Holy Week Liturgies at Saint Mark’s, 2023

by on March 28, 2023 with No Comments
A note about pandemic safety:
There will be no pre-registration or screening at the door for any of this year's services.
At this time, masks are recommended (not required) in the cathedral buildings. Learn more here. The designated "distanced section" in the nave, where all must remain masked and distanced, remains available.
The following services will be livestreamed:
  • Palm Sunday 11 a.m.
  • Palm Sunday Choral Evensong
  • Palm Sunday Compline
  • Chrism Mass
  • Tenebrae
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday noon
  • Good Friday 7 p.m.
  • The Great Vigil of Easter
  • Easter Sunday 11 a.m.
  • Easter Sunday Compline

A Message from Dean Thomason

Dear Friends,

Holy Week is hard work—it drives to the heart of humanity’s deepest yearnings, fears and joys. It is such a special time that we engage the story differently, marking time by the pulse of Christ as he enters Jerusalem joyfully, as a king preparing for coronation, only to have his head pierced days later by a thorny crown, mocked and lashed and crucified as his followers desert him.

But Holy Week is not, at its core, about listening to the story once more—the story whose ending we think we know, because we’ve heard it so many times before. If we just listen with passive ears—our hearts will not quicken, our stomachs will not turn, our thoughts will keep their objective distance…and we will miss the point of it all.

Holy Week has a telos, to be sure, but there is no contraction of time that gets us to Easter without making the journey of Holy Week.

Many have tried, but they bounce off into orbit once more, thinking perhaps that next time it will be different, and the yearning for weighty meaning persists.

We make our way together, and we go with all the senses engaged, trusting that God emboldens us to speak of eternal life even in the face of death—Christ’s, and our own.

I want to note here three services in particular that have not been in our usual schedule of services:

    1. Choral Evensong on Palm Sunday. April 2, 4:30 p.m.
    2. Holy Saturday Contemplative Service. April 8, 12:15 p.m.
    3. Easter Sunrise Service on the labyrinth. April 9, 6:30 a.m.

The full list of services with description follows. I invite you to join in the procession that is Holy Week at Saint Mark’s.

Peace and prayers,

The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector

The liturgies of this most sacred time are an invitation to enter more fully into the mystery of the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Please participate as you feel called. Consider joining in an experience new to you. The entire community is blessed by your presence, whether in person or online.

 

Sunday, April 2: PALM SUNDAY—The Sunday of the Passion

8 a.m.  •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  Thomsen Chapel

9 a.m. •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  cathedral nave

11 a.m. •  Palm Sunday Liturgy •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

The Holy Week journey to the Cross begins with Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, greeted by shouts of "Hosanna!" At 8 a.m., palms are distributed and blessed, and at 9 & 11 a.m. an outdoor procession follows (weather permitting). In some traditions, these Palm Sunday processions are a solemn affair, but at Saint Mark's it has been our practice to make this procession as boisterous and noisy as the original would have been. This year we welcome back The Super-Krewe, a New Orleans-style brass band, to lead the parade and rhythm instruments are available for the young and young-at-heart.

Once inside the church, the liturgy makes an abrupt turn, as we hear the entire narrative of Jesus' crucifixion as it is told in one of the Gospels. (This year, the Passion according to Matthew is read.) The reading of the Passion Gospel will be punctuated by reflective instrumental interludes. "Palm Sunday" and "Passion Sunday" were at one time observed on two separate days, one week apart, but are combined into one liturgy in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The dramatic shift in tone marks the beginning of the solemnity that will follow in the remainder of the week. Canon Eliacín Rosario-Cruz will preach.

At the 9 a.m. service, an extended Children’s Chapel will be offered with a gentle, age-appropriate journey through the stories of Holy Week. Children are invited to follow the cross to Thomsen Chapel during the sequence hymn prior to the reading of the Passion Gospel and will return to their families at the Peace.

If you are participating online, you may wish to cut a leafy branch from your own garden in place of the palms, as people throughout the centuries have used what is indigenous in their own context to link them to the story of welcoming the King of Kings.

