In this Issue
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Opening Reflection - Emily Meeks
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Upcoming Events - February & March
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What We’re Reading Lately - Molly Porter
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Spotlight: Spiritual Practices - Adrienne Hubbard
- Snapshots
- Quick Links
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As we chopped onions for butternut squash soup, we swapped tips on stopping the tears that inevitably come when the peels fall off. I was delighted to discover that I am not the only one who has tried wearing goggles.
This was one of many connecting moments during the recent Cooking Circle—an idea that came from Connor Harrison when volunteering for Tent City meal prep this summer. Connor’s vision: create space for building kitchen confidence, explore new recipes, and share in the “breaking of bread.” On a Friday night in the Bloedel kitchen, 12 young adults learned the flavors and aromas of a Lebanese inspired menu with guidance from Chefs Luke Abdow, Marc Aubertin, and Deborah Person.
In the planning, we were clear to not name this event a cooking “class” but instead a circle. A circle gives a very different feel—inviting people with a shared interest mutually engaging around a common center. As our circle formed, we learned more than just cooking techniques, but about important life moments (weddings, jobs, travels, schedule changes) and connected how preparing food can be a spiritual practice.
When the focaccia came out of the oven, it was time for dinner. We filled our plates and delighted in a colorful and aromatic feast as we took our seats around several round tables. (Check out the recipes here)
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In community we gather in many ways around a central point—to know and see God more clearly in our daily lives. The liturgical year also forms a circle. Time is reordered around the life of Christ. We inhabit God’s mission through this time as we participate in its rhythms and round into new seasons. This year Lent comes early—February 22—and we shift from Epiphany and into a time of preparation and reflection in the journey toward Easter.
One of the gifts of the 20s/30s community at Saint Mark’s is the opportunity to creatively circle and gather in the midst of these changing seasons. In February and March, there will be many opportunities to share life together—Dinner and Centering Prayer on the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m., lunch after church, Questioning Together (Theodicy and Suffering) with Curate Linzi Stahlecker, and a Conversation with the Dean—All Desires Known: A Theology of Sexuality, and more. Also, in this newsletter, check out a spiritual practice that Adrienne Hubbard is exploring, poetry recommendations from Molly Porter, and our new dedicated 20s/30s Slack channel set up by Betsy Heimburger to share impromptu plans and connections..
You are welcome to join in and expand the circle.
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20s/30s Potluck Dinner and Centering Prayer
FIRST TUESDAYS THROUGH MAY 2 (March 7, April 4, May 2), 6–8 P.M., Leffler House
Come share a potluck dinner with other young adults and practice sacred stillness with the wider cathedral community. Please bring a dish to share, but no one will be turned away. No prior experience with Centering Prayer or meditation is required. RSVPs encouraged but not required. Note: on April 4, we’ll go as a group to the Healing Eucharist during Holy Week instead of Centering Prayer. Contact Luke Abdow at labdow@saintmarks.org with any questions or to RSVP.
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Questioning Together: Theodicy and Suffering
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 7:30–9 P.M., Leffler House
How do we justify God when there is so much suffering in the world? Come explore these themes at the beginning of Lent with Curate Linzi Stahlecker and 20s/30s member Fraser Reach as we consider transformation and the journey of deeper union with God. Dessert and light snacks provided. Questions? Email Emily Meeks: emcmeeks@gmail.com
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Chili and Care Packages
A 20s/30s Collaboration with SMC Youth
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 5:30–7 P.M., Leffler House
Assemble and stuff care packages for SMC students away at college and then enjoy a chili bar with toppings and cornbread. A great opportunity to connect with youth at SMC. RSVP encouraged but not required. Questions? Email Luke Abdow: labdow@saintmarks.org
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All Desires Known: A Theology of Sexuality
A 20s/30s Conversation with Dean Steve Thomason
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 7:30–9 pm, Leffler House
Nothing is more human than our sexuality. The world can send many signals about the body, sex and sexuality that can be confusing or toxic. In this conversation with Dean Steve Thomason, we'll discuss a theology of sexuality and how it can deeply resonate with the divine mystery and the gift of desire that flows from it. We'll consider how an understanding of sexuality does not have to be distorted and can be life-giving as we lean into our inherent goodness as sexual beings. Do you have questions you may like to see explored? Email Luke Abdow (labdow@saintmarks.org) in advance. Light refreshments provided. Afterward, some may choose to go to Compline together.
