Saint Mark’s is blessed to have a community filled with many skills, talents and interests. As volunteers and lay ministers, we are central to the mission of the church and the Saint Mark’s community. Any time one puts a skill, talent or interest in the service of God, they are exercising a spiritual gift. As members of the Body of Christ, each individual has their own unique spiritual gifts, and each a something they can bring to the table. As we seek and discover our gifts, and minister to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we receive God’s grace and love. The sharing of these gifts enables us, as one body, to minister to ourselves, our community and our world. You are needed, wanted and gifted to give of your time and talent.
Please note that much of the information on this page and in the Ministry Directory PDF was last updated while the cathedral building was still closed, and may no longer be accurate. A new version is currently in the works. Until then, contact the ministry leaders for the most updated information.
Recently the vestry has been discussing ways to engage in ministry at Saint Mark’s even when you can’t make it to campus. Click here to learn more.
Acolytes
Acolytes carry the cross, torches, and banners in processions, as well as assisting in worship in other ways. Open to children and adults
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Altar Guild
Altar guild members help prepare the community’s Eucharistic meal by setting up bread, wine, vessels, linens and the altar table, assisting the presiding team during the service and caring for the vessels and linens following the service.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Bread Baker Guild
A community of people gathers once a month to bake the bread for all of our Eucharistic services. Open to all ages.
René Marceau, marceau_rene@comcast.net
Chalice Bearers
Chalice bearers are licensed ministers who offer the hospitality of God’s Table as they serve the wine during communion. Chalice bearers serve at 8, 9 & 11 a.m. Open to those 16 years or older.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Eucharistic Visitors
Consecrated bread and wine are entrusted to lay Eucharistic visitors to be shared with sick or shut-in members of the community. If you would like Holy Communion brought to you, please call the cathedral at 206.323.0300. To accompany a Eucharistic Visitor on a visit, or if you’d like to learn more about this licensed ministry, please contact:
Kevin Johnson, kevincjohnson@comcast.net
Flower Ministry
Flowers give beauty, hope and solace and enhance the fabric of the church. Member of the Flower Ministry create the nave and chapel arrangements, and in doing so, give back a gift of beauty to the One who created us. The dedicated volunteers possess a wide range of abilities and experiences, and work in teams to support and learn from each other.
Beatrix Hamm, flowers@saintmarks.org
Lectors & Intercessors
Lectors proclaim God’s word at our various liturgies by reading lessons from scripture and lead the assembly’s prayers and intercessions at Sunday morning and other services. Open to adults as well as to teenagers and younger children by special arrangement.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Oblation Bearers
At the 9 a.m. Sunday morning Eucharist, a family assists the ushers by bringing forward the gifts of bread and wine that we offer to God at the Offertory. Even very young children can help with this important liturgical role.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Sunday Evening Sacristans
Sunday evening sacristans, as trained chalice bearers, support the 7 pm contemplative Eucharist service by setting up, hosting and serving during the liturgy, and cleaning up afterwards.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Vergers
Vergers are ministers who escort the choir and liturgical participants in processions of all kinds, from guiding a lector to the ambo, to leading the entire congregation on Palm Sunday, and everything in between. They are also ministers of hospitality, identifying people in the congregation who need special assistance.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
LITURGICAL HOSPITALITY MINISTRIES
Ushers
Ushers are indispensable at cathedral liturgies, having the most direct contact with worshipers than any other ministry. They serve many roles during Sunday and Special services, ensuring liturgies run smoothly, while seeing to the comfort and safety of all members of the assembly.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Greeters
We are here to say “hello!” and “welcome!” to newcomers, long-timers and all who come through our doors on Sunday mornings, before and after services. Teams serve once a month at one Sunday morning service.
John Selberg, JASelberg@aol.com
Compline Hospitality Ministers
For many, Compline is first time they have entered the doors of Saint Mark’s, and the Compline Hospitality Ministers are first representatives of the cathedral they will encounter. They play a crucial role in making the experience welcoming and comfortable for all.
