New Children’s Worship Bags

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New purple bags with color-coded tags (pink for toddlers, blue for preschoolers, yellow for elementary ages) filled with items to connect kids to worship are ready for this Sunday, September 11!

Pick them up in the narthex and return them there when you leave. Each contains age-appropriate materials such as a clipboard with a children’s lectionary-based bulletin, a finger labyrinth for older children, a lacing lamb for younger ones, and Montessori hand kites with ribbons in liturgical colors for responding to the music.

Two Important Ministry Surveys

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The Needs and Hopes of Families with Children and What Happens After the 20s/30s Group?

The Children and Families Committee has a survey for parents, grandparents, and caregivers about faith formation and community building for kids and their adults. We'd love to learn what you are hoping for! Find the survey here:

https://forms.office.com/r/se0nRia2RH

What might be next for those who are moving on from the 20s/30s Group at Saint Mark's? The cathedral leadership is eager to hear what you need and what you'd like. Here's the link:

 https://forms.office.com/r/WG8Qc1cFPC

Eat! Play! Love! 2022: Water of Life

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UPDATED WITH PHOTOS

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.

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Responding to Gun Violence

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Photo of the June 2, 2022, Interfaith March and Prayer Vigil Against Gun Violence by photographer Mark White, via Faith Action Network. Click to enlarge.

Alliance for Gun Responsibility

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.


How you can help


How to talk to children about mass shootings and gun violence


Additional Resources

 

Ride/Run/Roll at Seward Park on Trinity Sunday

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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!

A Rogation Day Liturgy

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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")

The service leaflet for this liturgy may be seen here.

Intergenerational Hike at Discovery Park

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SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 2:30 P.M., meet at the Discovery Park North Parking Lot

For the next intergenerational hike, we will be exploring Discovery Park! The walk will include the park's nature trails as well as the Daybreak Star Cultural Center. A brief liturgy of prayer and song will be offered on a high bluff overlooking Puget Sound. Participants in the previous intergenerational hikes have found them a fun opportunity to connect with community members in a new way.

If you plan to attend, contact Canon Barrie and she will reply with her cell phone number: wbarrie@saintmarks.org


DETAILS & ROUTE:

We’ll meet at the far end of the North Parking Lot at 2:30 p.m. (Note: This was printed as "3:20" in some place. We apologize for the typo.) Park there, or take King County Metro bus #33.

We will be hiking the Wolf Creek Nature Trail which is accessed from the parking lot. From the Nature Trail we will proceed around the Ceremonial Ponds, then to the Daybreak Star Cultural Center grounds. There we find a lookout over the Sound, high on a bluff. We’ll have our brief liturgy there.

Next, we’ll walk back toward the Cultural Center. From here we will walk the Pow Wow circle, turn right to follow the paved road to the loop trail. Follow the loop trail to the field at the top of the stairs that lead down to the North Beach, Intrepid hikers may want to take the long steep staircase down to the beach or access the Hidden Valley trail.

At this point we’ll goodbye to them and retrace our steps, crossing the paved road on the loop trail (cross another paved road) through the forest to the trail down to the North Parking lot.

The Nature Trail/Daybreak Star/North Bluff/ section of the loop trail is about 2 1/2 miles total and includes a paved staircase up to the Daybreak Star center.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  1. How do I get there? Is carpooling available? If you would like to carpool, go for it. There is not a formal carpool arrangement. 
  2. 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 
  3. Can I bring my dog? Leashed dogs are permitted except on the Ceremonial Ponds trail; there is an alternate path that will allow us to arrive at the same destination, the Daybreak Star Cultural Center.
  4. Is there a pass required? No, although parking is limited. Public transit is recommended.

Beyoncé Mass at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle

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FRIDAY, MAY 6, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave, registration required

This groundbreaking Christian worship event, hosted and co-sponsored by Saint Mark's, was created in 2018 by a team led by The Rev. Yolanda M. Norton (Disciples of Christ). Beyoncé Mass is a worship service rooted in womanist theology that uses the music and personal life of Beyoncé as a tool to foster an empowering conversation about Black women—their lives, their bodies, and their voices.