 

12:15 p.m.  •  Bilingual Stations of the Cross Liturgy - Liturgia del Vía Crucis bilingüe  •  cathedral nave

Following the 11 a.m. Palm Sunday Liturgy, we offer a communal walking of the Stations of the Cross in English and Spanish, as we contemplate the Way that Jesus walked by meditating on scripture and the sculptural interpretations by artist Virginia Maksymowicz. Readings and prayers will alternate languages, and a leaflet with both languages will help you locate yourself in the structure of the liturgy. This will be a moving, prayerful experience, whether or not you speak Spanish yourself. Experiencing these familiar scriptures and prayers in this format may provide a new perspective and fresh insight.

 

4:30 p.m. •  Choral Evensong on Palm Sunday  •  Thomsen Chapel

Mark the beginning of Holy Week with the cathedral's monthly offering of Choral Evensong on Palm Sunday. The mood of the service will be austere, with an emphasis on plainchant and unaccompanied singing, but the Evensong Choir's anthem will be Antonio Lotti's soaring and hauntingly expressive 8-part masterpiece, Crucifixus. The liturgy will conclude with all singing the beloved hymn, Abide with me.

 

7 p.m. •  Contemplative Eucharist on Palm Sunday  •  Thomsen Chapel

The Contemplative Eucharist will be offered as usual on Palm Sunday, with music offered by Rebekah Gilmore. Dean Thomason will preside.

 

9:30 p.m. •  The Office of Compline for Palm Sunday  •  cathedral nave, livestreamed, and broadcast on Classical KING

Compline on Palm Sunday follows the pattern of the other Compline liturgies in Lent, except that this is the only day of the year when the plainchant responsory Into thy hands, O Lord, is replaced by a polyphonic setting. This year the choir will present a version by the English Renaissance composer John Sheppard. The anthem which concludes the service will be We adore you, O Christ, by Richard Proulx (1937–2010), a sometime member of the Compline Choir.

Monday, April 3: Monday in Holy Week

7 p.m.  •  Contemplative Eucharist  •  cathedral nave

On the first weekday of Holy Week, experience a special version of the Contemplative Eucharist liturgy that is offered every Sunday at 7 p.m. in Thomsen Chapel. This is a liturgy of silence and stillness, following the familiar structure of the Holy Eucharist, with generous time for reflection and listening to the still small voice within. If you have never experienced the Sunday 7 p.m. service, you are especially encouraged to attend. There is no homily. Instrumental music helps create the meditative mood and will be offered this year by acclaimed composer and improvisor (and cathedral community member) James Falzone.

 

Tuesday, April 4: Tuesday in Holy Week

11 a.m.   •  Chrism Mass   •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

Bishop Provisional of the Diocese of Olympia Melissa Skelton and Bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA Shelley Bryan Wee join together for a service in which holy oil (chrism) is consecrated for use by faith communities throughout the Episcopal Diocese and Lutheran Synod in the coming year. Bishop Skelton will preside, and Bishop Wee will preach. The service includes an opportunity for priests and deacons to renew their ordination vows. All are welcome.

New this year: Bishop Skelton will remain in McCaw Chapel after the service to offer prayers and anointing for any clergy desiring that.

 

7 p.m.  •  Healing Eucharist  •  cathedral nave

This service of Holy Eucharist is offered in the cathedral nave, but with the chairs and altar rearranged to create a more intimate experience. To the familiar Eucharistic liturgy, special prayers for healing (for yourself or others) are added. There is the option to participate in the ancient practice of anointing and laying on of hands by a priest. Music will be offered by Rebekah Gilmore and Canon Michael Kleinschmidt. The Rev. Linzi Stahlecker will offer a homily.

 

Wednesday, April 5: Wednesday in Holy Week

7 p.m.  •  Tenebrae •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

Tenebrae is, for many, a highlight of the liturgical year at Saint Mark's, with its plainchant psalms and laments and a cappella meditations. The liturgy for Wednesday of Holy Week as we have it today was created by combining elements of three prayer offices, originally appointed for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, containing unique elements that have inspired composers through the centuries. These elements include the chanting of portions of the Book of Lamentations, with its distinctive Hebrew letters at the beginning of each verse, sung responsories which serve as small windows into the Passion narrative, and a complete rendition of Psalm 51, known as the Miserere. It is, in the words of The Book of Occasional Services, "an extended mediation upon, and a prelude to" the events of the Triduum.

