Ornaments of Advent at Saint Mark’s

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Did you know? Just as we light a new candle in the wreath each week of Advent, so the cathedral altar also changes each Sunday...

Cathedral Sacristan and Head Verger Michael Seewer sends an email several times a year to those at Saint Mark's involved in liturgical ministries, including both practical announcements about scheduling, training, etc., as well as spiritual reflections and items of more general interest. In his Advent newsletter, Michael included interesting information about the Advent "paraments" (matched set of seasonal vestments and decorations) and the 2020 Advent wreath—information which may be new to many community members, and deserves a wider audience. Thank you, Michael!


The Advent Paraments

Each year for the four weeks of Advent, the nave is adorned with our Advent set of paraments. This set of Sarum blue, purple, and rose paraments (which includes altar hangings and vestments) was lovingly crafted years ago by Steve Hartwell, a beloved member of Saint Mark's Community for many years.

Steve made the original set using wool and dupioni silk in jewel shades of blue, purple, and rose. He designed the multi-color borders used on the altar frontal and on the vestments (chasuble, tunicle, and dalmatic). Remnants of the fabric when the set was originally created were kept for future use. Years after the set was originally made, the altar was enlarged, and Jo Ann Bailey stepped forward to add a larger layer (the royal blue layer in the back) so that the frontal fits the enlarged altar better.

One special tradition of ours with this frontal is to add an additional layer to the frontal each week. On the first Sunday of Advent, we start with the original jewel-toned border layer visible. The second week of Advent, the purple layer is added, the third the royal blue, until by the fourth week of Advent the final light blue layer is made visible. This coincides with the tradition of adding additional O Antiphon banners each week in front of the reredos.

Since the pandemic, we have begun using a burse and veil to "vest" the chalice each week. You may notice this placed in the center of the corporal on the altar at the start of service. We did not have a matching blue burse and veil for our Advent set, and so Jo Ann Bailey has once again stepped forward with her talented eye and has crafted a burse and veil using remnants from the original parament set. This Sunday, the second Sunday of Advent, will be our first Sunday using this new burse and veil.

We are grateful for the talent of Steve Hartwell who lovingly crafted this beautiful parament set for us many years ago. We are also grateful for the passion and creativity of Jo Ann Bailey, who helps us to maintain this and all of our paraments, and who has made this new burse and veil and others this year to match our other parament sets. These beautiful additions to our worship space help to remind us of the changing seasons, and to remind us that we are called each week to worship "in the beauty of holiness."


Editor's note: Steve Hartwell died in May 2011 after an illness. The following note appeared in the service leaflet for his funeral liturgy:

We use today the Cathedral's Advent set of vestments. The liturgical color normally used for funerals is white, the color that marks our celebration of Jesus' promise of resurrection. However in some traditions, such as the Sarum rite, a community would use its best and finest vestments for a funeral regardless of their liturgical color. Of all the vestments Steve designed for this community, he felt that the Advent set was his best work and it is the favorite of many people in this community.


The 2020 Advent Wreath

We are grateful that, even with the continued Cathedral closure, the Saint Mark's flower guild continues to grace us with their talent and care by providing flowers and plants to beautify the nave. We are especially grateful this year for the time that Ray Miller dedicated to crafting our Advent wreath, a must-have for the season of Advent! [Editor's note: The making of the Advent wreath was another task overseen by Steve Hartwell for many years, and taken over by his partner Ray following his death.]

This year's wreath was crafted using clippings from the Cathedral Close, as well as some plantings along the Greenbelt. The evergreen branches are juniper, and the small branches with red fruit are from the hawthorn plant at the north end of the close. The yellow and green leaves are from a shrub along the northwest side of the close. This shrub is known as euonymus, or maybe specifically golden euonymus.

Ray designed the wreath with the alignment mindful of the fact that we light the rose candle on the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. We are grateful to Ray for crafting this wreath. And thank you also to Beatrix Roemheld-Hamm for her leadership of the flower guild, and for all of the many ways the flower guild team brings beauty to the nave!