What if “Flaws and All” was a song about a complicated relationship with God?

What if “Survivor” spoke to how Black women thrive even as they’re undervalued and underestimated?

Beyoncé Mass is a womanist worship service. Womanism recognizes and celebrates the lives, beauty, culture, spirituality, and experiences of Black women and is committed to the survival, well-being, and wholeness of all people. The event explores how Black women find their voice, represent the image of God, and create spaces for liberation.

This event is free, but registration is required. Register to attend mass at Brown Paper Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5395087

See the official press release below, and learn more at the Beyoncé Mass webpage.

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Intergenerational Hike to Tradition Lake

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2 P.M., meet at the Tradition Lake trailhead

For the second intergenerational hike, intrepid hiker Betsy Bell has chosen a route that’s friendly to seniors and preschoolers. We’ll meet at the Tradition Lake trailhead at the end of the road at High Point exit off I-90. This includes the Swamp Trail which has a fun series of story boards about Zoe and the creatures in the area, the Ruth Kees Big Tree and Tradition Lake trails, about 2.5 to 3 miles with almost no elevation gain and a couple of good places to stop for prayer and song.

See a map of the trail route here.

Check out photos and materials from the previous Intergenerational Hike to Twin Falls here.

Questions or RSVP to Canon Wendy Claire Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Please note: If you are interested in going, please email Canon Wendy Barrie in advance, and she will reply with her cell phone number. 

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Twelfth Night Bonfire and Burning of the Greens

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022, 6:30 P.M. - 8 P.M.

In our tradition, the celebration of the Feast of Christmas lasts twelve days, beginning December 25 and ending on January 5 (that is, the day before the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6). The evening of the last day of Christmas is known as “Twelfth Night,” and is an opportunity for festivity and reflection. Come together in the cathedral nave on January 5 for a brief rite to bid farewell to Christmastide and to usher in the Season of Epiphany. Then, we’ll have a bonfire of the Christmas greens in the lower parking lot, followed by hot drinks and festive snacks for all.

Portions of this event will be livestreamed.

The 2021 Giving Tree

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GIVING UPDATE:

From online donations to the Giving Tree for Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary,  $5,180 was raised to purchase Target gift cards in $50 or $25 increments. In combination with gift tags that were purchased directly by parishioners, we reached the requests of 100 gift cards for Casa Latina and 75 gift cards for Lowell Elementary.

Additionally, Mary's Place received about 100 gifts from Saint Mark's parishioners.

 

Once again, Saint Mark’s is sharing Christmas joy with families from Casa LatinaLowell Elementary School, and Mary’s Place. Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary School have asked for gift cards this year, and Mary’s Place has requested specific gifts for children, youth, and parents.

The Giving Tree is full of tags, and will be placed in the nave for the next three Sundays. For Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary, 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 here, or come by and choose a tag from the Giving Tree.

In this second year of hardship, your generosity means even more to these wonderful families. Please donate online or bring your (unwrapped) gift(s) or gift card(s) back to Saint Mark’s by Sunday, December 12.

You may also donate by mailing a check to Saint Mark’s (with “gift cards” in the memo line), or using the Venmo mobile app (@SaintMarksCathedralSeattle; put "gift cards" in the comment), or by calling Erik Donner at 206.323.0300 x217.

If you have questions about the Giving Tree, please contact Wendy Claire Barrie (wbarrie@saintmarks.org) or call 206.323.0300 x223.

Photo: 2019 Giving Tree in Bloedel Hall.

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Wendy Claire Barrie Called as New Canon for Intergenerational Ministries

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A Message from Dean Thomason

Dear friends,

It is my great delight to announce that Wendy Claire Barrie has accepted the call to serve as Canon for Intergenerational Ministries at Saint Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. She will begin her work November 1, 2021. Her visionary leadership and vast experience in lifelong spiritual formation and her passion for intergenerational ministry will complement the many gifts our formation team already brings into these areas, and as a lay person herself, she has a keen commitment to the ministry of all the baptized.

