SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Between the morning services on Sunday December 11, Saint Mark's Intergenerational Council will host a cookie swap in Bloedel Hall! Please come, with or without cookies—but if you are able, we'd love you to bring two dozen of your favorite homemade cookies and a copy of the recipe to share. You’ll go home with other delicious treats and new recipes to try!
We’ll also wrap gifts for Lowell Elementary School children—if you have some spare wrapping paper, please bring it along.
Once again, Saint Mark’s is sharing Christmas joy with families from Casa Latina, Lowell Elementary School, and Mary’s Place. Casa Latina have asked for gift cards, Lowell Elementary School have specific gifts for some students as well as gift cards requested, and Mary’s Place has requested specific gifts for children under 10 years old.
The Giving Tree is full of tags and will be placed in the nave for the next three Sundays. Pick a tag off the Giving Tree or donate online at saintmarks.org/give (choose "Casa Latina & Lowell School Gift Cards" from the list of options.) For Mary’s Place, visit their Amazon Wish List, or come by and choose a tag from the Giving Tree.
Your generosity means an enormous amount to these families in our community. Please donate online or bring your unwrapped gifts and gift cards back to Saint Mark’s on or before Sunday, December 11 when they will be brought before the altar and blessed. (The gifts need to be delivered to Lowell before classes end on December 16.)
If you have questions about the Giving Tree, please contact The Rev. Linzi Stahlecker: lstahlecker@saintmarks.org.
Autumn returns with the rain and cold. This time it seemed to happen overnight. I talk with my daughter over WhatsApp and—along with the beloved and very mobile grandson Walter—she shows me the blue skies, the red and golden leaves of Buffalo New York. The flames of autumn give way to grays and ash.
I’m pretty sure that I’m not the only one around here who welcomed the rain with a sense of relief—more so this year because of the oddly high temperatures we had into October. Now we relax a little, bid farewell to the fruits of summer and early autumn, and settle in with the wind and rain. It’s a time of endings, marked in particular by the Triduum of All Hallows, All Saints and All Souls, a time in the calendar to honor and remember those who have passed, the saints of our own lives and of the church.
Fittingly, Advent is just around the corner. The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that the word comes from the Latin, meaning to come to or towards, and more specifically “the arrival of a notable person or thing.” Out of the darkness, Advent affirms, comes new light—most generally in the form of the solstice, with days growing longer. For us. of course. that new light comes more specifically in the form of a child.
This fall I’ve been reading Karen Armstrong’s most recent book, Sacred Nature: How We Can Recover Our Bond with the Natural World. In the title chapter, she tells us the story of a group of seventeenth century Jesuit missionaries trying to explain the shape of the cosmos to a group of Chinese intellectuals, using a map of sorts that showed the earth, the planets and the location of God out at the edge of the universe in the form of the Primum Mobile. As Armstrong tells it, the Chinese were bewildered. Why should the deity whom the Jesuits called the “Lord of Creation” be content to be confined to a tiny sector of the universe that he had supposedly created? The Confucian scholar Fang Yishi (1611–71) concluded that the West was “detailed in material investigation,” and deficient in comprehending seminal forces (qi). By qi, Fang was referring to the essence of Being—a force that the Chinese regarded as “unknowable,” the “recondite,” and the “uniting layers of mysteries.”
As Armstrong concludes, “when faced with the ultimate reality, [Fang] believed, humans must fall silent because it lies beyond the reach of verbal concepts.”
There is much about these ideas that I find compelling—this sense of a “basic ‘stuff’ or essence of the universe ... neither wholly spiritual nor wholly material,” as Armstrong describes qi. “It is ineffable; it is something that we cannot define or describe. It is not a god or a being of any kind; it is the energy that pervades all life, harmoniously linking the plant, animal, human and divine worlds and enabling them to fulfill their potential.” This is similar, she continues, to the Hindu concept of Rta, “best understood as ‘active, creative truth’ or ‘the way things truly are.’ Like qi and Dao, Rta was not a god but a sacred, impersonal, animating force. . . [which] could be experienced as the sublime whole, which flowed from itself expansively, bringing about the cosmos, humans, and the god themselves.”
