MESSAGE FROM THE PROVOST

Summer Rhythms and Building Hours at the Cathedral

Dear Beloved Saint Mark's Community,



As summer unfolds, we are leaning into a season of renewal—balancing rest, ministry, and hospitality with thoughtful care.

Beginning July 1, the Cathedral's open hours will shift slightly to reflect this rhythm, and to support both pastoral outreach and the administrative needs of our evolving ministries.

During the week, access to the Cathedral will primarily be only by appointment, coordinated through the clergy, ministry leaders, or event coordinators you are working with.

This allows our team to tend to essential behind-the-scenes work while also creating space for rest and deeper community connection.

We will continue to welcome all with warmth and hospitality during our Open Campus Hours:

• Wednesdays: 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
• Saturdays:  9:00 am – Noon
• Sundays: 7:30 am – 1:00 pm

Outside of these hours, clergy and staff will be working off-site or engaging in community presence—pastoral visits, outreach, and public witness beyond our Cathedral walls.

We thank you for your grace and understanding during this season and for all the ways you share in the life and spirit of this community. May this summer bring rest, reflection, and joy.

In faith and hope,

Tim+

Serve at First Nations Kitchen

Sunday July 20th, 2025

It's never too early to plan to volunteer 2-3 hours of your summer at First Nations Kitchen. It takes 20 volunteers to cover the shifts--Cooking--9-11:30am; Prep--12:30-3pm; Give Away--3:30-5:30pm. Please invite your friends and relatives to serve because Saint Mark's folk will be on deck that day!

You can use this link now to sign-up to serve on Sunday, July 20:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0848AFAA28A3F49-54733302-july#/

Cooking Shift: There's always a Lead Cook who is familiar with the routine and decides what to cook for the vegan and meat entree handed out to guests. Volunteers assist cook to make it happen.

Prep Shift: Paper grocery bags are filled with vegetables. At least 75 bags are distributed.

Give-Away Shift: Volunteers greet guests; bags with produce and an entree are handed out. This shift happens outside on the sidewalk.

Where is First Nations Kitchen?

(Located in the basement of All Saints Indian Mission)

3044 Longfellow Ave. (At the Corner of 31st and Longfellow Ave.)

Minneapolis, MN 55407

In Saint Mark's Banquet room, there is a poster which explains both in pictures and narrative how FNK works each and every Sunday. Take a look at that to learn more.

Any questions, don't hesitate to contact: Betsy Lee, betsylee108@gmail.com

SMEC Library Book Donations

If you recently purchased an adult, teen, or children’s fiction or nonfiction book because you were tired of waiting on a long request/holds list at the public library, and have now read the book and are looking for somewhere to donate it, consider the SMEC 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!

In Peace,

Jennifer Long

Summer Reading Suggestions

In this time of transition(s), Saint Mark’s has a unique opportunity to deepen our relationships with God and each other, to equip disciples, and to serve our communities. The community has a rich history of vibrant small groups, and that focus will return for the program year beginning in the Fall.

God is inherently relational and calls us to live and love as Christ did, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Although the brokenness and divisions of our world are ever before us, the hope of healing and reconciliation is always possible.

We live in a world that rushes toward certainty and control, yet the Spirit calls us into a different posture, one of waiting, wondering, and listening.

As we welcome the beginning of Summer, we invite you to join us in prayer for the days ahead. Additionally, while the fall small groups are not a book study, below are a few resources for summer reading. They are not required but could be a lovely way to engage with the upcoming topics.

Summer reading options:

Signs of Life: Nurturing Spiritual Life in your Church. Jay Sidebotham

https://shop.forwardmovement.org/product/2631

How We Learn to Be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde

https://www.mariannbudde.com

I in you, and You in Me. Michael Battle

https://www.michaelbattle.com/books/p/ubuntu-i-in-you-and-you-in-me

Atlas of the Heart, Brene Brown

https://brenebrown.com/

Garden Love

… their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. (Jeremiah 31:12)

The Free Seed Library is now up and running. Two weeks ago I dug a hole and poured the concrete base. Then I had to work on patience. The guide on the bag of concrete mix said wait 3 days to install fixtures. The fine print said fully cured in 30 days. I decided to wait 10 days. On day 10 my cordless drill/driver did not have enough power to fully drive the fastener that connects the base fitting to the concrete. So I came back the next day with an air powered impact wrench, 150 feet of extension cord and a small air compressor. Setting up the cords and the air hoses took more time than the driving of the fastener.

Please visit the Free Seed Library. We have hundreds of seed packets to give away.

Dana Dickson

WELLS FOUNDATION GRANT SPOTLIGHT:

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans

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

Read about one of them here:

Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) has offices in six major cities across Minnesota. Its goal is to end veteran homelessness, serving veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. MACV offers services with housing, employment, and legal services for the justice system. They advocate and help create sustainable opportunities for the veterans they serve, and help them live as independently as possible. In 2024, MACV served almost 3,000 veterans. Recently, the organization has pivoted to focus on preventative services for vets facing housing instability. They commit to a diverse workforce as they serve a diverse population of vets.

The Wells Foundation is proud to support MACV and its important work.

For more information on MACV, visit https://www.mac-v.org. To learn more about the work of the Wells Foundation, visit wellsfound.org.

Dean Search Committee Update

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.

Encountering Loss:

Downtown Coalition for Grief Support

The Downtown Coalition for Grief Support meets every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mark's through the summer.

Each session begins with either a professional speaker or a personal story, followed by small groups depending on the kind of loss experienced: spouse/partner, family/friend, or child. Everyone is invited to listen to the speaker; small group sessions are limited to those who experienced the death of a loved one.

Some upcoming topics: A Gentile Practice for Tough Times, The Courage to Ask: Embracing Help on the Path to Healing, Myths and Grief, Children and Grief, and many more. For more information, visit their website here.

Volunteers are always needed to welcome participants. The hours for volunteers are 9:30- 10:30.

If you have questions on the program or volunteering, email Linda Schelin at lindahneb@aol.com.

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. On hiatus July and August, returning September 11.

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

Please join us whenever it fits your schedule!

Summer 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