COMMUNITY LIFE

UPDATE: Virtual Coffee Hour has now come to an end. The Final Virtual Coffee Hour was: SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021, 12 P.M. Throughout the pandemic, virtual coffee hour has been a way for parishioners to connect after each Sunday’s service. In light of reopening, virtual coffee hour will end in favor of an in-person social time (details to be announced)! The final Zoom will take place following the 11 a.m. liturgy this Sunday, July 18. Many thanks to Senior Warden … Read More

UPDATE: Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide a recording of this presentation.   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 7–8:30 P.M., via Zoom A Presentation and Discussion with The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton Saint Mark’s welcomes The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton, who is Shackan First Nation, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, and Coordinator of Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color. The Doctrine of Discovery historically informed the legal premise for justifying the forces of colonialism, including the enslavement of African and Asian peoples … Read More

OPENING PLENARY: SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 7 P.M. GROUPS MEET: STARTING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 31. In January of 2020 the cathedral launched The Radix Project: Small Groups/Deep Roots. More than 150 people in 18 small groups met weekly for six weeks to share their stories, reflect on Holy Scripture and sacred art, and pray for one another with intention. This offering lent itself perfectly to the transition to an online-only offering when the pandemic happened, and two further series were … Read More

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 12:45–3 p.m. Illuminated Examen: A Virtual Retreat for Spirited Women Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the Spirited Women are having another (virtual) gathering—Sunday, February 7 from 12:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. (virtually). The focus is the spiritual practice of the Examen, a way of prayerful reflection from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. We will be led by Lorelei Amato, cathedral clergy, and others in exploring a contemplative way of doing Examen by “illuminating” our written reflections through art. Art … Read More

The shocking (if unsurprising) events of January 6 have occasioned countless responses from faith leaders in The Episcopal Church and beyond. A selection of those responses, including the messages from Dean Thomason and Bishop Rickel, are collected here for convenience.   Dean Thomson’s message to the community: A Crisis of Democracy. (January 6, 2021) Canon Nancy Ross’s Epiphany Sermon. (January 6, 2021) Bishop of Washington (D.C.) Mariann Edgar Budde and Dean of the Nation Cathedral Randy Hollerith Statement on Election … Read More

Dear friends, Many of you have expressed concern for our nation facing the threat of recurring violence in the coming days, even as we long for a peaceful transition of leaders, which is one of the most defining and distinctive elements of our democracy. As citizens we have a voice to share in the public sphere, offering words of reason and justice, and as people of faith, we have a voice of prayer to share for the common good. Both … Read More

At designated times on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday leading up the Inauguration of the new president the nave will be open for personal prayer. Time slots must be reserved in advance, and masks, distancing and screening procedures must be observed. Time slots are available during the following periods: Monday, January 18, 12–2 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 4–6 p.m. Wednesday, January 20, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Click here to make your reservation. If you need assistance with making a reservation, please call … Read More

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 5–7:15 P.M. All ages are welcome to join the 20s/30s Group for a watch party viewing and discussion of SACRED via Zoom. How do others outside of our tradition, and our country, experience faith and spiritual practice? After the screening, we’ll discuss observations from the film. Watch the trailer below. Join using this Zoom link. If you wish, you can RSVP to the Facebook event here. Questions? Contact Courtney Wendel-Stevenson, courtneyw1901@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 7-8 P.M., via Zoom Join Dean Thomason and others for an evening of reflecting on our Celtic heritage, and the ways Celtic spirituality innervates our communal life and worship even still. The pilgrimage to Iona and the Celtic missions of northern England and Scotland has been postponed till summer 2022, but pilgrimage involves prayer and preparation, and an openness to be changed by the experiences that unfold near and far from the place we call home. All are … Read More

UPDATE: Rev. Brownridge’s first sermon for Saint Mark’s will be offered during the 11 a.m. liturgy on Sunday, January 17 A MESSAGE FROM DEAN THOMASON Dear friends, It is my delight to share the news that The Rev. Canon Walter B.A. Brownridge will serve as Saint Mark’s Theologian-in-Residence during 2021. In this role, which is grant-funded and was delayed several months due to the pandemic, Canon Brownridge will bring his manifold gifts and considerable experience as he engages the cathedral … Read More

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021, 7 p.m. via Zoom Facilitated by Dean Steve Thomason In a nod to the late Alex Trebec, Dean Thomason will host a fun evening of trivial pursuit “Jeopardy-style.” Categories include Cathedral History, Music and the Arts, Deans and Canons, Know your Staff, and Pot Pouri. Everyone can play along at home, but the Dean invites individuals to volunteer to be audible participants in teams. To volunteer, email Dean Thomason at sthomason@saintmarks.org. All are welcome. Join using this Zoom link. … Read More

Before the 11 p.m. Christmas Eve liturgy (“Midnight Mass”), starting at 10:30 p.m., Canon Kleinschmidt will offer an unusual and special organ prelude for an unusual and special Christmas. He will begin with variations on a French Noël by Louis-Claude Daquin (1694–1772), followed by “Dieu parmi nous”—”God among us,” from the monumental suite La Nativité du Seigneur by the twentieth-century composer, organist, and man of faith Olivier Messiaen. Canon Kleinschmidt has recorded a brief video introduction to the latter piece, … Read More

The Hallock Institute is a non-profit founded after the death of former Saint Mark’s Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster Peter R. Hallock, with the mission of preserving and promoting Hallock’s legacy as a composer and a liturgical innovator. Just in time for Christmas, the Institute is proud to present its first publication: a complete edition of The Compline Psalter, containing newly-edited versions of the over 50 psalm settings written especially to be sung during the Office of Compline at Saint Mark’s … Read More

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3, 4:30 P.M., via livestream Download the service leaflet here. Saint Mark’s Cathedral invites one and all to worship the Christ child with prayers and praises sung safely at home at sundown on the tenth day of Christmas. In addition to leading hymns with the organ’s support, soloists will offer Gregorian settings of portions of the service. The Magnificat and anthem will be drawn from archived recordings of livestreamed liturgies sung by the full Evensong Choir. The setting of … Read More

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 The very first post on the Online Community Life page of the cathedral website, created in March of 2020, was this post announcing that, while the cathedral building may be closed, the outdoor labyrinth was still open and available to all. Since then, the labyrinth in the lawn in front of the cathedral building has remained a valuable resource for cathedral members, Capitol Hill neighbors, and passers-by alike. The labyrinth at Saint Mark’s is closely tied to … Read More

This year, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus together from home!  Your family may participate in one of the Cathedral services together through a computer or TV, following along with the service leaflet, or you might choose to light candles, sing and pray and read scriptures together on your own. You might even choose to act out the story of the Nativity! It doesn’t matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this year on Christmas Eve. What matters … Read More