THREE WEDNESDAYS: JUNE 22, JULY 27, and AUGUST 24, 5 P.M.–8 P.M., in Bloedel Hall and throughout the cathedral grounds. Registration requested. Fee: $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
UPDATE: On the Sunday following all three evenings (JUNE 26, JULY 31, and AUGUST 28) between the morning services at 10:10 a.m., participants in the Wednesday gathering will share some of what was presented and created at the event. Meet on the front patio. The gathering on July 31 will include the splash mat!
First offered in the summer of 2019, Eat, Play Love (Not Your Average Bible Study) is an opportunity for all ages to share a meal, learn, explore, and have fun together at the cathedral. Now this offering returns for 2022!
Take a night off cooking and enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our own Chef Marc Aubertin, then participate in a variety of creative and reflective activities, including the option to attend in-person Evening Prayer 6–6:30 p.m. The evenings end with a brief service of Compline in the Cathedral Nave.
This year, we will explore the theme "Water of Life" through three scripture stories (Creation, the Baptism of Christ, and The Woman at the Well) and respond to them creatively through activities such as music, art, and science. We'll also dive into justice-seeking as it relates to clean water and water access, both locally and globally.
SATURDAY, MAY 28, 4 P.M., at the Ermoian/Kelley residence in north Ballard
SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 4 P.M., hosted by Christopher Breunig in Clyde Hill, near Bellevue. Dean Thomason will preside.
SATURDAY, JULY 30, 4 P.M., hosted by Laurel Petrik at Mercy House of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps on First Hill. Rev. Stahlecker will preside.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 4 P.M., hosted by the Gavin Family at their home in Lynnwood. Canon Rosario-Cruz will preside.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 4 P.M., by Rachel & Russ Crosbie in West Seattle
THERE WILL BE NO NEIGHBORHOOD EUCHARIST IN OCTOBER. SEPTEMBER WAS THE FINAL OFFERING IN THE CURRENT SERIES.
Each month from May to October September, Saint Mark's parishioners will be taking turns hosting a simple Neighborhood Eucharist in a backyard or park on a late Saturday afternoon. These are designed to be especially family-friendly, meaningful, and brief—a great way to strengthen the connections among us as well as to God's good earth.
Capitol Hill PrideFest is Back... and so is the Saint Mark's booth!
We will have a tent and display on Broadway during Pride weekend on Saturday, June 25, from 11 a.m. on toward evening. Just like last time—pre-pandemic—we will have fun talking with festival attendees about Saint Mark's and handing out info and souvenirs. PrideFest is a great time and a great way to represent your faith community to a variety of folks looking for a spiritual connection.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26, meet downtown at 11 a.m. (exact location to be announced); registrationrequired.
Join the Diocese of Olympia for the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Though many, we truly are one as we march for justice and dignity. By our actions we demonstrate that the Episcopal Church of Western Washington really does welcome everyone. Learn more and register here. Once you register, you will receive precise instructions about where to meet on Sunday, when the information is available. All marchers get a free tee shirt!
The Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR) works to end the gun violence crisis in our community and to promote a culture of gun ownership that balances rights with responsibilities. Saint Mark’s Cathedral and Dean Steve Thomason collaborated with other civic leaders to create the Alliance in 2013 to support policy, education and engagement that focuses on reducing gun violence.
NOTE: Late on Wednesday, June 8, Dean Thomason sent a message to the community announcing that the protest that was expected to take place in downtown Seattle on Saturday, June 11, would NOT be occurring. The Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR) is encouraging folks to attend one of the many other demonstrations that are occurring this weekend, particular in Redmond or Olympia. Find other options and sign up here.
See a video below of Dean Thomason's recent sermon, titled "Courageous Hope in the Wake of Gun Violence," in which he lays out specific arguments for a ban on assault-style weapons such as the AR-15. The printed text of the sermon may be found here.
This summer we will examine the tensions between political power and justice through scripture and supplemental texts with opportunity for reflection and discussion. Canon Eliacín Rosario-Cruz will join us in exploring these themes together. Attendees are encouraged to attend all three sessions but it is not required—join as you can.
