The Traveler and the Bishop on the State of America’s Democracy and Christian Nationalism

by on March 20, 2026 with 5 Comments

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2026, 6:00 P.M. in the cathedral nave & livestreamed

Free event but registration required for in-person attendance only

Join Rick Steves for a European take on Trump and American democracy (basically his “No Kings” rally speech, updated and with an indoor voice). Then, Lutheran Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee (ELCA) will share a hard look (inspired by scripture) at the perversion of Christianity called “Christian Nationalism.” Rick’s talk will share how history is speaking to us — and how, if we listen, we can better understand and meet the challenges facing democracy in the USA. And, whether you consider yourself a person of faith or not, Bishop Shelley’s message will bring a new dimension to your thinking about the place of religion in the political discourse of our country.

Registration

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Cathedral Commons—Celebrate with Reverence: Eucharistic Living

by on March 19, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026  

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 give—before sharing an Instructed Eucharist. All are welcome. In-person attendance is encouraged, but Zoom will be available.

Cathedral Commons—One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: Baptismal Identity in the Body of Christ

by on March 15, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2026  

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 the deep well of Baptismal ecclesiology at the heart of the 1979 BCP to explore how our shared life of prayer and worship directly connects to our vocation to seek and serve Christ in our neighbor.

Cathedral Commons—Episcopal Identity

by on March 10, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026 

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 continents, encounter some fascinating characters along the way, and explore how our faith is embodied in how we live and serve together on this particular branch of the Christian family tree. All are welcome to join, either in Bloedel or on Zoom.

Discernment Circles – Spring 2026

by on March 4, 2026 with No Comments

New “Discernment Circles” are Forming!

Is God moving in your life in a new and different way? Are you grappling with a life question? We often use the word “discernment” to describe a process of listening to the Holy Spirit to make decisions and navigate life with insight and intention. This is not merely intellectual reasoning, but a holistic perception that integrates heart, mind, and spirit. This perception emerges within a context of prayer.

You and God can certainly do this work together, but some people wish to engage this process in community. Our new Discernment Circles offer this opportunity to you. Each circle will consist of one Discerner and three trained Compassionate Listeners. The groups will meet two or three times to explore a Discerner’s question(s).

Appropriate life questions might be, “Should I make a career change? When should I retire? Am I being called to marriage? Is God calling me to ministry in the church?”

If you are interested in doing some discernment in community through this process, please contact Canon Rich Weyls to learn more at rweyls@saintmarks.org.

2026 Women’s Retreat to Sacred Waters

by on February 26, 2026 with No Comments

 

As of March 5, 2026, this event has reached capacity. For those still interested if a spot opens up, please register for the waitlist.

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, MAY 15-17, 2026, at Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat in Union, WA

Led by the Rev. Canon Emily Griffin

🔗 WAITLIST REGISTRATION FORM

There are seasons to our relationships - with God, each other, and the world around us. It is a challenge to be fully present in whatever season we’re facing and to remember that it too will pass. We will gather again at the Sacred Waters retreat center on the Hood Canal (formerly St. Andrew’s House) for a weekend of rest and reflection on this theme. We’ll base our conversations on Denise Levertov’s Selected Poems (2002). Specific poems will be identified for participants in advance. As always, there will be plenty of time for connecting with new people and deepening existing friendships, as well as exploring the beautiful setting.

Registration is CLOSED - If you would like to be added to a waitlist in the event a spot opens up, fill out this form.

Fee: $330 for single or double occupancy; includes two nights lodging and all meals Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. Partial scholarships are available. A $100 non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your space.

Questions? Contact the Rev. Canon Emily Griffin at egriffin@saintmarks.org.

Cathedral Commons—Praying Shapes Believing: Common Prayer in the Episcopal/Anglican Tradition

by on February 25, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026, 6:45–8:15 P.M.

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 common prayer expresses and supports our belief along the lifecycle and how can transform us and our world.

Intergenerational Prayer Partners for Lent and Eastertide, 2026

by on February 25, 2026 with No Comments

Prayer Partners Resources

Here’s some inspiration for connecting weekly with and for your Prayer Partner! Please email Canon Wendy with your suggestions: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

◆ The Book of Common Prayer Online

  • Thanksgivings, BCP, p. 836–841
  • Daily Devotions, BCP, p. 137–140
  • Compline, BCP, p. 127

◆ The New Zealand Prayer Book Online

◆ The Work of the People

◆ Praying in Color

◆ Your favorite brief hymn or Taizé prayer

◆ A poem that speaks to you of the Holy

Registration is still open!