The word tenebrae means "shadows," and the most memorable element of the liturgy is the transformation of the space itself, without electric light: we begin in twilight and are gradually engulfed by darkness as the service progresses.

If you are participating online, consider dimming the electric lights and experience the shadows in your own setting.

Music is offered by the adults of Evensong Choir. A new element for 2023 is the setting of Psalm 51 which concludes the service, adapted from music by Gregorio Allegri, but quite different from the well-known "Allegri Miserere."

TRIDUUM—The Sacred Three Days

The Liturgies of the Triduum—that is, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Holy Week—are often considered to be a single liturgy stretched over three days. They trace Jesus' journey to the tomb, gradually increasing in intensity, until the proclamation of the Resurrection at the climax of the Easter Vigil, late Saturday night.

 

April 6: Maundy Thursday

7 a.m.  •  Morning Prayer on Maundy Thursday  •  in person in Thomsen Chapel 

 

7 p.m.  •  Maundy Thursday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

On this night we remember the Last Supper and Jesus' final teachings to his friends. The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning "commandment," referring to "The New Commandment," that is, Jesus' commandment to us to love one another. (The famous text Ubi caritas—"Where charity and love are, God is there"—has its origin in this liturgy, and will this year be sung by the Cathedral Choir in a setting by Morton Lauridsen.) Saint Mark's Deacon, The Rev. Emily Austin, will preach.

This Gospel is followed by a Liturgy of Foot Washing, an enactment of Jesus' gesture of humble service to his followers. At Saint Mark's, it is the tradition to invite the entire congregation to participate in this powerful and intimate act, both washing the feet of others, and allowing your own feet to be washed. It is your choice whether to participate or not.

A service of Holy Eucharist follows the foot washing, after which the ritual Stripping of the Altar is performed. Fundamentally, this ritual is simply preparing the worship space for the next "act" of the Triduum liturgy, since on Good Friday the altar is always kept completely bare. In the context of the Maundy Thursday, the act takes on profound symbolic resonances, reminding us of the stripping of Jesus before his scourging in the final hours before his death, the preparation of Jesus’ body for his entombment, even the stripping bare of our own hearts. At Saint Mark's this ritual contains unique elements—you are invited to find your own meaning in this powerful, ambiguous, and unsettling act.

Music for this liturgy is offered by the Senior Choristers of the Choir School and (for the first time this year) the Cathedral Choir.

If you are watching online, you may wish to prepare a basin of warm water and have a soft towel ready to use with your household for the foot-washing portion of the liturgy.

 

~8:30 p.m.  •  Night Watch at the Altar of Repose (in the cathedral nave by reservation and livestreamed)

After Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday, some of the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist are placed on the altar in McCaw Chapel, where they are a focus for prayer and meditation through the night. We remember the agony of Jesus' final night before his crucifixion, and we remember his challenge to the disciples: "Could you not keep awake one hour? Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37–38)

Volunteers will be present from the conclusion of the liturgy until 8 a.m., and the livestream will be available all night. The livestream will be streamed to the cathedral’s YouTube channel, and available on the usual livestream page of the cathedral website. (You may need to wait a few minutes and refresh the page before the video will appear.)

All are invited to spend some time in prayer and stillness, in whatever way feels meaningful to you: meditating, reading scripture or poetry, journaling, knitting, or sitting in silence.

April 7: Good Friday

11 a.m.  •  Communal Walking of the Stations of the Cross  •  cathedral nave

This is a final opportunity to experience this liturgy together with others this year. When we reach Eastertide, the cathedral's Stations will be put away until next year.

 

12 p.m.  •  Good Friday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

7 p.m.  •  Good Friday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

Recalling the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Good Friday liturgy is out-of-joint. On this day, no service of Eucharist is permitted. The Passion—the complete story of Jesus' trials, crucifixion, and entombment—is proclaimed. While on Palm/Passion Sunday the crucifixion narratives of Matthew, Mark, or Luke are read, depending on the year, on Good Friday it is invariably the Passion according to John. At the liturgy at noon, the Passion is read; at 7 p.m., it is chanted by members of the Cathedral Choir. Dean Thomason will preach.