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 3:30-5:30 P.M., Seward Park, Lake Washington Blvd. S., Seattle
Calling all bikers, scooters, walkers, rollerbladers, runners, unicycles and so forth to join in a Trinity Sunday Ride/Run/Roll around Seward Park in Southeast Seattle. We will meet on the lawn near the Seward Park Playground at 3:30. Look for a St. Mark's banner and table to find us! From there, we will head around the Seward Park 2-mile paved and flat loop. Celebrate the turn to Ordinary Time by stretching your legs and then indulging in root beer floats! Families with children should plan to chaperone their own children around the loop as needed. The park is a popular place on Sunday afternoons so allow time for parking!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 9:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom, registration required
These difficult COVID years have left many of us in need of a “reboot” in our prayer. Join us for a time of reflection, prayer, and discussion, about being emotionally honest with God just now, and open again to more real intimacy with God.
Fr. Martin L. Smith is well known throughout the Episcopal Church and beyond for his roving ministry of spiritual formation in retreats and workshops, and as the author of widely read books exploring contemporary spirituality, including The Word is Very Near You, A Season for the Spirit, Reconciliation, Compass and Stars, and Love Set Free. He is based in Washington DC.
THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 6:30 P.M, starting at Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 1511 East Pike St.
On Thursday, June 2, all people of faith are invited to come together in a prayer vigil for the victims of the massacre in Uvalde. We will gather at 6:30 p.m. at Temple De Hirsch Sinai at 1511 East Pike Street, and then march to St. James Cathedral where we will continue to pray, remember the victims, and strengthen our resolve to end the scourge of gun violence in our nation.
Parking at Temple de Hirsch Sinai is limited. Please consider taking public transportation to the Temple. Free parking is available at St. James Cathedral.
If you wish, you may RSVP on Facebook here(not required).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 6:45-8:15 P.M., online via Zoom only
Join Creation Care for a special forum featuring parishioner Clara Berg, fashion historian and curator, and Richard Hartung, sustainable writer/blogger to discuss connections between clothing, the environment and our faith.
We'll share ways to buy less, choose well and make clothes last.
UPDATE: The slides form this presentation may now be seen here.
UPDATE: Bishop Greg Rickel's message to the Diocese about the shooting may be read here.
Dear friends,
“Shocked-but-not-surprised…” That’s the sad truth of the reaction many have expressed in the wake of another mass shooting in this nation—the 213th of this year. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the numbers tell a certain story:
213 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2022 through May 24 (the 144th day of the year) [source; source]
693 mass shootings in 2021
Mass shootings in this nation have increased 50% since 2020 and nearly doubled since 2017 [source]
27 mass shootings in schools in 2022, at least 140 dead
The numbers are sobering; they prompt outrage, disgust, horror… but they do not tell the full story. We know the names of schools because of this blight of violence, seared into our collective memory that remains haunted by the serial trauma—Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Marjorie Stone Douglas, Santa Fe, to name just a few here. Now Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is added to the long lamentable list. How long, O Lord, how long!
And we will say the names of those who died yesterday, as we did with those who died a week ago in Buffalo, and those before that… and those that are yet to come. We say their names prayerfully, with intention and purpose, as we commend them to God while holding their families in our aggrieved hearts. It is not a hopeless act to pray in such times, even as the weight of this nation’s epidemic of gun violence and repeated failure of our elected leaders may feel like there is no way out of this nightmare.
But there is; there must be. We must take the long view. Ten years ago, after Sandy Hook, I stood with fellow interfaith clergy in the sanctuary of Temple De Hirsch Sinai as we brought our moral outrage, our broken hearts, and our collective resolve to bear in that crucible moment. With civic leaders, we forged a new enterprise—the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility (WAGR), which has had extraordinary impact in our state. Good things have come from that effort, and we must continue. It is not hopeless.
I refuse to concede my hope to such evil and its conspiracy with feckless politicians who lack the courage to act. I refuse to concede my hope in God who I believe with all my heart is calling us into this work, even as we discern what that may be through the prism of our tears… tears shed for the children who have died, for all children who live in fear today, for all parents who heartache, and really for all people, including you and me, who bear the collective trauma of this insidious violence.
I will say more on Sunday in the sermon, and there is an interfaith vigil being considered, but for now I bid you reach out to your friends and family, and to one another in this cathedral community, and hold each other in your hearts. Know that you are in mine. And your clergy will hold the space with you—just ask.
Let love be our antidote to the venom of gun violence. Pour appropriate resources into your local school. Check in on the teachers and mental health professionals whom you know. Parents of young children, too. Get involved.
And I bid you be present in your daily prayers, show up in our corporate prayers and worship. Resist the numbness that can come in these moments. Be gentle with yourself, too. We take the long view, and we will find our way together.
