"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?"
—The Book of Common Prayer

Saint Mark's Justice Ministries Mission: To engage the St. Mark’s community in justice issues, to acknowledge and address our own complicity in injustice, to serve and support those who are in need, to advocate for peace and economic justice, to pursue sustainability and ecological justice, to partner with other congregations and organizations serving and providing opportunities to those in need, and to celebrate the opportunity to serve.

As part of our commitment to justice, Saint Mark's recently adopted a Statement of Commitment and Action, expressing our responsibility to respect the dignity of every human being, strive for justice and peace among all people, and seek and serve Christ in all persons. The statement was born out of concerns about the increase in statements and actions in our nation that target particular groups of people based on their skin color, their religious affiliation, their gender or orientation, their disabilities, or their country of birth. These are artificial divisions that we vehemently denounce as discriminatory and disrespectful. We believe our nation can do better, and we pledge to work toward that better vision. We commit to being a network of activists, in God’s name, joining others who similarly pledge to actively pursue justice. 

Restorative Justice as Spiritual Practice

At the Housing and Hunger Ministries Summit at Saint Mark's on December 4, 2024, Canon Emily Griffin opened the gathering with brief remarks on Restorative Justice as Spiritual Practice, reflecting on the question "why we as Christians do justice work?" Read and find a video of her remarks here.

Creation Care Ministry

 

The Creation Care Ministry at Saint Mark’s Cathedral strives to faithfully address the climate crisis through education, advocacy, and action. With a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from the cathedral by 2030, this ministry also lifts up the deep connections between climate change and social justice. Activities such as monthly Climate Conversations continue, while new initiatives are on hold until new leadership is found. Please contact Canon Rich Weyls if you are interested in being part of this crucial work.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Rich Weyls [rweyls@saintmarks.org]

Migrant Justice

Saint Mark’s is currently discerning how we might best be in solidarity with our migrant neighbors. We are partnering with WAISN (Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network) for training in rapid response and accompaniment and are developing additional partnerships for other forms of hands-on assistance and advocacy.

Contact: The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin [egriffin@saintmarks.org]

Housing Justice Ministries

Saint Mark’s is committed to address a spectrum of housing needs in the City of Seattle from acute shelter needs to long term housing.  We are addressing this issue through a variety of engagements including  the Affordable Housing Committee of the vestry, Saint Mark’s Habitat for Humanity team, Tent City 3, The Threshold Fund, Operation Night Watch, support for Lowell Elementary, and The Meals Ministry.

 

Habitat for Humanity

Saint Mark’s Volunteers have been working with the local Seattle-King/Kittitas 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 mainly been assisting in projects on the cathedral grounds, while also volunteering at the Habitat Interfaith Build and attending the annual Beyond the Build Luncheon. In addition, we have so far built one Tiny House in cooperation with the Low Income Housing Institute.

Contact: Jacquelyn Miller [jcmiller31@gmail.com] or Gordon Miller [glmiller@seattleu.edu]

Meal Sharing Ministry

The Meal Sharing Ministry is committed to providing nutritious meals and warm hospitality to our fellow neighbors in Seattle who are homeless/hungry. We prepare and serve meals regularly for two ongoing programs: dinner monthly for men aged 50+ who are currently living at St. Martin de Porres shelter, and breakfast monthly to those in need in our community through First Covenant Church’s Community Breakfast. We welcome everyone’s participation! No special cooking skills are required.

Contact: Peter Snyder [mealministry@saintmarks.org]

Restorative Justice Council

The work of the Restorative Justice Council is formed out of a prayerful reflection of Saint Mark’s Statement of Lament and Commitment to Action. The Council supports specific justice ministry programs but also seeks to nurture a culture in the Parish where all are encouraged and equipped to live out the call to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Guided by a commitment to be in relationship with rather than simply supply needs for, we seek to heal what is broken, restore what is lost, and foster the possibility of transformation for those we serve and ourselves as well

Contact: Christopher Breunig [restorativejustice@saintmarks.org]

Lowell School Volunteers

This ministry offers a range of opportunities to support to our neighboring public school which serves a diverse population of students and families. This includes diversity of home languages, ethnicity, special needs and housing security. Volunteering at special events, tutoring, helping to host Staff Appreciation Week, providing clothing for children and gifts during the holiday season, as well as on-line giving are some of the ways we partner with Lowell.

