INTERGENERATIONAL MINISTRIES

The season of Lent has provided a certain rhythm to the lives of Christians for twenty centuries now. Through thick and thin, Lent is a steadfast part of the journey for people of all ages. Of course, this year will be different, but there is also an opportunity to return to our roots in the early Christian community, before church buildings became normative, and the home was the principal place for gathering and growing in faith. Here are some resources … Read More

The following message was included in the February 2021 edition of Be Present at Our Table, the monthly newsletter of Children and Family Ministries at Saint Mark’s.  Dear families, In the past year, the familiar heavy doors pictured above have not been swung open by little hands or harried parents very often. Prior to the pandemic, they were the physical threshold we passed through into the expansive and sacred space where we worship together, and the signal to our bodies … Read More

During Black History Month, check out the resources and materials made available at The Conscious Kid, an education, research, and policy organization that promotes healthy racial identity development in youth. Here are some quick tips from them: Name and take action against white supremacy with kids as early and as often as possible. Support racial identity as part of healthy child development. It is important to name whiteness, and for white people to identify as “white” in ways that acknowledge … Read More

This year, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus together from home!  Your family may participate in one of the Cathedral services together through a computer or TV, following along with the service leaflet, or you might choose to light candles, sing and pray and read scriptures together on your own. You might even choose to act out the story of the Nativity! It doesn’t matter how you choose to celebrate Christ this year on Christmas Eve. What matters … Read More

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7 P.M., via YouTube live premiere; Community Zoom afterparty to follow. Missing the Christmas Pageant this year? The delight of little angels, the sweet sounds of children’s voices, Magi processions, and three choirs gathered? Want to sing your carols as part of the experience? Pageants are an ancient way of telling the sacred story—a way that nourishes us deeply. Join Dean Thomason and others in the cathedral community as we experience a prayerful telling of the Nativity … Read More

This simple form of evening worship is intended to be used during the lighting of the Advent wreath or other table candles at home from November 29 to December 24. It can be used at the daily evening meal, or another time. The entire form will take no more than five minutes. The beauty is in the simplicity and repetition for people of all ages. Repeating these words together centers them in our heads and hearts, and draws us into … Read More

UPDATE!  The generosity of Saint Mark’s parishioners to the 2020 Alternative Giving opportunity was overwhelming. The cathedral ended up sending more gift cards to Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary than they asked for! For Lowell Elementary and Casa Latina, you gave $14,700—for a total of 588 gift cards, and that does NOT include gifts to Mary’s Place (which collected donations directly). Know that our friends at Casa Latina and Lowell were so heartened—responding a resounding “WOW” and “That’s incredible!” THANK … Read More

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 10–11:30 A.M. (mini-pilgrimage), 12 P.M. (prayer service) Watch video of the concluding prayer service: Service Leaflet As the season changes and the weather becomes colder, Saint Mark’s offers an opportunity to remember and be of service to those in our community who lack safe and secure shelter. Participants will create small care packages, known as “Manna Bags,” containing items that people experiencing homelessness themselves have said are most useful to them. The act of assembling these bags … Read More

UPDATE: The video had its premiere at the conclusion of the “O” Antiphons liturgy, and watching it was a meaningful and moving experience for many. Huge thanks to everyone who participated, including community members from across the country and around the world! The completed video can be seen below, or with the other recent offerings on the Virtual Choir Video Collection page. You—yes, YOU—are invited to be part of a video offering of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” the closing … Read More

The Wisdom of Children is an audio project recorded in June, 2020, featuring the voices of the children of the Saint Mark’s Cathedral community. Listen now using the embedded player below, or read on for other ways to listen. LISTEN NOW: A MESSAGE FROM DEAN THOMASON Dear friends, Several weeks ago, in the throes of feeling the acute loss of human interaction, it washed over me how much I missed hearing the voices of children in my life—the murmurs of … Read More

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, at 4 P.M., via Zoom 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 Nancy … Read More

Monday, June 1. Special service of Evening Prayer: 6:30 p.m., via Zoom Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has joined with over one hundred other faith leaders—from Christian, Jewish and Muslim traditions representing major denominations, national faith-based organizations, local congregations, and millions of people of faith across the country—in calling for a National Day of Mourning and Lament to grieve and honor the over 100,000 people in the U.S. who have now died from COVID-19. This call is being supported by the U.S. … Read More

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

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.

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

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