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SUNDAY OFFERINGS

Sunday, February 16, 2025:

The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany

8 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist

in Thomsen Chapel

9 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist

in the cathedral nave

10 a.m. • Godly Play

in the St. Nicholas Bldg, 2nd floor

10:10 a.m. • Sunday Forum: "Friends Talking"—Dean Thomason and Iconographer Peter Pearson

in Bloedel Hall

11 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist

in the nave and livestreamed

12:30 p.m. • Third Acter Potluck

Cathedral House Room 210

3 p.m. • Restorative Justice Council

via Zoom

7 p.m. • Contemplative Eucharist

in the cathedral nave

9:30 p.m. • Compline

in the nave and livestreamed

10 p.m. • Organ by Night

in the nave and organ loft

NEW THIS WEEK

A Cathedral Capital Campaign

launching Living Stones II: Building a Sound Future

Welcoming Sunday’s Guest Preacher

Iconographer Peter Pearson

Third Acter Potluck 

this Sunday

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

and Closing of the Doors liturgy

Ash Wednesday

the season of Lent begins March 5

Mystery of Winter Skies

new work by James Falzone

2025 Women’s Retreat

save the date

Launching a Cathedral Capital Campaign:

LIVING STONES II—Building a Sound Future

Last Sunday, the members of the Capital Campaign Leadership team were blessed and commissioned for the work ahead (pictured). Cathedral members should have received a letter in the last week from Campaign Co-chairs Randy Urmston and Eliza Davidson, and another letter, from Dean Thomason, will be arriving in your mailboxes soon.

The Capital Campaign is called Living Stones II—Building a Sound Future, and includes three branches:

1. Meeting Saint Mark's commitment to become net carbon zero by 2030, through replacing and extremely outdated and inefficient heating and cooling systems
2. Enhancing the cathedral's welcome and worship experience through a new radiant -heated slate floor in the nave and renovated narthex and restrooms
3. Making lasting investments in music at Saint Mark's, though endowments for music ministries and funding the installation of a custom Renaissance organ donated by its builder

You will be hearing more about this campaign in the coming weeks and months, culminating in early June. As Randy and Eliza say in their letter: "...we have been blessed by all before us who invested in our beloved cathedral. Now it's our turn. Thesea re exciting times and we hope you will join us!"

Welcome Sunday's Guest Preacher: Iconographer Peter Pearson

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

GUEST SERMON at 8, 9, and 11 a.m.

"FRIENDS TALKING" FORUM: 10:10-10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall

The Rev. Br. Peter Pearson, CFC, offered the Cathedral Commons forum last Wednesday, followed by a three-day practical icon-writing workshop at Saint Mark's. He will be preaching at all three morning services this Sunday, as well as participating in a informal conversation with Dean Thomason in the 10 a.m. hour.

He has been on his path as an iconographer for fifty four years, after being introduced to an icon by his elementary school art teacher. He’s painted thousands of icons and has introduced scores of students to the process. At this point, Peter has studied with more than a dozen master iconographers, including Nina Bouroff, Phillip Zimmerman, Nicholas Papas, Charles Rohrbacher, Valentin Streltsov, Damian Higgins, Xenia Pokrovsky, and Michael Kapeluck. He is the author of three books on iconography—including A Brush with God: An Icon Workbook and Another Brush with God: Further Conversations about Icons—and is working on a fourth. He regularly offers workshops and lectures on iconography around the country. He’s a sought after speaker with enthusiasm and the ability to make complicated issues accessible to every audience. His icons grace the walls of churches, monasteries, and homes throughout the world.

Fr. Pearson holds an Masters of Divinity in Sacred Theology from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and recently completed a Doctorate in Sacred Theology with a thesis on Byzantine icons and spirituality. He is also an Episcopal priest and a Brother in the Community of Francis and Clare in the Episcopal Church.

Choral Mass This Sunday

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, at the 11 a.m. service only

At the 11 a.m. Eucharist this Sunday, the Cathedral Choir will present some of the fixed portions of the mass—the Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei—in a musical settings composed in 1956 by Herbert Howells for the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. These are part of a complete set of service music commissioned by King’s College, which also includes music for Morning Prayer and Evensong—known as the Collegium Regale collection (or “Coll. Reg.” for short), from the Latin for "King’s College." Howells’ harmonies and textures have much in common with the music of Ravel and Debussy, and Howells’ coupling of that modern musical language with ancient liturgical texts breathed new life into them and established new paths for subsequent composers of church music such as Saint Mark's own Peter Hallock. Many listeners are drawn to Howells’ music for its smoky, smoldering quality. It is passionate but restrained—wholly appropriate to our liturgy, in which spirited exaltation is held within acts of formal ritual.

