Taking Up Our Responsibility for Racial Justice

by on July 15, 2020 with 2 Comments
Photo by Tim Pierce via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

THIS SERIES MET IN JULY AND AUGUST, 2020

Although this offering is now concluded, you are invited to view the video of the plenary presentation, and explore course materials below. 

At this critical moment in our nation’s and community’s history, we are confronted again with fresh knowledge of longstanding racial injustice – in policing, the justice system, health care, housing, education, the Church, and many other sectors of our common life. Our faith community is grappling with important questions – what do I need to learn? How should I and our church respond?

This four-week study and discussion series in summer 2020 brought the Saint Mark’s community together to confront racism—its theology, history, and presence in our lives today—and ways to move forward toward justice. The in-depth series open to all recognized the responsibility for change falls on white people. We met on four Wednesday nights, with a required advance registration and commitment to attend all sessions and read/watch articles and videos in advance, and began with encouraging participants to read ahead of time Ijeoma Oluo’s book, So You Want to Talk About Race.

Saint Mark’s has ongoing programming each season to continue the work to take up our responsibility for racial justice, and encourages each of us to continue doing our own inner work, and learning, and action. As programs at the cathedral are scheduled, details will be available on the Racial Justice resources page, here.

The syllabus for the four-session series, including required reading and viewing, may be downloaded here.

Additional resources contributed by participants in the series may be downloaded here.

PDFs of the power point slides of the opening plenary may be downloaded here..

The Women’s Compline Choir Returns

by on July 15, 2020 with 2 Comments
TWO SUNDAYS, JULY 19 & 26, 9:30 P.M., broadcast live on KING-FM, and livestreamed 
After the historic and moving all-women Compline services offered last summer, plans were made for a repeat offering in the summer of 2020. The 21 women who participated last year cannot gather now, but a choir consisting only of Rebekah Gilmore and three other singers will offer Women's Compline once again on two Sundays in July. These services will be livestreamed on the cathedral website and on Facebook Live. Like last year, a new work has been commissioned and will receive its world premiere — Kevin Siegfried, a composer with Seattle roots and longstanding connections with the Compline Choir, has composed “Sisters, we have met to worship,” based on the early American Hymn tune Holy Manna. If you wish, you may RSVP on the Facebook event page.

UPDATE 7/22: Video of the service of July 19 may be seen below: 

UPDATE 7/28: Video of the service of July 26 may be seen below: 

#VoteFaithfully Parish Forum

by on July 14, 2020 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 7 P.M.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry tells us: “It is a Christian obligation to vote, and more than that, it is the church’s responsibility to help get souls to the polls.”

Come hear about the #VoteFaithfully movement in the Church – working together to empower every voice to get freely to the polls. We’re looking at ways to encourage voter registration and to speak out against voter suppression. We will hear from community members of their personal voting experience, share stories, share a faith perspective on voting your own conscience, and explore ways we can make a difference in valuing every voice through every vote. To register for this Parish Zoom Forum, click here.

Questions? Email The Rev. Emily Austin at eaustin@saintmarks.org.

 

Click here for a list of resources and actions for you to help get out the vote!

Taking White Supremacy to Court: The Charlottesville Case

by on July 13, 2020 with No Comments

TUESDAY, JULY 28, 5 P.M., presented by Temple de Hirsch-Sinai, co-sponsored by Saint Mark’s Cathedral and Faith Action Network

Integrity First for America (IFA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to holding those accountable who threaten longstanding principles of our democracy—including our country’s commitment to civil rights and equal justice. The IFA is backing Sines v. Kessler, the landmark federal lawsuit filed by a coalition of Charlottesville community members against the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the August 2017 violence. Trial is scheduled for October 2020. This case has the potential to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bankrupt and dismantle the organizations at the heart of the far-right extremist movement of today. (Read a New York Times article about the complexities of the case here.) On Tuesday, July 28 Temple de Hirsch Sinai will present an online forum with representatives from IFA, discussing the history and future plans for the lawsuit, and the broader context of hate groups in America. Learn more about this event here.

Register for this event using this link.

