Livestream service of Holy Eucharist

Download the leaflet in advance here.

Visit saintmarks.org/livestream to watch live. (The service will also be streamed on Saint Mark's Facebook page.)

Presider: The Very Rev. Steven L. Thomason

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Nancy Ross

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17; Matthew 5:1-12

Hymns: For all the saints [Hymn #287]; Ye watchers and ye holy ones [Hymn #618]

Organ: Leo Sowerby, meditation on Land of Rest, Emma Lou Diemer, meditation on Galilee; Dan Locklair,“The people respond—Amen!” from Rubrics

Offertory music: Robert Lowry, adapt. Aaron Copland, At the River, virtual choir composed of The Senior Choristers and Schola of the Saint Mark’s Cathedral Choir School, with the Saint Mark’s Singers

Here is this week's introduction to Sunday's hymns, first broadcast live over Facebook on Thursday. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.

Join us next Thursday at 4 p.m. on the cathedral's public Facebook page to experience the next hymn chat live!

On the first Sunday of each month, a separate coffee hour is offered especially for newcomers and guests to the livestream, near and far. If you know of someone who has recently begun participating remotely, please encourage them to contact Canon Chapman, cchapman@saintmarks.org. 

On the first Sunday of the month, we will say our traditional blessings for those with birthdays or anniversaries in the month of November during the Virtual Coffee Hour. Email Peter McClung to get the link.

This Sunday, Dean Thomason officiates and Canon Kleinschmidt conducts 8 members of the Evensong Choir in a service observing the Feast of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed. See more information below.

Compline will be broadcast at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, now with a choir of three or four singers. Listen live on KING-FM 98.1 and online at king.org, and please subscribe to the Compline podcast: complinepodcast.org

Highlights: William H. Harris, Holy is the true light; Tomás Luis de Victoria, O quam gloriosum

Morning Prayer, THURSDAYS, 7 A.M. via Zoom. A service of morning prayer, followed immediately by some time to talk and be together. All are welcome. Email selwood@uw.edu for the link.

Evening Prayer, EVERY WEEKNIGHT, 6:30 P.M. via Zoom. A service of daily evening prayer to close the day. Email mseewer@saintmarks.org for link.

This week's Stewardship message comes from Bishop Greg Rickel. You may recall that earlier this year Bishop Rickel announced that his title would officially be changed to Bishop Diocesan and Chief Steward, in recognition of the central role stewardship, in its broadest sense, has in his ministry. In this brief video, titled "The Stance of Stewardship," he explains what that means.

Watch your email for future weekly stewardship messages! Stewardship videos will be posted here as they are released.

Please, if you are able, submit your pledge before Ingathering Sunday on November 8, either using the card you received in the mail or using the online form. Learn more at saintmarks.org/stewardship.

THIS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020, 5:30 P.M. in the Community Facebook Group (highlights are posted later in the week on the cathedral website, here.)

The Stewardship Ministry invites all to join in a weekly reflection on the year and how Saint Mark’s has knit all of us together into a community. The latest of these opportunities was posted on the Community Life during the Closure Facebook page on Tuesday evening. Those who do not use Facebook can read highlights and contribute to the ongoing conversation here.

THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020, 9 A.M., via livestream

The Feast of All Saints is one of the four occasions identified by The Book of Common Prayer as especially appropriate for the public celebration of the sacrament of Baptism. This year two candidates will receive the sacrament in an outdoor liturgy on the labyrinth in front of the cathedral at 9 a.m on Sunday, November 1. (The brief service will not include Holy Eucharist, which will be offered at 11 a.m. that same day, as usual.) In-person attendance must be limited to the family members and sponsors of the Baptismal candidates, but please join in via livestream, and add your voice to the community's "We will!" from home, when asked if you will support these new siblings in their life in Christ.

THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020, 4:30 P.M., via livestream

Saint Mark’s Cathedral offers this liturgy of Choral Evensong in celebration of All Saints and in commemoration of the lives of all whom we love but see no longer. In particular at this time we commemorate those who have died of COVID-19. Eight members of the Evensong Choir will chant the appointed Psalm and Canticles in Gregorian settings. They will also sing the final movement, In paradisum, from Gabriel Fauré’s beloved setting of the Requiem. 

THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2020, 6:30 P.M., watch live here or on the Saint Mark's livestream page

Amidst the cacophonous noise of round-the-clock spin and the restless ticking of our anxious hearts, we gather in prayerful solidarity to settle our souls, as people of faith and citizens concerned for the well-being of our nation. As we pray for wisdom and grace, healing and connection, we draw on the broad and ancient wisdom to be still, and entering the contemplative spirit that transcends word and speech, and rest for a moment of inspiration and intentional grounding. For more information, click here.