Third Acter Potluck

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 12:30-2 P.M., Cathedral House Room 210 (conference room)

Come on, come all, if you are 60 or over (can slide in if you're 59!) join us in community, sharing, laughter and, more. Bring a dish or snack to share. Please note this month's potluck will be in Cathedral House Room 210, the large conference room on the second floor, not the usual Leffler House location, due to the Inquirers' Class. Questions, contact Kathy Minsch kminsch@gmail.com or Elizabeth Clark-Stern ecstern@yahoo.com

Organ by Night This Sunday

THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 10 P.M., in the cathedral nave and organ loft

Amiel Elfert will offer this month's Organ by Night music following Compline this Sunday, February 16. He serves as Organ scholar of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria. He will play works by J. S. Bach and William Byrd.

On every third Sunday of the month, organists offer 20 minutes of music on the mighty Flentrop organ, and encourage listeners to join them in the gallery to see and hear the organ and organist up close. They are also happy to answer questions about the music and the organ itself. 

2025 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper with Closing of the Doors

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 6–7:15 P.M., in the cathedral nave. Suggested donation: $6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family. Registration requested.

Please gather in the cathedral nave on Shrove Tuesday (a.k.a. Mardi Gras), March 4, to end the season after Epiphany in the traditional way—by gathering in community, eating pancakes, and having fun! There will be live music, crafts, and games. Chef Marc Aubertin and the youth will be preparing our meal. In addition to pancakes, sausage, fruit, and toppings, Vestry members will provide jambalaya and gumbo.

The celebration in the nave will conclude with a brief liturgy to "bury the Alleluias" and close the great doors until Easter. (This is a treasured tradition unique to Saint Mark's—find links to some views of what the Closing of the Doors looked in recent years here.) Finally, on the patio, palms are burned to create ashes for the Ash Wednesday services the next day.

Due to the terrific turn-out to this event last year, we are requesting advance registration to assist in planning. Register using this form.

ASH WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, services at 7 a.m., noon, and 7 p.m. (noon and 7 p.m. livestreamed)

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on March 5. (Easter Sunday will be April 20, 2025.) A service of Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes will be offered at 7 a.m. in Thomsen Chapel, then at noon and 7 p.m. in the cathedra nave. Both the noon and 7 p.m. services are livestreamed. The 7 p.m. service will include music offered by the youth of the Cathedral Schola.

THE SAINT MARK'S MUSIC SERIES

Mystery of Winter Skies with James Falzone

FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 7:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed. Tickets ($20–25) here.

The next offering of the Saint Mark's Music Series is Mystery of Winter Skies. Acclaimed composer, improvisor, multi-instrumentalist, and Saint Mark's community member James Falzone brings his unique style back to Saint Mark’s with a sonic exploration of the expansive beauty of creation, through James' own new musical compositions for penny whistles and string quartet. The string quartet is comprised of Luke Fitzpatrick & Alex Guy on violin, Erin Wight on viola, and Rose Bellini on cello. Many of James' compositions have grown out of ideas developed in his solo improvisations during the Sunday 7 p.m. Contemplative Eucharist in Thomsen Chapel, and seem to express the combination of the intimate and the sublime that characterizes that liturgy. Reserve your tickets here.

Have you walked the Camino de Santiago?

Attention peregrinos! Canon Rich Weyls is organizing a Cathedral Commons presentation on May 7 about hiking the Camino de Santiago. If you have ever walked a version of the Camino and wish to share your experiences, please contact Canon Rich: rweyls@saintmarks.org

Save the Date for the 2025 Saint Mark’s Women’s Retreat: How We Learn to Be Brave

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, MAY 30–JUNE 1, 2025, at Sacred Waters Center for Restoration and Retreat in Union, WA (also known as St. Andrew’s House). Registraion will open soon.