The Passion is followed by a long series of ancient prayers known as The Solemn Collects. These prayers are traditionally accompanied by a distinctive pattern of standing and kneeling, which becomes a sort of sacred dance. Like the Passion, the Solemn Collects are read at noon and chanted at 7 p.m.

Finally, a large cross is brought into the worship space. All are invited to use this cross to meditate on Jesus' redemptive self-sacrifice. At Saint Mark's, this is known as The Contemplation of the Cross.

At noon, the liturgy will be accompanied by instrumental music by composer and improvisor James Falzone. At 7 p.m. music will be offered by the Cathedral Choir and the Schola of the Cathedral Choir School.

 

(It is the tradition at Saint Mark's to offer The Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as “private confession,” on Good Friday. If this is something you would like, please contact any member of the clergy.)

 

April 8: Holy Saturday

12:15 p.m.  •  Holy Saturday Liturgy  •  cathedral nave

A short but moving liturgy is appointed for Holy Saturday in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. For many years, the service was offered in the Chapel of the Resurrection, but since the pandemic it has been moved to an unfamiliar corner of the cathedral nave. This placement prompted an expansion and enrichment of the liturgy, with scripture, a brief homily offered by community member Emily Meeks, and silence holding space to contemplate both the grief and promise of the tomb. Note that the time from 12 to 12:15 p.m. is set aside for silent reflection in the nave.

 

8:30 p.m.  •  The Great Vigil of Easter  •  cathedral nave and livestreamed

This is most solemn night of the Christian year. We begin in darkness, then the Bishop kindles the New Fire with flint and steel—a primal act of creation and a symbol of the return of light and life. From the New Fire is lit the Paschal Candle, and from the Paschal candle the light is spread to the candles held by each participant. In this way a tiny spark grows to illuminate the entire cathedral.

A deacon or cantor standing next to the Paschal candle chants the Exsultet, the church's ancient proclamation of Easter. Then, by candlelight, a Service of Lessons from the Hebrew scripture recounts the mighty saving acts of God in history and God’s promise of redemption and salvation. In the candlelit space, the scriptures take on some of the quality of stories told around the campfire.

When the sequence of readings is completed, Baptisms are performed—the Easter Vigil has been an occasion for baptizing new Christians since the earliest centuries of Christianity, connecting the sacrament of new birth to the commemoration of Christ's triumph over death.

At last, we reach the climax of the Great Vigil, the culmination of the Triduum, and the goal of our entire Lenten journey—the Proclamation of the Resurrection. The cathedral is flooded with light, and we sing Gloria in excelsis! At Saint Mark's, this moment is accompanied by the opening of the great doors that were closed on Shrove Tuesday—another liturgical element that can experienced nowhere else. In the now-transformed space, we hear the Gospel story of the empty tomb, and celebrate the first Eucharist of Easter. The service concludes with hymns of rejoicing.

Incense is used at this service, and music is offered by the Senior Choristers, the Schola, and the Cathedral Choir.

If you are participating online, you may wish to kindle a fire of your own by having a fire in the fireplace or simply lighting a candle, Have a bell ready to ring, or a pan to bang on at the Easter Proclamation, and fling on all the lights!

Following the service, all are invited to join together for a midnight breakfast at Lost Lake Café, a 24-hour diner located between Pike and Pine on Capitol Hill.

April 9: Easter Sunday: The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

6:30 a.m.  •  Easter Sunrise Eucharist  •  outdoors on the labyrinth

First offered in 2021, this simple outdoor Eucharist is offered as dawn breaks on Easter morning.

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8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.  •  Easter Day Liturgy  •  cathedral nave; livestreamed at 11 a.m. only

The Easter Sunday liturgy is one of light and joy. The service includes a Renewal of Baptismal Vows. Music will be offered by the Cathedral Choir with organ, brass, percussion, and hand bells. This year, the Cathedral Choir will offer Charles Villiers Standford’s thrilling Te Deum in B-flat, as adapted by the composer for the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. The 8:30 and 11 a.m. services are identical in most ways, although incense will be used at 11 a.m. only. Our new Bishop Provisional, The Most Rev. Melissa Skelton, will preach.