In a pastoral message emailed recently, Dean Thomason offered a timely reflection on civic responsibilities from a religious and spiritual perspective. You may read the complete message here.

Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on November 3. Find a list of your closest King County ballot drop box here. Make sure your envelope is signed and dated before returning!

You—yes, YOU—are invited to be part of a video offering of “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” the closing hymn in Saint Mark's beloved annual tradition, the O Antiphons liturgy. The video will resemble one of the virtual choir videos our choirs have offered from time to time since the pandemic began, but this time EVERYONE is invited to contribute! No matter if you have no experience in choirs, if you think your voice isn't good enough, if you've only recently connected with Saint Mark's, or where you are physically located... your participation is needed!

Participants will record themselves and their household singing one verse and one refrain of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," singing along with a pre-recorded "guide track." The necessary materials are not yet ready, but WATCH THIS SPACE next week for a link to detailed instructions about making and submitting your video. The liturgy is offered on November 29 this year, so submissions must be received by November 15.

Each year the bishop recognizes a church employee in the Diocese of Olympia with the Ky Chen Award, "to recognize outstanding employees from any congregation or affiliated organization in the diocese." This year the award was given to Saint Mark's own Erik Donner! Congratulations, Erik, on this well-deserved accolade! Click here to read the Bishop's full citation, and see a video of Erik's acceptance message.

Nominations for candidates for Vestry and for Delegates to Diocesan Convention will be open from Sunday, October 18 through Sunday, November 22. If you would like to nominate someone or would like more information about either of those important roles, please send an email to nominations@saintmarks.org. Thank you!  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020, 1-3 P.M., via Zoom

If you're concerned about climate change, join others from around the Diocese for a virtual gathering to look into how you—and your congregation—can make a difference. We'll hear from Drawdown Seattle's founding director, Scott Henson, about Project Drawdown—a scientific study that identified 100 solutions that together, could actually reverse global warming by 2050. Then, spend time in dialogue with others to identify the vital role you and your church can play in the movement to help care for creation. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Bishop's Committee for the Environment.

Get tickets for this free event here.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2020, 1 P.M., via Zoom

A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of Faith is Timothy Egan's story of his personal journey to discover what he, a lapsed Catholic, really believed. It's a personal search for the faith that may not have comforted his devout mother in her final days and failed some members of his family. It's also a learned journey through church history, and it's a delightful travelogue. (Rick Steves, watch out!)

Egan is an award-winning NYT's columnist, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, and a Seattleite. He writes beautifully, lyrically, and movingly in this story of his spiritual quest. To join the Zoom discussion, email your interest to pmcelheran@comcast.net or deborahbrown2559@me.com.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020, 6:30 P.M., via Zoom

Join us for our next Creation Care monthly meeting as we continue to explore how the St. Mark's community can achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2030. We meet via Zoom. 6:30pm on Monday evening, November 9. Please contact Marjorie Ringness for the link to join.

Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times—The New Book by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2020, 7-8 P.M., via Zoom

Let’s gather after the election and talk about hope for the future in a real, Jesus-centered way! As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's life illustrates massive changes in our times. In his new book, he uses the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey to show us how America came this far and how to go a whole lot further. The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing this nation today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. Let’s get some love going and talk about the PB’s charge and challenge together! If you’d like to hear more about the book, read here. Registration required here.

NEXT SERVICE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 7 P.M., over the phone and (optional) in-person

The 20s & 30s at Saint Mark's will be hosting prayer together on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. This will be offered over the phone—the young adults decided that there were already too many videoconferences and Zoom meetings in their lives! The next offering will be Monday evening, November 20. Please email Canon Jennifer to receive the call-in information and liturgy for the service. Additionally, there will be an optional in-person gathering outdoors in groups of 5 or fewer to call in to our common prayer on the 4th Monday of each month. Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining a group or getting more information.

Contribute Funds—and Hands—to Altar in the World: A Pre-Thanksgiving Offering of Service and Prayer

As the season changes and the weather becomes colder, Saint Mark’s offers an opportunity to remember and be of service to those in our community who lack safe and secure shelter. On November 14 stations will be set up around the cathedral campus, and participants will be invited to make a "mini pilgrimage," walking from station to station, assembling a care package for neighbors living outside, and reflecting in prayer at each stop. The event will conclude with a brief Noonday Prayer service on the labyrinth, which you are welcome to attend whether or not you participated in the mini pilgrimage. Pre-registration is required, and masks and distancing will be observed at all time. Those who do not wish to come to the cathedral are invited to participate by making a donation towards the cost of the materials.

