCLUDE FEBRUARY 19. Groups will meet online via Zoom OR in person.

Groups will meet weekly for six weeks beginning the week of January 8. (Sunday groups will start on January 15 and end on February 19.) Learn more about Radix groups and see video and materials from previous iterations here. Questions? Email radix@saintmarks.org

A MESSAGE FROM DEAN THOMASON

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Dear friends,

As you have likely noted, late last week King County Public Health officials reasserted a strong recommendation for masks to be worn in public indoor settings (which would include church services). The primary reason for this is the confluence of three viruses—COVID, influenza and RSV—sweeping through the population as winter approaches. The impetus for this reassertion of the mask recommendation at this time is about hospitalization rates and capacity, and the fact that our health care system is teetering with overloaded staff, insufficient beds to care for all needing inpatient care, long wait times in emergency departments, etc. It is incumbent on us to do our part with this in mind.

Doing our part means a few very important things, and I ask that we each take these very seriously:

1. If you are sick, stay home! If someone in your close orbit falls ill, you need to stay home! If you have any respiratory symptoms, a new headache, sore throat, congestion—lie low, allowing time to declare whether it is an acute illness or not, and consider testing.
2. Get your flu vaccine and COVID boosters.
3. Mask when indoors in public settings (grocery, church, concert halls, holiday parties, church, etc.). We expect things will subside again as warmer weather returns, but for now, we can do this.

At this point, the public health advisory is a “mask recommendation” rather than a “mask mandate,” and Saint Mark’s Cathedral will follow their advisory as part of our commitment to the welfare of all. Our signage will change accordingly this week, but the south pews remain a distanced and masked section. The rest of our seating is “mask recommended but not required.” And please remember there is livestream for our principal services, including Christmas Eve.

It is my hope that if enough of us engage these guidelines, we may avert a more stringent intervention prompted by worsening crisis in the health care system. As I have said several times in these last three years, we are in this together, and what we do impacts others. I am grateful for this community and your willingness to adapt as needed.

Blessings and peace,

The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Dean & Rector

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave Thomsen Chapel (note change of location)

Although the Christmas season is claimed by our culture as festive and happy, for many people it is a painful time of year. Memories of loved ones who have passed away or other losses can stir up grief and exacerbate loneliness. For those who are grappling with the loss of health or happier times, the expectation of jolliness can feel oppressive. And for others, preparation for Christmas stirs up a general sadness that is hard to pin down.

Saint Mark’s has a long-standing tradition of holding a “Blue Christmas” service to create space for quiet and peace for those who experience Christmas as difficult or painful. This special service of scripture, candle lighting, and healing prayer is intended to honor whatever you may be going through, while offering the hope of light and peace. This year, the liturgy will be offered in the cathedral nave. UPDATE: The liturgy will be offered in Thomsen Chapel, as in previous years. It is not livestreamed.

We will acknowledge the grief, sadness, and other uncomfortable feelings of the Christmas season and offer them to the One who loves us and helps us to bear our burdens. All will be invited to name those for whom we desire God’s care and grace. In addition, participants can light a candle as a sign of turning toward God’s love, and receive individual prayers for healing, with anointing and laying on of hands, for themselves or on behalf of another.Dean Steve Thomason will preside, and Rev. Linzi Stahlecker will offer a reflection. All are welcome.

All are welcome at this service, wherever you are on your spiritual journey or whatever concerns you bring.