WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9, 2024, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom.
Recology–Waste/Recycling/Composting
Attend the evening forum with guests from waste management company Recology to learn more about how to sort recycling, composting, and garbage at home and at Saint Mark’s. These practical actions are some of the simple things we can do to care for Creation. Actions turn to hope.
This event will be followed up by a "Beyond the Cart" Community Re-use and Recycling event offered in collaboration with Recology on the cathedral campus, Saturday, October 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 30, 2024, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person only.
A Liturgy for All Hallows' Eve
A celebration and liturgy for all ages led by Canon Barrie and members of the 20s/30s group. More details TBA.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom
Building Radical Shaker Community Through Song
"For what came we together to do but to sing the love of Mother to you?”
Led by Dr. Carol Medlicott, Scholar of the Shakers
Like many forms of Christian faith, Shakerism holds several simple spiritual truths at the forefront, while it also draws richness and strength from deeper theological nuance. The Shakers’ vast song tradition helps to elaborate their complex theology. At the same time, the song tradition reinforces the Shakers' communal identity and their novel conception of social order. Join Dr. Carol Medlicott, who has been studying Shakers and Shaker music for over twenty years, to explore how these socially radical separatists that worshipped through dance have used song to create and sustain community for 250 years.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2024
Reflections on the Celtic Pilgrimage to Ireland and Scotland
Walking in the footsteps of the saints, in the land of the sacred beauty, is a transformative journey which thirty-five souls from the cathedral community recently made. As Christians, we are all called to make pilgrimage as a spiritual practice, drawing on sacred experiences, near and far. This special forum is designed to share a bit of the flavor, rhythms, challenges, and insights gleaned from the experience on the pilgrimage. Many have asked when we might hear more about the trip—this was the opportunity to do so.
UPDATE: a complete video from this presentation is now available here.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2024
Meeting God In Our Busy Lives: The Theology and Practice of Zimzum
FACILITATED BY THE REV. PHIL LABELLE — BISHOP-ELECT OF THE DIOCESE OF OLYMPIA
With overly-packed schedules, many of us wonder if we’ll ever be able to live the lives we yearn for. A life with space for the important things. With a connection to God, others, and the natural world. Jewish mystics suggest that God’s first act of creation was zimzum, a sacrificial self-withdrawal. God needed to open up space within God’s self before God could call forth the cosmos. What might that concept mean for us who are made in the image of God? The Rev. Phil LaBelle joined us for an exploration of the Jewish mystical concept of zimzum, and what it can mean for us today.
UPDATE: a complete video from this presentation is now available here.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
A Spirituality of Hope and Healing
2024/25 WISDOM SCHOOL OPENING PLENARY LED BY THE VERY REV. STEVEN L. THOMASON
Drawing on his decades of experience as a hospice physician and parish priest, Dean Thomason will explore a spirituality of hope, as a virtue worthy of practice especially in challenging times, and a spirituality of healing, as the prevailing gift of peace that comes to those who lean into newfound creativity and freedom.
UPDATE: a complete video and slides from this presentation are now available here.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
The State of Emergency Shelters in Seattle, and a New Women’s Shelter Coming to Saint Mark’s
Join Dean Thomason and invited guests—Deacon Frank DiGirolamo and others from Operation Nightwatch, with whom Saint Mark’s is partnering to provide a new Women’s Shelter on the cathedral property, launching later this fall in space formerly occupied by Gage Academy of Arts in the St. Nicholas building. The shelter will serve up to twenty women nightly and will have showers, laundry, a clinical care room, and lockers where women can secure their belongings. We will begin with a consideration of the lack of adequate shelter beds in Seattle and reasons for it, then learn more about the important ministry of Operation Nightwatch, and finally share some of the details of the new shelter at Saint Mark’s as a sacramental sign of our commitment to seek and serve Christ in all persons. Those present in Bloedel will have the opportunity to tour the rooms in the St. Nicholas building where the shelter will be located.
A video is now available here.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024
Night Prayer with Music from Taizé on the Labyrinth
Using Night Prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book as our guide, we ended our day gathering on the Labyrinth in front of Saint Mark's. We also interspersed simple singing together inspired by music from Taize and other short refrains.
