When we speak of being intergenerational at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, we are describing a culture rather than a program or an event. Intergenerational ministry is intentionally bringing two or more generations together in worship, service, learning, or sharing “in order to live out being the body of Christ to each other and the greater community” (All Ages Becoming: Intergenerational Practice and the Formation of God’s People, 58).
Church is one of the few places in contemporary American society that is naturally multigenerational. As an intergenerational community, we focus on building and strengthening relationships that are characterized by respect, reciprocity, mutual empowerment, and joy. Intergenerational ministry is less a new way of being church than it is an old way, perhaps the oldest way, modeled by the ancient Israelites and the early Christians.
Research across denominations and age groups highlights many mutual benefits of intergenerational ministry, among them cultivating a sense of belonging, navigating difficulty and loss, supporting transitions between life stages, providing unique opportunities for character development, and deepening spiritual practices and connections to our faith.
Intergenerational Council
The Intergenerational Council consists of Saint Mark’s community members ranging from youth to elders who gather to examine the cathedral’s activities and policies from a range of generational perspectives, and to envision ways of being Church in today’s world. Through intentionally intergenerational programming, small group gatherings, and innovative ways to incorporate those new to Saint Mark’s, the council aims to foster spiritual growth and nourishing relationships among members of the cathedral, as we seek to become Beloved Community. They meet every other month on a Monday evening on Zoom.
Contact Wendy Claire Barrie, Canon for Intergenerational Ministries: wbarrie@saintmarks.org
RESOURCES
Intergenerational Explained
Watch this 4-minute video, which draws from the United Church in Australia's Being an Intergenerational Church and from Five Factors Found in Flourishing Intergenerational Communities.
Intergenerational at Saint Mark's
If you're planning an intentionally intergenerational class, activity, or event, please check out this guide.
If you have more time, the Intergenerational Council offered a 2024 forum on Intergenerational Ministries at Saint Mark's , which can be found here.