September Highlights at Saint Mark's!

Sept 7. Evensong resumes, 5:00 pm.

Sept. 14. Music Series, 2:30 pm. Organ recital - Raymond Johnston.

Sept. 21. Welcome Back Together Sunday

Sept. 21. Sample of Ministries Fair (more information below).

Sept. 23. Fresh Start at Great River Landing. Noon - 1:30 pm. A ministry with residents and staff (more information below).

Sept. 24. Speaker Series, 7:00 pm. Voices of Reconciliation. Featuring Rev. Robert Two Bulls and Dr. Andrew Stewart (more information below).

Sept. 28. 4th Sunday Forum, 9:30 - 10:15 am. Vestry focus.

Sept. 28. Music Series, 2:30 pm - Clarinet recital.

Watch for more details in upcoming editions of The Monday Connector and Cathedral Culture.

Claiming Everyday Faith, together: Small Groups for Fall 2025 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love God and our neighbor, not just conceptually, but wholeheartedly, in every aspect of our lives as individuals and as the community of Ssint Mark’s. Loving wholeheartedly as Jesus did requires reconciliation with God and each other, despite the brokenness we see all around us Because reconciliation is so vital, it is the focus as we begin our program year.  

Understanding ourselves, our feelings and beliefs, and the language we use, is a vital part of that reconciliation. But we can’t do this on our own. Listening deeply to others and building the connections we all long for are why the return of small groups is a cornerstone of this ministry. Information is provided below. Your program team continues to pray and plan as we move forward. Blessings. 

What: Small groups of 6-8 people 

Dates: 6 weeks, beginning late September and through October 

Time: Variable. You will be able to select day or evening, and in-person or via Zoom. Each session will be 60-75 minutes each 

Registration will be available in early September.

Learn about Getting Involved at the “Sample of Ministries Fair!”

Join us on September 21st between services or after the 10:30 service to hear about how you can get involved in the various ministry groups at Saint Marks - including several new ministries! The event will include a short presentation, followed by time to mingle and talk with ministry representatives. Plus - there will be special munchies! Make this the year you try something new!  For more information contact Brandon Lorge at blorge@gmail.com.   

Voices of Reconciliation

Wednesday September 24, 7:00 pm

At the heart of the Gospel is reconciliation: of sinful humans with a loving God, of broken relationships healed through listening and patience, of communities divided in as many ways as there are members coming together in new ways. Jesus’ example of being with those in need of loving attention and full acceptance calls us to follow his lead in paying attention: to unreconciled parts of ourselves, to fissures in our families and local communities, to the seemingly impossible task of doing our part, with God’s grace, to speak up for peace in our world and care for our planet.

This fall, join us for a three-part series one Wednesday evening per month, beginning on September 24 with Canon Robert Two Bulls, Missioner for the Department of Indian Work for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. In conversation with Dr. Andrew (Andy) Stewart, Theologian in Residence at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Canon Robert will share his experiences of witnessing to reconciliation among the communities of our diocese.

Sunday Adult Forums and Fellowship

This program year, 2025-2026, will include Adult Forums 2 or 3 times per month, from 9:30 - 10:15 am in the Banquet Room. You will be able to mark your calendars beginning September 28, with Vestry updates twice per month, on the 1st and 4th Sunday. Those updates may include Finance, Stewardship, and Governance, as well at the Search Committee. When requested, the 2nd Sunday will also include an administrative forum.

The 3^rd Sunday of each month will be reserved for hospitality and fellowship, in between and after morning services in the Community Room! While the Forums will be time to learn about the work of our Cathedral, the Fellowship Sunday will be time to connect with each other. As is our practice, coffee and treats will continue to be available each Sunday in the Community Room.

Saint Mark's Men's Ministry

The Saint Mark’s Men’s Ministry, which is open to all men, meets once a month for fellowship, conversation, snacks, and the Eucharist. The underlying question in each meeting is, “What does it mean to be a man today?” Don’t expect lectures or settled answers. Do expect old and new friends who are willing to ask questions and to look for answers together. Join us on the fourth Saturday of every month from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Saint Mark’s Library, found on the 2nd floor of the building. Be a part of the conversation as we discover how God is calling us today.

