THE PAGEANT OF THE NATIVITY | |
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THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 7 P.M., cathedral nave and livestreamed
In 2015, the leadership of Saint Mark's Cathedral formulated a vision of a new kind of Christmas pageant, bringing together the choirs and children of the community with costumes of cathedral finery, visual art displayed within cathedral architecture, and special instrumental accompaniment to reflect upon the Nativity of Christ as told in Holy Scripture.
Saint Mark's Pageant of the Nativity is not a re-enactment of a single event in history, but rather a reflection and meditation on a sacred story which has spoken to people around the world and across the ages. The hymns and carols sung by the assembly, and the anthems offered by the choirs, have ranged from medieval chant to 21st-century world premieres. The visual images of the pageant reference art spanning the centuries, from Byzantine icons through Renaissance masters to the Victorian age and beyond. So while the stable in Bethlehem certainly did not contain fine velvet and brocade, we clothe our pageant in the most beautiful finery the cathedral has to offer, in order that we might offer of our best to the Christ Child today.
It is the hope that, each year, the readings from Holy Scripture, imagery, and music bring new insight into the coming of the Prince of Peace, the incarnation of God among us.
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Visit saintmarks.org/pageant to see photos, video, and leaflets from the past nine years of Pageants, as well as a video of a Sunday Morning forum from 2023 in which Choir School Director Rebekah Gilmore and Pageant Co-Producer Dr. James Savage discuss the inspiration, development, and history of this very special offering. | |
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Saint Mark's
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, cathedral nave and livestreamed
4 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with Holy Eucharist (3:45 p.m.—Musical Prelude and Carol Sing)
A service particularly appropriate for families with young children. Music by the choristers of the Choir School
7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist with Carols (7:10 p.m.—Musical Prelude and Carol Sing)
Music by the intergenerational Evensong Choir with brass and percussion.
11 p.m. Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist with Carols ("Midnight Mass") (10:30 p.m.—Musical Prelude and Carol Sing)
Music by the Cathedral Choir with brass and percussion. Incense will be used.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, cathedral nave and livestreamed
10 a.m. Christmas Day Festal Eucharist with Carols
Music by The Saint Mark's Singers
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New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk and Midnight Eucharist
Since 1999, Seattle's most peaceful New Year's tradition.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 6 P.M. to 12 P.M., cathedral nave
As the old year passes and a new one begins, take time in the quiet, candle-lit space of the cathedral nave to pause, look inward, and experience a large indoor labyrinth laid out in the nave.
Invitations to other contemplative practices will be offered, and musical accompaniment is provided by guest musicians throughout the evening. Drop by any time between 6 p.m. and midnight; stay for a few minutes or a few hours. This event can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and resources and activities especially appropriate for younger children will be available in the nave. More details (including music line-up when available) can be found here.
At the stroke of midnight, a special, intimate service of Holy Eucharist is offered in the center of the labyrinth, observing the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus—a beautiful way to begin 2023. Canon Rich Weyls will preside.
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2025 Twelfth Night Celebration
with Evensong, Bonfire, and Chili Supper
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 4:30 P.M. (Evensong), 5:30 P.M. (Burning of the Greens and Chili Supper, registration requested)
In our tradition, the celebration of the Feast of Christmas lasts twelve days, beginning December 25 and ending on January 5 (that is, the day before the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6). The evening of the last day of Christmas is known as “Twelfth Night,” and is an opportunity for festivity and reflection.
Since January 5 falls on a Sunday in 2025, the traditional Twelfth Night outdoor bonfire of Christmas greenery will follow first-Sunday Choral Evensong this year. Bring greens from home to burn as well!
A community potluck chili supper will follow. (Chili toppings, salad, s'mores fixings, and hot cider will be provided—chili and cornbread requested.) Register to participate in the dinner here.
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Baptisms and Confirmations at Bishop LaBelle's Official Visitation, on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord
SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025, at the 9 and 11 a.m. morning services
It's not yet too late to arrange for Baptism, Confirmation, Reception to the Episcopal Church, or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows in the presence of the new Bishop of Olympia, The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle, during his official visitation to the cathedral parish of Saint Mark's on January. (Learn more about an "Episcopal Visitation" here.) However, time is running short, so if this is something you might consider, email Canon Barrie as soon as possible.
Bishop LaBelle will participate in the dedication of the new Women's Shelter in the St. Nicholas Building in the 10 a.m. hour between the 9 and 11 a.m. services.
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SAVE THE DATE
A Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Weekend
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025
On the Sunday of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, gather at the cathedral in the afternoon for a variety of projects in the service of our community partners. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Earlier that same Sunday morning, January 19, in the 10 a.m. hour, Canon Wendy Barrie will enrich the commemoration of Martin Luther King's life and legacy by offering A Crash Course on Non-Violence as a Sunday Forum in Bloedel Hall.
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Community Book Study: Evicted and Poverty, by America
In-person discussion of Evicted: THREE SUNDAYS: JANUARY 12 & 19 and FEBRUARY 2, 12:30–2 P.M.
Zoom discussion of Evicted: THREE THURSDAYS: JANUARY 16 & 23 and FEBRUARY 6, 7–8:30 P.M.
In-person discussion of Poverty, by America: THREE SUNDAYS: FEBRUARY 9, 16, and 23, 12:30–2 P.M.
Zoom discussion of Poverty, by America: THREE THURSDAYS: FEBRUARY 13, 20, and 27, 7–8:30 P.M.
Registration required—register using this form.
This opportunity to engage with the fascinating and troubling work of Matthew Desmond as a parish community begins on January 12.
Learn more about the author and his work here. Copies of the books are running low—contact Canon Barrie if you would like books but haven't taken them yet. Registration is now open for the in-person and Zoom discussion groups (You can register for discussions of both books, or just one, but please register for only one of the discussion groups for each title, either Zoom or in-person.)
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Sacred Ground
GROUP MEETS SIX SATURDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 18, 2025, AND ENDING APRIL 26, 2025, 10 A.M.–3 P.M., at Saint Mark's Cathedral, location(s) TBA. Registration required.
The next offering of this film- and readings-based dialogue series on race and faith from the The Episcopal Church begins on January 18.
Read more about the curriculum and find registration instructions at: saintmarks.org/sacredground.
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The Inquirers' Class
NEXT SERIES: FOUR SUNDAYS, STARTING FEBRUARY 2, 2025, 12:30–2 P.M., Leffler Living Room OR online via Zoom. 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, offered twice a year at Saint Mark's, in the spring and the fall. The Spring 2025 series begins February 2.
Whether you are new to Saint Mark’s, or simply interested in sharing and learning more, you are welcome. Those who are interested in baptism at the Easter Vigil (April 2025) or who would like to prepare for confirmation, reception into the Episcopal Church, or reaffirmation of faith on Cathedral Day (May 2025) are strongly encouraged to attend the Inquirers' Class. Find more information and registration link here.
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Have You Seen Any of the Missing Children's Worship Bag Items?
We love offering these children's worship bags, and we need your help! Several items are now missing, and may have inadvertently gone home with a young friend: a stuffed donkey, a stuffed lamb, a wooden lacing lamb, a felt finger labyrinth, several of the purple bags themselves... If you have any of theses around your house, please return them to the nave or to Canon Barrie, no questions asked!
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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] | | | | |