Register using this form.

ABOUT PRAYER PARTNERS

All members of the community of Saint Mark's are warmly invited to become an Intergenerational Prayer Partner, as part of special program lasting from Shrove Tuesday, February 18, through the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, May 24.

What does this mean?

Once you register to participate, you’ll be matched with a prayer partner of another generation, with whom you’ll regularly check in so you’ll better know their prayer needs. Perhaps you’ll sit together on Sunday mornings, and meet up occasionally at Saint Mark’s events, such as the Pancake Supper and the Pentecost Run/Ride/Roll.

How does this work?

You’ll fill out a brief form telling us which service you attend and what some of your interests are, we’ll do some match-making and put you in touch with your prayer partner by email. Then you and your assigned prayer partner will meet up at the Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras Pancake Supper or after church the following Sunday, get to know each other a bit, and begin praying for each other.

We’ll have a webpage with written prayers which you may choose to use, along with other creative prayer suggestions. There will also be a list of Saint Mark’s events you might choose to attend together over the three-month period.

Can children and youth participate?

Yes! Parents can sign up on behalf of children and youth can sign up with parental permission. In all emails, parents will be copied, and we are only meeting up during church events, so prayer partners of children and youth will never be meeting privately, following Safe Church policies.

Can I be matched with another adult?

Yes! Intergenerational simply means you’ll be paired with someone of another generation, and you can let us know if that’s your preference.

Why are we doing this?

We want to help cultivate and strengthen intergenerational relationships among Saint Mark’s parishioners, and we know from other congregations who have adopted this model as well as from several Saint Markians who tried it last year that it’s a great way for people to meaningfully connect and engage with each other.

Wisdom School—Write Around the Corner

by on February 23, 2026 with No Comments

SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026, 9 A.M.-12 P.M.
in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom, registration required.

Facilitated by The Rev. Mary Lindberg

How do we write our way into the unknown during times of change in our lives? How can writing alone and with others give us clues about what lies beyond our thresholds, and empower us to take steps forward in faith? This writing workshop offers us the chance to discover wisdom, imagination, and connections to others through the written word. Pastor Mary Lindberg believes in the power of the pen as a spiritual tool. She serves as a Spiritual Director and leads writing groups, particularly with underserved groups, using the supportive Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) method. Mary has published books for adults and children.

Fee: $29 (includes sales tax now required by the state). Registration is required for in-person or online participation (register to receive Zoom link). 

About the Presenter

The Rev. Mary Lindberg is an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor who believes in the power of the pen as a spiritual tool. She serves as a Spiritual Director and leads writing groups, particularly with underserved groups, using the supportive Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) method. Mary has published books for adults and children, including Jobs Lost, Faith Found: A Spiritual Resource for the Unemployed, and Helping Children Process Grief.

 

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Wisdom School – Silence and Honey Cakes: Lessons from the Desert for Modern Communities

by on February 21, 2026 with No Comments

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026

with the Rev. Sr. Miriam Elizabeth Bledsoe, OSH

From the beginning, we were created for belonging and community. And yet, community also comes with many challenges, including the temptations of individualism, conformity, competition and power. How do we discern and nourish the truth of who we are and who our neighbor is? How do we manage the variations of gifts, limitations, calls and vocations within our communities while also nurturing the persons in those communities and in the margins? The desert mothers and fathers of the 3rd and 4th centuries understood that the heart of the Christian path was communion with God and with one another. They also knew the challenges of belonging and community. These ammas and abbas will be our teachers as we explore belonging, loving, and navigating the blessings and temptations that can manifest in community.

About the Presenter

The Rev. Sr. Miriam Elizabeth Bledsoe, OSH

The Rev. Sr. Miriam Elizabeth (Faith) Bledsoe, OSH is a religious sister in the Order of Saint Helena, an Episcopal monastic order for women in North Augusta, SC, where she serves as the Community Leader. She has an active spiritual direction practice and is an experienced retreat leader. She serves as a supply priest in the Diocese of South Carolina and as a mentor for Backstory Preaching, an online ministry that helps preachers grow in the spirituality and craft of preaching. She received her M. Div. in 2002 from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX and served churches in south Texas for nine years before joining the order. Prior to ordination, she worked as a hospital and rehabilitation speech pathologist. She enjoys kayaking on cool mornings, as well as all things creative including preaching, cooking, quilting and making art.