Wendy has served more than 25 years in parish-based formation ministry in California, New York and Connecticut, and she has a wealth of experience with many curricula, including Godly Play and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Since March 2020, she has served as Acquisitions Editor and Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing, and recently guided the revision of the highly-regarded Journey to Adulthood curriculum. Wendy is a nationally-renowned speaker and teacher in the field of lifelong spiritual formation, and her latest book, The Church Post-Sunday School: How to be Intergenerational and Why It Matters, is due out next summer. She is no stranger to Saint Mark’s, having spoken here in 2017 about home-based faith practices, drawing on her earlier book, Faith at Home: A Handbook for Cautiously Christian Parents. The topic is as timely as ever as we lean into new ways of being Church in the post-pandemic world. She and her husband Phil will move from Brooklyn, New York, to Seattle in the coming weeks while their son Peter continues his education at Bard College.

Ms. Barrie’s call is the culmination of a robust search process in which an extraordinary committee of gifted leaders of Saint Mark’s diligently worked with an excellent pool of applicants, prayerfully discerning unanimous support for Wendy’s call. I am very grateful to committee members Carmen Brady, Maria Coldwell, Cadence Cole, Sonjia Gavin, Emily Meeks, and Peter Snyder. Please join me in thanking them for their good work, and please join me in welcoming Wendy and Phil to the Saint Mark’s community. I am,

Gratefully,

The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector

 


A Message from Wendy Claire Barrie

When I read the position description for this new role, I took immediate notice because, truly, it sounds like my dream job! I was formed by growing up in an intergenerational church—St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach, California—and I’ve brought that experience into my Christian formation work wherever I’ve gone. My family and I are eager for this new adventure. One thing I have missed about parish ministry is holding other people’s babies during Sunday sermons, and one thing Phil and I are hopeful about finding in Seattle is a larger kitchen than we’ve had in Brooklyn. (I have been doing a lot of anxiety baking the last 18 months!) I’m so happy to be coming to Saint Mark’s. I can’t wait to see what we will dream and build here together, as followers of Jesus from all ages and stages of faith.

Thanks—

Wendy


Learn more about Wendy here.

Intergenerational Hike to Twin Falls

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UPDATE: Check out the Creation-themed liturgy shared at the event here, and some photos below: 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021,  2 –5:30 P.M.

Let’s hike together! All ages are welcome on this 3 mile roundtrip hike to Twin Falls as we take time to connect, move and pray in nature after church. We’ll meet at the trailhead at 2 p.m. and finish by 5:30 p.m. Bring your water, snacks and appropriate gear - we recommend good hiking shoes, layers, sunscreen and a hat.

Register to attend here!

Questions? Contact Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com). 

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Back-to-School Picnic on the Cathedral Lawn with Backpack Blessing

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021, 6-7:30 P.M.

We all know that the last year and a half has been hard for everyone, but especially for kids. Now, as the new school year looms, many challenges remain. To mark this milestone, all are welcome to a back-to-school gathering on Friday evening, September 3—to reconnect in person, to have some fun together, and to lift up and honor the amazing kids of our community. Bring a blanket and your own picnic dinner. The cathedral will provide dessert for everyone and a variety of fun activities. Bring your backpacks to receive a blessing! Contact Rebekah Gilmore with questions.

Choir Camp Evensong

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WEDENSDAY, JULY 14, 4:30 P.M., via Zoom

Join the choristers for a Choir Camp Evensong over Zoom!

The Saint Mark's Choir School's Quarantine Quire Camp for senior choristers is happening July 11–14!

On Wednesday, July 14, at 4:30 p.m., the participants will be leading a Zoom Evensong service. These talented young people will lead our prayer as officiants and cantors.

Join using this Zoom link.

Mid-summer Family Ride/Run/Roll around Greenlake

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SUNDAY, JULY 18, 3:30–5 P.M.