Peace and prayers,
The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector
Selected Prayers from Enriching Our Worship resource of the Episcopal Church
Gracious God, we come before you this day in pain and sorrow. We grieve the loss of the children and teacher in Texas. Give your grace to those who grieve, that they may find comfort in your presence and be strengthened by your Spirit. Be with the entire human family as they mourn, and draw all together in your healing love; in the name of the one who suffered, died, and rose for us, Jesus our Savior. Amen.
For a Child Who Dies by Violence
Loving God, Jesus gathered your little ones in his arms and blessed them. Have pity on those who mourn for the children in Uvalde— innocents slaughtered by the violence of our fallen world. Be with us as we struggle with the mysteries of life and death; in our pain, bring your comfort, and in our sorrow, bring your hope and your promise of new life, in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
God our deliverer, gather our horror and pity for the death of your children into the compass of your wisdom and strength, that through the night we may seek and do what is right, and when morning comes trust ourselves to your cleansing justice and new life; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 6:45–8:15 P.M., online via Zoom only
We are living in a moment of great cultural and spiritual change. At times it can feel like there are countless factors working against us to add stress to our lives. Yet, in our spiritual traditions we have a great wellspring of practices that can ground us in the Holy Sprit if we turn to them. In this presentation, The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining, Saint Mark’s 2022 Theologian in Residence, will invite us to explore some of these practices—new and old—that can bring wisdom and joy to our souls. In preparation for this event, participants are invited to read this article by Willigis Jäger from his classic work, Search for the Meaning of Life.
Participants in the March forums with Dr. Raining said, “She is an engaging teacher, warm, and accessible” and “she shares vital information for personal healing that then translates into community healing.” We are looking forward to another impactful evening—register here. Contact Canon Daugherty at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org with any questions.
GUEST SERMON: SUNDAY, MAY 22, at the 9 and 11 a.m. services "FRIENDS TALKING" FORUM: 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Rabbi Daniel Weiner has led the congregation of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, our neighbors on Capitol Hill, since 2001. Among his many roles and accomplishments he has placed a special emphasis on interfaith and ecumenical efforts, and has collaborated with Dean Thomason on multiple occasions over the last ten years. In March, Dean Thomason preached at Temple De Hirsch, and on May 22 Rabbi Weiner will reciprocate, offering a sermon at the 9 and 11 a.m. services.
Also on Sunday morning he will join the Dean in a "Friends Talking" forum at 10:10 a.m. in Bloedel Hall. (The forum will be recorded and posted on this page as soon as possible following the event.)
UPDATE: A complete video of the forum may be seen below:
Children's Activity in the Leffler House garden
10:10–10:50 A.M., Leffler House garden
When adults and children are having their own formation experiences between the 9 and 11 a.m. services, we can offer teaching around a theme and parallel resources to strengthen intergenerational connections and conversations. That's what we'll do this week, as Dean Thomason and Rabbi Weiner are having a conversation in Bloedel Hall, and children are invited to learn more about our Jewish friends and neighbors through a story and activity in the Leffler garden. Both offerings will begin at 10:10 a.m.
The cathedral beekeepers will share about their ministry and the current state of the bees who live on the roof above Bloedel, and we’ll conclude with a blessing of the hives.
Note: Doreen Tudor's birthday celebration, previously announced for this time, will be rescheduled for a later date.
See a video introduction to the beekeeping ministry from Fall 2020 below:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person only, outdoors on the cathedral grounds
Rev. Stahlecker, Canon Rosario-Cruz, and Canon Barrie will lead this intergenerational, prayerful exploration of the tradition of Rogation days, an ancient practice, dating from the 5th century, of blessing and giving thanks for the earth which sustains us.
The service begins with a blessing of Leffler House gardens, followed by a procession with stations, and concludes with the Great Litany (including the Supplication for use "in times or national anxiety or of disaster")
As you have likely observed in recent days, the number of people we know contracting COVID has increased substantially. Since April 12 (just one month ago) the King County daily infection rate has more than doubled! The good news—those who are fully vaccinated experience a relatively mild illness for the most part, and hospitalization rates have not risen in commensurate ways. The bad news—vaccinations and booster shots do not seem to carry as much protection with the latest variants as they did earlier. We must therefore rely on additional interventions to ensure the well-being of everyone who worships in the cathedral.
To that end, and with some grief at the need for it, it is time for us to resume the mask mandate for worship, until further notice, guided by the public health statistics. I hope it won’t be a lengthy imposition, but this is an important measure for us to take at this time. Effective this Sunday, May 15, 2022, all persons attending worship services in-person are requested to wear a mask of optimal protection—N95, KF94, KN95 types masks are highly encouraged, for your sake and for the benefit of others. Other forms of masks offer a much lower protective benefit.