Read the full description of the event and register to participate here.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020, 7:30 P.M., via livestream

The 2020-21 season of the Saint Mark's Music Series continues with a free, virtual concert from the cathedral nave. Gary Stroutsos’ live performances have captivated audiences around the world. His meditative flute music evokes the lands and cultures that he has studied over the course of his 36-year career. Gary’s mission is to carry the music forward to future generations and to promote stewardship of diverse cultures and the natural environment. The sound of Native American flutes played by Gary in the acoustical environment of Saint Mark’s Cathedral is breathtaking. This concert is offered with special appreciation for Native American Heritage Month.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2020, 9:30-11:30 A.M., via Zoom, registration required.

Renowned interspiritual teacher Mirabai Starr returns to Saint Mark’s on December 5 to offer a virtual workshop on loss, grief, and hope titled Luminous Night: A Spirituality of Loss, Grief, and Hope. She will share teachings from the mystics of various traditions that illumine the connection between loss, spiritual longing, and reframing the future. The teachings of the sixteenth-century Spanish saints Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross show us how we may approach the radical mystery that often accompanies loss and lament as a spiritual opportunity rather than as a problem requiring a solution. By engaging a contemplative approach, we cultivate an environment of emotional refuge and deep peace in which we can name and offer our burdens to the Holy One.

Our time together will include poetry and contemplative reading, deep dialog in small breakout groups, writing exercises, and a closing liturgy. We especially invite those who are grieving any kind of loss or those who find the holiday season a painful or difficult time. We will gather via Zoom. The event is free but pre-registration is required; register for the workshop here.

For more information, contact Canon Jennifer Daugherty at jkdaugherty@saintmarks.org. 

The Rubric: Fall 2020 Issue Now Available Online

In continual publication since December of 1890, The Rubric is Saint Mark's magazine, used to tell the story of the cathedral community to ourselves, the Diocese of Olympia, and the wider world. The publication of the spring issue was prevented by the rapidly changing situation, and so the new fall issue takes a step back and reflects in various ways about the unprecedented times we are living through.

The contents of the issue will be available online here, either using the Issuu reader interface, as a downloadable pdf, or as individual articles.

Church School on Sunday mornings has started up again for the Fall season! Children in Pre-K through second grade meet at 9 a.m. for Godly Play with Alicia Goodwin, where they tell bible stories with objects from home, make art together, and share their prayers and praises. Children in third through fifth grade meet at 10 a.m. for Exploring Saints and Sacraments with Kristen Kelly, where they study scripture together and make connections to life in quarantine, plan projects for the community, and more! Contact Kelly Moody, Associate for Spiritual Formation, for more information and zoom links at kmoody@saintmarks.org.

In each 6–8-minute episode you'll hear a passage of scripture, reflect on the weekly chapter of The Path, and be invited into prayer. Search for "Prayer Podcast for Children" wherever you get your podcasts, or check out all the episodes here!

Join youth (grades 8-12) from all across Western Washington gather for games and activities, discussions, guest speakers, and worship, every Sunday at 7 p.m. Visit https://ecww.org/youth/ for more information and for the link to register.

EVERY TUESDAY, 12–1 P.M., currently meeting via Zoom 

Tuesday Bible Study provides a weekly conversation around the scripture readings for the following Sunday. It has recently re-launched using the Zoom platform. Each week a discussion is facilitated and lively conversation ensues as people share their thoughts about the lessons. For more information and to get the link to join, contact The Rev. Canon Jennifer King Daugherty.

The Seattle Seafarers' Center WILL be delivering ditty bags to the seafarers who come into the Port of Seattle this year! They are accepting donations of toiletries (Deodorant, Shaving Cream, Toothpaste, Shampoo/Body wash combo, disposable razor, and a toothbrush sealed in a single pack), and handmade ditty bags (instructions available here). Donations for the purchase of toiletries can be made online (please specify "Ditty Bags") or mailed to: Seattle Seafarers Center, 3568 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106. For more information and to schedule a donation drop-off, contact the volunteers of the Seattle Seafarers' Center at 206.935.3439 or email: office@mts-seattle.org.

In addition, you can also join Saint Mark’s Ministry of Worsted Wool in making watch caps for the Mission to Seafarers. Contact Barbara Erickson or visit this page for more information and a pattern—even if you’ve never knitted a cap before!

EVERY FRIDAY at 3 P.M., via Zoom. 

Remember when we used to get together in coffee shops? We can still do that... online! Michael Perera will host afternoon tea once a week; drop in and chat about whatever’s on your mind. Bring your favorite hot beverage and let’s continue hanging out and making the isolation easier. Email Michael Perera with questions or to get the link to join: perera.michael@gmail.com.

Is there anyone you know who might benefit from a quick phone call, or a note in the mail, from clergy or a member of the community? Email Dean Steve Thomason at sthomason@saintmarks.org or Erik Donner at edonner@saintmarks.org, or call either one—or any of the clergy—at 206.323.0300.