Contact: Cherie Bradshaw [bradshawcherie@msn.com]

The Threshold Fund

The Saint Mark’s Cathedral Threshold Fund began as an initiative to help individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity by providing financial assistance with rental deposits and move-in costs, thereby lowering the financial barrier to safe, permanent housing. Since its launch in 2018, more than two hundred individuals and families have benefitted from Saint Mark’s Threshold Fund. Qualified recipients typically receive first and last month’s rent and security deposit— half as an outright gift, half as a loan to be repaid when they are able. Saint Mark’s partners with Catholic Community Services (CCS) to administer the program, which includes case management to ensure those in need obtain the support services from which they will benefit. To date, more than $100,000 has been provided through the Threshold Fund, all made possible by donations. Learn more here. 

Contact: The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason [sthomason@saintmarks.org]

Hunger Offering

The Hunger Offering Ministry supports six food banks and food support organizations in the Seattle area including: Lifelong Aids Alliance, Food Bank@St. Mary’s, Pike Market Senior Center & Food Bank, Ballard Food Bank, Immanuel Community Services, and Saint Mark’s Meal Sharing Ministry. Contributions are collected on the second Sunday of every month. Please stop by the table in the coffee corner to learn more about the essential work these organizations are doing to reduce food insecurity in our region.

Contact: Liz Shea [lizeshea@gmail.com]

PARTNER & AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS

Bishop's Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land of the Diocese of Olympia

The Episcopal Bishop’s Committee for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land (formerly the Episcopal Bishop’s Committee for Israel/Palestine, or EBCIP) was established in 2000 to support the Episcopal parishes, hospitals, schools and other human service missions in the Diocese of Jerusalem. By means of education, advocacy and prayer, we are committed to supporting those living under military occupation in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and to assisting them in their efforts to bring about a just and peaceful resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

In 2023, Saint Mark’s Mideast Focus Ministry made the decision to merge this ministry of the cathedral with the diocesan committee. Programs of education for peace and justice in the Middle East are now presented at the cathedral under the auspices of the Bishop’s Committee.

Contact Doug Thorpe, Steve Moen, Randy Urmston: holylandjustice@gmail.com

Faith Action Network

Faith Action Network is a statewide, multifaith partnership striving for just, compassionate, and sustainable communities through courageous advocacy and public action. Saint Mark’s is one of over 160 faith communities in Washington State that partner for the common good. If you are interested in being Saint Mark’s liaison to this organization, please speak to Dean Thomason.

Episcopal Relief & Development

ERD is our denomination’s organization that responds to human suffering around the world. We provide emergency assistance after disasters, rebuild communities, and help children and families climb out of poverty. More information can be found at: episcopalrelief.org

Operation Nightwatch

Operation Nightwatch provides meals 365 nights a year, shelter, supportive housing, and street ministry to individuals living unhoused in Seattle. It grew out of the work of a pastor in the late 1960s to engage with people living on the street as equals deserving of dignity, and over the course of 50 years developed in to an organization helping hundreds each year. There are opportunities for Saint Mark’s members to join a street ministry team, to help with meals at their dispatch center in the International District, or to volunteer with the Women’s Shelter currently housed at the Cathedral.

Contact: Molly Bosch [molly.bosch@outlook.com]

Mission to Seafarers

The Seattle Seafarers Center (Mission to Seafarers) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and is an ecumenical partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, and the Northwest Washington Synod (ELCA). Our mission is to welcome and care for international seafarers in Puget Sound. The Center offers that care primarily through chaplaincy, advocacy, transportation, communication resources, shopping services, and “ditty bag” care packages.

Contact: Julia Cooper [julia@mts-seattle.org]