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TGIF Coffee Break
FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 7:30 A.M., at Saint Bread, 1421 NE Boat Street, Seattle
Start the day with fellowship and reflection at Saint Bread, a bakery and community space on the Portage Bay waterfront near UW in Seattle. Email Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com) with questions.
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Lunch After Church
Most Sundays there is a group of 20s/30s headed out to an informal lunch after the 11 a.m. service. Restaurant location changes. Text Betsy (205.532.4556) for more information and to meet up with the group.
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New 20s/30s Slack Channel
Join our new dedicated channel on Slack to stay connected and share opportunities to meet up for events at Saint Mark’s and around Seattle. Email Betsy Heimberger for information and to be added to the channel: betsy.heimburger@gmail.com
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023, 9-11 A.M., online via Zoom—register here.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 10:10 A.M., Bloedel Hall
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 6–7:15 P.M., in the cathedral nave
Come eat pancakes and then participate in a unique, brief liturgy with closing of the Great Doors until Easter.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 7:30 P.M., cathedral nave.
Reserve tickets here ($20–35). Co-sponsored by Abbey Arts, Saint Mark’s Cathedral, and the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
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FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2023, 9:30 A.M.–4 P.M., cathedral nave
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THE NEXT SERIES BEGINS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 and runs through SUNDAY, MARCH 26.
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Taizé at Saint Mark's
NEXT OFFERING: TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 7 P.M., cathedral nave and livestreamed
A prayer service consisting of silence and song, candlelight and stillness, prayer and contemplation. In January, a piece composed by Greg Bloch, “Be Still and Rejoice” with words inspired by a reflection of beloved 20s/30s member Matt Briggs who died in April 2021. Read more here. Questions or interested in getting involved? Email Sacristan Michael Seewer: mseewer@saintmarks.org
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Planning Dinner for a Summer Backpacking Adventure
FRIDAY, MARCH 24, 6:30–8:30 P.M., Location details to come
Are you seeking a challenging outdoor experience, looking to make new friends and longing to reconnect with the wild beauty of God's creation? Join Justin Shelley, Molly Bosch and Emily Meeks to plan an itinerary for a 50–60 mile multi-day backpack trip this summer. Email Emily (emcmeeks@gmail.com) if interested in attending.
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Holy Hikes with the Diocese of Olympia
NEXT HIKE: SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 10 A.M., at Hamlin Park in Shoreline.
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Lowell Elementary Volunteering: 4th Grade Cooking Class
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Bilingual Stations of the Cross
APRIL 2, following the 11 a.m. service.
We’ll walk the Stations with the cathedral community and then have a potluck lunch at Leffler with time for a bilingual reflection and conversation led by 20s/30s member Ross Pearson.
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Explore West Seattle Day
APRIL 15
We’ll visit the Duwamish Longhouse, walk a labyrinth at St. John the Baptist, eat lunch, and explore a local park.
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Dessert and Compline with other 20s/30s from St. Luke’s, Ballard
MAY 7, 8–10 P.M.
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Dig Deeper—Nurturing Roots Farm Days
APRIL 16, APRIL 30, MAY 21, and JUNE 18, 12:45–3 P.M.
Each work day will focus on a farm project that helps promote sustainable practices for the land and shared resources for the community. These work days will culminate with a community dinner in September similar to Heart of the Table last September.