SPECIAL THURSDAY PRIDE MONTH FORUM
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024
No More Special Pleading: How Opening Up to LGBTQ+ Reality Flows Organically from Basic Christianity
The Wisdom School at Saint Mark’s presents acclaimed Catholic theologian James Alison, presenting a project he’s been at work on for several years—a book, provisionally titled You Can… If You Want To, to be published in 2025, which aims to empower Christians to move on, in good faith, regarding LGBTQ+ issues. The narrative that Christianity itself demands the condemnation of LGBTQ+ lives as sinful has been so prevalent for so long, that many Christians, including LGBTQ+ people themselves, may still harbor niggling doubts in the back of their minds, voices whispering “maybe being queer really is incompatible with taking Jesus and the Bible seriously…”
Alison aims to confront these doubts directly, showing that the fundamentals of the Christian faith, even when presented from a quite conservative perspective, do in fact open up the possibility of reaching beyond any and all of our cultural comfort zones—of which sexuality and gender identity are only two of many—if we want to go there. It follows that those who continue to uphold old prejudices are doing so by their own choice, and cannot blame any supposed “higher authority.”
A complete video is now available here.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12
Pride Month Parish Forum
Mark your calendars for the evening of June 12 in Bloedel Hall when Saint Mark’s Queer in Christ ministry will host a Pride Month Forum. This will be an event geared for the entire cathedral community, to provide an opportunity learn why Pride is important to the queer community and how to be a better ally. The forum will be led by Michael Garrett, Rose Hazard, and Michael Seewer, with others from the queer community at Saint Mark’s. Join in person in Bloedel Hall or participate online.
The slides form Michael Garrett's presentation can be downloaded here.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2024
Updates on Affordable Housing
Join Saint Mark’s Affordable Housing Committee and Vestry leadership to learn more about next steps ahead, including sharing two potential redevelopment options—new construction and adaptive reuse of the St. Nicholas School—and to discuss unique aspects of the projects and key learnings from the past year of discernment and exploration. The forum will include a presentation with opportunity for questions and conversation. If you have a question you would like addressed at the forum, email: affordablehousing@saintmarks.org.
A complete video of this forum, along with many resources and additional information, can be found on the Affordable Housing Committee webpage here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024
Let There Be Light: How to Get Government Funding for Your Faith Community’s Solar and Electrification Initiatives
All are invited to a presentation and conversation about new ways to engage and advance sustainability and carbon reduction goals in faith communities. Presenters will include Dean Steve Thomason, Shelby Ketchum (Seattle City Light Inflation Reduction Specialist), and Stone Fennell (Saint Mark’s parishioner and UW Materials and Science Engineering student).
A complete video, slides, and other resources are now available here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
A Cathedral's Complicity in Redlining and Restrictive Covenants
Telling the Truth for a More Just Future
As Saint Mark’s Cathedral considers redeveloping the St. Nicholas property for affordable housing, there is an opportunity to reflect on the history of North Capitol Hill in which racial redlining and restrictive covenants discriminated against people of color. Segregation suppressed homeownership and wealth building opportunities for people of color and has contributed to ongoing impact of housing inequities. Join Cathedral leadership, Sophie Betz (University of Washington Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project), The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson (Diocese of Olympia, Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation) and E.N. West (Lead Organizer, Faith Land Initiative of The Church Council of Greater Seattle) to learn more about Seattle’s unique civil rights history and racial segregation and consider how church communities have responsibility to honestly face this and respond in just ways in our time.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
What is Intergenerational Ministry?
The Cathedral Commons forum on Wednesday, May 14, will be an opportunity to focus on what it means for us as a church community to be intergenerational, and why that matters. Presenters will unpack the definitions of multi-generational, cross-generational, and intergenerational, and talk about why intergenerationality is one of three core mutual ministry goals at Saint Mark's. We'll look at some of where we've been as a cathedral community, and where we are heading! Intergenerationality isn't a program or an event, it's a culture, a way of being and doing church together. It's also important for us to name that while intergenerational is not code for children and families, ministry with children and youth is always intergenerational. The forum will be a chance to share some of the lessons learned at the hybrid workshop for ministry leaders on Thursday, May 9.
A complete video of this forum is now available here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024, in person only, starting in Bloedel Hall.