I would encourage all ministry groups to resume a similar practice as well. The choirs have already adopted this, and I am grateful for their example. We can continue to worship well together, and with all the elements of liturgy to which we are accustomed. Of course, you can also join via livestream for the 11 a.m. Eucharist and 9:30 p.m. Compline service each Sunday.
I suspect this request will come as no surprise to any of you, perhaps a relief to some, but if you find it problematic, I would welcome the chance to visit with you. I am grateful for this community and for the ways we continue to care for one another.
FOUR SUNDAYS, BEGINNING MAY 15, 12:30–2 P.M., in Bloedel Hall and via Zoom, registrationrequired
Join Canon Rosario-Cruz for a book study of The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for the Beloved Community by The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers. This book looks in an honest and hopeful way at the history of Christianity and, more importantly, at the life of the Episcopal Church today. Canon Spellers (who presented at Saint Mark's in May of 2019) challenges us with an opportunity to discern our faithfulness toward building the Beloved Community in response to the racial reckoning and the pandemic experience of the past two years. We will meet on Sundays, 12:30–2 p.m.
I write to share the news that Adam Conley will be leaving his position in early July to enroll in seminary this fall, having been named a postulant for the priesthood by Bishop Rickel earlier this year. We are sad to see him depart from his role on the cathedral staff, but we bless him wholeheartedly in this turn to the next phase of his spiritual journey. He is and will be a blessing to the Church in so many ways.
Since 2018 Adam has served capably as Director of the Seattle Service Corps, and in the ensuing years, he has taken on additional responsibilities as editor of The Rubric, cathedral grant writer, and most recently as staff support for the 20s & 30s ministry. There have been many good things that have developed in these areas during Adam’s tenure, and we are grateful to him for his faithful work in our midst.
We will soon post a position description for his replacement as Program Director for Seattle Service Corps (Update: that job posting may now be seen here), and we have a good interim work plan to ensure the vitality of the SSC program continues as we anticipate welcoming the next cohort in late August. For now, please join me in thanking Adam for his service while also wishing him well as he moves to seminary in Sewanee, Tennessee. We will offer a rite of blessing and sending for him at the 11am service June 26.
Gratefully,
The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector
A MESSAGE FROM ADAM CONLEY
Dear People of Saint Mark’s,
I developed a deep affection for this remarkable cathedral community when I joined the Cathedral Choir under Canon Mel Butler way back in 1998. While my journey as an Episcopalian subsequently took me to London and then back to another parish in this diocese, it was with tremendous excitement that I accepted a call to return to Saint Mark’s as the Seattle Service Corps Director in April 2018. It was my pastoral work with the service corps, and eventually 20s & 30s, that ultimately confirmed my sense of the Holy Spirit’s call to priestly vocation. As a postulant in the Diocese of Olympia, my path now leads to seminary.
While St. Paul’s, Seattle is my sponsoring parish, for four years I have felt the deep joy and gift of being rooted in relationship at two communities of faith. You have lifted me into ministry in so many ways, and I carry my rich formation in church leadership into this next chapter of my life and beyond. It has been a privilege to serve in leadership at Saint Mark’s. I am humbled by the successes, both large and small, we’ve achieved together, particularly with respect to the growth of Seattle Service Corps into a leading program of the Episcopal Service Corps network.
When I depart after the completion of the current SSC program year at the end of June, I know I go with your prayers and support. Please know you are also in my prayers.
The cathedral extends a warm welcome to our archives intern for the spring quarter, Eve Kausch, and to the new Diocesan Archivist, Erik Bauer. Together they are taking up the formidable task of organizing over a century’s worth of files documenting the cathedral’s history.
Click to enlarge
Eve Kausch is a graduate student in the Master of Library and Information Science program at the University of Washington. They are primarily interested in working in archives, especially those which engage with ideas of social justice and identity. Prior to moving to Seattle, Eve lived in New York, where they studied Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Barnard College and worked at the Barnard Center for Research on Women. They grew up in the Episcopal Church and are enjoying learning about the history of Saint Mark's through the archives.