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9:45 a.m. & 12:15 p.m.  •  Easter Egg Hunt  •  labyrinth/front lawn

This year an Easter Egg hunt for kids will be offered on the front lawn immediately after both the 8:30 and 11 a.m. Easter Sunday services. Children turn in their eggs for small prizes, and then may wish to hide eggs for others to find! Please bring your own basket.

 

7 p.m.  •  Contemplative Eucharist on Easter Evening  •  Thomsen Chapel

This evening Eucharist offers periods of silence for reflection, beautiful meditative music, and candlelight. Anointing and healing blessings are offered after the service. Music will be offered by James Falzone, and Canon Rosario-Cruz will preside.

 

9:30 p.m.  •  The Office of Compline on Easter Sunday  •   cathedral nave, livestreamed, and broadcast on Classical KING

Compline on Easter Sunday always begins with the canticle Pascha nostrum, sung by the Compline Choir in procession with hand bells. The joyous musical setting, with its Alleluia refrain, is by the choir's founder, Peter Hallock. This year the anthem will be Christus surrexit, a Latin motet by Jacob Handl based on the Lutheran chorale Christ ist erstanden.

 

Saint Mark’s Schola and the Early Music Youth Academy Present: Baroque Choral Favorites

by on March 9, 2023 with No Comments

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 4 P.M., in the cathedral nave

The Early Music Youth Academy chamber orchestra, part of Seattle Historical Arts for Kids, joins forces with the teen choristers of the Saint Mark's Cathedral Schola for a program of glorious Baroque choral-orchestral favorites. This short and sweet concert of favorite highlights from Baroque choral-orchestral masterworks will include movements from Vivaldi's Gloria, Handel's Messiah, and (especially appropriate for Lent) Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. String students using period bows are joined by their colleague on Baroque bassoon and by guest artist coach Henry Lebedinsky, organ, guest artist Brian Shaw, trumpet, and director Shulamit Kleinerman, violin. Saint Mark's Cathedral Choir School Director Rebekah Gilmore will conduct the ensemble joined by the exceptionally skilled young singers of the cathedral Schola.

Admission is free; free-will donations will be accepted at the event in support of music education at Seattle Historical Arts for Kids and Saint Mark's Cathedral.

2023 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper with Closing of the Doors

by on February 2, 2023 with No Comments

UPDATED WITH VIDEO!

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 6–7:15 P.M., in the cathedral nave. Suggested donation: $6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family.

Please join us on Shrove Tuesday (a.k.a. Mardi Gras), February 21, in the cathedral nave, to end the season after Epiphany in the traditional way—by gathering in community, eating pancakes, and having fun! There will be live music, crafts, and games. Chef Marc Aubertin and the youth will be preparing our meal, and the members of the Seattle Service Corps will be decorating and assisting in the celebration.

The celebration in the nave will conclude with a brief liturgy to bury the Alleluias and close the great doors until Easter. (This is a treasured tradition unique to Saint Mark's—see some views of what the Closing of the Doors looked in years past below.) Finally, on the patio, palms are burned to create the ashes for the Ash Wednesday services the next day.

Complete Closing of the Doors Liturgy, 2023

Complete Closing of the Doors Liturgy, 2021

Closing of the Doors, 2020

Closing of the Doors, 2019

A Not-So-Quiet Day

by on February 1, 2023 with No Comments

UPDATED WITH NEW DETAILS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 9:30 A.M.–2:30 P.M., in person only, in the cathedral nave and outdoors. Registration requested.

Facilitated by Wendy Claire Barrie, Cathedral Canon for Intergenerational Ministries

This offering for children, youth, and adults is an intentionally intergenerational exploration of embodied spiritual practices.

The doors will open at 9 a.m., and we'll begin at 9:30 a.m. with prayer, song, and an introduction to the day's activities. Feel free to come and go as you desire; we'll break for a light lunch at noon and the day will end at 2:30 pm.

All activities take place in the cathedral nave and on the labyrinth, weather permitting.

The day includes facilitated experiences as well as self-guided activities, and includes options for all ages and abilities. You are invited to choose among the offerings that interest you. Facilitators include Betsy Bell, Emily Meeks, Deborah Brown, Will Matthews, and Nicole Merat.

