SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Joyous Generosity: A Capital Campaign Forum with Consultant Marc Rieke
Have you ever wondered what it means to be a "cheerful giver?" Have you ever thought, "Why is that even important?" Sharing his perspective and experiences of having served 150 churches across denominations in capital campaigns, our Living Stones II consultant, Marc Rieke, will use scripture and story to help us explore what impels us in our giving, and the ways in which the dynamic of joyous generosity is vital in our spiritual lives.
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Ministry Fair 2025
For 2025, the annual Ministry Fair will no longer occur on the same day as Homecoming Sunday in the Fall, but rather in Eastertide, on the day after Cathedral Day. Cathedral ministries will show off their activities and achievements and everyone is invited to learn get involved in something new. Learn more here.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025
"Ways to Pray in Lent" with Canon Barrie
Each year on Ash Wednesday we are invited to observe a holy Lent, and among the ways we do that is through prayer and reading and meditating on scripture. Come explore what this can look and sound like, in poetry and music, in the Lenten devotional that will be available at the forum, perhaps even with an intergenerational prayer partner, and plan to share a practice that's meaningful to you in this season of repentance and drawing near to God.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
"Friends Talking"—Iconographer Peter Pearson with Dean Thomason
Iconographer, Priest, and Franciscan Brother Peter Pearson will be at Saint Mark's the week of February 12, leading a Wednesday forum on icons as well as a three-day hands-on icon writing workshop. On Sunday, February 16, he will offer a guest sermon at the 9 and 11 a.m. services, and then participate in an informal "Friends Talking" Sunday Morning Forum with Dean Thomason in the 10 a.m. hour. Learn more about Rev. Pearson and his other offerings here.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
Sacristan Michael Seewer Sabbatical Report
Cathedral Sacristan and Head Verger Michael Seewer spent seven weeks last fall traveling around Europe, visiting cathedrals and other houses of worship to study their liturgical practices, including several days at the community of Taizé in France. Hear about what he saw and learned at this Sunday morning forum between the 9 and 11 a.m. services in Bloedel Hall.
A complete video is now available here.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., meet in the St. Nicholas Building, just to the northing of the cathedral. (rescheduled from Jan. 12)
Blessing & Dedication of the New Shelter Space
Between the 9 and 11 a.m. services on February 2, Dean Thomason will join representatives from Operation Nightwatch and lay leaders to formally bless the new Emergency Women’s Shelter on the Saint Mark’s Cathedral campus. The shelter is a partnership between Saint Mark's and Operation Nightwatch—street ministry in Seattle in which cathedral members also serve as volunteers—and will be called Donna Jean’s Place at Saint Mark’s, named in honor of Donna Jean Palmberg, whose late husband, Pastor Bud, founded Operation Nightwatch nearly 57 years ago. The shelter will serve up to twenty women nightly, and provide not only beds to sleep in, but showers, laundry, and lockers to store their belongings. There will also be a small clinical room for the women to receive medical and mental health care services. Gather in the space on the first floor of the St Nicholas Building following the 9 a.m. service—signage will guide you.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
A Crash Course in the Principals of Non-Violence
In this forum on MLK Weekend, we'll take a brief look at the fascinating history of non-violence with a special emphasis on the legacy of Bayard Rustin, a student of Mohandus (Mahatma) Gandhi, who brought back his learnings to the leaders of the American Civil Rights movement. A Black gay man and a Quaker, Rustin became a trusted advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr, and was the organizer of the March on Washington. While the principles of non-violence deserve much more time than this forum allows, Canon Barrie will provide resources for further exploration, including the pledge of non-violence and the invitation to a participate in the annual Season for Non-Violence.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025
“Friends Talking” Forum—Bishop LaBelle and Dean Thomason
Bishop Phil LaBelle was consecrated the ninth Bishop of Olympia last September, and this informal conversation between the 9 and 11 a.m. services on the Sunday of his first official Parochial Visitation is a great opportunity for the cathedral community to continue to get to know our diocese’s new leader, and to hear how things have been going so far.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2024
Poetry of the Season
The birth of Christ, celebrated at the time of the Winter Solstice here in the north, announces the return of light to the world but also the birthing of the Word, the Logos, into the world. That Word brings consciousness, brings truth, brings love, and yes brings light, which we celebrate this morning with a reading of relevant poems that speak into this darkness and affirm that it does not and will not silence us. Hosted by Professor Emeritus Doug Thorpe along with the Creation Care Committee and the Cathedral’s vibrant and light-bearing 20’s & 30’s Group. For information contact dthorpe@spu.edu
A video of this event is now available here.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
"Friends Talking"—The Very Rev. Michael DeLashmutt, Ph.D. with Dean Thomason