This event co-sponsored by: ADL Pacific Northwest, The Church Council of Greater Seattle, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Kol Ami, Congregation Kol Shalom, Faith Action Network, First AME Church, Gonzaga University Institute for Hate Studies, Herzl-Ner Tamid, Kadima, Kavana Cooperative, JConnect Seattle, Jewish Family Service, Montana Human Rights Network, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Temple Beth Am, Temple De Hirsch Sinai and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: July 12, 2020

by on July 9, 2020 with 2 Comments

On Thursday, July 9, Associate Organist John Stuntebeck introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for July 12 at 11 a.m—The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

The Hymns discussed are:

“O day of radiant gladness” (Hymn #48, tune: Es flog ein kleins Waldvögelein)
“Almighty God, your word is cast” (Hymn #588, but sung to the tune of #529, McKee)
“There is a balm in Gilead” (Hymn #676)
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend (Hymn #3)

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Sandra Smith: A Reflection on Mask Worry

by on July 8, 2020 with 2 Comments

Back in March, Sandra Smith submitted the very first reflection posted on the cathedral website on the events that were then rapidly unfolding, from her perspective as an immune-compromised person. Now, three months later, she has submitted the following thoughts about the current situation.

I believe all people in our human community do matter, especially the vulnerable and oppressed. We must keep ourselves safe. For people who don’t chose to mask, I have felt righteous indignation with my inner bully/tyrant rising up with anger because my health is threatened. I don’t want to be a bully nor a tyrant nor do I want to hate others whose values and behaviors are different than my own. I want to disarm myself, and ask God’s grace to diminish threats, save all of us, God’s people, and help me to truly walk in love, literally.

So, I walked for exercise with my neighbor. We were masked and maintained 6 feet social distancing from each other. As the months continued, I noticed people on my walk who didn’t wear their masks and it worried me; I felt threatened by their choice as they approached on the street. It surprised me how much woeful energy I felt as I encountered the unmasked. I wondered, why such a threat?

Having walked along a busy street for my daily walk, I felt a slow crescendo of anxiety, both my own and others’. After stepping aside from my frustration and fear, I took time to reflect and realized that I want others to behave in a way that protects me. After all, I wear a mask to protect them. Didn’t they have the desire to protect others, like me?

Then I looked deeper and realized that I had a part in this. Perhaps my need to control the masking behavior of others only increased my frustration. Stepping back from my worldview of what compassionate life may look like, it had now become time for me to admit again, that I only have power over my own behavior and actions. I began to consider the question a very wise woman said, “what can I do differently?”

So, my walking buddy and I chose after Easter Monday to walk a new less busy route while reflecting on a scripture passage each of us brings to the walk, maintaining our six-foot distance between ourselves and the fewer unmasked anxious others we encountered. I avoided the nearby unmasked contractor who was consistently not adhering to the Governor’s directive for him to be masked. As he continued in his illegal neglect, I calmly and firmly wrote to my condo neighbors that the behavior of this unmasked contractor was unacceptable. I asked what does he not understand and why? He is now abiding and masked. I also acknowledge the passing joggers’ rights as equal to my right to be outside and avoid or face away from them as they pass quickly to protect myself.

I try to let go of what is not mine to do responsibly. I don’t want to act in a tyrannical way to any of my neighbors. I fervently want to express my needs in a firm and loving way. I ask God to help me walk in love which is hard to do. I pray that I can continue to choose to do the best I can. God bless you in your journey with the unmasked. Be Safe. Let us pray for one another. Amen.

Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: July 5, 2020

by on July 2, 2020 with No Comments

On Thursday, July 2, Canon Michael Kleinschmidt introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for July 5 at 11 a.m—The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, and (informally) the day after Independence Day. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

Canon Kleinschmidt introduces the hymns to be sung at the live-streamed liturgy for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, July 5, 2020.

The Hymns discussed are:

Hymn #594, God of grace and God of glory (tune: Cwm Rhondda);
Hymn #692, I heard the voice of Jesus say (tune: The Third Tune);
Hymn #719, America but with revised text: "How beautiful our spacious skies" (tune: Materna)
William Whitla's Let streams of living justice flow (tune: Thaxted)

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

An Invitation to the 2020 Diocesan Ordination Liturgy

by on June 29, 2020 with No Comments

DIOCESAN LITURGY

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 6:30 P.M., on the Saint Mark's livestream page

God willing and the people consenting, four candidates will be ordained to the priesthood in a very special livestreamed liturgy this coming Tuesday. Stephen Crippen , who served as a Deacon at Saint Mark's several years ago, is one of them, along with Rong By, Natalie Johnson, and Hillary Kimsey. This extremely solemn and moving liturgy will be offered by Bishop Rickel, with many participants joining remotely.

An Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: June 28, 2020

by on June 25, 2020 with No Comments

On Thursday, June 25, Associate Organist John Stunteback introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for June 28 at 11 a.m—The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook, and this week, after two weeks away, was again offered in the organ loft, now featuring a beautiful, newly-refinished floor.

The Hymns discussed are:

O God of every nation (607);
Where cross the crowded ways of life (609);
Lord Christ, when first thou cam'st to earth (598);

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

The Wisdom of Children: An Audio Project from Saint Mark’s

by on June 23, 2020 with 2 Comments
The Wisdom of Children is an audio project recorded in June, 2020, featuring the voices of the children of the Saint Mark's Cathedral community. Listen now using the embedded player below, or read on for other ways to listen.
LISTEN NOW:
A MESSAGE FROM DEAN THOMASON

Dear friends,

Several weeks ago, in the throes of feeling the acute loss of human interaction, it washed over me how much I missed hearing the voices of children in my life—the murmurs of little ones on the carpet in the nave during worship, the screams of playful delight on the Lowell Elementary School playground across the street from my home, the infectious giggles of toddlers swept up in a moment of joy, even the wailsome cries of a child who intuitively knows all is not right with their world. Children bring a spiritual wisdom to the mix, unhindered by worldly ways that tilt toward cynicism. I have learned much from these little ones through the years, when I take time to listen, really listen.

The idea of asking children questions and capturing their words in audio files matured under the leadership of Kelly Moody, our Associate for Spiritual Formation, and Canon Cristi Chapman, and we are delighted to share the voices of several children of Saint Mark’s here, in this time of pandemic. Entitled The Wisdom of Children, the invitation is simply to have your heart lifted, and perhaps opened a bit more to the spiritual connection we all share, as beloved children of God. There is wisdom here, and nourishment for the soul. Enjoy!

Blessings and Peace,

The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason
Dean and Rector
OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN
Please note that, for convenience, "The Wisdom of Children" will also be made available as a special episode of the Saint Mark's Prayer Podcast for Children and Families—search for the podcast title on your app of choice, and select the episode "The Wisdom of Children."
You may also listen on SoundCloud here.
THE COMPLETE UNEDITED INTERVIEWS
Below are the full interviews of all the children. Thanks to all the participants!

An Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: June 21, 2020

by on June 18, 2020 with No Comments

On Thursday, June 18, Canon Michael Kleinschmidt introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for June 21 at 11 a.m—The Third Sunday after Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook, and this week it was presented on the Pasi portative organ from McCaw Chapel, due to ongoing renovation work in the choir loft.

The Hymns discussed are:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (390);
They cast their nets in Galilee (661);
Take up your cross (675)

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Parent Connections Group: Gathering and Growing through a Quarantine

by on June 13, 2020 with No Comments

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, at 4 P.M., via Zoom

So much has changed so quickly! As parents and caregivers, we are continually adapting to these unusual times. Many of us report that juggling competing responsibilities and dealing with ongoing change is trying and overwhelming. It can also reveal a capacity for resilience we didn't know we had. Join The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman and fellow parents for connection and reflection each month. To receive the link, contact the Rev. Canon Nancy Ross for more details at nross@saintmarks.org.

Exploring Sunday’s Scripture (Online)

by on June 12, 2020 with No Comments

FOUR MONDAYS IN JUNE: JUNE 8, 15, 22, and 29, 7–8 P.M., via Zoom.

Join Cathedral Clergy and gather on Zoom for an hour on Monday evenings, June 8, 15, 22, and 29, to check in with each other and look ahead at some of the readings for the upcoming Sunday. A little Bible Study and a little reflection together as we find new ways to connect to our lives to the shared sacred narrative of Scripture. What is God calling you to notice in this different season? Come (online) whatever weeks you can! Email Canon Cristi Chapman for the Zoom link, cchapman@saintmarks.org.

An Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: June 14, 2020

by on June 11, 2020 with 2 Comments

On Thursday, June 11, Associate Organist John Stunteback introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for June 14 at 11 a.m—The Second Sunday after Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook, and this week it was presented on the Pasi portative organ from Thomsen Chapel, due to renovation work in the choir loft.

The Hymns discussed are:

The God of Abraham Praise (401, stanzas 1, 4, & 5);
Come thou fount of every blessing (686);
My God, thy table now is spread (321);
Lord, you give the great commission (words of hymn #528, but sung to the tune Hyfrydol)

...with a few words about a very interesting organ .

