“Christian worship is never a solitary undertaking. Both on its visible and invisible sides, it has a thoroughly social and organic character. The worshipper, however lonely in appearance, comes before God as a member of a great family; part of the Communion of Saints, living and dead. His own small effort of adoration is offered “in and for all.”
—Evelyn Underhill
Every member of the assembly gathered for worship is a minister of the liturgy. Each Sunday, some people are assigned to particular roles within the context of our worship. We welcome your exploration of any ministries listed here.
Saint Mark's uses Ministry Scheduler Pro to organize, schedule and communicate with the many people who serve as liturgical ministers and make the cathedral's liturgies possible. Once your account has been set up, this button will take you to the scheduling portal. Contact Hannah Hochkeppel (hhochkeppel@saintmarks.org) to enroll for the first time, or with any questions or problems.
Ministries During Worship
These ministries play important roles during services, but do not vest (i.e., wear the white liturgical garment called an “alb”).
Ushers
Ushers are indispensable at cathedral liturgies, ensuring that all who join us for worship are welcomed and assisted with any questions. Ushers serve at most Sunday liturgies and special services. Ushers also assist with the collection, communion flow, and other tasks during the service. Sunday morning teams serve approximately once a month. This ministry is open to everyone, including adults and youth
- Contact: 9 a.m. - Don Sutkus; 11 a.m. - Hilary McLeland-Wieser [ushers@saintmarks.org]
Evensong Ushers
- Contact: Jen van Wesep [jen@vanwesepfamily.com]
Greeters
The purpose of this ministry is to welcome all who attend the 9 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday services. We do this by saying “hello” and “welcome” to all who enter the church. We also provide the service leaflet and answer questions that may arise. We want everyone to feel welcome.
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Contact: John Selberg [jaselberg@aol.com]
Lectors
Oblation Bearers
During Sunday morning Eucharists, members of the community or an entire family assist 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.
Contact: Michael Perera [mperera@saintmarks.org]
Vested Ministries
These ministers vest (i.e., wear liturgical garments called vestments) during services while serving in various capacities during the liturgy.
Acolytes
Acolytes are ministers who assist with various liturgical processions by carrying the cross, torches, banners, incense, or other items. This ministry is open to everyone of all ages—it’s ideal for kids and youth, for couples or family groups to serve together, or for anyone who enjoys embodied worship. Acolytes are scheduled to serve approximately one a month.
Contact: Alexandra Thompson [acolytes@saintmarks.org]
Chalice Bearers
Chalice bearers are trained and licensed ministers who offer the hospitality of God’s Table as they serve the wine during services of Holy Communion. Open to those 16 years or older.
Contact: Hannah Hochkeppel [hhochkeppel@saintmarks.org]
Sunday Evening Chalice Bearers
Sunday evening sacristans, as trained chalice bearers, support the 7 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist service by setting up, hosting, and serving during the liturgy, and cleaning up afterwards.
Contact: Hannah Hochkeppel [hhochkeppel@saintmarks.org]
Vergers
Vergers are ministers of hospitality 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 also identify people in the congregation who need special assistance.
Contact: The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin [egriffin@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 afterwards. Altar guild is open to adults, and members serve approximately once every 3–4 weeks.
Contact: James Davidson [altarguild@saintmarks.org]
Ministries Before or After Worship
Ministries connected with worship either before or after the liturgy begins or ends.
Flower Ministry
Members 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 ministry works in teams that serve monthly—all skill/experience levels are welcome.
Contact: Beatrix Roemheld-Hamm [flowers@saintmarks.org]
Bread Baker Guild
The Eucharistic Bread Bakers provide bread for the Sunday morning services as well as special feast days and memorials that take place in the Cathedral. Bread is prepared in Bloedel kitchen once a month by a dedicated group of volunteers who are committed to this ministry.
Contact: René Marceau [marceau_rene@comcast.net]
DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE FOR SAINT MARK'S EUCHARISTIC BREAD HERE.
Eucharistic Visitors
Consecrated bread and wine are entrusted to Eucharistic visitors are licensed ministers entrusted to bring the sacrament of Holy Communion to members of the community who are sick or otherwise unable to attend services in person.
This ministry is open to adults, requires special licensing and training, and is scheduled periodically as Eucharistic visits are requested. 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 contact Kevin Johnson: kevincjohnson@comcast.net
Other Worship & Prayer Ministries
These ministries do not serve during liturgies of Holy Eucharist, but serve in other worship & prayer capacities.
Worship & Prayer Committee
The Worship and Prayer Standing Committee of the Saint Mark’s Vestry meets several times a year to discuss liturgy and prayer at the cathedral, as part of a strategy driven by the community’s Mutual Ministry Goals. All are welcome to participate. There are frequently articles and resources distributed in advance to be discussed during the meeting. These meetings are held on Zoom.
To learn when the next meeting is scheduled contact The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin: egriffin@saintmarks.org
Newcomers Ministry
The Newcomers Ministry offers hospitality to all who come to Saint Mark’s on their spiritual journey. We practice welcoming and inclusion by responding to all inquiries both online and from visitors cards at Sunday services; personally greeting and welcoming visitors who come to worship; hosting a monthly newcomers coffee; and following up with attendees to answer questions and help them get involved in various ministries and activities.
Contact: The Rev. Earl Grout [newcomers@saintmarks.org]
Compline Hospitality Ministers
Compline Hospitality Ministers are present during the Sunday evening Compline services to greet people, answer questions, and help ensure all attending Compline feel welcomed. This ministry is open to all and is scheduled approximately once a month.
Contact: John Gulhaugen [jgulhaugen@comcast.net]
Worship Leaders (Daily Office)
Worship leaders are licensed ministers who lead services of the Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer), either in person or online, following the rites of the Book of Common Prayer. This ministry is open to all and requires special training and licensure.
All Saints Guild
The All Saints Guild provides hospitality and direction for those participating in and attending funerals at Saint Mark’s, and function under the direction of clergy, recruiting the requested number of ushers dependent on expected attendance and activities in the service.
Contact: Katherine Sodergren [dksodergren69@gmail.com]
Taizé Prayer
Taizé Prayer services occur on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. during the program year. These contemplative prayer services are comprised of silence and song, candlelight and stillness, prayer and meditation. Volunteers contribute in a variety of roles: musician (vocalist, instrumentalist), reader, usher, livestream, and sound. To learn more, visit the Taizé webpage.
Contact: David Poortinga [taize@saintmarks.org]
Senior Living Center Eucharists
Saint Mark’s priests partner with clergy from Epiphany, St. Clement’s, St. Paul’s, and Trinity to offer monthly Eucharists at Skyline, Horizon House, and Mirabella. These services draw both Saint Mark’s members who live in these senior living communities as well as other Episcopalians and spiritual seekers. This ministry nurtures bonds of affection and community with members who find it difficult to attend church on Sunday morning.
Contact: The Rev. Adam Conley [aconley@saintmarks.org]