Erik Bauer is the new Archivist for the Diocese of Olympia (replacing retiring archivist Diane Wells), as well as the new Saint Mark's Cathedral Archivist. We are lucky that he will be working in the archives at Saint Mark’s one day every week, usually on Fridays. He is originally from the Chicago area, and lifelong White Sox fan. He completed a Bachelor of Special Studies in history and English from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He moved with his wife and two cats to Salem, Massachusetts in 2010, where Erik would earn his MA in History from Salem State University and he and his wife would have a son. While living in Massachusetts, Erik was the archivist at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody and archives manager at the Haverhill Public Library. During the pandemic Erik earned his Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Erik and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest and settled in Port Orchard in 2020..
The Cathedral Archives were established in 2020 thanks to a generous gift by The Rev. Canon Pat Taylor, given to the glory of God and in memory of her husband, Dr. Jim Taylor. Learn more about the creation of the Cathedral Archives here.
Update: An earlier version failed to note that Erik has a joint appointment, serving as both diocesan and cathedral archivist.
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday" because each year the Gospel selection is on the theme of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") is always appointed as the psalm for the day.
Saint Mark's and our amazing videographer Chris Brown have now been livestreaming cathedral liturgies for over 5 years, and in that time the choirs of the cathedral have sung Psalm 23 in many different guises: Anglican chant, Hallock settings, hymn paraphrases, and more. Greg Bloch has gathered a selection of these settings into a compilation video as an offering to the community. The wide variety of settings serves as another reminder of the variety that can be expected at the Psalmathon on May 14!
Join the Seattle Service Corps for reflections and Q&A about their experiences of the program year so far, impressions of Seattle, and a discussion of what's next as they look toward the end of the year on June 30. Questions? Email Adam Conley at aconley@saintmarks.org
FOUR TUESDAYS, BEGINNING MAY 3, 7 P.M., (following in-person evening prayer) in the cathedral nave
The practice of Centering Prayer at the cathedral was suspended indefinitely during the pandemic, but for the next four Tuesday evenings, we will gather for an hour in the nave at 7 p.m. Each session we will sit together in silence for 20 minutes, followed by discussion. This time of meditative prayer is open to anyone who yearns for a time to simply sit in the presence of the Divine—whether you sit regularly and miss doing it with others, are curious, or think you can’t do it, come, sit together and talk about it. There is no doing it right or wrong; there is only doing it. Read more here. These sessions will be led by Phil Fox Rose, who was introduced to centering prayer by Cynthia Bourgeault in the early 90s and has been practicing and sharing it ever since. Email Phil with questions: phil@philfoxrose.com
UPDATE: Centering Prayer will be offered at 7 p.m. every Tuesday from September 13, 2022, through December 13, 2022.
What are the defining architectural elements of Saint Mark's Cathedral? I think the most common answers would be the glass and steel screen behind the altar, our reredos, or its counterbalancing visual element, the mighty Flentrop organ. But it seems that for some the building can be represented by an element that is, at least superficially, less attention-grabbing—the cathedral's massive windows.
Two examples have appeared recently, both related to the concerts produced by Abbey Arts: the poster for the upcoming concert by the "folk-pop indie rock" band Ivan & Alyosha, and the recently-released album by the Seattle artist SYML, Sacred Spaces: Live at Saint Mark's Cathedral.
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 10 A.M. TO NOON, Seattle Art Museum
Come explore the vast connections of water in the context of artwork at a new exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. A group from Saint Mark’s is planning to attend on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. and then discuss the art afterward at SAM’s cafe, MARKET. Interested in meeting up? Email Wayne Duncan (duncan.sw@gmail.com) or Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com).
This exhibit closes May 30, and It’s what SAM calls “an experiment in artistic activism.” On display are the works of 74 artists from 17 countries and seven Native American tribes. Visitors are greeted with a welcome in Lushootseed, one of many Coast Salish languages, by Ken Workman, a Duwamish Tribal Member and descendant of Chief Seattle.
Please join Canon for Cathedral Music Michael Kleinschmidt and Canon for Intergenerational Ministries Wendy Claire Barrie for learning and conversation about the psalms—how and why we read, chant, and sing them.
After an outline of the history and structure of the Book of Psalms itself, Canon Barrie will explore why we read these ancient Jewish poems and how we understand and pray them in our Christian context today. Then Canon Kleinschmidt will present the various different ways that psalms are given breath and life in our worship tradition. Where does our tradition of "plainchant" come from? How does "Anglican chant" work? What exactly is a "metrical paraphrase"? What's special about the Peter Hallock psalm settings we sing so often?
This is a great way to prepare for the upcoming PSALMATHON!with the Evensong Choir (Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the cathedral nave).