 

Cathedral Commons—Finding Portals into God’s Story: The Bible and Why We Read It (Especially) Today

by on February 18, 2026 with No Comments

MEETING RESOURCES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2026.  

Facilitated by Dean Thomason -- All are welcome, even if you aren't participating in the Contours 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 us to have.” (Wm. Countryman). As the opening foray into our Contours of the Christian Life series, Dean Thomason will offer some insights into prevailing themes, trajectories, and grounding theology found in our Scriptures, while those gathered reflect together on our questions: Why do we read these ancient books still? Through what lenses of interpretation do we read them? What do they have to say to us in our time? What can we learn from Scripture about who God is and who we are as God’s people? All are welcome to join, either in Bloedel or on Zoom.

“Lent is a Good Time for Life Planning Work”—A Message from Dean Thomason

by on February 18, 2026 with No Comments

FEBRUARY 18, 2026 (ASH WEDNESDAY)

Dear friends,

For Christians, the Season of Lent offers a certain wisdom—that death is understood not merely as an event that occurs at the end of life, but also as an ever-present character in the story of our lives. Death is a mystery to be contemplated while we live, and always by the light of resurrection hope. This important “life planning” work is holy work to which we are all called. There are three ways I want to invite you into this year:

  1. Planning your funeral
  2. Reviewing and updating (or creating) your will and estate plan
  3. End-of-life decisions (advance directives)

The order of these three is intended to be in reverse chronology. First, funeral planning. For several years now, I’ve made an annual appeal at the beginning of Lent for each adult at Saint Mark’s, regardless of your age, to undertake the work of planning your own funeral. Many of you have done so already: bless you… and this year take time this Lent to dust off your plan, review and update it if needed. If you’ve not yet taken this work on, I encourage you to include this work this year in your observance of a holy Lent. It is sacred work. Please reach out if you need guidance—Canon Rich, Canon Emily, our Curate Adam and I are glad to engage with you in this process or address any questions you may have.

These documents are also available at saintmarks.org/funeral. Ideally, you would complete this planning form (or as much as you’d like to complete) and provide a copy to the Dean’s office, where it will be kept on file, and held in confidence, until the time it is needed (hopefully a long time from now!) Of course, you can retrieve it, amend it, or replace it at any time (and many of us do).

Secondly, I want to once again broaden this invitation to include preparation (or review) of your will. Only one-third of Americans have a will when they die, making it especially difficult for their loved ones trying to work through probate. It is never too soon to give thought to that part of end-of-life planning, including provision for heirs and designating legacy gifts for charitable agencies to which you are committed. Again, Lent is a particularly poignant time to undertake this work, or to conduct an annual review of your estate documents.

We have also updated the Saint Mark’s Planned Giving brochure this year. It is intended to serve as a guide for you to consider how to leave a legacy gift to Saint Mark’s. Doing so, and letting Erik Donner or me know that you have, admits you to the Cathedral Legacy Society, which has nearly 300 members and counting. Your gifts and bequests will ensure this cathedral will continue to serve faithfully for generations to come.

Third, give consideration during this Lent to ponder what you want in health care decisions at you approach the end of life. As a hospice and palliative care physician, I could share story after story about how this advance work of decision-making is a sacred gift to your loved ones (and stories of tragic heartache when such direction was not provided). You may have an Advance Directive already—review it and see if it still works for you. If not, I commend to you Five Wishes as a way to consider such things. The cathedral clergy have copies of this booklet as well.  And then let your loved ones (and/or your doctor) know where it is.

All of this is holy work, my friends, wherever you are on the spiritual journey of life, wherever you are in the course of life. Again, your clergy are available to support you in this. I hope you will embrace this good work as part of your Lenten observance.

Blessings and peace,

The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector

Sunday Forum—West Bank Realities with David Wild

by on February 11, 2026 with No Comments

SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 10:10 A.M. in Bloedel Hall

Moderated by Dean Thomason

The Holy Land is complicated, and peace seems so far off. Yet anyone who visits is captivated by the people and place. David Wild says: “After years of watching films and reading about the situation in Israel/Palestine, I decided to visit on my own. It was a surprising trip — I met remarkable people and was by myself at the Holy Sites. Being a filmmaker, I had to make something, and I came back with a message for my friends in the form of a 12-minute film. The trip inspired me and changed my life.”

We will then have a conversation, sharing our hopes and sorrows for the people who call this place home.

