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Curious about what we mean by “intergenerational”?
A video of the May 15 Cathedral Commons Forum on Intergenerational Ministry can be found here.
It built upon learnings from a May 9 workshop for ministry leaders hosted by Saint Mark’s which can be found here.
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Sunday Morning Forum on Volunteer Opportunities at Lambert House
THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall
This coming Sunday between the 9 and 11 a.m. morning services, come to Bloedel Hall to hear from Ken Shulman, Executive Director of Lambert House LGBTQ+ Youth Center, which temporarily relocated to Leffler House last June. Hear about the mission and programs of Lambert House, hear how their move to the cathedral property is going, and learn about opportunities to get involved.
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Godly Play Resumes
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, STARTING THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 10:10 A.M., in the Godly Play classrooms on the second floor of the St. Nicholas Building
Developed over the course of the last 40 years, Godly Play is a Montessori-informed curriculum and method of exploring the sacred stories and practices of our religious tradition in a way that can look quite different from traditional "Sunday School." Rather than teaching to children, Godly Play creates a space for "listening to God with children," through creative, age-appropriate engagement with stories, plenty of time for kids to ask questions and wonder, and development of relationships among children and with adults.
The Rev. Emily Griffin, who will be joining the Saint Mark's staff as Canon Vicar in October, is President of the Godly Play Foundation Board.
This Sunday, September 15, Godly Play resumes after its summer hiatus, exploring "The Circle of the Church Year" with the Weavers' Class (age 3 to grade 2) and "The Creation 2: The Falling Apart" (the story of Adam & Eve) with the Fishers' Class (grades 3 to 5).
Diocese of Olympia Canon Missioner for Faith Formation Valerie Reinke, who serves on the Saint Mark's Vestry, is leading a creative effort to transform the large Godly Play room in the St. Nicholas Building into a "model classroom" that can be used by the whole diocese for trainings. (See information below about a work day to transform the classroom on September 28, and the first of the training days on October 12.)
Regular Godly Play gatherings for kids age 3 and up are offered on the first and third Sundays of the month in the 10 a.m. hour, beginning this Sunday, September 15.
If you are an adult who would like to get involved with Godly Play at Saint Mark's, email Canon Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org
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Choir School Sings for Liturgies with Our New Bishop
THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Participants of the Saint Mark's Choir School will sing at both the Ordination and Consecration of our new bishop this Saturday, as well as at the Welcoming and Seating in the Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.
The youth of the Schola (for high school-age singers and changed-voice boys) will offer anthems and psalmody at the Consecration liturgy, held in the Meydenbauer Center in downtown Bellevue on Saturday, September 14, at 11 a.m. Watch the livestream of this service here.
The cathedral's intergenerational Evensong Choir, consisting of the most advances choristers of the choir school along with select adult singers, will offer canticles and the anthem for the Seating in the cathedral nave on Sunday afternoon, September 15, at 4:30 p.m. Join the livestream on the cathedral's usual livestream page (or, alternatively, on the cathedral Facebook or YouTube channel).
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Intergenerational Hike on Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, meet at the trailhead at 10 a.m.
All are welcome to join in a three-mile round-trip hike on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trail! On Saturday, September 21 we will meet at the trailhead at 10 am. After the first 1.5 miles, more adventurous hikers are welcome to continue along the trail while other folks turn back and perhaps choose to have lunch together in nearby North Bend.
A recreation pass is required to park at the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Trailhead. Both the Northwest Forest Pass and the America the Beautiful Pass cover the fee, or purchase a day pass online ahead of time for $5. Passes are not sold at the trailhead. Pack your own water. Potable water is not available at the trailhead. Pets on leash are welcome. (Our inspiration for this hike was this post!) Learn more here.
Please RSVP to Canon Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org
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The Inquirers' Class: Registration Now Open
NEXT SERIES: FOUR SUNDAYS, SEPTEMBER 22–OCTOBER 13, 2024, 12:30–2 P.M., Leffler Living Room (in person only; a hybrid option will be offered in Winter 2025.) Registration required.
Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, consider attending this four-class series, facilitated by clergy and staff, where we explore the basics of the Christian faith through an Episcopal lens. Whether you are new to Saint Mark’s, or simply interested in sharing and learning more, you are welcome. Meeting topics for this series are: How We Read Scripture, Images of God, The Way We Worship, and Prayer & Spiritual Practices. Find more information here.
Those who are interested in receiving the sacrament of Baptism on one of the upcoming Baptismal Feasts, or who would like to prepare for Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church or Reaffirmation of Faith on either the Feast of the Baptism of Christ (January 2025) or Cathedral Day (May 2025) are strongly encouraged to attend the Inquirers' Class. Register to participate by submitting this form. Please contact Canon Wendy Claire Barrie with questions: wbarrie@saintmarks.org
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St. Francis Day Celebration and Blessing of the Animals
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 3:30 P.M. (activities), 4:30 P.M. (liturgy), on the front lawn and labyrinth
On Saturday, October 5, Saint Mark’s will once again offer its beloved Saint Francis Day tradition. A few years ago this offering was moved from Sunday morning to Saturday afternoon, and the outdoor celebration has a truly festive community atmosphere. The cathedral extends a special invitation to folks in the neighborhood who may not usually attend Saint Mark's. Dogs, cats, bird, bunnies, ponies, chickens, and all creatures great and small are welcome.