Grab your bikes, rollerblades, or walking shoes and do the 2.7-mile loop around Greenlake with other cathedral families. Parents must accompany their children or have a designated adult chaperone. Social distancing will be observed. Parking isn't awesome on a beautiful summer Sunday but in addition to the on-site parking lot, free Sunday street parking in available in the area.

 

3:30 P.M. Gather at the outdoor stage area, east side of the Greenlake Community Center.

Address: 7201 East Green Lake Dr. N

Food: Due to Covid precautions, we won't be serving our usual rootbeer floats for this event but feel free to bring your own treat to eat after we do our loop!

Quarantine Quire Camps, 2021

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SENIOR CHORISTER CAMP

REGISTERSenior Chorister Camp registration here.

AGES: rising 3rd grade–8th grade

CAMP DATES: July 11-14, 2021

  • Sunday, July 11, 3–4:30 p.m.: Camp kickoff (masked/distanced at the cathedral)
  • Monday, July 12–Wednesday, July 14, 10–11:40 a.m. daily: Camp via Zoom
  • Wednesday, July 14, 4:30 p.m.: Final Zoom Choral Evensong

TUITION: No tuition fees will be charged for camp 2021.

 


SCHOLA HIGH SCHOOL CAMP

REGISTER: Schola Camp registration here.

AGES: rising 9th-12th grade, and younger newly changed-voice tenors/basses

CAMP DATES: August 2-6, 2021

  • 7–8:30 p.m. daily
  • This camp may be a hybrid in-person/Zoom if state and cathedral guidelines allow. Stay tuned!

TUITION: No tuition fees will be charged for camp 2021.

 

Questions? Email the Choir School at choirschool@saintmarks.org

“Holy Week at Home” Packets for Families with Elementary Age Children

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Sign up today!

Calling all families with elementary school children! Saint Mark’s faith formation leaders are preparing packets for you to observe Holy Week at home while staying connected to the broader community. We’ll drop off your packet between April 25 and 27, or will mail it to you if you are at a longer distance. We want to be sure to include all families with younger children—please send a note to Canon Jennifer with your name, address, and names of children at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org. We’ll let you know when to expect your Holy Week delivery!

Special Lenten Wednesday Evensong Service, Led by Choristers of the Choir School

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WEDNESDAYS IN LENT, BEGINNING FEBRUARY 24, 4:30 P.M., via Zoom

During the season of Lent, the choristers of the Choir School will host a weekly Evensong service over Zoom on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. All are welcome! Take a break in your week to be led in prayer by the voices of our cathedral choristers. (Daily Evening Prayer continues at 6:30 p.m. as usual.) Join using this Zoom link.

Although these services are led by the choristers of the choir school, they are very much a worship service for the entire congregation, of all ages.

These services will be offered at 4:30 p.m. on:

  • February 24
  • March 3
  • March 10
  • March 17
  • March 24

Prayer Banners for Lent

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What Lenten prayers are on your heart? We may be distanced from each other in these times, but we can share our prayers, a piece of ourselves, in community.

All in the Saint Mark’s cathedral community are invited to contribute to a display of prayer banners around the labyrinth—a tangible and tactile expression of our prayers, both personal and communal.


UPDATE: On Maundy Thursday all the banners will be gathered together, collectively blessed at the evening liturgy, and offered up as an embodiment of the prayers of the community.


You will need a piece of cloth about 3" wide, and between 12" and 24" long. You can pick one up from the bin placed on the front patio of the cathedral during the day (M–F, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Or you can make one yourself, using whatever fabric is at hand.

Using a Sharpie, fabric marker, or another method that will be permanent and waterproof, write your prayer intention on the cloth, in whatever style makes sense to you. You can write a small note in one corner or the banner, or your lettering can fill the whole space. You can write a lot, or just a single word.

Then, make a prayer pilgrimage to Saint Mark’s!