Note: Dean Thomason is planning a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2027 if conditions on the ground allow, and he will share more about that during the forum. All are welcome.

Cathedral Commons—A Holy Lent

by on February 4, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026  

A Holy Lent

Each year on Ash Wednesday, we are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." At times, we may have heard that described as a time to “give something up” or “take something on.” What might it be like to approach a “Holy Lent” as an invitation to live incarnationally and sacramentally? Join Canon Wendy Claire Barrie and CSA Director the Rev. Carol Westpfahl as we explore spiritual practices meant to draw us closer to God.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper with Closing of the Doors

by on February 4, 2026 with No Comments

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 6–7:15 P.M., in the cathedral nave. Suggested donation: $6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family. Registration requested.

It's time to party in the nave for Shrove Tuesday (a.k.a. Mardi Gras) before the start of Lent—load up pancakes with chocolate chips and whipped cream, chat it up with other cathedral parishioners, and listen to live music. We have crafts and games for the kids and kids-at-heart. Chef Marc Aubertin and the youth will be preparing our meal. In addition to pancakes, sausage, fruit, and toppings, Vestry members will provide jambalaya and gumbo.

The celebration in the nave will conclude with a brief liturgy to "bury the Alleluias" and close the great doors until Easter.

✅ We are requesting advance registration to assist in planning. Register using this form:

 

Cathedral Commons—Reflections on Hiking in Nepal

by on January 21, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026  

Reflections on Hiking in Nepal with Canon Kleinschmidt

Canon Kleinschmidt will share stories, photos, and videos from his sabbatical project last October: a trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. The Sherpa people, Buddhist monks, yaks, helicopter pilots, fellow trekkers, stormy weather, and some of the most famous peaks and glaciers in the world will be featured, along with modest personal insights about the spiritual practices of sabbath-keeping and pilgrimage.

2026 Annual Parish Meeting & Elections

by on January 21, 2026 with No Comments

DOCUMENTS TO BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MEETING:

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026

  • Meeting called to order at 8 A.M.
  • Voting, 8:05 A.M. - 12:45 P.M. (in person only)
  • Business Meeting, 12:30–2 P.M., Bloedel Hall and via Zoom

The 2026 Annual Meeting of St. Mark's Cathedral Parish, Seattle, will be on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. in Bloedel Hall and via Zoom. The meeting will include election of parish Vestry members and delegates/alternates to Diocesan Convention. A brochure featuring the candidates is now available, and will be available in the back of the nave starting Sunday, January 4. We’ll also hear reports from the Dean, Senior Warden, and ministry leaders. The Dean will bestow Pro Christo Awards. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our vibrant parish. As with last year, there will be no potluck meal, but light snacks and coffee/tea/water will be available to those in Bloedel Hall, and you are welcome to bring your own food if you find that helpful.

UPDATES

  • The slate of 12 candidates for Diocesan Convention Delegate was approved.
  • The new Vestry members elected to three-year terms were: Amanda Davis, John Gulhaugen, James Wilcox, and Sarah McCord.
  • The Dean appointed Julia Logan as Senior Warden.
  • The Pro Christo et Ecclesia medal was awarded to Randy Urmston, Eliza Davidson, and Re Knack

     

PLEASE NOTE:

  • The meeting will again be hybrid—you can attend in Bloedel Hall or via Zoom.
  • There will be no potluck meal again this year. Light snacks and coffee/tea/water will be available to those in Bloedel Hall, and you are welcome to bring your own food if you find that helpful.
  • Elections will occur as they did last year. Online voting for those joining the meeting remotely will not be available. Votes may be cast in person any time between 8:05 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. As usual, there is no early voting or proxy voting, per the cathedral by-laws. The election rules will be read by the Cathedral Chancellor during the meeting.

ELECTION RULES

Like last year, the Annual Meeting will be called to order in Thomsen Chapel at 8 a.m. to take nominations from the floor (if any). Voting will occur by paper ballot only, either at the table in the narthex between 8:05 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. or at the entry table in Bloedel Hall between 12:35–12:45 p.m. Online voting for those joining the meeting via Zoom is no longer available. Per cathedral bylaws, there is no early voting or proxy voting. Complete election rules are presented during the meeting.

WHO CAN VOTE IN THE PARISH ELECTION?