Schedule of the Day

  • 9 a.m. | Doors Open
  • 9:30 a.m. | Opening Circle
  • 10 a.m. | Qi Gong
  • 10:30 a.m. | Body Prayer
  • 11 a.m. | Drum Circle
  • 12 p.m. | Lunch
  • 1 p.m. | Collage
  • 1:30 p.m. | Yoga
  • 2:15 p.m. | Closing Circle

Self-guided activities available throughout the day include:

Don't miss this day of prayer and connection for all ages! Registration is appreciated but not required. Suggested donation: $10. Contact Canon Barrie with any questions: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Instructed Eucharist at 9 a.m., January 29, 2023

by on January 27, 2023 with No Comments

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29, at the 9 a.m. liturgy only

Saint Mark's will have another Instructed Eucharist on Sunday, January 29 as part of the 9 a.m. liturgy that day. This service will include additional explanation, both printed in the bulletin and spoken aloud, about why elements of the liturgy are the way they are, where they come from, and what they mean.

Community members of all ages and all levels of familiarity with the Episcopal tradition will learn something new and come away with a deeper understanding of "the work of the people." Saint Mark's aims to offer an Instructed Eucharist about once a year, so whichever service you normally attend, consider coming at 9 a.m. for this special offering.

UPDATE: Here is the Service Leaflet.

Candlemas Eve Candle-making and Evening Prayer

by on January 26, 2023 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 6:45-8:15 P.M., in Bloedel Hall and Thomsen Chapel, in person only. Optional community dinner served 6-6:30 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

This in-person only event looks ahead to Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation (February 2, midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox) of the infant Jesus in the temple, when Simeon recognizes him as the Anointed One, “the Light to enlighten the Nations.” Traditionally, it is the day in which candles are blessed for use in the coming year, so we’ll hear about the history of the day, make candles to take home and end with a simple service of Evening Prayer in Thomsen Chapel.

UPDATE: Here are a few of the beautiful candles created at the event. They were blessed for use during the 7 a.m. Eucharist the next day, February 2 (that is, on Candlemas itself).

Epiphany Supper, Eucharist, and Burning of the Greens

by on November 27, 2022 with No Comments

NOTE: The Pageant of the Nativity, originally scheduled for December 20, was rescheduled due to snow, and will replace this event on January 6. 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 6–8 P.M., Bloedel Hall, cathedral nave, and outdoors

Vegetarian chili, toppings, cornbread will be served from 6–6:45 p.m., then a simple and lovely Eucharistic liturgy will be offered in the nave, concluding with a procession with the Advent Wreath to the outdoor bonfire. Bring Christmas greens from your own home to burn as well.

Cocoa and cookies will be served outside. Please RSVP or volunteer to help by emailing Canon Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Intergenerational Cookie Swap and Holiday Fun

by on November 27, 2022 with No Comments

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.

Finally, we'll hear community member Libby Carr read her new book, How Do the Reindeer Fly?

Intergenerational Hike to Carkeek Park

by on October 26, 2022 with No Comments

UPDATED WITH PHOTOS

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:

  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. 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.
  3. 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 
  4. Can I bring my dog?
  5. Is there a pass required?

The Triduum of All Hallows/All Saints/All Souls

by on October 26, 2022 with No Comments

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.

Download the booklet for the liturgy that will close the evening here.

Join using this Zoom link.

“All Hallows Eve Eve”—Activities and Movie Screening for Children and Youth

by on October 13, 2022 with No Comments

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!

St. Francis Day & Blessing of the Animals, 2022

by on September 24, 2022 with No Comments

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. 

New Children’s Worship Bags

by on September 7, 2022 with 1 Comment

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

by on August 19, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on June 9, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on June 5, 2022 with No Comments
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

by on June 1, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on May 20, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on April 22, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on April 20, 2022 with 1 Comment

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

by on February 17, 2022 with No Comments

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

by on December 26, 2021 with No Comments

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

by on December 1, 2021 with No Comments

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 Latina, Lowell 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

by on September 23, 2021 with 5 Comments

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.

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