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Compline with the Seattle Service Corps

by on June 11, 2020 with 2 Comments
THURSDAYS, JUNE 18, & 25, 7:15 P.M., via Zoom
Join Seattle Service Corps for Compline during their last month in residence on the cathedral campus. Everyone in the Saint Mark's community is welcome! This simple, grounding prayer service from the BCP takes no more than 15 minutes and will be led by corps members with light instrumental accompaniment. All the text and responses for the office are included in a slide-show broadcast through a Zoom link, available by emailing aconley@saintmarks.org.

Celebrating the Seattle Service Corps

by on June 10, 2020 with No Comments
WEDNESDAY PARISH FORUM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 7–8 P.M., via Zoom

This year's members of the Seattle Service Corps invite you to a Zoom Forum and Q&A as their program year draws to a close. Learn firsthand their individual and collective experiences of intentional community, what they’ve discovered about faith and service, and where they’re headed next. Discover what it’s been like to be the Saint Mark’s anchor community on campus during a stay-at-home pandemic, and what it’s been like to inhabit this challenging, powerful moment in history. Please e-mail The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman at chapman@saintmarks.org for a Zoom link. Questions? E-mail SSC Director Adam Conley at aconley@saintmarks.org.

“Today Was A Good Day” — Watch Party with Director David Wild

by on June 9, 2020 with No Comments

WEDNESDAY PARISH FORUM

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 7 p.m., via Zoom

Join with the broad Saint Mark’s community for a watch party of parishioner David Wild’s documentary film, Today Was A Good Day. This 40-minute film offers different perspectives on the day-to-day life of a caregiver, as seen through the eyes of three Southeastern Michigan residents who have taken on the many roles and responsibilities of caring for an aging parent. Afterwards, we’ll have a chance to hear David reflect on the film and discuss the caregiver experience, including for those with dementia. Register using the link below. Watch the trailer here. Contact Canon Daugherty with questions: jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE SCREENING AND DISCUSSION.

An Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: June 7, 2020

by on June 4, 2020 with No Comments

On Thursday, June 4, Canon Michael Kleinschmidt introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for June 7 at 11 a.m—Trinity Sunday. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

The Hymns discussed are:

I bind unto myself today (tune: St Patrick's Breastplate) - The Hymnal 1982 #370
Holy, holy holy! (tune: Nicaea) - The Hymnal 1982 #362
Sing praise to our Creator (tune: Christus des ist mein Leben) - The Hymnal 1982 #295

...with a bonus presentation of the fugue subjects of Sunday's postlude, the great "St. Anne Fugue" of J.S. Bach: the Triple Fugue in E Flat, BWV 552.

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Seattle Multifaith Clergy Lament & Prayer for Racial Justice

by on June 3, 2020 with No Comments

FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 12 NOON

This Friday, June 5, at noon, a group of Seattle clergy from many faith traditions will gather on the terrace and steps of St. James Cathedral to pray and observe eight minutes, 46 seconds of silence while the Cathedral’s funeral bell tolls. Rev. Dr. Kelle Brown, Lead Pastor, Plymouth Church, will speak and invite all to the time of silence. Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral will be represented at the event by Dean Steve Thomason. Learn more in Dean Thomason's message here. Participating clergy will wear face coverings and observe appropriate physical distancing. The brief service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/425970811 and on St James Cathedral’s Facebook page: facebook.com/stjamesseattle/

NOTE: To comply with the recent directive regarding outdoor religious services, in-person attendance at this event must be strictly limited. Please DO NOT plan to attend this event in person.

UPDATE: A full video of the event may be seen below:

Moment of Prayer and Lament from St. James Cathedral, Seattle on Vimeo.

Confronting Racism—Working for Change

by on June 3, 2020 with 8 Comments

Anti-Racism Learning Resources

What can I do? There are articles galore, lists galore, books galore – no dearth of resources and actions online and in publications. It’s not about you doing everything; it’s about all of us doing something.

You are encouraged to be willing to be uncomfortable, to read challenging works from sources you may not ordinarily seek out, and to be intentional in doing both the inner work and the active work in the world that we are called to as Christians: to strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.

This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but provides examples of ways to get more involved in addressing racism and working for change.

Where to start?

  • Educate yourself.
  • Do your inner work.
  • Listen – and speak up.
  • Participate in and financially support organizations run by people of color.
  • Show up and volunteer. 