Join Canon Griffin and other cathedral community members for the 2025 Women's Retreat, a weekend of play, rest, and spiritual reflection. We’ll base our reflections on Bishop Mariann Budde’s 2023 book How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith. As always, there will be plenty of time for connecting with new people and deepening existing friendships, as well as exploring the beautiful setting.

Registration will open on March 1, 2025 on a first-come, first-served basis. Now that St. Andrew’s House and Harmony Hill have combined to form the Sacred Waters Center, more space is available for our use. We can now accommodate up to 35 people. Fee: $295 double occupancy, $325 single; includes two nights lodging and all meals Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. Partial scholarships are available. A $100 non-refundable deposit will be required to hold your place. Watch this space for registration information. Questions, contact Canon Emily Griffin: egriffin@saintmarks.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Video now Available

A complete video of last Monday's interfaith gathering in solidarity with migrant neighbors, Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Living Faithfully in Chaotic Times can be seen here, or on YouTube here.

Video from Peter Pearson's forum last Wednesday, Icons: Portals of Sacred Beauty will bee posted here as soon as possible. Hundreds of past forums and presentations can be found collected in a YouTube playlist here here.

Justice for Migrants

Last Tuesday, February 11, Dean Steve Thomason sent a message to the cathedral parish, reminding the community of Saint Mark's long history of work in support of refugees, immigrants, and others facing challenges and threats as newcomers in an unfamiliar place. As the situation facing the undocumented as well as legal refugees and asylees in this country shifts by the day, the cathedral will determine what role it is being called to serve in this time. Dean Steve also shared the news that the Episcopal Church has joined in filing a religious freedom lawsuit challenging ICE enforcement actions in churches. Watch this space for updates as this case works its way through the courts.

Finally, at the interfaith gathering last Tuesday, Joey Lopez of the Church Council of Great Seattle shared the collected of resources and upcoming trainings gathered at: thechurchcouncil.org/migrant-solidarity Those who are U.S. citizens are especially encouraged to consider an upcoming Rapid Response Training offered by the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network—the next offering is March 29. There are also special trainings for attorneys and service providers looking to get involved, as well as for immigrants.

Dean Thomason at First A.M.E.

Last Sunday, Dean Steve Thomason was the guest preacher at a special afternoon Founders Day Service at First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle, a celebration of the work of Richard Allen, the founder and first leader of the A.M.E. denomination (the oldest Black-led Christian denomination in the U.S.), who was also a close friend and collaborator of Absalom Jones, the first Black person ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. The Schola of the Choir School and members of the Saint Mark's Evensong Choir offered music at the service as well. You can watch the entire service here. (Steve's sermon begins around 1:03:00.)

The Rubric: New Issue

A new issue of The The Rubric, the cathedral's award-winning magazine in continual publication since 1890, was mailed to the congregation this week. The Spring 2025 issue contains information about the new capital campaign and recent facilities upgrades, the story of the recent restoration of the soldiers' murals in the crypt, reports from Education for Ministry, last fall's Civil Rights Pilgrimage, and the Center for Spirituality and Action, and much more. Read the issue online here, or grab a copy in the narthex or near the office entrance the next time you are at the cathedral.

Sign Up to Help with Last-Sunday Coffee Hour!

NEXT OFFERING: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Coffee Hour with snacks following the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services returns on the last Sunday of the month, and we need your help to make it sweet and easy! Please sign up here to bring something (homemade or purchased). If you'd like to be a part of the team making this happen monthly, please contact Canon Barrie: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Seed Library Caretaker Volunteer Position Open

Me: a seed library with tons of potential to connect and create community

You: a church or community member interested in maintaining the seed library weekly, monthly, or seasonally. Guidance and support will be provided. 

Contact Alexandra Thompson to learn more: alexandra.thompson62@yahoo.com

A Note of Gratitude from The Nelson-Brown Family

Beloved cathedral staff member Chris Brown has been undergoing rounds of chemotherapy since December 24. His wife Sandy Nelson writes:

"What a huge gift it has been to receive delicious homemade meals several days a week! It's especially helpful for Chris as he needs to eat small amounts of food more often during the day. It is such a blessing for us in this tough season. We are humbled by and grateful for our church family who have surrounded us with love, prayers, and support—you are the hands and feet of Christ for us right now! With love, Sandy, Chris, and Elsie"

You can still sign up to help the Nelson-Brown family at: mealtrain.com/27kl2e. Please contact Canon Barrie if you know of someone else in the community who would appreciate the gift of some meals: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Registration Now Open for Intergenerational Prayer Partners in Lent and Eastertide

Register to participate using this form.