We seem close, in a way, to the idea of the Holy Spirit, which similarly “flowed from itself expansively” and which mysteriously and invisibly moves through all things. On the other hand, we are far from the world of the prophet Jeremiah, from whom we’ve been hearing this fall, who claimed to speak as the voice of a very personal God who called his people back to a path of justice. We are also a long way from a child born in a cold barn in a small village in an insignificant country which was little more than a crossroads and was under the control of the military power of Rome. And yet that child is why we are here together as the community of Saint Mark’s, and within that community why we form the Creation Care Ministry. Seemingly impossibly and yet truly, we believe that this energy—this holy spirit—is fully manifested in the person of Jesus, who in turn inspires us in our justice work. Literally, he fills us with that same spirit. Like disciples going back in an unbroken chain two thousand years, we believe that we’ve been touched by that same energy, which we also experience directly and powerfully in creation: in the mountains, in a forest, by the ocean.
Yes, it’s autumn. We are moving steadily towards winter and into shorter, darker days. Yet the new year approaches in that same form of a child in whom we see all the hope of the world. And that same child awakens in us the knowledge that we too are that light—and that hope. May it continue to sustain us.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,— While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue, Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river shallows, borne aloft Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourne; Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft; And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
—John Keats, To Autumn, September 19, 1819
Longtime Saint Mark's parishioner and former vestry member Doug Thorpe is Professor Emeritus of English at Seattle Pacific University.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 9 A.M.–12:30 P.M., at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Green Lake — 111 NE 80th St., Seattle
Join Amanda Findley at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church in McLachlan Hall for this special Quiet Morning preparing ourselves for the Season of Advent. The focus this year will be on meditational movement practice, so wear something comfortable! Enjoy the wonderful opportunity for inner reflection and renewing silence as the season of prayerful expectation unfolds.
This event is co-sponsored by Saint Mark’s Cathedral and Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Free, with donations gratefully accepted. McLachlan Hall is the parish hall located on the 1st avenue side of the church building.
The community of Saint Mark's quickly and generously answered the appeal from Lowell Elementary for winter clothes. Lowell staff have told us, "The children are cozy and warm, and the parents and staff are so happy! We are grateful for your generosity."
November 4, 2022
As the weather becomes precipitously colder, Lowell Elementary School has alerted us to an immediate need for children's winter coats and gloves. Low temperatures in the 30s are predicted for next week! An Amazon Wish List has been created to help. (When you check out, be certain that the delivery address is set to "Lowell Elementary School's Gift Registry Address.") As an alternative to the Amazon link, you can make a donation using the cathedral's online giving page (using the indicated line) or via Venmo (put "Lowell elementary" in the memo).
Lowell Elementary, our neighbor just a few blocks away on Capitol Hill, is a public school where over 1 in 4 students are currently experiencing homelessness or are in insecure or temporary housing. Around 25% of the students are English Language Learners and 30% of the students receive Special Education services. Over half of all Lowell students meet Seattle Public School District’s definition of "Students of Color Furthest from Educational Justice" and over 70% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Saint Mark's Cathedral has had a relationship with the school for many years. Learn more in an article in the Fall 2021 issue of The Rubric.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
Saint Mark's parishioner Elizabeth Hawkins has been living and working in San Salvador since 2019. A former immigration attorney, she travelled to El Salvador to research the complex factors that lead people to attempt to emigrate to the United States. She will give us an update about the current situation in El Salvador. Elizabeth will share how liberation theology has informed her decision to stay in El Salvador and the work she is currently doing as the Program Director of Programa Velasco, an NGO dedicated to educating and empowering women, children, and families.
Check out Elizabeth's 2019 Rubric article about her experiences in El Salvador.
In this time of trial and struggle, as we confront challenges to our civil society and our body politic, we are at a crossroads of conscience. And though the voices of vitriol and extremism often resound loudly, it is the judicious wisdom of resilient and courageous peacemakers who will lead us through this crisis. Prayerful reflection stands as a hopeful response to the static of cynicism. We stand in solidarity with those who seek a different way for our nation and its elected officials.
Join local religious leaders and fellow citizens who will gather in Seattle’s Saint Mark’s Cathedral at this unprecedented time. All are invited to join in this brief non-partisan interfaith service of hope, either in-person or via livestream. On the cusp of the exercise of our most essential civil right, we ask you to embrace this moment of contemplation and connection, as we affirm the principles that transcend our differences, and the common cause that will bind the wounds of this great nation.
