Children and Families during the Cathedral Closure • Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral

A Message From Kelly Moody, Associate for Spiritual Formation

Welcome to our virtual home during the COVID-19 Cathedral Closure! Whether you have attended Saint Mark's in person before or are joining us now for the first time, I'm glad you're here.

Parenting during a pandemic is full of unexpected joys and struggles. The days are full, our kids' feelings are big, and our roles as parent and professional, educator and coach, partner and friend are now blended together in messy, unexpected ways. We believe there is beauty and promise emerging in the midst of the mess. That belief is rooted in the life of Jesus, who blended humanity and divinity together in his own life, death and resurrection.

Our Christian faith proclaims God is in the midst of messes, and marks each moment of our daily work and play as holy. Below, you'll find some ways we are banding together at Saint Mark's to remember and reflect God's love in our daily lives at home. Engage in the ways that best support you and your children, and know that we are praying for you!

Peace,

Church School Via Zoom

GODLY PLAY

9 a.m. on Sunday Mornings via zoom

Children in preschool- 2nd grade tell bible stories with objects from home, make art together, and share their prayers and praises. Led by Alicia Goodwin.

To get on the weekly preparation email list and receive the zoom link, contact Associate for Spiritual Formation Kelly Moody at kmoody@saintmarks.org

JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM OF EQUALS

10 a.m. on Sunday Mornings via zoom

Children in 3rd–5th grades study scripture together and make connections to our life in quarantine, plan projects for the community, and more! Led by Kristen Kelly and Sonjia Gavin.

To get on the weekly preparation email list and receive the zoom link, contact Kelly Moody at kmoody@saintmarks.org

YOUTH RADIX GROUP

6 p.m. on Sunday Evenings.

Youth ages 5th-12th grades are invited to study the Resurrection Narratives using the Eastertide Radix Project Curriculum. Find more information about The Radix Project here, or contact Youth Ministry director Nicole Silvernale at nsilvernale@saintmarks.org

Monthly Encouragement for Parents

Gathering and Growing through a Quarantine

So much has changed so quickly! As parents and caregivers, we are continually adapting to these unusual times. Many of us report that juggling competing responsibilities and dealing with ongoing change is trying and overwhelming. It can also reveal a capacity for resilience we didn't know we had. Join The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman and fellow parents for connection and reflection each month. To receive the link, contact the Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman for more details at cchapman@saintmarks.org

Preparing for Pentecost from Home

by saintmarks on May 22, 2020 with No Comments

The Feast of Pentecost is upon us! On May 31, the Church observes the Feast of Pentecost. It is a great feast, a grand day, and one full of joy and anticipation! While social distancing may change the look of some of our celebrations, nothing can stop the Holy Spirit from transforming our lives and the life of the Church. This year, there are lots of ways to catch that Pentecost Spirit at Saint Mark’s! Read on for some suggestions… … Read More

Storytelling and the Bible: An Interview with The Rev. Earl Grout

by saintmarks on May 13, 2020 with 2 Comments

Spend some time with The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman and The Rev. Earl Grout, and hear how Earl approaches the reading of the Gospel, the stories of the Bible, and the way we tell our stories as people of faith! Earl also shares a few of his favorite Bible stories. What are your favorite bible stories? Post in the comments below.

Trying Times: Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Grief—How to Tell the Difference

by saintmarks on May 1, 2020 with No Comments

A Webinar with Shelley Mackaman, PhD, and Wayne Duncan, PhD SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020, 3 P.M., via Zoom Documents for this event: List of Resources (pdf) Complete Powerpoint presentation (pdf) A complete video of the webinar is available below: Do you find yourself fretting or anxious about reopening? Are your children stressed with the challenges of virtual school? Are you struggling to balance all the aspects of life now converging in your home life? We are all facing new pressures … Read More

Alicia Goodwin: Godly Play in the Time of COVID

by saintmarks on April 18, 2020 with No Comments

A few days ago, I saw a t-shirt with the words DO LESS. It didn’t have anything else written on it so I’m not sure how to execute that plan but it was an intriguing idea. I’m clear I cannot do more but I’m not sure doing less is an option either. With that conundrum in mind, I’m offering a few ways to weave a little Godly Play into our current quarantined lives. Many of our stories tell us God … Read More

The Home Altars of Saint Mark’s

by saintmarks on April 1, 2020 with No Comments

Earlier this week, the people of Saint Mark’s were invited to create home altars to serve as a focal point for their Holy Week observances. Visit this post for details. Below are some of the photographs that members of the community have sent in to the cathedral or shared in the Facebook Group. Click to enlarge!