Ray Miller and Steve Hartwell

Christmas 2020 Memorials and Thanksgivings

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Support the Cost of Evergreens and Poinsettias for the Cathedral Nave

Although the traditional greening of the nave will be smaller than usual, green boughs and poinsettias will still grace Saint Mark's this year. You are once again invited to underwrite the costs of greenery as a memorial or in thanksgiving for a loved one. There are four ways to give:

  • mail a check to the cathedral office (memo: Poinsettias)
  • online through saintmarks.org/give (select "Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings)
  • through the Venmo mobile app (@saintmarkscathedralseattle; comment "Poinsettias")
  • or by contacting Erik Donner in the cathedral office: 206-323-0300 x217

Donations received by December 20 will be acknowledged in the the Christmas service leaflets.

The Cathedral Archives: Preserving the Cathedral’s Story for Future Generations

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Update (June, 2021): Alexa's time with us has now come to an end, but her work here has made a contribution that will endure. Thank you, Alexa!


A NEW INITIATIVE TO ORGANIZE AND PROTECT THE CATHEDRAL'S HISTORY

As anyone who has ever ventured into the crypt of Saint Mark’s will tell you, the cathedral is in possession of an enormous quantity of documents and artifacts, from all periods of the parish’s existence. In fact, such historical material has not even been confined to the crypt—it could be found in filing cabinets, closets, and storage areas located throughout the building. Some of this is valuable historical material, constituting an authentic physical link to our forebears in this place. Other material contains information the cathedral is legally obligated to preserve. And some of it belongs in the recycling bin.

The task of collecting, identifying, cataloguing, organizing, preserving, scanning, and (when necessary) discarding this mountain of documents has been an important agenda item for Dean Thomason and the cathedral leadership for many years, but it is a task that requires dedicated time, space, funds, expertise, and a great deal of labor. Now, thanks to a generous gift from The Rev. Canon Pat Taylor in memory of her late husband Jim, the collaboration of The University of Washington Information School, and Diocesan Archivist Diane Wells, this long-deferred need is at last being addressed.

Canon Taylor’s gift has made it possible to engage Alexa Minasian, a UW graduate student in Information and Library Science, to take on this task as an intern. This relationship is mutually beneficial—she receives course credit for her work in the cathedral, and certainly not every librarian has had the opportunity to create an institutional archive from scratch while still in graduate school! In the last few weeks Alexa has already proven to be a great gift to the cathedral, and she has a fascinating life story. (See her interview, below.)

Diane Wells, Archivist and Records Manager for the Diocese of Olympia, is serving as mentor to Alexa and is overseeing the project generally. In addition, the project is guided and advised by many members of the community of Saint Mark’s, including longtime member Walter Stuteville, Director of Operations Jim Pannell, Lawyer Judy Andrews, MOHAI Curator of Collections Clara Berg, and others.

The new Cathedral Archives is located in a part of the cathedral crypt (basement), that has served many purposes through the years, including Sunday School room, Child Care Center, Youth Room, Art Storage, and general storage room. (The Youth Room has been moved back to its previous location, a newly-refurbished Cathedral House Room 209.) The space will include secure filing cabinets for documents, museum-quality storage for more fragile artifacts as appropriate, a terminal to access scanned documents and archived digital files, as well as a generous workspace for those doing research with the material.

When the cathedral building has fully reopened, the archives will be opened by request to those who need it. But even if you never have a reason to enter the room itself, the entire community benefits from the creation of an organized and accessible archive. Everyone who feels a connection to Saint Mark’s is also personally connected to an institution with roots in the nineteenth century, and to an epic story of the survival and transformation of that community over the course of 130 years. There is much to be proud of in that history, as well as much to learn from, and The Cathedral Archives will house the material evidence of the truth of that story. By the grace of God, it will preserve and protect that story for the generations to come.


MEET OUR ARCHIVES INTERN ALEXA

Who are you and where are you from?

My name is Alexa Minasian and I am from Los Angeles, California.

 

What got you interested in library/information sciences? 

I became interested in Library/Information Science through my love of books and reading.  Pursuing this degree will allow me to be around books all the time.  My love of reading helped me overcome learning disabilities when I was in grade school.  I was diagnosed with Childhood Aphasia. I was a late talker (age 5), and my parents began to search for a reason.  Aphasia is a language processing issue. Most of my grade school and junior high school years I received after-school tutoring to overcome the disability.  I was told to read, read, read.  And, I learned to love reading.