All members of the community of Saint Mark's are warmly invited to become an Intergenerational Prayer Partner, as part of a special program beginning on Shrove Tuesday, March 4, and continuing through the Day of Pentecost, Sunday, June 8. If you register to participate, you’ll be matched with a prayer partner of another generation, with whom you’ll regularly check in so you’ll better know their prayer needs. Perhaps you’ll sit together on Sunday mornings, and meet up occasionally at Saint Mark’s events, such as the Pancake Supper and the Pentecost Run/Ride/Roll.

This program is intended to help cultivate and strengthen intergenerational relationships among Saint Mark’s parishioners, and we know from other congregations who have adopted this model that it’s a great way for people to meaningfully connect and engage with each other. Learn more and register here!

Mutual Ministry Discernment Groups are Forming

Are you discerning an important life question such as, “Should I make a career change?” “Am I being called to marriage?” “Is it time to retire or relocate?” “Am I being called to ministry in the church?” “What is God calling me to at Saint Mark’s?

If you would like to discern your questions in a small group of deep listening friends, then a Mutual Ministry Discernment Group might be helpful to you. Groups will be forming soon. If you have interest in being part of this process, please contact Canon Rich Weyls to learn more, rweyls@saintmarks.org

2024 Giving Statements

Friday, January 31, annual giving statements were sent to all cathedral donors via email. If you think you should have received a statement but did not, or if you had trouble with the email, please reach out to Erik Donner: edonner@saintmarks.org

Icon Installation in the Nave

The Visual Arts Ministry is presenting an exhibition of a selection of sacred icons by Peter Pearson to coincide with Fr. Pearson's residency at Saint Mark's the week of February 12 (see above). There are 18 icons in total, each painted with acrylic paint on wooden panels using traditional Byzantine methods and varnished to protect the surface. A page identifying the title of each icon is available on the bench by the exhibition, and can also be viewed online here.

UPDATE: Almost all of the icons displayed are available for sale. A price list can be found on the bench by the exhibition in Compline Corner. Icons may be purchased from Fr. Pearson directly. If you are interested in purchasing one, email Visual Arts Ministry Leader Deborah Brown at: visualarts@saintmarks.org

Social Media Survey

The Communications Committee of the Saint Mark’s Vestry is collecting data to inform the cathedral’s social media strategy and where to focus its energy and resources in the future. 

Please complete the survey online at: saintmarks.org/socialmediasurvey 

The survey will stay open until February 23. Questions, email communications@saintmarks.org

Saint Mark's Now Hiring for Two Positions

Saint Mark's Cathedral is accepting applications for the position of Buildings & Grounds Specialist (full-time, hourly). In addition, the cathedral Choir School is accepting applications for the position of Music Teacher for Early Childhood Music (part-time).

Find complete job descriptions and application instructions at saintmarks.org/employment. Please share these announcements with anyone you think may be interested.

FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

The Seattle Choral Company presents: Mozart's Requiem

SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 8 P.M., in the Saint Mark's Cathedral nave

Pre-concert talk at 7 p.m. by director Freddie Coleman

Saint Mark's Artist-in-residence choir The Seattle Choral Company will present the Requiem in D Minor, K. 626 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, along with the world premiere of Epoch of Hughes by Jasmine Barnes in the cathedral nave on March 15. Mozart’s Requiem is one of choral music’s undisputed masterpieces. It will be paired with a groundbreaking new work created specifically for the Seattle Choral Company. Jasmine Barnes’ Epoch of Hughes is inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes, one of America’s most celebrated Black poets, and uses Hughes’ reflections on the four seasons as its foundation. This premiere represents an exciting addition to the contemporary choral repertoire, and audiences will have the rare opportunity to hear Barnes’ work brought to life for the first time. Jasmine Barnes herself will be in attendance for this historic performance, making the evening even more memorable. Learn more and find the link purchase tickets ($5–27) here.

FUNERALS

A funeral service for former parishioner Steve Reid will be held

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, in Siesta Key, FL, at 1 p.m. PST. It will be livestreamed here.

A funeral for Jonie Pritchard will be offered

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1:30 P.M. in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

A funeral for parishioner Carlo Scandiuzzi will be offered

SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 1 P.M., in the cathedral nave and livestreamed

Sunday, February 16, 2025:

The Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Download the service leaflets in advance here.

