COMMUNITY LIFE

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

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7 P.M., via YouTube live premiere; Community Zoom afterparty to follow. Missing the Christmas Pageant this year? The delight of little angels, the sweet sounds of children’s voices, Magi processions, and three choirs gathered? Want to sing your carols as part of the experience? Pageants are an ancient way of telling the sacred story—a way that nourishes us deeply. Join Dean Thomason and others in the cathedral community as we experience a prayerful telling of the Nativity … Read More

WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY AFTERNOONS IN ADVENT Register for a 20-minute time period. Wednesdays, December 2, 9, 16, or 23 between 12 and 2 p.m. Sundays, December 6, 13, or 20 between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. There are two slots available in each time period. A party of individuals from the same household may claim a single slot. or call Erik Donner at 206-323-0300 x217 for a reservation. Personal Prayer Time in the Cathedral is for anyone who wishes to come … Read More

This simple form of evening worship is intended to be used during the lighting of the Advent wreath or other table candles at home from November 29 to December 24. It can be used at the daily evening meal, or another time. The entire form will take no more than five minutes. The beauty is in the simplicity and repetition for people of all ages. Repeating these words together centers them in our heads and hearts, and draws us into … Read More

The Advent at Home page contains a form of private or family prayer which engages with an advent wreath in your own home. Each of the four weeks of advent is given a special theme: Keep Awake (week 1), Prepare the Way (week 2), Testify to the Light (week 3), and Here am I (week 4). Below you will find brief video reflections from Saint Mark’s Community members, prompted by each of these themes. Please check back on this page–the … Read More

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27, 4:30 P.M., via Zoom Dean Thomason and Canon Kleinschmidt’s Hymn Sings are quickly becoming a favorite pandemic pastime! For this Christmas Hymn Sing, they invite you to join in singing hymns and carols via Zoom. Do you have a favorite carol that celebrates the birth of the Christ child? This is your chance to carol with the Saint Mark’s Community. Requests are encouraged, from any hymnal. Make your hymn request here (one per person, please!) by December 26. Zoom … Read More

Did you know? Just as we light a new candle in the wreath each week of Advent, so the cathedral altar also changes each Sunday… Cathedral Sacristan and Head Verger Michael Seewer sends an email several times a year to those at Saint Mark’s involved in liturgical ministries, including both practical announcements about scheduling, training, etc., as well as spiritual reflections and items of more general interest. In his Advent newsletter, Michael included interesting information about the Advent “paraments” (matched … Read More

Support the Cost of Evergreens and Poinsettias for the Cathedral Nave Although the traditional greening of the nave will be smaller than usual, green boughs and poinsettias will still grace Saint Mark’s this year. You are once again invited to underwrite the costs of greenery as a memorial or in thanksgiving for a loved one. There are four ways to give: mail a check to the cathedral office (memo: Poinsettias) online through saintmarks.org/give (select “Christmas Memorials and Thanksgivings) through the Venmo mobile app … Read More

Update (June, 2021): Alexa’s time with us has now come to an end, but her work here has made a contribution that will endure. Thank you, Alexa! A NEW INITIATIVE TO ORGANIZE AND PROTECT THE CATHEDRAL’S HISTORY As anyone who has ever ventured into the crypt of Saint Mark’s will tell you, the cathedral is in possession of an enormous quantity of documents and artifacts, from all periods of the parish’s existence. In fact, such historical material has not even … Read More

Please take a moment to watch a brief video message from Dean Steve Thomason, reflecting on the season of Advent that is about to begin, and highlighting a few of the cathedral’s upcoming offerings. See the complete schedule of events, and stay up to date with the changing situation at: saintmarks.org/advent

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 4:30 P.M., via Zoom Dean Thomason and Canon Kleinschmidt’s first Hymn Sing was so much fun, they’ve decided to throw another one! They invite you to join in singing Advent hymns and carols via Zoom. Do you have a favorite hymn that expresses the Advent themes of longing, hope, and expectation? This is the occasion! Requests are encouraged, from any hymnal. Make your hymn request here. Join via the Zoom link here.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 5–7:15 P.M.  “A Life On Our Planet” Watch Party, Sponsored by 20s&30s and Creation Care ministry Celebrate a greener holiday season. Join the 20s30s and Creation Care for a watch party via Zoom to view and discuss David Attenborough’s documentary, “A Life On Our Planet.”  We’ll share observations and eco-friendly ways to keep the season festive while thinking about how these actions can become practices that open us to deeper spiritual connections. Prior to the film, we’ll … Read More

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 12:30 P.M., via Zoom Ministry Celebration & Blessing of Canon Cristi’s Departure Following the Service Corps presentation, during regular Virtual Coffee Hour on December 13, there will be a farewell blessing of The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman and a celebration of her ministry among us, on the occasion of her final Sunday at the cathedral. Join using this link! Also, check out the interview with Canon Chapman recorded in the fall of 2019 for the cathedral’s podcast:

UPDATE: The leaflet for the concluding liturgy of this event may now be downloaded here: Luminous Night: Concluding Liturgy   SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 9:30-11:30 A.M., via Zoom (no fee; registration required) Hosted by Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral. Luminous Night: A Spirituality of Loss, Grief, and Hope Renowned interspiritual teacher Mirabai Starr returns to Saint Mark’s on December 5 to offer a virtual workshop on loss, grief, and hope.  She will share teachings from the mystics of various traditions that illumine … Read More

Read Dean Thomason’s message to the parish regarding this exciting news. More information about the future of the St. Nicholas property can be found here. Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral Receives an Extraordinary Gift SEATTLE, WA— Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle, has received a major gift from long-time cathedral members Laura Ellen and Bob Muglia. Seventeen years ago, the cathedral joined with The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation to acquire the St. Nicholas Building, a historic school building immediately … Read More