 

What are your primary areas of interest/specialization in your UW degree program?

I do not have a primary interest in my pursuit of the degree at UW.  There are so many interesting areas:  public library, special library, archiving, collection development and information architecture to name a few.  I find all of them to be fascinating and want to continue to learn more about these specialties.

 

What are your plans after you have finished at UW? 

Initially, my plans were to become a librarian in a public library.  However, I now feel there are many areas I would be happy to work in, including archiving.

 

Can you describe the work you’ve been given to at Saint Mark’s?

I was brought on to Saint Marks to assist in archiving cathedral documents, materials, and other records. This has involved surveying hundreds, if not thousands of files within boxes that have not been reviewed in decades.  To date I have organized the files by topic, started a discard log, and begun to plan how the archive will be organized and arranged.  A discard log is for items that may not be archived and discarded.

 

What interests you the most about the Saint Mark’s project in general? What worries you?

What I find particularly interesting is organizing the diverse amounts of records I am reviewing into a workable, functioning archive. The subjects I have come across are varied and range from investments to detailed event planning records. I am excited at the challenge of organizing such a divergent and important collection. What worries me is there is so much information to get through and somewhat limited time.

 

What’s surprised you since you started working on the project?

I am surprised at the depth and scope of the records and materials in archival consideration. There are numerous different types of records and many of them are highly detailed and specific. I was also surprised that there are so many copies of the same document.

 

Can you talk about one particularly interesting document or artifact that you have come across so far?

An unexpected artifact that I found was a signed letter from Desmond Tutu to Saint Mark’s Cathedral. I have found records of the affiliation between the Desmond Tutu Foundation and Saint Mark’s working on this archive, but seeing the letter put into perspective the partnership.

 

Your perspective on Saint Mark’s Cathedral is unique, since you’ve never known the building or the community pre-pandemic. What has your overall impression of the place been?

My overall impression is that Saint Mark’s is an institution that genuinely cares about engaging and supporting the Capitol Hill and surrounding Seattle neighborhood. I was heartened to see many instances and occasions of events and other types of gatherings organized to help address a need and/or concern of wider community members.

 

Anything else you’d like the Saint Mark’s community to know? 

I am honored and excited to be in charge of facilitating the beginnings of Saint Mark’s archive.

An Advent Message from Dean Thomason

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Please take a moment to watch a brief video message from Dean Steve Thomason, reflecting on the season of Advent that is about to begin, and highlighting a few of the cathedral's upcoming offerings.

See the complete schedule of events, and stay up to date with the changing situation at:

saintmarks.org/advent

Advent Hymn Sing! Hosted by Dean Thomason and Canon Kleinschmidt

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 4:30 P.M., via Zoom
Dean Thomason and Canon Kleinschmidt's first Hymn Sing was so much fun, they've decided to throw another one! They invite you to join in singing Advent hymns and carols via Zoom. Do you have a favorite hymn that expresses the Advent themes of longing, hope, and expectation? This is the occasion! Requests are encouraged, from any hymnal. Make your hymn request here. Join via the Zoom link here.

“A Life On Our Planet” Watch Party

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 5–7:15 P.M.

 "A Life On Our Planet" Watch Party, Sponsored by 20s&30s and Creation Care ministry

Celebrate a greener holiday season. Join the 20s30s and Creation Care for a watch party via Zoom to view and discuss David Attenborough's documentary, "A Life On Our Planet."  We'll share observations and eco-friendly ways to keep the season festive while thinking about how these actions can become practices that open us to deeper spiritual connections. Prior to the film, we'll send participants vegetarian friendly appetizers from our own Chef Carolina. Questions? Email Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com).

Register using this link.

See the trailer below:

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Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: December 6, 2020

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On Thursday, December 3, Canon Michael Kleinschmidt introduced the hymns to be sung at the morning and afternoon liturgies this coming Sunday, December 6, 2020, the Second Sunday of Advent. NB: Due to an internet interruption, the first video ended prematurely. The presentation is completed in PART 2.

The hymns discussed are:

  • Hymn #65, "Prepare the way, O Zion,"
  • Hymn #75, "There's a voice in the wilderness crying,"
  • Hymn #76, "On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry,"
  • Hymn #272, "The great forerunner of the morn,"

...plus a few words about this Sunday's organ voluntaries.