Michael Seewer, mseewer@saintmarks.org
Justice Ministries Coordinating Team
The JMCT encourages and supports the people of Saint Mark’s and their community allies as they answer God’s call for justice in the world. This team works in partnership with all the volunteer Justice Ministries of the cathedral to set standards of performance and provide assistance, oversight and coordination.
Justin Mills, justinjmills@gmail.com
Creation Care
The Creation Care Ministry at Saint Mark’s Cathedral strives to faithfully address the crisis of climate change. As stewards of the life-giving goodness of God’s creation, we will work with the Saint Mark’s and broader world communities to educate ourselves and take action together to preserve our shared planet and sustain life for the generations to come. Read more on the Creation Care Ministry page.
Marjorie Ringness, marjorie@ringness.org
Habitat for Humanity
Saint Mark’s volunteers have been working with the local Seattle/King County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and participating in national and international building projects for over 25 years. Recently the Saint Mark’s Habitat crew has also been assisting in projects on the cathedral grounds.
Jacquelyn Miller, jcmiller31@gmail.com
Gordon Miller, glmiller@seattleu.edu
Homeless Advocacy Ministry
The Homeless Advocacy Ministry’s mission is to engage with the congregation of Saint Mark’s, seeking to educate the community about the ongoing crisis of homelessness in our city, and about the issues surrounding homelessness in general. We seek to support programs, such as the Threshold Fund move-in assistance program, that have a direct impact on the lives of homeless adults, children and families. We host Tent City 3 on the cathedral property when possible. Learn more at the Homeless Advocacy page.
Dean Steve Thomason, sthomason@saintmarks.org
Hunger Offering
On the second Sunday of every month, the cathedral collects a special offering to support several food programs in the Seattle area. This ministry is currently helping the following hunger programs: Ballard Food Bank, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Pike Market Food Bank, Immanuel Community Services, Food Bank @ St. Mary’s and St. Brigid’s Banquet.
Vicky Greenbaum, vgreenbaum1@gmail.com
Jubilee Debt Cancellation
Saint Mark’s is a Jubilee congregation that advocates for right relationships of all peoples at all levels of environmental, economic and social justice issues. Saint Marks prays for those who suffer from injustice in these areas; we contribute $1 per pledging household per year (with the option of declining to participate); we advocate for the disadvantaged when financial institutions, governmental agencies or elected officials are making decisions that could negatively affect them.
Christopher Breunig, cjbreunig@gmail.com
Lowell Elementary Volunteers
Lowell School, right in the Saint Mark’s neighborhood, has a very diverse student population, including children who are homeless and those with special needs. A positive presence—whether in the classroom, lunchroom, playground, in the office, at the buses or on a field trip—can really brighten the day for a student as well as build community. Come join us! If you’re interested in volunteering, you can learn more and sign up directly with Lowell School at lowellelementary.org/volunteer. To check in with others who volunteer at Lowell, and to be on the Saint Mark’s mailing list of Lowell-interested parishioners, contact:
Dean Steve Thomason, sthomason@saintmarks.org
Mideast Focus
The Mideast Focus Ministry works through mission, prayer, education, and action to bring understanding and to promote advocacy for justice and peace in the Middle East region, both within the Saint Mark’s congregation and to the greater Seattle community. The group presents the Mideast Focus Ministry Film Series each spring.
Doug Thorpe dthorpe@spu.edu and Steve Moen steve@pax-jus.us
Racial Justice
Ministries around anti-racism and racial justice are continually evolving at Saint Mark’s to address the critical and pervasive problems of racism and racial injustice in our nation, our community, our church and in our individual lives. Together, we confront these issues through education, personal accountability, prayer, and action. For more information, see the Racial Justice page, or contact:
The Rev. Canon Jennifer King Daugherty, jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org