The Second Restated Bylaws of St. Mark’s Cathedral Parish (Art. 1, sec. 3) provide: "In accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Olympia, “Parish Communicants” are those baptized persons who are faithful in corporate worship and who have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion at Saint Mark’s at least three times during the previous year (unless good cause prevented)...”;  “Parish Communicants in Good Standing” are those Parish Communicants age sixteen years or older, who are recorded contributors to the support of Saint Mark’s with money or with personal service... Unless subsequently defined otherwise by Diocesan or Episcopal Church canons, “Parish Electors” shall include all the Parish Communicants in Good Standing.”

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

2026 Martin Luther King, Jr., Afternoon of Service

by on January 13, 2026 with No Comments

SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 12:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall, registration requested. Lunch is available (suggested donation: $8/adult; $25/family max.).

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" —The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Join us on the Sunday of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend as people of all ages and abilities gather for a day of service. We’ll begin our afternoon together with a pizza lunch from Pagliacci (suggested donation: $8/adult; $25/family max) before heading out to support our community partners and care for our cathedral home.

We have a wide variety of ways to get involved, ranging from gentle, seated activities to active outdoor projects.

 

Offsite Service Teams

  • Casa Latina: Join a group traveling to work with women in our community as they prepare for their annual fundraiser.
  • L’Arche Angeline House & Lowell Elementary: We are sending teams for requested outdoor work. The forecast is calling for sun and 50 degrees—perfect weather to serve our neighbors near Volunteer Park!

 

Onsite Projects at the Cathedral

If you prefer to stay on campus, we have several essential projects running in Bloedel Hall and the sanctuary:

  • Outreach & Creativity: Making sandwiches for Operation Nightwatch, tying a quilt for Donna Jean's Place, and painting watercolor cards for Donna Jean’s residents and Lowell teachers.
  • Stewardship of Space: Deep cleaning of the nave woodwork, brass polishing, cobweb removal in the chapel, and detailing the Bloedel kitchen.

 

Registration is requested so we can plan for food and project supplies. You can indicate your physical activity preference when you sign up.

Cathedral Commons – Film Screening: SUGARCANE

by on January 4, 2026 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026, 6:45–8:30 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall only.
Post-film discussion and dessert 8:30-9 p.m. with Rev. Adam Conley

Film Screening: SUGARCANE, A Documentary About the Indian Residential School System

Join the Saint Mark’s community for a compelling opportunity, a screening of SUGARCANE, the award-winning feature documentary. SUGARCANE is a groundbreaking investigation into an Indian residential school, shedding light on years of forced separation, assimilation and abuse that Indigenous children experienced at the hands of Church and government. This urgent and timely film brings the hidden story of cultural genocide while celebrating the resilience of Native people as they work to overcome cycles of intergenerational trauma.

This screening is part of Saint Mark’s continued commitment to addressing the legacy of Indigenous Schools within the Episcopal Church and for building deeper and ongoing relationship with Indigenous people. Learn more: saintmarks.org/justice/land-acknowledgment

Program is free; optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($8/adult; $25/family max.)

Cathedral Commons: Letters from Prison

by on December 30, 2025 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2026  

Letters from Prison—St. Paul, Bonhoeffer, and King

FACILITATED BY DEAN STEVE THOMASON

St. Paul wrote at least four of his New Testament letters while in prison. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a prolific writer in the concentration camps of WWII, and Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” is considered by many to make the compelling case for civil rights. Something about the crucible of confinement prompts prophetic figures to write more prolifically. There are themes that run through all three writers’ reflections, and they offer theological riches worth mining in our own time, in a world beset by chaos and suffering. Dean Thomason will guide an exploration of the points of convergence. No preparation is needed to participate fully, but if you want to read some samples in advance, read Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (esp ch. 2-4), any of Bonhoeffer’s writings compiled posthumously by his friend Eberhard Bethge, excerpted here, and/or King’s Letter.

🔗 Download slideshow.

WATCH

Epiphany Celebration with Burning of the Greens & Chili Supper, 2026

by on December 9, 2025 with No Comments
SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026, 5:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave and parking lot. Registration requested.

 

Join us for an evening of worship, tradition, and fellowship as we mark the end of the season of Christmas and observe great feast of the revealing of the Light of Christ in the world

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

  • 4:30 p.m. – Choral Evensong. We begin with an evensong liturgy incorporating scripture readings for the feast of the Epiphany, in the nave and livestreamed.
  • 5:30 p.m. – The Burning of the Greens. Following the service, everyone will process to the lower parking lot for a bonfire. Please bring a few branches of your Christmas greens from home to add to the fire!
  • ~6 p.m. – Chili Supper and S’mores! After the bonfire, we will gather for a community potluck. The cathedral will provide a green salad and a toppings bar. We need volunteers to bring the rest!

🔗 RSVP to attend

🔗 Sign up to bring food or to help in other ways

Wisdom School: Wilderness Spirituality

by on November 25, 2025 with 1 Comment

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026, 9:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

with The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle, bishop of olympia

For centuries, Christians have been following Jesus’ lead and heading into the wilderness to find God. Wilderness experiences—both those intentionally taken in the natural world and those unplanned and taken metaphorically —strip away what’s unnecessary in our lives and give us an opportunity to pay attention to the inner workings of the soul. Belden Lane suggests that while there are times when we descend into difficult times in our lives, it is then that we “may discover our greatest joy in having survived the night, in finding resources we did not know we had, falling back on a strength that was more than ours.” During this day, we’ll discuss the realities of being in the wilderness—whether a hiking trail or a difficult season of life—and contemplate how to prepare for those times with spiritual practice, discovering how we can cross the threshold from a time of descent to one of delight.

Program slides are available for download. 

About the Presenter

The Rt. Rev. Philip N. LaBelle is the Ninth Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, previously serving as rector of St. Mark’s Church in Southborough, Massachusetts. In 2024, Bishop LaBelle received his Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Seminary focused on Christian Spirituality. His thesis work explored the theology and practice of zimzum and how to make space in our overly busy lives for God, others, and the natural world. He received his MDiv from Yale University in 2004, and holds a Master’s degree in composition and rhetoric from Northeastern University and a Bachelor’s degree in English and theological studies from Gordon College. During a 2017 sabbatical, he explored wilderness spirituality, the beauty of the natural world, and the need for climate justice. Additionally, he and his family walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and he and Noah have summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.

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Between Two Worlds: Thresholds of Expectant Hope in Advent

by on November 24, 2025 with No Comments

AN ADVENT QUIET MORNING WITH THE VERY REV. KATE MOOREHEAD CARROLL

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025, 9 A.M.–12:30 P.M.

Using the witness of sacred scriptures, the wealth of wisdom gleaned from life’s experiences, and the grace given in prayerful waiting, participants will be invited to explore meaning found amidst the ambiguity of life in these remarkable times.

Note that the video recording started several minutes into the presentation.

About the Presenter

The Very Rev. Kate Moorehead Carroll is the 10th Dean of St. John’s Cathedral, Jacksonville, FL. Kate is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vassar College, a Carpenter Scholar at Yale Divinity School and has a Masters in Divinity cum laude from Virginia Theological Seminary. Kate is the author of eight books, the most recent are Vital Signs of Faith: Finding Health in Your Spiritual Life, Angels of the Bible, and Healed: How Mary Magdalene Was Made Well.

Cathedral Commons—Forum on The Council of Nicaea

by on November 20, 2025 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025

A Cathedral Commons Forum with the Rev Canon Rich Weyls

This past summer marked the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325). Martin Luther considered it "the most sacred of all councils." The decrees of the Council helped us find language to describe what we mean when we say "God." We will explore the historical context of the Council while reflecting upon its rich theology in order to discover significance for today. Rather than being a list of intellectual propositions, the Council is a gift to the church and an act of praise to God.

UPDATE: The slides for this presentation can be seen here. 

The handout with the original text of the Creed as adopted at the Council of Nicaea in 325 can be seen here.

Canon Rich closed the forum with a prayer to the Holy Spirit written by Pope Leo XIV in his Apostolic Letter on the occasion of the 1,700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Here is that prayer: 

Holy Spirit of God, you guide believers along the path of history. We thank you for inspiring the Symbols of Faith and for stirring in our hearts the joy of professing our salvation in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father. Without him, we can do nothing. Eternal Spirit of God, rejuvenate the faith of the Church from age to age. Help us to deepen it and to return always to the essentials in order to proclaim it. So that our witness in the world may not be futile, come, Holy Spirit, with your fire of grace, to revive our faith, to enkindle us with hope, to inflame us with charity. Come, divine Comforter, source of harmony, unite the hearts and minds of believers. Come and grant us to taste the beauty of communion. Come, Love of the Father and the Son, gather us into the one flock of Christ. Show us the ways to follow, so that with your wisdom, we become once again what we are in Christ: one, so that the world may believe. Amen.

Pope Leo's remarks at the joint liturgy in İznik (Nicaea) with Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I can be heard here.  

A complete video of the forum is now available below. 

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