Bring your prayer banner—or make one on the spot—and then take a clip from the bin on the patio to string your banner along with others around the labyrinth. (The banners will be more permanently attached at the end of each day.) If you cannot make it to the cathedral in-person, please mail your banner to the cathedral at the usual mailing address.

When we put our prayer banners together this way, even though we may not be all walking there at the same time, we are connecting with each other, taking time to be present at the labyrinth in prayer, and leaving something of ourselves that we share. As we string our own prayer banners, we pray for all the others who have walked and placed their prayers here in community.

Contact Canon Jennifer at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org with any question.

Canon Nancy Ross discusses this offering in the second half of the video below:

Pretzel Making with Clergy, for Children and Families

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SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 10:30 A.M., via Zoom

Join your Dean Steve, Canon Jennifer and Canon Nancy on Saturday, March 6 from 10:30–11:30 am on Zoom as we make pretzels together and learn why they are a Lenten tradition.

Download the recipe here—you won’t need many ingredients, just flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and an egg!

Join using this Zoom link.

Contact Canon Jennifer at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org for the Zoom link and for more information.

Lent at Home, 2021

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The season of Lent has provided a certain rhythm to the lives of Christians for twenty centuries now. Through thick and thin, Lent is a steadfast part of the journey for people of all ages. Of course, this year will be different, but there is also an opportunity to return to our roots in the early Christian community, before church buildings became normative, and the home was the principal place for gathering and growing in faith.

Here are some resources and practices to help you and your family journey through Lent, and as you do, know that many others in the Saint Mark’s community are journeying with you.

Lenten Evening Devotional

This five-minute evening service of worship is a great way to begin your evening meal or prepare for bed and can be found below on this page. A printed version of the service was mailed to parishioners in February, or you can view a pdf online here. You’ll light and then extinguish candles to acknowledge the darkness that comes before Easter light, and then at Easter, light all the candles to celebrate.

 

Prayer Banners

All the members of Saint Mark’s are invited to share their prayer intentions by writing them on a fabric banner and hanging them around the labyrinth on the cathedral front lawn. You can pick up fabric and a marking pen at the Saint Mark’s office or make your own with other fabric and permanent ink. Then make a prayer pilgrimage to Saint Mark's to join your prayer with the whole community. More information can be found here.

 

Lenten Community Book Study

Jesus and the Disinherited. Join Theologian-in-residence Canon Walter Brownridge in engaging with this foundational text exploring the Gospel as a manual of resistance for the poor and disenfranchised. Introductory presentation on Sunday, February 28 at 1 p.m.—join using this Zoom link.

 

Weekday Liturgical offerings via Zoom

Consider committing to attending one of the Daily Office liturgies online from home for the next six weeks—perhaps just once a week, or more—as part of your Lenten discipline. Beginning Wednesday, February 24, and every Wednesday thereafter, a new service of Morning Prayer will be offered at 8:30 a.m. (Thursday Morning Prayer at 7 a.m. continues as usual.) This means Morning Prayer is now offered twice a week, while Evening Prayer continues to be offered five times a week, M–F at 6:30 p.m. as usual.

In addition, for five Wednesdays in Lent only, a special service of Evensong (sung Evening Prayer) led by choristers of the Choir School will be offered at 4:30 p.m. These very special Zoom services are intended for the whole community, and will happen each Wednesday, from February 24 through March 24.

Stations of the Cross

The cathedral is blessed to be able to once again display the stunning sculptural interpretation of the traditional fourteen Stations of the Cross by artist Virginia Maksymowicz in the nave. This beautiful video of the "Way of the Cross" liturgy from the Book of Occasional Services was directed and edited filmmaker and community member David Wild—it is available to used as an aid to prayer at any time.

The leaflet for this service may be downloaded and printed here.

Sung Prayer

The words and music for the Taizé song The Lord is My Light are found here for use as a meal grace or prayer to begin or end the day.