New this year: Professional Pet Photographer Julie Austin will be present offering to take free photos of animal friends, starting at 3:30! The service at 4:30 p.m. includes prayers for healing humanity’s relationship with the earth, and for all the creatures who share the earth with us. After the service, animals can receive an individual blessing from a priest if desired. A festive reception with treats for pets and people will conclude the afternoon.
All are invited to attend, with or without their animal companions. Stuffed animals are also welcome to be blessed, as are photographs of pets who would not find attending the event a blessed experience. Animals should remain leashed or kenneled. You are welcome to bring your own chair to use on the lawn, although chairs will also be provided.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
SEPTEMBER 2024–JANUARY 2025
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Cathedral Tours Return
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 & EVERY FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 12:30 P.M.
The response to the docent-led cathedral building tours which were part of the summer Sacred Spaces offerings was so positive that they will be offered once a month following the 11 a.m. Sunday morning Eucharist.
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Godly Play Classroom Renovation Workday
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, DROP IN ANYTIME BETWEEN 10 A.M.–3 P.M., St. Nicholas Bldg, 2nd floor
Help us transform our space into a beautiful model classroom for the whole diocese!
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Godly Play-in-a-Day Workshop
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 10 A.M.–4 P.M., St. Nicholas Building, 2nd floor
Learn more about the Episcopal Church’s leading formation program for children. Registration required.
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Crafternoon
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1–4 P.M., Bloedel Hall and kitchen
Bring your own project or help us make some special things for the holidays in anticipation of the Alternative Gift Market!
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Cozy Compline
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 7–8 P.M., cathedral nave
Come in your pj's for milk and cookies, then get cozy for the Church’s bedtime prayers sung by the Schola of Saint Mark’s Choir School.
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Alternative Gift Market
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 10 A.M. & 12:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall
Benefitting our community ministry partners and Saint Mark’s Cathedral.
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Thanksgiving Eucharist and Community Dinner
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 11 A.M., cathedral nave and Bloedel Hall
Thanksgiving Dinner follows. Saint Mark’s provides the turkeys, guests bring the trimmings!
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The Pageant of the Nativity
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed
A Christmas Pageant like no other! Learn more here.
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Eve of the Epiphany Choral Evensong and Twelfth Night Celebration
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 4:30 P.M., cathedral nave, lower parking lot, and Bloedel Hall
Choral Evensong in the nave, and then the Twelfth Night Burning of the Greens bonfire, with chili supper and s’mores to follow.
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BEING & BECOMING AN INTERGENERATIONAL CHURCH | |
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How to Cultivate Intentionally Intergenerational Community: A Ministry Planning Guide
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Find shared interests, activities, and themes to cultivate connections. One of the easiest starting points is to find an activity or a theme that has commonality among groups or individuals. This creates points of connection for conversation to begin and to share ideas and updates. Spiritual practices can be shared across generations. Art and outdoor activities can be enjoyed by all ages. Encourage people to share their expertise or passion with others who may be new to it.
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Invite people into the planning process and intentionally share leadership. If you want participation from a particular age group, ask for their input on what would make the offering meaningful for them – don’t assume or expect attendance by invitation alone. When people feel heard in the planning, they will most likely champion the event or class or activity in their circles of friends. Consider the ways you will share leadership of an event, activity, or class with the demographic you wish to include.
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Be flexible. Sometimes this means flexing preferences to accommodate different needs and preferences. For example, when coordinating a meeting with people who work during the day, add an evening or weekend option, or host a virtual “drop in” session. Be open to doing something differently and look for ways to creatively include or adapt to the suggestions you receive.
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Consider and align on the goals of the event. Does the event need to be age specific or can it be offered for all ages? One way to bridge interest of a particular group with an intergenerational offering is to have the age or interest cohort host the event and make clear in the invitation that all are welcome to join. The host group can coordinate details and lead the planning while creating space for all to gather and participate.
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Plan ways your event can be inclusive of different ages and abilities. For example, when planning a hike, consider having two different pace groups, or alternate between the types of trails chosen. A program with reflection and activity stations allows people to choose how to engage with a theme based on their interests. Be explicit in how you invite people to sit if it’s important that different generations will mix at tables.
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Be explicit in the name of the event. Event naming and descriptions are the first clues as to who is invited. Making the information as clear as possible can make all the difference in someone feeling welcome. For example, try using “families with children” instead of “families” if children are welcome. A back-to-school picnic could become an “All-Parish Picnic” to extend welcome to parishioners who may not have children or whose children are adults.
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Hold a debrief and feedback session following your event or program with the different generations involved. Find an opportunity to report back to the wider community both the blessings and the learnings that the different generations experienced.
—by Emily Meeks
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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 all the Coast Salish tribes. [Learn more] | | | | |
