Queer in Christ - October 2023

In this Issue

• Queer Conversations: All Saints Sunday
• Book Discussion: The Book of Queer Prophets
• QuiC & Saint Mark's Strategic Planning
• Advent Devotional Series: Making Manifest
• Transgender Day of Remembrance: November 20
• Leadership Meetings

Upcoming Meetings & Events

Queer Conversations - November 5

at 5:30 in Cathedral House 210

Join us on All Saints Sunday at 5:30pm in Leffler Living Room (after Choral Evensong) for Queer Conversations. We will discuss the saints in our tradition that have been embraced by the queer community (including Vida Dutton Scudder, Marina the Monk, Perpetua and Felicity, Simeon Bachos), as well as those holy people who have been saints to us in our own lives. We will have refreshments starting at 5:30, and the conversation will start at 5:45.

Note: For this Queer Conversations, we will meet in Cathedral House 210 (instead of Leffler Living Room). If you don't know where this room is, meet Michael Seewer at the baptismal font immediately after Choral Evensong ends and we'll walk to 210 together!

Queer in Christ Book Discussion:

The Book of Queer Prophets

November 19, 2023, 12:30pm in Leffler Living Room

Join us for our next Queer in Christ book discussion on Sunday, November 19 at 12:30pm, discussing the first two sections of The Book of Queer Prophets: 24 Writers on Sexuality and Religion (Ruth Hunt, editor). We will discuss the essays in the first two sections of the book (Visions and Lamentations). Interested in joining? Contact Vicky Greenbaum (vgreenbaum1@gmail.com) with questions, and also to let her know if you'd like to join remotely! 

Queer in Christ and Saint Mark's Strategic Planning

October 29, 2023, 2:30pm on Zoom

(click here to join)

Saint Mark's wants to hear from the LGBTQIA+ community! Every 3 years, Saint Mark's conducts strategic planning sessions and engages various ministries for input on what the next three years of ministry might look like. All are invited to join us for a 30-minute Zoom session, led by Canon Michael Kleinschmidt, as we share our hopes, dreams, and visions for what the next three years of ministry might look like at Saint Mark's. This is an important opportunity for those in the LGBTQIA+ community to be heard, and to share what we feel is important to us. No registration needed. Click here to join (October 29 at 2:30pm).

Advent Devotional Writing Series: Making Manifest

Join the Queer in Christ ministry for an Advent devotional writing series using the book Making Manifest: On Faith, Creativity, and the Kingdom at Hand (by Dave Harrity). The book contains devotional meditations and exercises designed for personal spiritual growth and innovative community building through 28 meditations and short projects anchored in poetry, prayer, writing, contemplation, and personal reflection. Since Advent is only 3 weeks long this year, we will begin together on November 28, and meet on the following 4 Saturdays at 1:30pm (December 2, 9, 16, and 23) either on Zoom or in person to reflect on the week's devotions. To join this devotional writing series, and to purchase a copy of the workbook, email Michael Seewer (mseewer@saintmarks.org). For more information about this series, including how to sign up and purchase the workbook, click here.

Mark your Calendars: Transgender Day of Remembrance

Mark your calendars for Monday, November 20 at 8pm for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Saint Mark's Cathedral and Queer in Christ will offer a special Vigil in observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance that evening at 8pm in the Cathedral Nave and livestreamed. The Reverend Linzi Stahlecker will officiate.

QuiC Leadership Meetings

First Fridays of January, April, and October

The next QuiC leadership meeting will be on Friday evening, January 5, 2024. Leadership meetings occur on the first Friday evening of October, January and April (there will not be a leadership meeting in July). Consider joining one of these leadership meetings to discuss what events we plan for the future! Contact Michael Seewer (mseewer@saintmarks.org) if you’d like to attend. 

Notable News from the Church and beyond

- Episcopal News Service: Washington, DC, parish creates outreach fund to honor Bishop Gene Robinson

- TransEpiscopal: Coming Out - Gender and Faith (a trans / non-binary roundtable)

- From Saint Mark's Creation Care Ministry: Queering Climate Activism

Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral

206-323-0300

info@saintmarks.org

www.saintmarks.org