A Message from Dean Thomason Tent City 3 Returns to Saint Mark's Cathedral

Dear friends, On Tuesday July 7th, the residents of Tent City 3 (TC3) will break camp in Skyway, and will return to Saint Mark’s Cathedral’s lower south parking lot after a seven-year hiatus. The vestry unanimously authorized this move at its meeting last week, and cathedral staff members have been diligently working out details in recent days to accommodate this important ministry, which serves about 100 residents who live in community with core values and mutual support.  Across the 13 years Saint Mark’s hosted Tent City (2001-2013) we have found that the TC3 covenant serves its residents and the cathedral and surrounding neighbors very well. I am delighted the leaders of SHARE/WHEEL reached out to me last week, inquiring of the possibility. Since 2014, we have offered the campus during summer months, except during the recent Living Stones construction project (2016-2017). TC3 has had other locations available to them in recent summers, but their current situation is requiring a change. So next week we will resume a ministry that has been very important in the life of this cathedral community.

With the cathedral buildings closed, the leaders of TC3 understand the support we can provide them will be somewhat limited. They will have water and electricity provided by the cathedral, and staff support as needed. TC3 is scheduled to move to their next location (already arranged) in mid-September. Of course, we are uncertain still when we might reopen the cathedral buildings for in-person worship, ministry meetings, etc., but we will be sure to coordinate all those details, and communicate them clearly to you all, as that timeline for reopening becomes evident.  In the meantime, I hope the cathedral community will serve, not only as a host to TC3, but as advocates to address the plight of the estimated 12,500 experiencing homelessness in this city. Seattle has the third largest homeless population in the nation despite being just the 15th largest city. This is unacceptable by any measure, but as people of faith, who claim that all are beloved children of God, we say we strive to respect the dignity of every human being. There is a clarion call to advocacy and direct relief services. There are numerous ways this work takes shape already, and I hope we will seize this opportunity to deepen our commitment even more. If you want to become more involved in these efforts, please contact Canon Cristi Chapman, cchapman@saintmarks.org . I am, gratefully,

Your Brother in Christ,

The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason Dean and Rector

Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral 206-323-0300 info@saintmarks.org www.saintmarks.org