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Outdoor Diocesan Confirmation Service, November 21, 2020

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Saturday, November 21, 2020 10:30 a.m. • An Outdoor Diocesan Service of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation

Service Leaflet

Support the Mission and Ministry of Saint Mark's Cathedral

If you watch and enjoy our live-streamed or archived services, please consider making a donation in support of the mission and ministry of this cathedral.

You may also donate using the Venmo mobile app from your smartphone (search for @SaintMarksCathedralSeattle ) Thank you for your generosity.

  • The weekly cathedral newsletter contains important announcements, offerings, and events. Click here to add yourself to cathedral emails lists.
  • Virtual Coffee Hour: Immediately following the Sunday morning service, everyone is welcome to gather in a Virtual Coffee Hour over Zoom. Join using this link.
  • If you experience any problems with the video player on this page, you may wish to try joining the simultaneous stream on Facebook instead.
Looking for the Livestream video archive? It now has its own page here

Ministry Celebration & Blessing for Canon Cristi’s Departure

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 12:30 P.M., via Zoom

Ministry Celebration & Blessing of Canon Cristi's Departure

Following the Service Corps presentation, during regular Virtual Coffee Hour on December 13, there will be a farewell blessing of The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman and a celebration of her ministry among us, on the occasion of her final Sunday at the cathedral.

Join using this link!

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Thanksgiving Day Eucharist and Virtual Community Gathering

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HOLY EUCHARIST: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 10 A.M., streaming at saintmarks.org/livestream

Join Canon Nancy Ross and Canon Jennifer King Daugherty via livestream at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day for a service of Holy Eucharist, with prayers of gratitude for the abundance of the harvest and all the blessings of this life. Music will be offered by Canon Kleinschmidt and Associate Musician Rebekah Gilmore.


VIRTUAL COMMUNITY GATHERING WITH DEAN STEVE THOMASON: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 11:30 A.M.–12 P.M. (following the livestream Eucharist), via Zoom

NOTE: Feel free to join in early—Dean Steve and Kathy Thomason will be in the Zoom room from about 11:15 a.m.

Keenly aware of the fact that this Thanksgiving Day will be different for many of us than other years, all are welcome to gather via Zoom following the livestream service of Holy Eucharist for a time together, to enjoy each other’s company, sharing a few stories along the way. Dean Thomason will host. Settle in with a cup of coffee or tea, or a nibble of something if you like.

Join using this link.

Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: November 22, 2020

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On Thursday, November 19, Associate Musician John Stuntebeck introduced the hymns to be sung at the livestreamed service of Holy Eucharist at 11 a.m. this Sunday, November 22, The Last Sunday After Pentecost and the Feast of Christ the King. He also discusses the hymns for the 10 a.m. liturgy on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26. The Hymns discussed are: "" (#), ""(#555), and "Now thank we all our God" (#397).

The hymns discussed are:

  • Crown him with many crowns [Hymn #494]
  • Lead on, O King eternal! [Hymn #555]
  • Now thank we all our God [Hymn #397]

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live. Please note there will be no Hymn Introduction next Thursday, November 26. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mirabai Starr Returns to Saint Mark’s

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UPDATE: The leaflet for the concluding liturgy of this event may now be downloaded here:

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 9:30-11:30 A.M., via Zoom (no fee; registration required) Hosted by Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Luminous Night: A Spirituality of Loss, Grief, and Hope

Renowned interspiritual teacher Mirabai Starr returns to Saint Mark’s on December 5 to offer a virtual workshop on loss, grief, and hope.  She will share teachings from the mystics of various traditions that illumine the connection between loss, spiritual longing, and reframing the future. The teachings of the sixteenth-century Spanish saints Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross show us how we may approach the radical mystery that often accompanies loss and lament as a spiritual opportunity rather than as a problem requiring a solution. By engaging a contemplative approach, we cultivate an environment of emotional refuge and deep peace in which we can name and offer our burdens to the Holy One.

Our time together will include poetry and contemplative reading, deep dialog in small breakout groups, writing exercises, and a closing liturgy. We especially invite those who are grieving any kind of loss or those who find the holiday season a painful or difficult time. We will gather via Zoom. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Register for the workshop here. For more information, contact Canon Jennifer Daugherty at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org.

