COMMUNITY LIFE

Last week Dean Thomason sent a message to the parish requesting year-end donations to support the new women’s shelter in the St. Nicholas Building in collaboration with Operation Nightwatch, Donna Jean’s Place at Saint Mark’s, which will begin operations in early February. (See the invitation to the February 2 Blessing & Dedication here.) To get the facility ready to open, your help is needed in one of three ways: (1) Make special cash contribution toward the purchase of furnishings and … Read More

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave Each year Saint Mark’s offers a service for those for whom the holiday season brings a mix of emotions, and for anyone for whom grief is a companion in life. The service (formerly known as “Blue Christmas”) is held near the winter solstice, marking time with intention in the candlelit cathedral while holding space for those present to pray, remember loved ones, and (if desired) have anointing by the priests before … Read More

SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025 While the bishop of our diocese is always present at the cathedral a few times each year (e.g. Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil and Easter Day, Cathedral Day, Ordinations), an official “Episcopal Visitation” is a rarer and more special occurrence. Canon law requires every diocesan bishop to visit every congregation in their diocese at least once every three years. When this happens here, the bishop is visiting Saint Mark’s as a parish community, rather than as a … Read More

Check out this Instagram video from 2022: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 6 P.M. to MIDNIGHT. Eucharist at the center of the labyrinth at the stroke of midnight, observing the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus. Since 1999, Seattle’s most peaceful New Year’s tradition. As the old year passes and a new one begins, take time in the quiet, candle-lit space of the cathedral nave to pause, look inward, and experience a large indoor labyrinth laid out in the nave. Invitations … Read More

Remarks made at the Housing & Hunger Ministries Summit December 4, 2024, Bloedel Hall A reading from the book of Isaiah, chapter 58: Shout out; do not hold back! …Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness… they ask of me righteous judgments; they want God on their side. “Why do we fast, … Read More

Evicted book study groups In-person discussion of Evicted: THREE SUNDAYS: JANUARY 12 & 19 and FEBRUARY 2, 12:30–2 P.M. PLEASE NOTE: in-person discussion in Room 210 on January 12 and February 2, but in the St. Nicholas Building, 1st floor, on January 19. Zoom discussion of Evicted: THREE THURSDAYS: JANUARY 16 & 23 and FEBRUARY 6, 7–8:30 P.M. UPDATE (1/16): Discussions of Evicted are underway and registration for these group are closed. You can still register to participate in the … Read More

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, 10:10 A.M., Bloedel Hall The birth of Christ, celebrated at the time of the Winter Solstice here in the north, announces the return of light to the world but also the birthing of the Word, the Logos, into the world. That Word brings consciousness, brings truth, brings love, and yes brings light, which we celebrate this morning with a reading of relevant poems that speak into this darkness and affirm that it does not and will not silence us. … Read More

This year’s Giving Tree is now on display in the nave, filled with tags for gifts to Lowell Elementary School, Casa Latina, Mary’s Place, and Lambert House, including gift cards as well as toys and other items. Giving Tree gifts are due back to the cathedral by 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 8, so they can blessed at the altar that Sunday and then be distributed to recipients in a timely fashion. (The gifts need to be delivered to Lowell … Read More

DONATIONS RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 15 WILL BE PRINTED IN THE CHRISTMAS BULLETINS. Help underwrite the beautiful flowers and special music of the season by making a special contri­bution in honor or memory of someone. Please fill out the form here or below, or use the paper form inserted in your bulletin on Sunday. Then you can make your gift online at saintmarks.org/give, or donate by check in the offering plate, to the cathedral office, or by mail (instructions may be found … Read More

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 Facilitated by: Steve Thomason, Michael Kleinschmidt, and Jason Anderson The “O” Antiphons service at Saint Mark’s is a signature liturgy that draws us into the orbit of Advent preparation and hope, connecting ancient themes and imagery that engages all the senses. The cadenced rhythms of chant, prayer, hymnody, and prophetic scriptures are held together by carefully choreographed movements that invite us into the realm of the numinous. This year’s service—December 1, 2024, at 7 p.m.—will include … Read More

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 10 A.M. (liturgy), in the cathedral nave and livestreamed 11:30 A.M. (community Thanksgiving meal), in Bloedel Hall, registration requested The tradition of a community Thanksgiving potluck meal is a new one for Saint Mark’s Cathedral Parish, launching just last year, but the response was very positive, and the gathering was a joyous celebration. Begin your holiday observance by offering your thanks to God at a service of Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. in the cathedral nave, then … Read More

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024 The Restorative Justice Council, the Affordable Housing Exploratory Committee and the Intergenerational Council collaborated to bring together ministry leaders at Saint Mark’s and from the broader Seattle community in this event. The goal of the summit was for attendees to learn very practical ways they can be with our neighbors in need. The ministries represented were: Operation Nightwatch SHARE-WHEEL (Tent City 3) Lowell Elementary School Saint Mark’s Meals Sharing Ministry Saint Mark’s Affordable Housing Committee Habitat … Read More

UPDATE (12/26/24): Thank you for your extraordinary generosity to our community ministry partners and to the Threshold Fund through your support of the 2024 Alternative Gift Market and Giving Tree! 160 tags were taken from the Giving Tree, and additional gifts were purchased through the wish lists for Lowell Elementary School and Mary’s Place and delivered to those organizations directly. On top of all those gifts, an additional $1,502 was given to purchase gifts and gift cards for Casa Latina, … Read More

DECEMBER 11*, 2024 *rescheduled from November 13 due to power outage While growth in our relationship with God is a lifelong process, the relationship itself is there from the start. What we often lack—no matter our age—are ways to name and share what we experience of God’s presence. The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin explored the spirituality of childhood and how it provides a foundation for a lifelong faith. How might religious language, community, play, and authentic presence with one another … Read More

HYMNATHON: from Hymn #1 to Hymn #720 in one day! SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 8 A.M. to 6 P.M., in the cathedral nave Come support Saint Mark’s Evensong Choir in their efforts to raise $35,000 in scholarship funds for their Pilgrimage to England next August, where they will serve as Choir-in-Residence for one week each at Lincoln and Durham Cathedrals. On Saturday, November 23, they will sing all 720 hymns between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (one verse per hymn.) Stop … Read More

UPDATED WITH VIDEO & SLIDES A Wisdom School Saturday workshop led by author and teacher Debie Thomas SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2024, 9:30 A.M.–12:30 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom NOTE: Debie Thomas will also be preaching at the cathedral at all morning services on Sunday, November 10—8, 9, and 11 a.m. Between the 9 and 11 a.m. services, at 10:10 a.m. there will be a special Community Conversation to hold the space and each other as … Read More