Newcomers Gathering

January 12

The next Saint Mark’s Newcomers’ gathering will be held at the Cathedral following the 10:30 service Sunday, January 12. If you attended a service or event at Saint Mark’s during the Advent/Christmas season, liked what you saw and felt, and would like to become better acquainted with the life of the Cathedral, this gathering is for you. It’s a chance to meet some Saint Mark’s leaders as well as other newcomers, ask questions about the life of the Cathedral, and learn of opportunities for prayer, study, and service to encourage you on your faith journey. The gathering will be held in the Heritage Room which is on the Nave level. A brief tour of the building will be provided for those who are interested. Beverages and snacks will be available.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul,

and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt 22: 37-39)

We have been calling Saint Markans to "Share our Abundance" by helping feed our hungry neighbors. Thanks to all who donated to Groveland Food Shelf and served at First Nations Kitchen on December 29th. The next (Second) Sunday Night Supper is January 12th!

In February 2025, we will begin partnering with three downtown non-profits who assist our neighbors with access to secure and dignified shelter. Watch future Connectors for giving opportunities and for specific activities in support of our unhoused neighbors, to be held at 9:15 am Sunday gatherings.

This month, we invite you to learn more about our partners and hold them up in prayer:

AGATE. Combining House of Charity and St. Stephen's Services, AGATE provides a continuum of services meeting the needs of those facing housing instability where they are. Visit agatemn.org

ALIGN. Formerly Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness. “Animated by a vision of everyone having access to safe, decent, stable, and affordable housing in Minneapolis." Saint Mark's is a member congregation. Thanks to those who are contributing to their warm outwear drive! Visit alignmpls.org

GREAT RIVER LANDING. [Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative and 180degrees]. Providing 72 studio apartments for men, primarily African American fathers, who have recently exited incarceration and experienced homelessness along with wrap-around social services for their transition. Visit spokesman-recorder.com/2023/12/22/affordable-housing-for-formerly-incarcerated-and-homeless-at-great-river-landing/

Climate Justice January 12 Forum

The Climate Justice Ministry is sponsoring a presentation from Joshua Lewis of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light about their Resilience Hub project. The Resilience Hubs are defined as energy efficient, community serving places that have the resources and connections needed to support community members both in moments of crisis and in everyday life. MNIPL wants to develop 10 of these hubs at places of worship and non profit organizations across the state. Joshua will talk in more detail about the resilience hubs structure and the support Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light will provide for those churches and organizations who choose to participate. We at St Marks have been partnering with MNIPL for several years. It is a faith based organization devoted to climate change and community building. This will be an informative presentation. Hope you can attend!



David Vaughan, chairperson, Saint Mark's Climate Justice Ministry

SAAGES BOOK DISCUSSION:

William Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace

Tuesday, January 14th, 10:00 - 11:00 am Heritage Room

Led by Tom Brandt

Join us as we look at Minnesota author William Kent Krueger’s Ordinary Grace. Krueger is best known for his Cork O’Connor mystery series but has also written several standalone novels. Ordinary Grace was the winner of the 2014 Edgar Award for Best Novel. It is a beautifully written book about a 13-year-old boy coming of age and grappling with grief and faith in his small Minnesota town.

(From Simon & Schuster's book description) In 1961 New Bremen, Minnesota, all is quiet and serene. The Minnesota River flows through the countryside, the town barber knows everyone’s name, and folks dutifully attend church every Sunday. But that serenity is thrown into turmoil as a series of tragic deaths lead thirteen-year-old Frank Drum and his family on a hunt for terrible truths. But at what cost comes wisdom. In this powerful novel from the author of the Cork O’Connor mysteries, a boy must leave his childhood behind and confront the dark nature of the adult world and its myriad moral questions: What secrets will destroy us? How do we deal with grief? And what solace is there in the ordinary grace of the world?

Round Tables 2025

3 Consecutive Wednesdays in January

Saint Mark's Community Room

This ever-popular 3-week series focuses on building relationships over dinner and timely conversation topics, on Wednesday, January 15, 22, and 29.

Each week, guests will sit with the same table group to allow for deepening conversations and connections. Following the meal, a presenter will share the topic for the evening, and each table will have time to discuss specific questions. After a final group discussion, the evening concludes with the prayer of Compline, ending no later than 8:00 pm. 

Winter Roundtable Theme: Thinking About Your Experience at Saint Mark's

Week 1: Saint Mark's as an Avenue to Christian Community: connecting with others

Week 2: Saint Mark's as an Avenue to Spiritual Growth: connecting with God

Week 3: Saint Mark's as an Avenue to Christian Service: connecting with needs inside and 

            outside of the church

There is no cost. Registration is requested for the series; please register here.

This winter the meal will reflect our emphasis on SHARED ABUNDANCE with a potluck each week.  For Week #1, January 15, guests are asked to bring: 

 A-F Dessert

 G-M Appetizers and Salads

 O-Z Mains and Sides

This list will be changed weekly, to give all cooks a chance to shine!   Wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and hot beverages provided. 

Additionally, it takes a village and many hands to offer these evenings. Please contact Mary Lusk or Lois Satterberg if you are able to help in any way. Email maryl@ourcathedral.org 

Please mark your calendar now for our Annual Meeting, which will be on January 26, 2025. There will be a single service at 10 a.m., with the meeting following immediately after in the Nave. After the meeting, lunch will be served in the Community Room downstairs.

Heritage Room Exhibit

A new exhibit is now up in the Heritage Room. Saint Mark’s archives houses a great deal of our history and story. The Archives are currently on 3rd floor, so not accessible to all. In an effort to tell about our archive, this exhibit describes the organization and history of its beginning. During Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany the exhibit will feature the first six categories of 16: History and Major Events, Memorials, Building Photos, Bishops, Clergy, and Wardens, Vestry, and Lay Leaders.

During Lent and Easter it will focus on the next two categories. Please take some time to look and see some samples of what we have in the archives.



Gospel Based Discipleship

Fridays, 12:15 pm, online via Zoom

Prepare yourself for the following Sunday Eucharist. Focusing on the Gospel selection prescribed, we ask three questions, reading the passage each time.

1. What word(s), idea(s), or phrase(s) stand out for you?
2. What is the Gospel saying to you?
3. What is the Gospel calling you to do?

Gospel Based Discipleship is not a formal Bible study. There is a convener but no teacher. 

Access the Zoom link here.

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 the month, 6:00 pm, in the Library. Next meeting will be January 9.

Men’s group: Fourth Saturday of the month, 9:00 am, in the Library. Next meeting will be January 25.

Please join in whenever it fits your schedule!

Building hours for Winter:

Sunday 8am-6pm

Monday 9am-4pm

Tuesday 9am-4pm

Wednesday 9am-8pm

Thursday 9am-4pm

Friday Closed

Saturday 9am-2pm

On occasion, building hours will vary.