Robert and Laura Ellen Muglia Present the Largest Gift in Saint Mark’s History

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Read Dean Thomason's message to the parish regarding this exciting news.

More information about the future of the St. Nicholas property can be found here.


Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Receives an Extraordinary Gift

SEATTLE, WA— Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, has received a major gift from long-time cathedral members Laura Ellen and Bob Muglia. Seventeen years ago, the cathedral joined with The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation to acquire the St. Nicholas Building, a historic school building immediately adjacent to the cathedral. In August of this year, the Muglias gifted their share of that joint venture to the cathedral. A small gathering took place Sunday, October 25, on the St. Nicholas grounds, at which the Muglias were recognized publicly for the first time as “silent partners” in the ownership of the property. To acknowledge and celebrate their recent gift, the Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Dean and Rector of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, said “This is the sort of legacy gift that frames the mission of a church across generations, and for that we are exceedingly grateful.”

Laura Ellen and Bob Muglia’s visionary leadership and extraordinary generosity were key in the acquisition of the St. Nicholas property in 2003, as an LLC partnership. Their original gift totaled $5 million.  The historic building has provided classrooms, auditorium space, and resource rooms for the cathedral parish, as well as space for two local non-profits, Bright Water Waldorf School and Gage Academy of Arts. The sublease income has been used to benefit the St. Nicholas property, including maintenance, improvements, and debt reduction.

At the October 25th event, a plaque honoring the Muglias was unveiled on the St. Nicholas façade. In her remarks at the event, Laura Ellen Muglia said, “Participating in this project has been a blessing in our lives. It is our fervent hope and prayer that having full access to this historic and beautiful property will enable the people of St. Mark’s to chart the next stage of how they want to live, love, and serve in the world.”

The Muglia Family Foundation has now gifted outright to Saint Mark’s Cathedral their share of ownership in the St. Nicholas property. The ultimate goal for acquiring the St. Nicholas site was, in their words, “to promote the vision, mission, strategic plan, and charitable purposes” of Saint Mark’s. Their generous gift furthers that missional goal. The entire cathedral community is deeply grateful to them.

Alternative Giving 2020: Online Christmas Giving Tree

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UPDATE! 

The generosity of Saint Mark's parishioners to the 2020 Alternative Giving opportunity was overwhelming. The cathedral ended up sending more gift cards to Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary than they asked for! For Lowell Elementary and Casa Latina, you gave $14,700—for a total of 588 gift cards, and that does NOT include gifts to Mary's Place (which collected donations directly). Know that our friends at Casa Latina and Lowell were so heartened—responding a resounding “WOW” and “That’s incredible!” THANK YOU to all who gave this year!


Yes! Saint Mark’s is still sharing Christmas joy with families from Casa Latina, Lowell Elementary School, and Mary’s Place even though we can’t meet in person! This year, we need donations for gift cards.

 

Donations for Casa Latina, Lowell Elementary School, & Mary's Place

Our neighbors have asked that Saint Mark’s provide gift cards rather than physical gifts this year, for safety’s sake—so we are asking you for donations here to purchase a $25 gift card for each child for Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary School to distribute to their families. (We invite you to donate to Mary’s Place directly.)

In this year of so much hardship, your generosity means even more to these wonderful families, and the gifts cards will help parents provide food and toys for their children for the holidays. So instead of taking a tag from a tree, please think of how many children you might “buy a Christmas present for” and donate online here by December 7 so that we can provide the gift cards with plenty of time for families to shop! You may also donate by mailing a check to Saint Mark’s (with “gift cards” in the memo line), using the Venmo mobile app (@SaintMarksCathedralSeattle; put "gift cards" in the comment), or by calling Erik Donner at 206.323.0300 x217.

Photo: Last year's Giving Tree in Bloedel Hall.

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“Pop-Up” Eucharist for Small Groups

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UPDATE: With the current surge in COVID cases, Pop-Up Eucharists have been postponed for safety’s sake. Please check back in the New Year, for rescheduling when it is safe to gather again.


The cathedral buildings are closed, but the Saint Mark’s community remains active, connected, and committed to the spiritual journey together. As we turn toward Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, one new way to give thanks to God and nurture our common life is through hosting a “Pop-Up” Eucharist!

