Dear Friends,
Recently Natalie and I planned to carpool to drop off ditty bags to Mission to Seafarers. When she got into the car, she handed me a Tupperware container stacked with chocolate chip cookies. I had actually forgotten about this plastic cylinder and its blue top that I had brought to her with banana muffins several weeks ago. I fully expected it to be reused but not returned filled with delicious treats. The same container had been shared with me from another Saint Mark’s parishioner filled with leftover three bean chili.
 
I have been thinking about this share-it-forward generosity as we step into Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. How may we notice and transform what is empty into fullness? Where can we spark surprise and delight that brings joy to others?

Serving can be a place to start. In December we will host a gathering to decorate cookies to share with Edible Hope, a partner organization with Seattle Service Corps, providing meals each weekday to our unsheltered neighbors in Ballard. We will fill bags with cookies so that Edible Hope guests can take a portable treat into their day. 

Sometimes it’s just showing up and being present in community together. From a Sunday morning Bagel Bar to experiencing Compline after Questioning Together, we have several community activities to fill an empty room with connection and conversation. All you have to do is bring yourself. 

—Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com)
20s/30s EVENTS
Night Prayer

Monday, November 22, 7:30 p.m. 

Adam Conley will lead us in Night Prayer with an in-person option in the Leffler Sun Room. The order of service is here. Email Adam for call-in information (aconley@saintmarks.org). Additional Night Prayer dates through 2021 are December 13 and December 27 (in person option).
Spreadable Hope

Thursday, December 2, 6–8 p.m. 

Drop-in to decorate and frost cookies at Leffler House for an Advent gathering to benefit Edible Hope. Frosting and decorations will be provided. Bring your own pre-baked sugar cookies either homemade or bought. We recommend trying this go-to recipe from Jade Bawcom-Randall. Decorated cookies will be delivered to Edible Hope on Friday, December 3. There is also an opportunity to volunteer for prepping and serving the morning meal at Edible Hope from 7–9 am on Friday, December 3. Email Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com) with questions or if interested in volunteering.
Christmas with the Chosen Viewing

Monday, December 6, 7 p.m., AMC Alderwood Mall, Lynnwood  

The crowd-funding series goes to the big screen in this Christmas movie showing the birth of Christ through the eyes of Mary and Joseph. If you are interested in attending, email Justin Shelly (shelley.justin@gmail.com).
Candy Cane Lane Walk and Holiday Cheer

Sunday, December 12, 4:30 p.m. 

A tradition since 1949, the houses on this section of NE Park Road in Ravenna transform into Candy Cane Lane, a display of lights and decorations representing traditions and themes from around the world. We’ll meet first at the home of Natalie and Tim Willis (911 Ravenna Blvd NE) from 4:30–5 p.m. for hot chocolate and cookies, and then walk together to Candy Cane Lane at 5 p.m., just a under a mile away. RSVP to Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com).
Pop Up Questioning Together & Compline

Sunday, January 9, 7:30 p.m. 

“How do you experience God in darkness and in light?” We’ll start off 2022 exploring this question with a conversation facilitated by Seyi Akanni. Gather for dessert from 7:30–8 p.m. followed by an hour of Questioning Together. For those interested, a group will go to Compline together at 9:30 p.m. Questions? Email Seyi Akanni (seyi.akanni@gmail.com).
Bagel Bar

Sunday, January 30, 10-10:50 a.m.

Join for a light bite and conversation in between services with a bagel bar at Leffler House. We’ll have an assortment of bagels, cream cheeses and spreads with gluten free and vegan options. Questions? Email Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com).
ALSO AT SAINT MARK'S
Service Opportunity at Saint Martin de Porres
 
Volunteers are needed to shop for groceries and deliver items to the downtown shelter on November 20, December 15 and December 18. St. Martin de Porres provides safe and dignified night shelter for men aged 50 and older. Estimated total time commitment is about two hours. If interested, please contact Chris Rigos (crigos33@gmail.com) for questions or to sign up. 
Advent Intergenerational Crèche Sharing Event

Sunday, December 5, 10:10–10:50 A.M., in person in Bloedel Hall or online via Zoom.

Meet our new Canon for Intergenerational Ministries, Wendy Claire Barrie at this intergenerational gathering in between services. Bring a crèche (nativity scene) from home and share a story about it. You may also make and take a simple one with materials provided. Crèches will be blessed at the conclusion of the event. 
Cathedral Yoga

Mondays, 6:30 p.m. 

Join for a gentle, restorative, and contemplative practice in the cathedral nave. Pay what you can. Please bring your own mat, although if you do not have one, sanitized mats are available. At this time, masking is required for all participants at all times while inside the building. Learn more at saintmarks.org/yoga
​​Twelfth Night Celebration and Burning of the Greens

Wednesday, January 5, 2022, 6:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave and outdoors, with portions of the evening livestreamed.

The evening of the last day of Christmas is known as "Twelfth Night." Come together in the cathedral nave on January 5 for a brief rite to bid farewell to Christmastide and usher in the Season of Epiphany. Then, we'll gather around a bonfire of the Christmas greens in the lower parking lot, followed by hot drinks and festive snacks for all.
EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
An Advent Quiet Morning

Sunday, December 4, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Green Lake (111 NE 80th St., Seattle)

Move deeply into the season of Advent with morning prayer, centering prayer, walking meditation and unstructured time for reflection at St. Andrew’s near Green Lake. The morning programming will be led by Christine Sine and the event is co-sponsored by Saint Mark’s Cathedral and St. Andrews Episcopal. Breath prayers, walking meditation, creative and contemplative activities, and unstructured time for quiet reflection will help us rekindle the wonder of Advent. Christine wrote The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God. Donations ($10-$15) gratefully accepted. Email Emily Meeks if you are interested in attending with other 20s/30s (emcmeeks@gmail.com).
WHAT WE'RE READING LATELY
This Advent, I’m reading Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor. Scripture offers rich imagery around light and darkness, not only in anticipation of the incarnation, but through the Epiphany season of revelation and understanding. Light promises to banish darkness, and this is a beautiful and true metaphor for our faith. But I wonder if it’s the whole story. Is our story truly one of light conquering darkness, or is there holiness and transformation to be had on both ends of the light spectrum? What does the prophet mean by the “treasures of darkness?” (Isaiah 45:3). How do different cultures and communities respond to the language of light and darkness? These are some of the themes B.B.T. explores in her book, which could also serve as interesting fodder for our Pop-Up Questioning Together discussion facilitated by Seyi Akanni on January 9, 7:30 pm (see above).  

—Adam Conley (aconley@saintmarks.org)
QUICK LINKS
  • Video Slideshow of the Young Adults Wilderness Pilgrimage from this summer 

  • Click here to be introduced to the Seattle Service Corps via their recent self-made video, and learn more about how to register to attend their storytelling fundraiser “Blossom Abundantly” virtual event on December 12, 2021, at 2 p.m. 




Saint Mark’s Cathedral acknowledges that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People, who are still here, and we honor with gratitude the land itself and the life of the Duwamish Tribe. [Learn more]