 

Do the ongoing work

  • Call legislators and police departments, and write letters and emails. They do get counted!
  • Work for voting rights and voter registration in communities of color.
  • Speak up when you hear racist talk.
  • Listen when people of color speak, even if their message makes you uncomfortable.
  • Remember S.A.S. – STOP. ASK. STAY.  When you see a person of color being questioned or hassled: Stop — Ask "Are you okay?" — Stay and be a witness.
  • Show up in solidarity – not violence.
  • Do the inner work to face the cultural and inherited racism in yourself: read, listen, participate in workshops and programs on dismantling racism.
  • Follow the lead of people of color; join an organization run by people of color.
  • Support black-owned businesses. Here is one list: http://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/support-black-owned-businesses-in-seattle
  • Here is another list of black-owned businesses: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/support-black-owned-businesses/
  • Pepperdine University provides this resource to help understand the roots and consequences of prejudice: https://onlinegrad.pepperdine.edu/blog/prejudice-discrimination-coping-skills/

 

Books

  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
  • I’m still here by Austin Channing Brown
  • Disunity in Christ by Christena Cleveland
  • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta Nehisi Coates
  • White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo
  • The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
  • Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
  • How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
  • Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America's Heartland by Jonathan Metzl
  • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  • Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad
  • Just Mercy by Bryan Stephenson
  • A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America by Ron Takaki
  • The Burning House: Jim Crow and the Making of Modern America by Anders Walker
  • A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn

News

 

Local Organizations

 

National Organizations

 

Other lists of resources

Black Lives Matter: A Guide to Resistance Events, Black-Owned Restaurants, and Other Ways to Stand Against Racism in Seattle
The Stranger has published this excellent list of resources, references, and recommendations.

The Bureau of Fearless Ideas [pdf]
The Seattle branch of the Dave Eggers-founded writing nonprofit suggests accounts to follow, books by black authors, donation sites, direct action literature, and podcasts about race.

Seattle Rep’s Racial Justice Resources
Seattle Repertory Theatre has compiled links to local and national donation sites, memorial funds, petitions, and education material, plus numbers to call to demand justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade.

Responding to Racist Violence

Resources from The Episcopal Church, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's recent Pentecost sermon, scriptures and liturgies for prayer and healing, and ways to participate in justice initiatives.

Anti-Racism Resources [google doc]
This list compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein includes tons of articles, videos, podcasts, books, films and TV, and other links “intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work.”

Additional Resources for Taking Up Our Responsibility for Racial Justice [pdf] During Saint Mark’s summer 2020 series of readings, videos, podcasts, and discussions, many resources were offered by participants in addition to the syllabus, examining racism and white privilege and how we as individuals, and as community, are both complicit and can learn more and be forces for change. Find this extended list here.

 

Resources for children and teens

Summer Reading List [pdf]

A collective network of Episcopal formation leaders has put together a wonderful anti-racist reading list for students (bracketed by age) and parents. We love God by loving one another, and it's never too soon to talk to our children about the differences they see, and to practice love by dismantling racism. Let us know if you read them, and send us a quick review to share with other families

Talking Race With Young Children [podcast episode with links to additional resources]

Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity and inclusion, even with very young children.


Raising Race-conscious children

A list of 100(!) race-conscious things you can say to your child to advance racial justice.


Nikole Hannah-Jones' work on school choice and segregation
Scroll through the list of Hannah-Jones' publications and interviews to read her provocative work on inequalities in education

 

Kids4Peace

Explore the many offerings for high school and junior-high students from this interfaith organization with longstanding ties to Saint Mark's.

 

What does Love Do? [pdf]

A printable document for families from The Episcopal Church. Put it on your fridge, and be reminded throughout the day that love is the way!

Dean Thomason: Racial Violence and God’s Call to a “New Normal”

by on May 30, 2020 with 4 Comments

Dear friends,

Our hearts singe once more with the excruciating pain of seeing a police officer in Minnesota use an established torture technique to subdue a black man under suspicion of an alleged crime. Other police officers were complicit in their participation. George Floyd died at their hands.

There has been much talk in recent weeks of constitutional rights, but Mr. Floyd was not afforded his in this moment which has catalyzed outrage and terror. Yes, terror, for there are fellow citizens of this nation who must live in fear of such heinous and deadly acts being perpetrated on them, too, and their sons and brothers. They live in terror because this is not an isolated event. This nation’s deep roots of racism have given rise to more than four centuries of such terror. It is no wonder that terror intermingled with grief from a pandemic has stirred the masses into a riotous furor.