Parishioners are invited to gather a masked, socially distanced small group outdoors (5 or fewer people, or 10 or fewer if on Saint Mark’s lawn) for a simple Eucharist with one of the priests. This 20–30-minute service could take place anywhere—a private backyard, a park, or the cathedral lawn, for example. Just ample space for distancing requirements. The parishioner host ensures a table for the altar and chairs for all participants, and the priest will bring the rest. Gather together to share communion!

Watch Canon Daugherty's brief video introduction:

If you’d like to host or participate in a “Pop-Up” Eucharist, please contact Canon Jennifer jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org or any of the priests.

Participants will be required have their temperature taken upon arrival, as well as sign a waiver confirming that they have had no recent COVID symptoms or potential contact with COVID cases. Participants must remain masked and distanced at all time. 

“Blue Christmas” Candlelight Prayer with Clergy

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UPDATE: At this time, all the slots on Thursday afternoon have been claimed. Please call Erik Donner at 206-323-0300 x217 to schedule an alternative time to come to the nave.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 4–8 p.m. by reservationor another day by appointment;.

Saint Mark’s has a long-standing tradition of holding space for “Blue Christmas” – prayerful care and companionship for those who find the holiday season a painful or difficult time. This year, we offer two particular opportunities to offer grief and lament to  the Holy One who loves us. A Saturday morning workshop and liturgy, Luminous Night: A Spirituality of Loss, Grief, and Hope with interspiritual teacher Mirabai Starr is December 5.

And Blue Christmas Candlelight Prayer with Clergy is the evening of December 17, where you are invited to come to Saint Mark’s for 20-minute prayer sessions. Prayer sessions will take place  in the quiet and peace of the cathedral nave. There are two slots available in each time period, and a party of individuals from the same household may claim a single slot.

While there, you may pray on your own or light a candle to remember a special person, people, or to acknowledge other intentions you hold in your heart. If you desire, you may also talk privately with a clergy member (masked and distanced).

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Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: November 15, 2020

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On Thursday, November 12, Canon Michael Kleinschmidt introduced the hymns that will be sung at the morning service this coming Sunday, November 15. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

The hymns discussed are:

  • Christ whose glory fills the skies  [Hymn #7]
  • Rise up, ye saints of God! [Hymn #551]

...plus a few words about the the All-Parish Virtual Choir. Submissions are due this Sunday; please participate!

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Altar in the World: A Pre-Thanksgiving Offering of Service and Prayer

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 10–11:30 A.M. (mini-pilgrimage), 12 P.M. (prayer service)

Watch video of the concluding prayer service:

Service Leaflet

As the season changes and the weather becomes colder, Saint Mark’s offers an opportunity to remember and be of service to those in our community who lack safe and secure shelter. Participants will create small care packages, known as “Manna Bags,” containing items that people experiencing homelessness themselves have said are most useful to them. The act of assembling these bags will be an opportunity to prayerfully reflect upon our responsibility to serve Christ in all people, and to respect the dignity of all our neighbors. This offering includes three parts. Community members of all ages are welcome to participate in any or all of the following, as they feel able.

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A Message of Gratitude from the Saint Mark’s Stewardship Ministry

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The members of the Stewardship Ministry of Saint Mark's Cathedral have made the following video message to express their gratitude for all who have participated in this year's annual Stewardship campaign.

Please take a moment to watch, including a bit of special music played by Canon Kleinschmidt at the end.

You can still make your annual pledge!

Please visit saintmarks.org/stewardship, or contact Erik Donner in the cathedral office: edonner@saintmarks.org or 206.323.0300 x217.

The 2020 “O” Antiphons Serivce

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UPDATE: The full video of this year's service may be seen below. Download this year's service leaflet here. Scroll down for more information!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 7 P.M., livestreamed at saintmarks.org/livestream

The annual "O" Antiphons Liturgy is considered by many to be a highlight of the liturgical year at Saint Mark's. The particular form of this liturgy that we use was invented here, first presented in 1986, and is today used by churches around the world. It is structured around the seven medieval antiphons, each beginning with the word "O ," which also form the basis of the Hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel." This beloved cathedral tradition provides a moving and evocative entrance into the Advent season of prayerful expectation. This year's event will offer the familiar service reimagined for the medium of livestream, with a number of exciting musical and liturgical elements in store, culminating in Saint Mark's grandest virtual choir presentation yet.