Sunday Nursery is Open

Our nursery will re-open for this program year beginning on September 7.

This year, it will be available from 10 am to 12 pm, and is located next to the Library.

The most appropriate age for the nursery is between 6 months and 6 years, but we know that sometimes there will be exceptions.

Want to volunteer to support this team? Any questions about Nursery? Please contact Kimberley Johnson at kimberleydarnalljohnson@hotmail.com  

Fresh Start at Great River Landing

Serving and welcoming those who have been recently incarcerated into Beloved Community

The Saint Mark’s community has a rich history of serving our neighbors in ways big and small, seeking to live into our covenant to Love God and Love Others. Last year’s focus on The call to Serve yielded new relationships and new ministry partners. One of those partners was the team from Great River Landing. (GRL) Their mission is to provide supportive shelter, housing and services for men rebuilding their lives following incarceration.

Saint Markans responded to the introduction to GRL with prayer and interest in continuing the relationship, including assisting with practical needs such as bedding, a quiet space and library, a large bin of toothbrushes and toothpaste, and a job interview clothing rack. The needs are endless, but our commitment is to work as a team with different skills. 

We are delighted to continue supporting this wonderful organization and the residents they serve. Here’s how you can be a part of this:

• We invite you to join us in prayer for this partnership and the staff and residents of GRL.*
• Learn about “Fresh Start”—this new group meets on the 4^th Tuesday of every month at Great River Landing Apartments in the North Loop for lunch and listening. Noon-1:30, beginning September 23. Contact Linda Brandt at brandt.linda@gmail.com if interested. Watch the Connector for updates
• Donate new white T-shirts (see below).

Thank you in advance for being a part of this ministry!

*Sample prayer-- "Gracious God, prayers are offered for those recently released from incarceration and now navigating their return to society. Guidance is requested as they seek to rebuild their lives and find their place in the world. May they be strengthened with hope and courage as they face challenges such as finding housing and employment, reconnecting with loved ones, and seeking to amend their lives. May we offer welcome and support, enabling them to find the resources they need to thrive. Amen”

Donate new white T-shirts to Great River Landing

For incoming residents, we are collecting new T-shirts on Welcome Back Together Sunday, September 21 from 9:00 – 1:00 pm. Staff have asked that we provide sizes L, XL, XXL.

Opportunity to Serve Groveland Emergency Food Shelf

The Groveland Emergency Food Shelf is celebrating 50 years of feeding the hungry and has an opening on its Board of Directors for a St. Markan. From meager beginnings at Plymouth Congregational Church, Groveland has grown and evolved to be the largest food shelf in Minneapolis.

Our very own Dean Fontaine saw that the food shelf – at the time a new idea in the Minneapolis area - could be coordinated as a way to serve those in need. Rather than nearby churches operating individually Dean Fontaine saw that there was an overlapping steady flow of need and the individuals could be served better with a joint effort by several churches combining their efforts.

Located in the lower level of Plymouth Congregational Church today, St. Mark’s and several other nearby churches including Westminster Presbyterian, First Christian Church, and Hennepin Avenue United Methodist, are supporting members. Each congregation is allotted two seats on the Board of Directors of Groveland. Currently St. Mark’s only has one Board member and has been asked to fill the open seat.



Groveland continues to grow rapidly and typically serves over 200 individuals per day. Much of the food is reclaimed from local grocery stores before it expires, and we purchase meat and canned goods as funds allow. We’re open five days a week, and unlike other food shelves, clients can select the food that best meets their needs without needing to make an appointment.

If you’re interested in helping feed the hungry by serving on the Groveland Emergency Food Shelf Board, please reach out to Dale Longfellow, 612.597.3923 or dalelongfellow@gmail.com

SMEC Library seeks book donations

If you have an adult, teen or children’s fiction or nonfiction (adult nonfiction in these areas- biography, history, poetry, social justice, climate justice, prayer, spirituality, theology, worship, other religions, parenting) or general children’s or teen nonfiction book with copyright dates of 2023 or after, consider donating it to the SMEC library!!!