The Very Rev. Michael W. DeLashmutt, Ph.D. is the Dean of Chapel and Senior Vice President at The General Theological Seminary. Dean Michael teaches and researches at the intersection of theology, arts, and culture, with work that spans teaching, writing, and spiritual formation. Raised in Poulsbo, Washington and with family on Camano Island, he and his wife, Julia (born in Bremerton!) have deep ties to the PNW and are delighted to be at the cathedral. Dean DeLashmutt will be the guest preacher at the 9 and 11 a.m. services at Saint Mark's on December 8, and participate in an informal forum with Dean Thomason in the 10 a.m. hour between the services.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2024
2024 Alternative Gift Market
Saint Mark's launches the holiday season with this festive community celebration with a variety of unique gifts to purchase, opportunity to donate, and refreshments to enjoy.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2024
Sunday Forum on Taizé
This Sunday forum will include a number of reports and updates related to prayer in the style of Taizé at Saint Mark's. Sacristan Michael Seewer will offer a brief report on his visit to the monastery of Taizé in France during his just-concluded sabbatical. (Note that his complete sabbatical report to the community will be scheduled on a future Sunday, likely in January.) Hannah Hochkeppel will introduce some of the songs that will be sung at the upcoming Taizé liturgy on Tuesday, November 19. Canon Wendy Barrie will offer a brief introduction of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, in commemoration of whom the upcoming liturgy is offered. Finally David Poortinga will make some exciting announcements regarding plans for the development and expansion of Taizé prayer at Saint Mark's in 2025.
You can watch a video of this forum here.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
Community Conversation
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2024
Supporting Lowell Elementary School
Lowell Elementary is a vibrant place of challenges and strengths. Students speak dozens of languages and join from across the globe, but as the designated elementary school for numerous Seattle homeless shelters, nearly one in three students are unhoused. We hosted a panel of Lowell staff for a forum on ways the Saint Mark's community can support these students.
Photos and slides from this forum can be found here.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024
Contemplating Angels in Art
A presentation of the Saint Mark's Visual Arts Ministry
Contemplating Angels in Art: Their Essence, Form, and Works is a slide presentation of beautiful fine art imagery drawn from a variety of sources. Victoria Scarlett, Director of the Center for Sacred Art, guided us through a visual meditation on angels as messengers of God’s light and love. The program was offered with Michaelmas (The Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, which falls on September 30) in mind.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
Stewardship Forum with Consultant Timothy Dombek
The Rev Canon Timothy Dombek is Saint Mark's stewardship consultant this year, and will be offered remarks at the All-Parish Gratitude Dinner.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
Cathedral Communications: How to get the word out!
The Communications Committee of the Vestry and Communications Director Gregory Bloch presented a Sunday morning forum for all members of the cathedral community, exploring the various communications channels used by Saint Mark's, and how parishioners and ministry leaders can best take advantage of those channels. One of the main themes of the 2024 Strategic Plan is "Connecting and Telling Our Stories," and the whole community is enriched when the stories of this place are shared. The forum introduced a "Communications Toolkit" for the community, and some individual parishioners shared their experiences.
A video and slides from this forum are now available here.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024
Volunteer Opportunities at Lambert House
A panel of youths from The Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center moderated by Lambert House Executive Director Ken Shulman (currently relocated to Leffler House and the Carriage House on the Saint Mark's Campus) told us about what Lambert House is, why they go there, and what they get out of it, and then will took questions. We heard about the mission and programs of Lambert House, how their move to the cathedral property is going, and learned about opportunities to get involved.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024
2024 Ministry Fair
Representatives of the ministries of the cathedral were at tables around the cathedral nave ready to answer questions and discuss how you might get involved.
The ministry leaders and volunteers of Saint Mark’s are passionate about what they do and are eager to share that passion with you. Learn about the many opportunities to grow in faith, gather in community, and serve our neighbors. Bring your curiosity and learn about an aspect of cathedral life that might be new to you.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2024
Report from the 81st General Convention
This forum offered a summary a summary of the events of the 81st General Convention, the governing body of The Episcopal Church. General Convention takes place every three years, and this year occurred in Louisville, Kentucky from June 23–28. We heard from three Saint Mark’s members—Michael Seewer, Michael Perera, and Hannah Hochkeppel—who were at General Convention and serving in different roles about the activities from the Houses of Deputies and Bishops, the Exhibit Hall, the election of the next Presiding Bishop (The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe), and more.
A video and slides from this forum are now available here.