“A riot is the language of the unheard.” So said Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who used his prophetic voice to call this nation to repent of its sin of racism, in 1968. That quote has become a soundbite in recent days, as it did four years ago in Baltimore, and eight years ago in Ferguson, and… and… and…

But in that same speech Dr. King went on to ask America — which is to say, he went on to ask you and me: “What is it America has failed to hear? It has failed to hear that the plight of the negro poor [sic] has worsened over the last twelve or fifteen years. It has failed to hear that the promises of freedom and justice have not been met. And it has failed to hear that large segments of white society are more concerned about tranquility and the status quo than about justice and humanity.”

The prophet’s voice singes our ears and our hearts a half century later, and his words are sadly as true now as they were then. Dr. King rejected violence as a means for societal change, and yet he understood the violent protests of the oppressed in relation to the violence and terror that racism has inflicted on a people for centuries.

Let’s be honest: we all want justice… for ourselves at least, but maybe not so much when it disturbs the status quo to which we have become accustomed. That is human nature, I suppose, but it comes with a heavy price for some as we organize our common life by a deeper logic that insists on inequity: insider/outsider; rich/poor; powerful/oppressed. Barak Obama reflected this week in the wake of George Floyd’s death that “it's natural to wish for life ‘to just get back to normal’ as a pandemic and economic crisis upend everything around us. But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal’ — whether it's while dealing with the health care system, or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.”

My friends, God is calling us to create a new normal in which justice will take a shape that extends well beyond a neighborhood in Minneapolis, and well beyond cries for retributive justice to be meted out. Yes, a police officer has been charged with murder; other police officers have been fired. We pray this day for the riots to revert to non-violent protest. And we pray that those voices may be heard, by us, by our leaders, and by all in this nation as we struggle to find a new way, a different way of being part of that “inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.”

God’s relentless call to us is about working for a new creation in which the even deeper logic is abundant life for all. A “new normal,” if you will. As we renew our Baptismal Covenant tomorrow on the occasion of Pentecost, may we form the words on our lips and on our hearts: “I will, with God’s help.”

Your Brother in Christ,

The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason

Dean and Rector

National Day of Mourning and Lament

by on May 29, 2020 with 2 Comments

Monday, June 1. Special service of Evening Prayer: 6:30 p.m., via Zoom

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has joined with over one hundred other faith leaders—from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions representing major denominations, national faith-based organizations, local congregations, and millions of people of faith across the country—in calling for a National Day of Mourning and Lament to grieve and honor the over 100,000 people in the U.S. who have now died from COVID-19. This call is being supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors who represent over 1,400 mayors across the country. Please view the video below to learn more about this event.

On Monday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark’s service of Daily Evening Prayer online will be focused on this special observance. Dean Thomason will lead the prayers. All are welcome.

Contact Sacristan Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org, if you do not already have the Evening Prayer Zoom link.

An Introduction to Sunday’s Hymns: May 31, 2020

by on May 28, 2020 with 3 Comments

On Thursday, May 28, Associate Organist John Stunteback introduced the hymns to be sung during this coming Sunday's live-streamed service for May 31 at 11 a.m—The Feast of Pentecost. This introduction was presented live on Facebook.

The Hymns discussed are:

Hail thee Festival day! (tune: Salva festa dies) - The Hymnal 1982 #225
Loving Spirit (tune: Omni die) - Wonder Love & Praise #742
Holy Spirit, ever living (tune: Abbot's Leigh) - The Hymnal 1982 #511

...with a bonus presentation of the tunes on which the Sunday's organ voluntaries are based: The Lutheran chorale Komm heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (the basis of the Buxtehude prelude), and the plainsong hymn Veni Creator Spiritus (the basis of the Bédard postlude).

Join us in the future on Thursdays at 4 p.m. for another live hymn chat! Just visit the cathedral's public Facebook page at the time of the broadcast—if you "follow" the cathedral on Facebook, you should receive a notification when we're live.

Women Clergy at Saint Mark’s Panel Discussion Video

by on May 26, 2020 with No Comments

On Sunday, May 24, The Rev. Canon Jennifer King Daugherty moderated a panel discussion with three women priests who served at Saint Mark's, Seattle, in three different decades: The Rev. Carla Berkedal Pryne, the first woman priest at Saint Mark's, who served in the 1980s, The Rev. Kate Kinney, who served in the 1990s, and The Rev. Sue Reid, who served in the 2000s.

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