 


About the "O" Antiphons Service

Advent Processions have been offered at Saint Mark’s Cathedral for many years, though known by several names: Advent Vespers, Advent Lessons and Carols, etc. In 1986, a liturgy using the Great “O” Antiphons as a framework was developed and presented here for the first time. Today, the form of this liturgy created here is used in churches around the world. In normal times, it is one of the few opportunities each year to hear the Compline Choir, the Cathedral Choir, and the Choir School collaborate in a single service  Through the decades, former music directors Peter Hallock and Mel Bulter have written a number of works especially for this service, these choirs, and the space of the cathedral nave—these include several settings of the O Antiphons themselves, the processional anthem "Let My Prayer Come Up as the Incense," and the arrangement used for the culminating rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel," among others.

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Cathedral Bees Update—Fall 2020

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We are happy to report that we continue to have two thriving hives on the roof of Bloedel Hall. We are especially grateful for the steady help and interest of Jaime Rubio. He has given our bees the extra daily attention they’ve needed this season. It’s been enjoyable to watch the hives flourish. We witness healthy behavior including the bees fanning their wings to regulate temperature in the hive. We continue to see lots of yellow pollen coming in.

It became apparent that we have relatively high numbers of varroa mites which is a huge problem for all beekeepers. A recent commentary says probably every hive in the US has some mite infestation so we decided it was time to bite the bullet and treat using oxalic acid vapor. Thus my “super mask” in the photo below. Since mites get into the cells where eggs are laid by the queen, three rounds of the acid treatment are required to successfully reduce the mite population. This can be done with very little damage to the bees.

You may be wondering about the honey.  We will be leaving honey in the hive this winter so the bees have plenty of nourishment through the wet, cold weather. We hope to harvest next year after the bees have survived and when pandemic precautions are no longer an issue. We ask you to remain patient and continue praying for the health of our winged friends.

Peace to all,
Rob Reid


See previous Cathedral Bees updates here.

Film Screening and Discussion: 2040

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2020, 1-3 P.M.

Film available upon registration 11/13-11/22

Now, more than ever, we need positive voices in the ecological crisis. Join people from around the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia to see director Damon Gameau's "exercise in fact-based dreaming" titled 2040. The film takes a solutions-based approach to how we can, using the technology we already have, mitigate the enormous global issues we currently face. The main themes/solutions looked at in the film are around: empowerment of women and girls; marine regeneration; regenerative agriculture; renewable energy; and circular economy. It's a story of hope, and a powerful tool to encourage people to take action. The film may be watched for no charge between 11/13 and 11/22 using this link. And then join in a conversation about the film with others on Sunday, November 22, 1–3 p.m. Hosted by the Diocese of Olympia.

See the trailer below:

Creation Care Interview: Dr. Lisa Graumlich

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Dr. Lisa Graumlich, in conversation with Kylee Krida

Lisa Graumlich is dean emeritus of the College of the Environment at the University of Washington. She has devoted her career to studying the causes and impacts of climate change, with a special focus on using paleoecological records such as tree-rings to understand the magnitude of human impacts. She is passionate about science communication, and she speaks frequently on climate change impacts and adaptation. She has testified on long-term climate variability before the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming and is the president-elect of the American Geophysical Union as of January 1, 2021.

Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: November 8, 2020

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On Thursday, November 5, Associate Organist John Stuntebeck introduced the hymns that will be sung at the 11 a.m. morning liturgy on November 8, 2020, the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

The hymns discussed are:

  • Signs of endings all around us  [Wonder, Love, & Praise #721]
  • Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates [Hymn #436]

... followed by a few words by John about upcoming virtual choir offerings.

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Post-Election Book Discussion: Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 7–8:00 P.M.

Post-Election Book Discussion:
Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s New Book!

Let’s gather after the election and talk about hope for the future in a real, Jesus-centered way! As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's life illustrates massive changes in our times. In his new book, he uses the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey to show us how America came this far and how to go a whole lot further. The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing this nation today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. Let’s get some love going and talk about the PB’s charge and challenge together! If you’d like to hear more about the book, read here. Registration required here.

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