The Inquirers' Class at Saint Mark's is taking a slightly different approach this time around, by being more conversational and including a spiritual practice or exercise each time we meet. We began our first session by introducing ourselves with our names and pronouns, and then giving our favorite names for God, if we had one, such as Mother of Blessings, Great Mystery, Gracious One, Beloved, Yahweh, Ground of All Being. It made me think that we simply don't talk about God enough, or about what we mean when we say God, and so I reworked an old blogpost on the topic . I'd love to hear from you about you favorite names for God, and I look forward to imagining or reimagining our names and images for God when we as a community learn from Womanist theologians Dr. Christena Cleveland and Dr. Wil Gafney later this year.

Visit this post on Canon Barrie's blog for a deeper exploration of the images we use for God.

THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 5:30–7 P.M., Leffler House

Members of the 20s/30s Group and the Youth Group will assemble and stuff care packages for SMC students away at college and then enjoy a chili bar with toppings and cornbread. A great opportunity to connect with youth at SMC. RSVP encouraged but not required. Questions or to RSVP, email Luke: [email protected]

THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 10:10 A.M., Bloedel Hall

As a community that gathers at the height of Capitol Hill, Saint Mark's often welcomes visitors who are unhoused or are otherwise in need of basic supplies. The Vestry recently discussed creating a small care packet for visitors in need with these basic items: hand sanitizing wipes, small water bottle, protein snack, pair of socks, list of social services in the Capitol Hill area, rain poncho, toothbrush, travel-sized toothpaste, small notepad and pen. You are invited to join in this intergenerational gathering to assemble items in gallon size Ziploc bags. At the end of the gathering, the packets will be blessed by a clergy member.

Sign up to bring care packet items here via SignUpGenius. This list provides the specific items and quantities needed. Drop off the materials prior to the event in the nave coffee corner bin or bring them no later than 10:10 a.m. to the Bloedel Hall packing party. Questions? Email Kristen Kelly ([email protected]) or Doug Thorpe ([email protected]).

TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 7 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

The next Taizé service at Saint Mark's will be offered on Tuesday in the third week of Lent. These services of song, scripture, prayer, and silence are participatory, accessible, and not too long. Learn more here.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 9:30 A.M.–4 P.M., in cathedral nave; registration required

Author, speaker, activist, and public theologian Brian D. McLaren has been a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity”—just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good—for over twenty years. On Friday, March 17, he will lead this conversation exploring the future of Christian faith in the 21st century. He will be joined by a panel of experts including clergy, academics, entrepreneurs, activists, and community organizers, as well as interact with the audience. Reserve your tickets at this Eventbrite link: $39 for individuals; $69 for two; $139 for groups up to five

Faces of Easter at Godly Play

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 10 A.M., in the Godly Play classroom , St. Nicholas Bldg.

In the language of Godly Play, we say that Lent is the season that prepares us for the Mystery of Easter. In this article, Godly Play trainer Rev. Ebony Grissom reflects on the stunning new images Saint Mark’s children will see as we move through Lent with the stories of the life of Jesus, and wonders about the impact of seeing the Holy Family, especially Jesus, as Black will have in the long work of dismantling racism.

Coming up on April 16 (No Godly Play on Palm Sunday): The Legend of the Easter Eggs. Children will decorate wooden Easter eggs to take home!

If you or a family member (of any age) are interested in receiving the sacrament of Baptism, the next opportunities are the Great Vigil of Easter (Saturday, April 8) and the Feast of Pentecost (Sunday, May 28). Learn more here, and contact Canon Barrie for next steps: [email protected]

Children are invited to join the procession with palms at both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. It is the tradition at Saint Mark's for all participants to accompany the boisterous procession with noisemakers, drums, and horns, so bring those along if you have them! During the 9 a.m. service, while the Passion Gospel is read, an extended Children’s Chapel will be offered presenting a gentle, age-appropriate version of the story of Holy Week. A simple "Holy Week in a Box" will be available for families including grandparents and caregivers for at-home storytelling.

Since Palm Sunday falls on a first Sunday of the month this year, there will also be a service of Choral Evensong at 4:30 p.m. that afternoon. This liturgy is offered each month by the Evensong Choir, the cathedral's most intergenerational choir, where kids, teens, young adults, and older people contribute as equals. The service on April 2 will include Antonio Lotti's famous Crucifixus.

There is no Children’s Chapel on Easter, but there will be an Easter Egg hunt after both the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. This year, instead of candy being inside the eggs, children will hunt for eggs, turn them in, and choose from a selection of special treats. They may then hide eggs for other children to find. Adults and/or youth are needed to volunteer to hide the eggs before the services end and to staff the treat table—contact Canon Barrie if you can help: [email protected]

Saint Mark's member Jeremy Crawford works as the lead rules designer of Dungeons & Dragons at the pioneering publisher of role-playing games, Wizards of the Coast. He has also studied theology at the Eastern Orthodox seminary of St. Vladimir. In his engaging and thought-provoking forum offered at the beginning of February, he explored Christian liturgy through the lens of collaborative storytelling. If you missed it, a complete video is available—check it out below or at this YouTube link.

Cathedral Day is a celebration of the community of the Diocese of Olympia—a "family reunion" for Episcopalians from across western Washington. Cathedral Day is a time for connecting across communities, experiencing your cathedral in a new light... and it's a lot of fun. There’s something for everyone—no matter your age! This year, Cathedral Day and Earth Day fall on the same day!  The theme of "Living Water" will be reflected in the liturgy and in the day's activities, which emphasize creation care.

A liturgy of Holy Eucharist with the rites of confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation for candidates from parishes near and far will begin at 10:30 a.m., opening with a grand, colorful procession of parish banners. Following the service, all are invited to enjoy lunch from food trucks and participate in activities for all ages, including food demonstration, garden tour, butterfly release, and more, along with Cathedral Day staples like organ demonstration, collaborative art project, paper airplane launch from the loft, and the bounce house!

PLENARY PRESENTATION: SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 7–8 P.M., via Zoom only

The tenth iteration of The Radix Project will be offered over six weeks, starting the week of April 24, 2023, and concluding on June 4, 2023. The theme for this series is Gratitude. Register for a small group using this form. Groups will meet online via Zoom OR in person. The opening plenary presentation with Dean Thomason and the Radix Project Team will be offered on Sunday evening, April 23, online via Zoom only. All are welcome and encouraged to join the plenary presentation, regardless of small group participation.

Remember to keep an eye on our weekly Sundays & Beyond email, the Online Community page of the cathedral website, and the Facebook Group. Each week there are new offerings and ways to stay connected at Saint Mark's.