UPDATE—Participants in the program will include:
Pastor Carey Anderson, First AME Church
The Rev. Beth Chronister, University Unitarian Church
Elise De Gooyer, Faith Action Network
Abbott Genjo Marinello, Chobo-ji Zen Temple
Imam Jamal Rahman, Interfaith Community Sanctuary
Michael Ramos, Church Council Greater Seattle
Fr. Michael G. Ryan, St. James Catholic Cathedral
The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
Rabbi Daniel Weiner, Temple De Hirsch Sinai
AN INTERFAITH EVENT CO-SPONSORED BY: Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, St. James Roman Catholic Cathedral, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle, and The Church Council of Greater Seattle
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1:30–4 P.M., meet at Carkeek Park trailhead, 6th Ave. NW and NW 100th Pl., rain or shine.
The next intergeneration hike will explore Carkeek Park, near Northgate. After meeting at the trailhead, the group will follow Pipers Creek, which a group of citizen activists have restored as an active salmon run. The the trail passes one of Seattle's early farmsteads, where old apple trees still bear fruit. Some people could walk straight to the beach while others can turn up the South Ridge Trail and lengthen the hike from 1.5 to 2 miles. At the beach there is a wonderful bridge over the railroad tracks and a small but interesting beach to walk on (maybe a train will go by!). The group will find a spot on the beach to gather for singing and prayer and reflection.
If you plan to attend, contact Canon Barrie and she will reply with her cell phone number: wbarrie@saintmarks.org
UPDATE: Check out a few photos of the event below, submitted by Nancy Valaas and Betsy Bell. Click to enlarge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I get there? Is carpooling available? If you would like to carpool, go for it. There is not a formal carpool arrangement.
Can I use public transit? Yes! Take the D Line or #28 from downtown Seattle, or take the #40 leaving from Northgate Light Rail Station.
What should I bring? We definitely recommend good hiking boots, water and snacks. It’s a good idea to check out other recommended essentials. See this list and overview from REI: What to bring Day Hiking and other essentials
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
Canon Barrie will share stories of St. Martin, whose feast day on November 11 marked the beginning of Advent in the Middle Ages, as we talk about how to live into the long winter—where we find comfort and strength during the cold, dark months, and how, too, darkness can nourish and enrich us. Please plan to share a recipe, tradition, or other recommendation for the season. Contact Canon Barrie with questions.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
In this forum led by Canon Barrie, we’ll explore the pre-Christian, Celtic roots of these holy three days and reflect on their relevance in the present day. You are invited to bring a photograph of someone you “love and see no longer” for the prayer table we’ll set with flowers and candles in commemoration of All Souls, better known in the Anglican tradition as the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed. Contact Canon Barrie with questions.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 9:30 A.M. to 3 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom; registration required for either option.
How do we pray and worship in a way that fully reflects the fullness of the Kin-dom of God while also honoring the integrity of identity? How can our liturgies be shaped with appreciation of all people vs. appropriation without true integration? Reconciling liturgical traditions that were shaped from a primarily white viewpoint takes the ability to have open and honest conversations around creativity and change, and requires alliance on the Holy Spirit’s call to be one in Christ.
Evensong Observing the Feast of All Saints with a Celebration of the Ministry of Bishop Greg & Marti Rickel in the Diocese of Olympia
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 4:30 P.M., in person at Saint Mark’s Cathedral and livestreamed
All are welcome to join in this special liturgy observing the Feast of All Saints at which Bishop Rickel will officiate. The occasion will also serve as opportunity for those present to bless Bishop Greg and his wife Marti as they prepare to leave our midst. A reception in their honor will follow the service.
In addition to joining everyone in singing beloved All Saints-tide hymns, and Bishop Rickel’s favorite, “King of glory, King of peace,” Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir will also offer Charles Wood’s anthem, “Hail, gladdening light,” evening canticles by Philip Stopford, and C.H.H. Parry’s beloved setting of Henry Vaughan’s poem, “My soul, there is a country.”