Rogation Day Procession & Liturgy
An outdoor liturgy for Rogation Day, an observance that dates to the 5th century. For 1,500 years, the weekdays preceding Ascension Day have been marked by outdoor prayers and thanksgiving for the fruitful Earth. Following the community dinner in Bloedel Hall, participants will process around the cathedral grounds, stopping to reflect and pray at significant locations. The liturgy includes a portion of the Great Litany.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
Stewardship as a Spiritual Practice
Members of the Stewardship Committee and Creation Care Ministry talked about the many ways we can experience stewardship as spiritual practice. This was an opportunity to explore what stewardship can mean outside the context of the fall annual campaign. With storytelling, humor, small group work, and creativity, we explored how the new Strategic Plan can underpin our efforts to care for our Cathedral’s finances, campus, and living environment.
A video of the forum is now available here.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Exploring Symbolism in Episcopal Worship
We explored some of the colors, gestures, and symbols used in liturgy throughout the church year. We often notice that some things stay the same across the year, and some things change. We learned together about what those things are and why these things all come together to form our worship experiences.
A complete video is now available here.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Doing Justice, Loving Mercy
How can we be truth-tellers and peace-makers in the community and the world? As we live with the confidence in newness and fullness of life, how can we participate in realizing God’s purpose for the world? We explored themes of truth-telling, peacemaking, reconciliation, and restoration in the church and the community.
Video and resources are posted here.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Body, Mind, and Spirit
Exploring different expressions of prayer. We considered how prayer encompasses our personal and communal response to God, by thought and by deeds, with or without words. We discussed the expansive reality of prayer, and explored different prayer forms and ways to pray.
Video and resources are now available here.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Saint Mark's Identity
What does it mean to be a Cathedral and a Parish? Saint Mark’s is part of the Episcopal Church, and as a cathedral, serves as the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Olympia. What are the unique ways we are called to carry out our mission? Since Saint Mark’s founding in 1889, Saint Mark’s has been a gathering place for the Seattle community. We explored some of the key influences on the building and community, including discussion on Saint Mark’s history, Statement of Lament, and its Mission and Vision.
Video and resources are available here.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Episcopal Identity
What does it mean to be Episcopalian? We learned aspects of Anglican worship, history, theology, church structure, and sacraments with an opportunity to ask questions about beliefs and practices.
A video and resources from this session are available here.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Celebrate with Reverence
In corporate worship we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God’s Word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments. We consider the meaning and purpose of different parts of the liturgy and its flow that invites sacred engagement and spiritual renewal.
A video and resources are available here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Made in God's Image
A look at how we each see God and how that shapes our beliefs and values. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? Our faith affirms that we are indeed an “imago dei” and that we are made in original blessing (not sin). Where do these ideas come from and what do they say about our true selves and our relationship to God? We considered how the Episcopal tradition nurtures the faith and values of those on the spiritual journey.
A video and resources are available here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2024
Contours of the Christian Life: Listening for God's Call in Scripture
A look at how we can read and interpret God’s word. Reading, exploring and interpreting stories in scripture can help us listen for how God may be speaking through these human authors even today. Participants engaged with an upcoming lectionary reading for discussion using different interpretations and lenses for reading scripture.
A video and resources from this session are available here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2024
The Examen: What It Is and How to Practice It
This follow-up to the Sunday morning Introduction to Ignatian Spirituality on January 21 goes deeper into one of the core practices of that tradition. Usually prayed in the evening, the Daily Examen is a way to help notice and attend to God’s presence throughout the day through prayer. We learned about the history of this practice, heard experiences from Molly Bosch and Bryan Pansing who learned the Examen in the Jesuit Service Corps, and practiced with a guided exercise from Ross Hays and Erin Anderson. Together we considered what’s bringing us closer to God and what may be creating distance for us?
A complete video, handouts, and links to other resources are available here.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024
A Forum on The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) shapes how Saint Mark’s worships, what we believe, and how we see the world and ourselves in the Episcopal tradition. It is designed to inform every aspect of our lives in rich ways. We discussed its history, language and theology and explore ways to incorporate it into our spiritual lives.
TWO WEDNESDAYS, JANUARY 10 & 17, 2024
Paul’s Letters to the Early Church (and Us): What Are We to Make of Them?
Responding to broad interest expressed for a class on Paul’s letters following a sermon last summer, We explored major themes of Paul’s epistles, why they are so prominently esteemed in the Christian tradition, and why they are problematic for us in modernity. We unpacked some difficult passages, reveled in some exquisitely beautiful ones, and sought to better understand this titular figure whose legacy makes him one of the most impactful people in all of human history. Can his letters serve as catalyst to transformation on the Christian journey even today?
Video and slides from parts 1 & 2 are available here.