Here is a video from our neighbors at St Andrew's, Green Lake, in Seattle—try singing the other parts of the round along with the singer in the video! A version of the song with all the parts of the round can be heard here

Additional Resources

 


An Evening Prayer Service for Lent

This simple form of evening worship for people of all ages, a brief five minutes, is for use during Lent, February 17–April 3. It can be used at the daily evening meal or close of day, or another time. The simplicity and repetition embeds the words in our minds and hearts. We are drawn into the reflection of what Jesus has done for us, and into our own penance and devotion, as we prepare for the events of Holy Week and the joy of the Resurrection on Easter.

Place six candles, lined up, at the center of the dining table or another gathering place. Similar to the Tenebrae service on Wednesday of Holy Week, where the lights dim by steps as we head into Jesus’ Passion, you begin each time of prayer with all six candles lit—and then, at the appointed time, extinguish one each night of the first week, two the second week, and so on, experiencing the growing darkness that leads to the light of Easter.

OPENING ANTIPHON

A leader begins by saying the antiphon of the week, or:

Leader:
Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.

All respond:
Thanks be to God.

SCRIPTURE

A reader reads the following, or another appropriate passage of Holy Scripture:

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.
—Psalm 16:7–8

 

PRAYER

All pray together:

Almighty and most merciful God, kindle within us the fire of love, that by its cleansing flame we may be purged of all our sins and made worthy to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

EXTINGUISHING OF CANDLE

As we move toward the events of Holy Week, we extinguish one candle each week, recognizing the darkness that comes before the light of the Resurrection. In the days immediately following Ash Wednesday, keep all the candles lit. Then, extinguish one candle of the six on the nights of the first week of Lent, two candles the second week, and so on.

 

HYMN

Conclude by saying or singing the evening hymn, known as the Nunc dimittis or “Song of Simeon,” one of the oldest Christian hymns.

Lord, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior,
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.
[Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, it now and will be for ever. Amen.]

or another version, such as this one [The Hymnal 1982 # 499] :

Lord God, you now have set your servant free
to go in peace as promised in your word.
My eyes have seen the Savior, Christ the Lord,
prepared by you for all the world to see—
To shine on nations trapped in darkest night,
the glory of your people and their light.

 

ANTIPHON OF THE WEEK

 

ASH WEDNESDAYS & THE DAYS FOLLOWING:
RETURN TO THE LORD
February 17–20

Return to the Lord, your God, for God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

 

FIRST WEEK OF LENT:
REPENT AND BELIEVE
February 21 – 27

 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.

 

SECOND WEEK OF LENT:
FOLLOW JESUS
February 28 – March 6

 If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

 

THIRD WEEK OF LENT:
LISTEN to GOD’s LAW
March 7 - 13

The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.

 

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT:
CHOOSE LIFE
March 14 - 20

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

 

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT:
THE HOUR HAS COME
March 21 – 27

Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

 

HOLY WEEK:
JOURNEY TO THE CROSS
March 28 – April 3

Being found in human form, Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.

Plainsong setting (Saint Mark’s)

Setting by Tyler Morse (The Evensong Choir)

Setting by David Hogan (Choir Camp)

Hymn #499 (Saint Mark’s Schola)

Setting by Stephen Sturk (The Compline Choir)

Setting by Aleksandr Grechaninov (National Lutheran Choir)

MEALTIME BLESSING

If dinner follows immediately, say together the mealtime blessing for Lent:

Give us grateful hearts, O God, for all your mercies, and make us mindful of the needs of others; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


A Farewell Message from Kelly Moody

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The following message was included in the February 2021 edition of Be Present at Our Table, the monthly newsletter of Children and Family Ministries at Saint Mark's. 


Dear families,

In the past year, the familiar heavy doors pictured above have not been swung open by little hands or harried parents very often. Prior to the pandemic, they were the physical threshold we passed through into the expansive and sacred space where we worship together, and the signal to our bodies that we were moving into a different kind of time and attention together with God. I don’t know about you, but opening those doors always evoked a deep breath in me that settled my soul.