A Special Video for Choir Members

by saintmarks on March 26, 2020 with 2 Comments

The music program at Saint Mark’s Seattle, somewhat famously, involves seven different choirs (Saint Mark’s Singers, Cathedral Choir, Evensong Choir, Compline Choir, Junior Choristers, Senior Choristers, and Schola). During this time when choirs are neither singing for liturgies nor meeting weekly to rehearse, choir members are feeling separation and absence acutely. Canon Kleinschmidt and Choir School Director Rebekah Gilmore made the following video to recreate the warm-ups which begin all choir rehearsals, when singers prepare our voices and our bodies … Read More

Share your Dinner Wednesday night!

by saintmarks on March 24, 2020 with No Comments

Let’s gather virtually and have fun staying connected! This Wednesday, March 25, on our usual Cathedral Commons night, visit the Saint Mark’s Seattle Community Life during the Closure group and post a photo of your dinner table or what you’re eating. Some members of the group tried this last Wednesday, and it was so lovely to see everyone! (A few examples are pictured at below.) This Facebook group is “private”—to join in, just follow the link above, or visit our our regular Facebook … Read More

Sonjia Gavin: Blessing and Curse

by saintmarks on March 20, 2020 with 1 Comment

Yin and Yang. Sinner and Saint. Blessing and Curse. As they say, there are always to sides to a coin. In this time of limbo, I find myself thinking about this daily. What is the take-away from all of this? What are we supposed to be learning? How are we going to make it through? Will this ever this end? All around us, we are experiencing a new normal. Students are not in school, employees are being laid off (including … Read More

Reflections on Signs of Grace…

by saintmarks on March 20, 2020 with 1 Comment

After hearing Dean Thomason’s sermon on March 15, 2020, parishioners were invited to reflect on where they had been experiencing sacramental grace in their daily lives during this challenging time. I snapped a photo (attached) on my walk out of PCC this evening after being greeted by a brass band playing music together in the park. All of the musicians were standing at least 6 feet apart (practicing social distancing) while they played joyful music. Lifted my spirits immediately … Read More

Table Grace for Your Wednesday Night Supper

by saintmarks on March 19, 2020 with No Comments

Every Wednesday night the community of Saint Mark’s has been invited to join together for a meal in Bloedel Hall. That meal always begins with the table grace sung by the choristers of the Choir School and all the parishioners who are attending. During this time of isolation, if you would like to begin your Wednesday night meal in the same way, Canon Keinschmidt offers this video > Be present at our table Lord; Be here and everywhere adored. These … Read More

Kelly Moody: “Everything Has Changed”

by saintmarks on March 16, 2020 with No Comments

Associate for Spiritual Formation Kelly Moody recently sent the following letter to the participants in Children and Family Ministries at Saint Mark’s. Her reflection is relevant, however, not just to parents of young children, but to all of us, and so we are sharing it here. “Everything has changed.” We say that in Godly Play at the beginning of a new liturgical year, and it seems appropriate in the wake of the news all gatherings over 50 people are prohibited, … Read More

Join the Saint Mark’s Community Life Facebook Group!

by saintmarks on March 13, 2020 with No Comments

All who feel a connection to the community of Saint Mark’s Seattle (where ever they might be) is invited to join the closed facebook group Saint Mark’s Community Life during the Closure. The purpose of the group is to connect with each other and with the cathedral during this time of isolation, quarantine, and building closure. Check it out! For those who do not use Facebook, content from the group will be posted on the Online Community Life page on … Read More

We're Glad You're Here!

A Message From Kelly Moody, Associate for Spiritual Formation

Daily Prayer Podcast for Children and Families

Weekly CFM Newsletter

Church School Via Zoom

GODLY PLAY

JESUS AND HIS KINGDOM OF EQUALS

YOUTH RADIX GROUP

Monthly Encouragement for Parents

Gathering and Growing through a Quarantine

Video Resources for Children and Parents

The Good Shepherd

Reveling with Dean Steve

Godly Play as a Spiritual Practice: An Interview with Alicia

Worship at Home: Making Your Home Altar

Preparing for Palm Sunday

For Children: Making an Altar at Home in Holy Week

Maundy Thursday at Home with Children

Good Friday at Home with Children

Celebrating the Easter Vigil at Home with Children