Join the 11 a.m. service via livestream here.

Read the Scriptures appointed for this Sunday here.

Scripture:

Jeremiah 17:5–10

Psalm 1

1 Corinthians 15:12–20

Luke 6:17–26

8 A.M. • THE HOLY EUCHARIST

in Thomsen Chapel

Presider: The Rev. Canon Richard Weyls

Preacher: The Rev. Br. Peter Pearson, CFC

Hymns:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise [Hymn #423]

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun [Hymn #544]

Organ:

Elizabeth Stirling, Moderato

Henry Smart, Postlude in C

9 A.M. • THE HOLY EUCHARIST

in the cathedral nave

Presider: The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin

Preacher: The Rev. Br. Peter Pearson, CFC

Hymns:

Immortal, invisible, God only wise [Hymn #423]

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun [Hymn #544]

Choir:

Elizabeth Coxhead & Thomas Coxhead, My eyes for beauty pine

Russian Orthodox hymn, arr. Richard Proulx, The Beatitudes

Organ:

Edward Elgar, Allegretto from Organ Sonata in G

Henry Smart, Postlude in C

11 A.M. • THE HOLY EUCHARIST

in the cathedral nave & livestreamed

Presider: The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason

Preacher: The Rev. Br. Peter Pearson, CFC

Hymns:

All my hope on God is founded [Hymn #665, text altered]

If thou but trust in God to guide thee [Hymn #635]

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun [Hymn #544]

Choir:

William H. Havergal, arr., Blest are the pure in heart

Charles Villiers Stanford, Beati quorum via

Choral Mass: Herbert Howells, Communion Service for King’s College, Cambridge (Collegium Regale)—Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, & Agnus Dei

Organ:

Edward Elgar, Allegretto from Organ Sonata in G

Henry Smart, Postlude in C

7 P.M. • CONTEMPLATIVE EUCHARIST

in Thomsen Chapel

Presider: The Rev. Canon Emily Griffin

Musician: Michael Kleinschmidt, cantor

9:30 P.M. • COMPLINE

in the cathedral nave & livestreamed

A beloved Seattle tradition since 1956. Broadcast live on KING 98.1 FM, and king.org; livestreamed on saintmarks.org and Facebook and YouTube; and available as a podcast. Learn more here.

Highlights:

M. Searle Wright, Blest are the pure in heart

Jason A. Anderson, Psalm 1

Thomas Tallis, Before the ending of the day

Anon. (from The Lumley Books), Nunc dimittis

William Mundy, He that hath my commandments

Liturgy and repertoire information subject to change.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH, 12:30 P.M., meet in the rear of the nave following the 11 a.m. service.

A newcomers' coffee with clergy is offered on the first Sunday of each month immediately following the 11 a.m. Sunday service. This coffee hour is offered especially for newcomers, guests, or anyone who has questions about the cathedral community and liturgies. Gather in the back of the nave. Email newcomers@saintmarks.org if you cannot attend in person, or with any other questions. And as always, please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested.

EVERY SUNDAY, DURING THE 9 A.M. SERVICE

Children's Chapel is offered on Sunday during the 9 a.m. Sunday service. All children are invited to join the Gospel procession and gather around the Deacon as the Gospel is proclaimed. Then children pre-school through 2nd grade will process to Thomsen Chapel for storytelling, singing, and prayer. Parents are welcome to join their children. They return to their families in the nave at the Peace. If you have any questions or would like to help out, please contact Canon Wendy Claire Barrie at: wbarrie@saintmarks.org

Each week, those for whom the community has been asked to pray are published each Friday afternoon in the Cathedral Prayer List, found as a PDF at saintmarks.org/prayer

On that same page, find information about joining the cathedral's Prayer Chain, to receive emails about individual prayer requests as they are submitted. The prayer list is also available in printed form in the back of the nave.

Weekday Services

Daily Morning Prayer is offered online via Zoom, Monday–Friday at 7:30 a.m.

Daily Evening Prayer is offered via Zoom, Monday–Friday at 6 p.m.

Thursday Morning Chapel Eucharist: A service of Holy Eucharist is offered in person in Thomsen Chapel at 7:30 a.m. on the 1st/3rd/5th Thursdays of the month only.