In her most recent blog entry, Canon Wendy Claire Barrie reflects on the three three special days coming soon—Halloween, The Feast of All Saints, and the commemoration of All Souls— all three of which offer a special opportunity for children, youth, and adults of all ages to reflect on death and those who have died. This brief reflection also serves an introduction to Wendy's upcoming Wednesday night forum exploring these ideas in more depth:

"Did you know that Halloween is only the beginning of a holy three days? Hallow means holy and “Hallowe’en” is a contraction of All Hallows Eve, or Even. On Halloween, we face our fears and laugh at them, knowing that nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God. Samhain, the Celtic New Year, a harvest festival and a liminal time halfway between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice, predated Christianity and fell on October 31. The Celts believed that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead was especially thin then. Ancient practices and festivals have been adopted by the Church and made new in the light of Christ. To me, this does not diminish the Christian holy days; it makes them stronger, more resonant..."

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 12:30–2:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall

Hallow means holy, and Hallowe'en or All Hallows Eve is the night before All Saints' Day, a time when the veil between this world and the next is thin. All children and youth are invited to join together in Bloedel Hall at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, for a light lunch and pumpkin painting or carving, followed by a screening of the Academy Award-nominated animated film The Secret of Kells. (All ages are welcome for lunch and pumpkin painting, although The Secret of Kells is recommended for ages 8 and up.) Read a review here and watch the trailer below. Please RSVP to Canon Barrie with the names and ages of those attending. A suggested donation of $5 per person is greatly appreciated!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022, 7:30–10 P.M., Leffler Living Room 

Join for a conversation focused on questions about liturgy with Sacristan Michael Seewer and Fraser Reach. Dessert will be offered. Afterward, some may choose to go together to Compline.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

In this forum led by Canon Barrie, we’ll explore the pre-Christian, Celtic roots of these holy three days and reflect on their relevance in the present day. You are invited to bring a photograph of someone you “love and see no longer” for the prayer table we’ll set with flowers and candles in commemoration of All Souls, better known in the Anglican tradition as the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed. Zoom link will be available here when it is available.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 6:45–8:15 P.M., in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family).

Canon Barrie will share stories of St. Martin, whose feast day on November 11 marked the beginning of Advent in the Middle Ages, as we talk about how to live into the long winter—where we find comfort and strength during the cold, dark months, and how, too, darkness can nourish and enrich us. Please plan to share a recipe, tradition, or other recommendation for the season. Zoom link will be available here when it is available.

A Godly Play Open House, will be offered on All Saints' Sunday, Sunday, November 6, at 10:10 a.m. (between the 9 and 11 a.m. services) in the St Nicholas Building, 2nd floor.

Regular Godly Play gatherings for kids age 3 and up will be offered fist and third Sundays of the month in the 10 a.m. hour, beginning Sunday, November 13.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 7 to 7:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

Since their debut at Saint Mark's in April 2022, prayer services in the style of Taizé have been offered once every two or three months. These unique liturgies feature scripture , prayer, silence, and the distinctive music of Taizé with its participatory and meditative repetitions.

November's offering is structured to be particularly accessible for younger people and those who may not have participated before: just 30 minutes in length, with tactile and creative contemplative experiences available to all to use during the singing and the silence. The service will include prayers for the elections as well as for the healing of Creation. Attend in person or participate via livestream. Learn more and see materials from previous liturgies here.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1:30–4 P.M., meet at Carkeek Park trailhead, 6th Ave. NW and NW 100th Pl., rain or shine.

The next intergeneration hike will explore Carkeek Park, near Northgate. The trailhead is accessible on public transit via the D line or #28 bus from downtown, or the #40 bus from Northgate light rail. After meeting at the trailhead, the group will follow Pipers Creek, which a group of citizen activists have restored as an active salmon run. The the trail passes one of Seattle's early farmsteads, where old apple trees still bear fruit. Some people could walk straight to the beach while others can turn up the South Ridge Trail and lengthen the hike from 1.5 to 2 miles. At the beach there is a wonderful bridge over the railroad tracks and a small but interesting beach to walk on (maybe a train will go by!). The group will find a spot on the beach to gather for singing and prayer and reflection. RSVP to Canon Barrie.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 7:30–8:30 P.M., Thomsen Chapel

Experience Night Prayer through a bilingual liturgy. 20s/30s parishioner Elizabeth Hawkins will be with us from El Salvador and will join Ross Pearson and Canon Eliacín Rosario-Cruz in leading us. After the liturgy, there will be an opportunity for light refreshments and conversation.

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.