TWO WEDNESDAYS: OCTOBER 19 & 26, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
Facilitated by Canon Jennifer King Daugherty
Grief and joy can seem like opposites—experiences of sadness and loss are profoundly different from those of happiness and delight. Yet, both grief and joy reveal our vulnerability and capacity to love; they both soften our hearts and make us aware of our dependence on God. In this two-week series, Canon Jennifer King Daugherty will explore the paradoxical kinship of grief and joy and how the wisdom and grace we gain from either experience deepens our understanding of the other—and our relationship with God.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022, 7–8:30 p.m., in person inBloedel Hall or online via Zoom
Jerusalem’s Old City—A Holy Story A Presentation by BBC Journalist and Author Matthew Teller
Co-sponsored by Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, University Book Store, Seattle, and Other Press Publishers, New York
In Jerusalem, what you see and what is true are two different things. The Old City has never had “four quarters” as its maps proclaim. And beyond the crush and frenzy of its major religious sites, many of its quarters are little known to visitors, its people ignored and their stories untold. Nine Quarters of Jerusalem lets the communities of the Old City speak for themselves. Ranging from ancient past to political present, it evokes the city’s depth and cultural diversity.
Matthew Teller’s highly original “biography” features the Old City’s Palestinian and Jewish communities, but also spotlights its Indian and African populations, its Greek and Armenian and Syriac cultures, its downtrodden Dom Gypsy families, and its Sufi mystics. It discusses the sources of Jerusalem’s holiness and the ideas—often startlingly secular—that have shaped lives within its walls. It is an evocation of place through story, led by the voices of Jerusalemites.
UPDATE: A complete video is now available below.
About the Speaker
Matthew Teller writes for the BBC, The Guardian, Times of London, Financial Times and other global media. He has produced and presented documentaries for BBC Radio and has reported for the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent program from around the Middle East and beyond. He is the author of several travel guides, including The Rough Guide to Jordan. His previous book was Quite Alone: Journalism from the Middle East 2008–2019.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 12:30 TO 2:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall
Hallow means holy, and Hallowe'en or All Hallows Eve is the night before All Saints' Day, a time when the veil between this world and the next is thin.
All children and youth are invited to join together in Bloedel Hall at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, for a light lunch and pumpkin painting or carving, followed by a screening of the Academy Award-nominated animated film The Secret of Kells. (All ages are welcome for lunch and pumpkin painting, although The Secret of Kells is recommended for ages 8 and up.) Read a review here.
Please RSVP to Canon Barrie with the names and ages of those attending. A suggested donation of $5 per person is greatly appreciated!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 3–5:30 P.M., meet at Trinity Parish on First Hill (registration required)
In the fall of 2021 the 20s/30s Group from Saint Mark's gathered for a series of Sunday urban hikes inspired by the book Seattle Stairway Walks, and incorporating tours of different Episcopal parishes in the area. They were a great chance to connect with our neighbors and siblings in the Diocese of Olympia, and to discover new nooks and crannies of Seattle's urban landscape.
On October 23 this popular offering will return, with a tour of the "mother church" of the Diocese of Olympia, Trinity Parish on First Hill. The group will begin with a brief presentation and tour from Dr. Lisa Graumlich, deacon-in-training, and then wind our way up and around to explore the architectural details of the rapidly-transforming Seattle waterfront and downtown, finishing up with refreshments back at Trinity. Questions? Email Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com)
UPDATE—Here are some photos from the event (click to enlarge):
About the Stairway Walks
Did you know that Seattle has 650 publicly accessible stairways? In the early 1900s, property developers in hilly Seattle would construct public stairways for convenience and to improve access to trolley lines. Now, these scenic passageways provide opportunities to discover off-the-path views through Seattle neighborhoods.
Join with other young adults from around the Diocese of Olympia to explore and learn about different neighborhoods and Episcopal parishes within Seattle. Routes will draw inspiration from Seattle Stairway Walks and range between 2.5–4 miles at an easy pace. The walks start and end at the parish, with an opportunity to connect with clergy and other participants. We’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about the parish, meet clergy and enjoy refreshments after the walk.
Nominations for candidates for the Saint Mark’s Vestry and for Delegates to Diocesan Convention are now open for 2023.
The Vestry is a group of laypeople elected by the parish who, along with the Rector, supervise and sustain the finances, facilities and grounds of the Cathedral. New members are needed both to serve on the Vestry and to act as delegates at next year's Diocesan Convention.
Members of the Nominating Committee will be in the back of the nave each Sunday in October to answer questions and accept names of those interested. If you would like to nominate someone or would like more information about either of these important roles, please send an email to nominations@saintmarks.org or visit the Vestry page of the cathedral website. Thank you!