We are also looking for newer (2023 or after) books fiction and nonfiction to “refresh” our new LBGTQ+ section.

The library currently is without a budget and recently received some real gems for the indigenous people's section of the library.

If the book is in very good or like new condition please contact me, Jennifer Long, at jllong55343@yahoo.com with the title, author, and publication date. I will get back to you!

Episcopal Church in Minnesota - Racial Justice and Healing

Seeking and serving Christ in all people, loving our neighbors as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being: these are some of the promises we make in our baptismal covenant. To live into these promises, we apprentice ourselves to Jesus, learning to see as he saw and love as he loved, speaking out against injustice and modeling right relationship, and seeking the peace of true reconciliation where prejudice, colonialism, and systemic racism have caused deep wounds in the fabric of our Body. 

Register for the September 20 retreat at St. Andrew's by the Lake, Duluth here

This in-person retreat utilizes our Eucharistic liturgy as a frame for understanding ministries of racial justice and healing as an integral element of our ongoing spiritual formation and discipleship. The retreat will interweave components of prayer, somatic (body) work, lecture, small group sharing, and tools for how to respond to what you will learn. During this retreat we will look at how systemic racism impacts education.

Learn more, download a flyer, and register by clicking here.

And, save January 24, 2026 for a retreat at Epiphany, Plymouth.

WELLS FOUNDATION GRANT SPOTLIGHT:

The Bridge for Youth

The Wells Foundation is a philanthropic non-profit managed by Saint Markans, granting funds to organizations serving the needs of our communities.

Here is one of the organizations the foundation supports:

The Bridge for Youth in South Minneapolis has assisted young people in need for 55 years. They offer emergency shelter, counseling and therapeutic support, healthcare resources and referrals, education and employment assistance and support, and aftercare. Youth who participate in programming at The Bridge are immersed in a therapeutic milieu that builds resiliency and disrupts the negative impacts of homelessness.

The Bridge for Youth is a strong pillar in our community for youth in need. Potential volunteers can call 612-230-6601.

For more information on The Bridge for Youth, visit https://bridgeforyouth.org. To learn more about the work of the Wells Foundation, visit wellsfound.org.

Dean Search Committee Update

The Search Committee is working to analyze the data received from the Holy Cow survey, the Dean Search 101 Formation comments, comments from small groups, and other similar sources, to prepare the Portfolio and Profile necessary to be able to post our open position. We're making great progress, and thank you for your ongoing prayers!



For ongoing progress updates from the committee, click here.



Gospel Based Discipleship

Fridays, 12:15 pm, online via Zoom

Gospel Based Discipleship is a weekly online meeting to read a passage of scripture and reflect on its meaning. There is no curriculum, no instructor. This is not a class, but a space for thought and reflection, a sort of "mini-retreat" from the week's busyness.

Access the Zoom link here. The gathering lasts only 45-50 minutes, from 12:15 pm until about 1 pm.

Knitting Ministry

Saint Mark’s has had a group of dedicated knitters for many years. We make prayer shawls, scarves and baby blankets to bless and give to those in need. We welcome new knitters, no matter what your skill level is. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 am to noon in the library. Please join us! Questions may be directed to gather@ourcathedral.org.

Gathering Groups

As a way to connect and to grow as disciples of Jesus, Saint Mark’s has a variety of groups based on interest, affinity, or time. Two groups that meet monthly, with a set schedule, are these:

Women’s group: Second Thursday of the month, 6:00 pm, in the Library. Returns September 11.

Men’s Ministry: Fourth Saturday of the month, 9:00 am, in the Library. 

Please join us whenever it fits your schedule!

Building hours:

Sunday: 7:30 am - 1:00 pm

Monday: By appointment

Tuesday: By appointment

Wednesday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Thursday: By appointment

Friday: Closed

Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm