THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 9:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave, livestreamed, and broadcast on Classical KING

This Sunday marks the three-year anniversary of the closure of the cathedral and the suspension of in-person liturgies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While on the surface most aspects of our lives and the life of the cathedral are "back to normal," the grief, loss, and division from that difficult time remain. Our tradition teaches the importance, even the necessity, of lament as a response to such painful events. The Office of Compline this Sunday will be offered with special intention for all that we have lost—and the relationships that were broken—during the events of 2020–2022. The service will begin with the chant from the Office of the Dead, Requiem aeternam, sung in procession with incense, and will conclude with a presentation of Lamentations, written in 1973 for the Compline Choir and solo cello. Cathedral member Page Smith, the cellist for whom the work was written, will join the choir, as will Dean Steve Thomason. Join in person or via livestream for this special observance. Please note that incense will be used.

UPDATE: The service may now be seen and heard here.

A presentation by The Saint Mark's Music Series

SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 7:30 P.M., and
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2:30 P.M. (two identical performances), in Thomsen Chapel

The Mystery Sonatas (also known as Rosary Sonatas) by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644–1704) are incredibly virtuosic meditations for violin on Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. They comprise three sets: The “Joyful,” “Sorrowful,” and “Glorious” Mysteries. Baroque violinist Tekla Cunningham will perform the whole cycle in various area venues this season, offering Set Two—the intensely expressive “Sorrowful Mysteries”—in the intimacy of Saint Mark’s Thomsen Chapel during the season of Lent. Joining her are Henry Lebedinsky on organ and harpsichord, and David Morris on viola da gamba and lirone. Tickets $20–25: for March 18 (evening) reserve tickets here. For March 19 (matinee) reserve tickets here.

UPDATED DESCRIPTION AND SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 9:30 A.M. TO 12 P.M., Leffler House

Join Rev. Linzi and SSC Director Luke Abdow for a Lenten Quiet Morning on Saturday, March 11, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m. A variety of contemplative spiritual practices will be offered throughout the morning in the living room at Leffler House on the cathedral campus—see the schedule below.

Register by emailing Linzi at: lstahlecker@saintmarks.org

Approximate durations for each practice are shown, precise start and end times for each will depend on the flow of the morning. The morning has been curated to feel gentle and spacious, so there will be time for breaks and refreshments between practices.

• 9:30 a.m. Welcome! 
  • Introductions, a brief introduction to contemplative practice: 10 mins
  • Centering Prayer: 20 mins
  • Ignatian Contemplation: 30 mins
  • Journal Break: 15 mins
  • Sacred Chant (no musical talent or skills required!): 45 mins
  • Contemplative Eucharist: 20 mins
• 12 p.m. Close 

SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 10:10 A.M., Bloedel Hall

As a community that gathers at the height of Capitol Hill, Saint Mark's often welcomes visitors who are unhoused or are otherwise in need of basic supplies. The Vestry recently discussed creating a small care packet for visitors in need with these basic items: hand sanitizing wipes, small water bottle, protein snack, pair of socks, list of social services in the Capitol Hill area, rain poncho, toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, small notepad and pen. You are invited to join in this intergenerational gathering to assemble items in gallon size Ziploc bags. At the end of the gathering, the packets will be blessed by a clergy member.

Sign up to bring care packet items here via SignUpGenius. This list provides the specific items and quantities needed. Drop off the materials prior to the event in the nave coffee corner bin or bring them no later than 10:10 a.m. to the Bloedel Hall packing party. Questions? Email Kristen Kelly (klk87@hotmail.com) or Doug Thorpe (dthorpe@spu.edu).

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, STARTING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

EVENING PRAYER: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 6 P.M., online only via Zoom

NEW! MORNING PRAYER: MONDAY–FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M., online only via Zoom

PLEASE NOTE: On the last Friday in March Evening Prayer will use a different Zoom link.

At 6 p.m. on Friday, March 31 ONLY, join Evening Prayer using this Zoom link instead.

The usual link will be used again following the Holy Week hiatus. (Evening Prayer resumes Tuesday, April 11.)

For the season of Lent, Saint Mark's Cathedral and St. Paul's, Seattle, will be partnering to offer both Morning and Evening Prayer via Zoom, Monday through Friday. Morning Prayer will be offered at 8:30 a.m. and will be hosted by St. Paul's; Evening Prayer will be offered at 6 p.m. and will be hosted by Saint Mark's. Consider committing to attend these online services, so central to the Episcopal liturgical tradition, just for these 40 days, as a Lenten discipline. You may be surprised what you discover.

PLEASE NOTE: In-person Evening Prayer on Wednesdays in Thomsen Chapel is suspended during this season. The Thursday morning 7 a.m. Eucharist/Morning Prayer offering will continue without change.

Join Evening Prayer using this Zoom link. (The Zoom link for Evening Prayer is the same that has been used for some time)

TWO WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 8 & 15, 6:45-8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall only. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

A two-part Cathedral Commons forum with Michael Kleinschmidt, Canon for Cathedral Music 

Canon Kleinschmidt will lead a two-part exploration of the wonderful world of hymns on Wednesday evenings, March 8 and 15. Focusing on the hymns we will sing this Lent and Holy Week, the discussion will attempt to answer questions such as: Why do some hymns touch our hearts more than others? What ingredients of word and melody do our most enduring hymns share? How may I participate in singing a hymn in church, even when I am unfamiliar with the melody? How may hymns enrich my own devotional life? We will sing, we will laugh, and we may even shed a tear or two in our exploration together.

UPDATE March 10: You are welcome to attend Part Two even if you missed last Wednesday. In addition, all are invited to a Saint Mark’s Singers Open Rehearsal immediately following the Cathedral Commons presentation. The choir is actively recruiting new members, and now is the time to spend some time with the choir and learn who they are and what they’re all about.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023, 9:30 A.M.–4 P.M., in cathedral nave; registration required

Cost: Regular, $39 | "Bring a Friend," $69 | "Team" (up to five people), $139.

Join renowned leader Brian McLaren for a dynamic interactive event exploring the future of Christian faith in the 21st century. Is Christianity Worth Saving? is a six-and-a-half hour interactive experience featuring author Brian McLaren. Throughout the three-part event McLaren will be joined by a circle of Seattle-area practitioners, experts, advocates, critics, and audience members who will ask clarifying questions and respond to his insights and observations.

• SESSION 1—“NO”
• SESSION 2—“YES”
• SESSION 3—“NOW WHAT?”

Is Christianity Worth Saving? is produced by Off The Map, who've gotten lost so many times they're no longer much afraid. It is co-sponsored by The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology and 3Practice Circles.

Brian McLaren’s book Do I Stay Christian? considers compelling reasons for both staying and going. This is McLaren’s most recent offering among two dozen books that reexamine American Christian beliefs and practices in contemporary terms. McLaren has an acknowledged stake in the conversation. In 2005, Time magazine called him one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America — a claim that rankles some Evangelicals. Jim Hancock, Henderson’s partner at Off the Map thinks McLaren takes that in stride: "Brian McLaren is a public intellectual from the school that’s fearless without trying to come off as fearsome. He doesn’t rave; he reasons — but with passion and compassion. It’s easier to get that wrong than right... I think he gets it right."

Is Christianity Worth Saving? also occurs a day earlier, on March 16, in Portland, Oregon, at St. Johns Church, with Portland-area participants joining Brian McLaren. IN Seattle, twelve guests will be joining Brian McLaren in conversation. The guests include:

• Derek McNeil, President & Provost of The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology.
• Finny Philip, Community Ministry Pastor at North Sound Church in Edmonds Washington.
• Eliacín Rosario-Cruz, Cathedral Canon and Priest Associate at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle.
• Fred Lynch, hip hop artist, speaker, trainer and film producer living in Dallas Texas; founding member of the rap collective P.I.D. (Preachers in Disguise); is a Lead Trainer for 3Practice Circles.
• James Wellman, Professor and Chair of the Comparative Religion Program in the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington; founder of the Center of Global Christian Studies.
• Jun Love Young, CEO of ZUM Communications in Seattle, and founder of Beloved Arise, the first national organization dedicated to celebrating and empowering LGBTQ+ youth of faith; host of the podcast A Change Mindset.
• Michelle Lang-Raymond, Founder and Executive Director of Seattle’s Acts On Stage; singer/songwriter, playwright, producer, community developer, and former Campus Pastor at Warner Pacific University.
• Michael Swanson, Territorial Mission Integration Manager for the Salvation Army Central Territory in the U.S. Previously, he was Divisional Social Services Director for the Salvation Army Heartland Division.
• Namitha Crow, Talent Coordinator in Seattle Washington for the the global health equity nonprofit PATH; founder and former program director for nonprofit, Sinza, in Kampala, Uganda.
• Pat Thompson, co-founder and Executive Director of YES! Foundation of White Center, Washington.
• Roxy Hornbeck, creative strategist and, until recently, Assistant Professor of Arts Leadership at Seattle University.
• Tali Hairston, Director of Community Organizing, Advocacy, and Development at Seattle Presbytery; Director of the Seattle Presbytery’s Lilly Endowment Thriving Congregations grant program; former Director of the John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University .

Learn more at the Off the Map website here.

Tickets at this Eventbrite link: $39 for individuals | $69 for two | $139 for groups up to five

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, public theologian, and interrogator of 21st Century American Christian expression. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity”—just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is the author of many books, including A Generous Orthodoxy (2004), A New Kind of Christianity (2010), The Great Spiritual Migration (2016), Faith After Doubt (2021), and, most recently, Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned (2022). In 2005, Time magazine called him one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. Learn more about Brian here.

Pre-registration required, and spaces are limited. There are no refunds, but we’ll gladly look for someone who’ll be happy to join us if it turns out you can’t. Register at this link.  

In 2022, the Washington legislature revised the Non-Profit Corporations Act (RCW 24.03A) which applies to St. Mark’s. The Vestry undertook to revise the St. Mark’s Bylaws to comply with the new statute. The most significant revisions relate to rights of transparency and participation by members in a non-profit.

While The Vestry usually votes on any Bylaws revisions, because the revisions under the new statute impact member rights they were voted on by Parish Communicants in Good Standing at the Annual Meeting on February 5, 2023. The proposal to amend the Bylaws was approved unanimously.

A copy of the revisions to the Bylaws can be found at this link.