Saint Mark’s Stewardship Committee is pleased to announce the launch of the 2023 Stewardship Campaign on Sunday, October 2. Packets of material about this year's campaign were sent to all parishioners this week, including a letter from Dean Steve Thomason. Beginning this Sunday and continuing through October 30, members of the community will offer reflections during the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services, on why they value Saint Mark’s and its ministries, and why they choose to share their time and treasure here.
The first speaker, on October 2, will be Chris Rigos, Junior Warden for Stewardship. He will announce the opening of the campaign, explain how you can be part of it, and share how important all our contributions are to Saint Mark’s, to the life of the parish, and to our own spiritual development. After the services, Chris and other members of the Stewardship Ministry will be available in the rear of the nave for questions and concerns.
Please visit the Stewardship page of the cathedral website to find the online pledge card and Frequently Asked Questions. Additional material will be added there in future weeks. Thank you for your participation, support, and prayers.
Join the 2022-2023 cohort of the Seattle Service Corps in Bloedel for a Q&A and an opportunity to get to know them better. Learn about their stories and what drew them to SSC and life in intentional community, and hear their impressions of Seattle so far. Check out this article introducing each of these amazing young people, recently posted by the Diocese of Olympia.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022, 4:30 P.M., on the outdoor labyrinth and front lawn
On Saturday, October 1, Saint Mark’s will once again offer its beloved Saint Francis Day tradition. A few years ago this offering was moved from Sunday morning to Saturday afternoon, and the outdoor celebration has a truly festive community atmosphere. Dogs, cats, bird, bunnies, ponies, chickens, and all creatures great and small are welcome!
Music will be offered by acclaimed Seattle musician James Falzone and the young choristers of Choir School. The service will include prayers for healing humanity’s relationship with the earth, and for all the creatures who share the earth with us. Following the service, animals can receive an individual blessing from a priest if desired.
All are invited to attend, with or without their animal companions. Stuffed animals are also welcome to be blessed, as are photographs of pets who would not find attending the event a blessed experience.
Animals should remain leashed or kenneled. You are welcome to bring your own chair to use on the lawn, although chairs will also be provided.
Below: Photos from previous years' St Francis Day celebrations, including images from 2015 through 2021. Click to enlarge.
Gather between the services on Sunday morning, October 9, for an interactive, intergenerational forum with the leaders of Saint Mark's Taizé ministry. Learn a bit about what exactly Taizé is, its origins in France, and what got the Taizé ministry started here at Saint Mark's. Then we'll discuss the unique music of Taizé, and do some singing together. It will be informative and fun for all ages, and serve as preparation to more fully participate in the upcoming Taizé service on Tuesday, November 8. Any questions, contact Sacristan Michael Seewer: mseewer@saintmarks.org
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 10:10-10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Rev. Canon Richard K. Toll, Canon Pastor of St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1976-84, returns to Seattle from his retirement life in Portland, OR to participate in a Symposium: The Holy Land – What’s Next? - a gathering of faith leaders working for peace and justice in Israel/Palestine (Bloedel Hall, Saturday, Sept. 24th, 1-4 p.m.).
On Sunday morning, join the Cathedral Parish in welcoming Dick and his wife, Elaine, both of whose ministries were a major part of parish life during their time here. Dick’s post-Saint Mark’s ministries—as Rector of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Milwaukie, Oregon and founding Executive Director of Friends of Sabeel North America—deeply affected many lives, at the local, national, and international level.
TWO WEDNESDAYS, OCTOBER 5 & 12, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
Listening as an Act of Solidarity
Facilitated by The Rev. Linzi Stahlecker & The Rev. Canon Eliacín Rosario-Cruz.
As Christians, we are called to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being. A foundational practice for this work is the ability to listen to the lives and experiences of our neighbors. In these sessions, we will explore how culture shapes our ability to listen and impacts our work of justice. We will learn and practice various ways to cultivate listening as an act of solidarity and how to create spaces that honor complex stories and foster transformative relationships.
The following exercise was used in small groups during part 2, but the instuctions on the slide were difficult to read. Here is the complete text of the slide.
While individuals are sharing, the others listen prayerfully through to the end without interruption.
Silence (2 minutes)
This silence is a time to notice our initial reaction/response and for making space for God, for allowing God to cut through the limits of biases and accustomed ways of responding so that individuals might respond to the presenter from a place of freedom.