I have missed thresholds this year; the markers of transitions that help us shift our energy and attention, and prepare ourselves for what is next. We talk often of thresholds in Godly Play; of using the outward and visible world to help kids transition into places of curiosity and wonder with God inside themselves. As you have probably heard me say before, what’s good for kids is good for adults! We, too, need thresholds to help us make transitions.

This is one of the beautiful facets of the liturgical calendar. Built into our ecclesiastical timekeeping are thresholds like Advent, Ash Wednesday, Lent, or Palm Sunday that help us turn the corners in our spiritual lives. Episcopal worship includes bodily practices and experiences that support our internal work, and one of those is the imposition of ashes at the start of Lent. This year, instead of going into the Cathedral and having a cross imposed on your forehead by a priest, you will do this at home. You’ll see more details about this coming up in Sundays and Beyond, and in your mailbox! I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to mark the transition into Lent with the Saint Mark’s community from home this year.

This note also serves as a threshold for me with you: I am resigning my role at Saint Mark’s to further discern my call to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church in a smaller parish. I am excited to take this turn toward God’s beckoning, but I am also sad, because I love companioning you and your children in this life we share, and I will miss you. Transitions are often this way; they are filled with different kinds of emotions, and all of those are okay.

In the coming weeks, you’ll hear more from Dean Steve and Canon Jennifer about how you all will enter this transition together. I have confidence in the ministry and leadership of our incredible team of clergy and program staff, our vestry liaison, Kristen Austin, our dedicated church school leaders: Alicia Goodwin, Kristen Kelly, and Sonjia Gavin, and the abiding presence and care of Rebekah Gilmore, whose staff role continues among children and youth as choir school director and interim youth minister. And, I have complete confidence in you. We have learned and grown so much together these past 3 and a half years.

God’s spirit moves mightily in this community among you and your children. Trust that!

I do. It has been a humble honor and a privilege to cross so many thresholds with you, and see God revealed in our midst.

with deep gratitude,

Kelly Moody,
Associate for Spiritual Development

Anti-Racism for Parents and Children

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During Black History Month, check out the resources and materials made available at The Conscious Kid, an education, research, and policy organization that promotes healthy racial identity development in youth.

Here are some quick tips from them:

  1. Name and take action against white supremacy with kids as early and as often as possible.

  2. Support racial identity as part of healthy child development. It is important to name whiteness, and for white people to identify as “white” in ways that acknowledge racisim in society and give white children models of people who have utilized their power and privilege to take action against racism and oppression.

  3. When questions or comments about race rise in your child, try to understand your child’s thought process, provide factual information and answers, and correct any misinformation rather than dismissing the comment or question. If you get asked a question that you are not sure how to answer, you can model that it's okay not to have all the answers.

Christmas Eve Resources and Activities for Kids!

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This year, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus together from home! 

Your family may participate in one of the Cathedral services together through a computer or TV, following along with the service leaflet, or you might choose to light candles, sing and pray and read scriptures together on your own. You might even choose to act out the story of the Nativity! It doesn’t matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this year on Christmas Eve. What matters is that our celebrations remind us that nothing stops Christ from coming to be with us—not a pandemic, or a closed cathedral, or anything else!

Below, you’ll find a Christmas Eve activity pack intended for elementary school-aged kids to explore the story of Christmas. Simply print it out at home and offer crayons or a pencil during the live-streamed service. Enjoy the beautiful music, take in the good news, and know you do so with many other families who are participating in various ways from their homes, too.

Click on the image to download.

If watching a livestream doesn’t work for your family, you can also use this very simple at-home worship guide for reading, singing and praying together to remember the story of Jesus’s birth. This brief service can be engaging even for very busy little children, and simple enough for the most uncertain singers!

Click on the image to download.

We know that children are more attentive than we realize, and that any way we engage them with the Christmas story from home is powerful and formative. Adults are not nearly so attentive, but worship from home is still powerful and formative for us, too! So go ahead... make room for Jesus to be born at your house, and rest in the grace of your belovedness to God, and to us here at Saint Mark’s.

Merry Christmas!

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