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LITURGICAL MINISTER OPPORTUNITIES |
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Are you interested in serving in a particular role in the context of Sunday worship? Currently there is a need for ushers (11 a.m.) and oblation bearers (9 a.m. and 11 a.m.).
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The usher ministry is a great way for someone looking to get to know more people, who likes being active and helping out throughout the service. Time commitment: Ushers are also scheduled generally about once a month. Watch a brief video here.
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The oblation bearer ministry is great for partners, and involves simply bringing the bread/wine to the altar at the offertory. Time commitment: generally scheduled about once a month.
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Spiritual Practices We’re Trying
A spiritual practice that I have is being very deliberate in how I organize and arrange my home. This doesn't intuitively seem like a spiritual practice to some people, but I have been very inspired by the series of books/blog Theology of Home. These books focus on how the home can be a source of joy, peace, and connection with God and inspire the nurturing and compassionate vocation of women in the church.
For me, this has involved keeping my home warm, inviting, and organized. I have prayer cards next to my bed and on my fridge with prayers and pieces of scripture that are especially resonant to me. I also have important books, photos of loved ones, and religious iconography (such as a wood carved print of Mary Magdalene) in specific places in my apartment to be reminded of them regularly.
I have found that being deliberate in this practice of organizing my home in this way brings me so much peace and ability to rest and relax. In the past, having a high level of baseline anxiety and stressors has certainly been a barrier in my connection with God. It is very reassuring each morning to wake up in a home I feel so comfortable in and be able to look to the Prayer of Saint Francis on my bedside table or my favorite poetry books on my desk. I would recommend for anyone looking to try this to place items that bring you joy and peace in specific areas of your home and be really diligent about keeping your home clean, organized, and as peaceful as possible. ◆
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WHAT WE'RE READING LATELY — POETRY! |
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“I've been finding myself turning to poetry for sustenance this winter, both within and beyond the Christmas season. I find that with book recs, I always say I'll read them and then never really get around to buying them, so here are a few of my favorite short seasonal poems on wintertide revelations you can read right now!"
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T.S. Eliot, "The Journey of the Magi" — First, a classic (post) Christmas poem about the complexities of epiphany and the hard journey to faith. For something even stranger on the same topic, try W.B Yeats "The Magi."
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Christina Rosetti, "A Better Resurrection" — This deceptively simple poem similarly discusses the difficulty of belief in "frozen" periods of our lives but in a striking address to God.
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Thomas Hardy, "The Darkling Thrush" — Written on the last day of 1900, Hardy contemplates a new century, a new year, and the idea of nonhuman revelation in the bleak midwinter here.
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Czeslaw Milosz, "Encounter" — Probably my favorite poem I've read this winter, on the revelation of death and the life to come in the memory of a frozen winter day.
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Pablo Neruda, "Ode to My Socks" — From the transcendent to the mundane, this dear poem makes me appreciate the little things that give me warmth and joy in this world.
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Robert Hayden, "Those Winter Sundays" — Continuing on the glory of the mundane, this is one of those poems that makes me tear up every time I think of it, especially the last resounding question on familial love.
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Start the day off with coffee, pastries, reflection and a chance to say hello to Luke Abdow during his shift at Saint Bread.
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We learned how to make a Lebanese themed menu of butternut squash and red lentil soup, focaccia, fattoush salad and apple crisp from Chefs Luke Abdow, Marc Aubertin and Deborah Person.
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Renaming Liturgy
On Sunday, January 22, many in the Saint Mark’s community gathered around the font to participate in the renaming liturgy for Rose Hazard. Rose claimed her new name in the context of her spiritual life and faith community at Saint Mark’s.
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The Hive - an online platform for wellness, spirituality and growth developed by The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining who also served this year as theologian-in-residence for Saint Mark’s
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Many videos of past forums and presentations at Saint Mark’s —virtual, in person, or hybrid—are now gathered into a YouTube playlist here.
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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]
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