Response (about 5 minutes)
There is a period of sharing the questions or comments that have come up on the silence. Trust is honored when individuals listen to the response of others, instead of holding onto a personal agenda for the person.
Silence (about 2 minutes)
During this time people pray for the person who has just presented. The presenter may want to take some notes on what she has heard.
The “Sharing—Silence—Response—Silence” is repeated, until at least two members have presented, having our time limit in mind.
Reflection on the time together (5 minutes)
This reflection is not meant to analyze the time together or to control future outcomes. Instead, it is a gentle looking and noticing, God and the group together, and an honest sharing around what is seen. The focus for this time is the sense of prayerfulness within the group and within individuals. Whatever is addressed — silence, words, the human dynamics within the group — is viewed in terms of that prayerfulness, looking at what has served it or has gotten in its way.
Exploring Indigenous Theology: Two-Eyed Seeing, Vision Quests, and Sacred Stories
A Saturday morning workshop offered by The Rev. Canon Mary Crist, Ed.D. (Blackfeet)
Co-sponsored by Saint Mark's Cathedral and the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2022, 9:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom. Free, but registration required for either option.
Dr. Crist extends this invitation to join the workshop:
"Did you know that the Episcopal Church has over 400 years of history with Indigenous people in North America? Did you know that many Indigenous spiritual beliefs are compatible with those of Jesus? How can we make it possible for Indigenous people to be Christians and to honor the spiritual practices of their ancestors at the same time? How can we use “two-eyed” seeing, vision quests, and sacred stories to explore Indigenous theology? We will explore these questions and others in our time together. Participants will learn what Indigenous leaders in the Episcopal Church have to say about being both Native and Christian and how theological education is expanding to broaden the preparation of church leaders. Bring your own stories and questions to share in this workshop grounded in the narrative tradition."
The Rev. Canon Mary Crist, Ed.D. (Piitaki/Eagle Woman) is enrolled Blackfeet from the Douglas family in Montana. She is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles serving at St. Michael’s Ministry Center in Riverside. Dr. Crist serves on the Presiding Bishop’s Staff as the Coordinator of Indigenous Theological Education in the Department of Ethnic Ministries. She is a Visiting Professor of Education and Indigenous Studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago. She has earned the Doctor of Education from Columbia University in New York, Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology, Master of Education from Pan American University, and Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Berkeley. She is the author of the articles “Frybread in Canaan” and “Native Christian Perspectives on Reconciliation,” both published in the First Peoples Theology Journal, as well as various articles in early childhood education, special education, and online instructional design. In 2022 she was named a Woman of Distinction for Province VIII by the National Episcopal Church Women.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).
Join Dean Thomason, Canon Daugherty, and participants from July’s pilgrimage from Saint Mark’s as they share a bit of their experience and spiritual gleanings while also inviting everyone present to share experiences of sacred travel and why this is an important spiritual practice for all people. A preview of a potential pilgrimage to Ireland will also be shared. All are welcome.
Canon Daugherty's slides from her presentation may be seen here (pdf).
A complete video may be seen below:
The slide show played before the presentation:
Steve played a brief excerpt from remarks by Phil Cousineau to the group prior to the pilgrimage. His complete presentation may be seen here:
This fall I’ve been reading Karen Armstrong’s most recent book, 
This is a 
In Jerusalem, what you see and what is true are two different things. The Old City has never had “four quarters” as its maps proclaim. And beyond the crush and frenzy of its major religious sites, many of its quarters are little known to visitors, its people ignored and their stories untold. Nine Quarters of Jerusalem lets the communities of the Old City speak for themselves. Ranging from ancient past to political present, it evokes the city’s depth and cultural diversity.
Matthew Teller writes for the BBC, The Guardian, Times of London, Financial Times and other global media. He has produced and presented documentaries for BBC Radio and has reported for the BBC’s From Our Own Correspondent program from around the Middle East and beyond. He is the author of several travel guides, including The Rough Guide to Jordan. His previous book was Quite Alone: Journalism from the Middle East 2008–2019.
As Christians, we are called to strive for justice and peace among all people and to respect the dignity of every human being. A foundational practice for this work is the ability to listen to the lives and experiences of our neighbors. In these sessions, we will explore how culture shapes our ability to listen and impacts our work of justice. We will learn and practice various ways to cultivate listening as an act of solidarity and how to create spaces that honor complex stories and foster transformative relationships.
