"For the garden is the only place there is, but you will not find it
Until you have looked for it everywhere and found it nowhere
that is not a desert."
--W.H. Auden from For the Time Being
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Dear Liturgical Ministers,
Welcome to the season of Easter, known also as Eastertide. In this 50-day season, we relish in the delight of joy at finding an empty tomb, a resurrected Christ, who surprises us in unexpected moments with grace and challenge.
In the newsletter below, I share information about continued updates to our gradual resumption of in-person worship. As we continue to add back ministries and services, there will be more opportunities. I also include an important invitation for each of you to attend the Liturgical Ministers Training on May 8 (details below).
It is a true joy to be able to serve with you again in person. As always, volunteer as you feel is right and safe for you to do, and let me know if you have any questions.
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Michael Seewer
Cathedral Sacristan & Head Verger
(206) 323-0300 x219
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Liturgical Ministers Training: May 8, 9am - noon |
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All Liturgical Ministers are encouraged to please join us for a Liturgical Ministers Training via Zoom on Saturday, May 8. Registration is required, and you will receive the Zoom link via email once you register.
The training will be divided into three portions:
First portion from 9am-10am
- This first hour is dedicated to breakout rooms for acolytes, lectors, hospitality ministers (including former ushers and greeters).
- Only people involved in these ministries need to attend this first hour, joining the breakout room of the ministry group you are involved in for group discussion.
Second portion: Plenary for all from 10am-11am
- All are invited to this plenary facilitated by Dean Thomason.
Third portion from 11am-12 noon
- This last hour is dedicated to breakout rooms for Eucharistic ministers, Eucharistic visitors, altar guild, and vergers.
- Only people involved in these ministries need to attend this last hour, joining the breakout room of the ministry group you are involved in for group discussion.
Please click here to register, and please note that correct time that you should plan on joining as noted above! |
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Since we resumed in-person worship on the fifth Sunday of Lent, we continue to make periodic changes to the liturgy in response to more people being present in the nave.
A few updates regarding Sunday worship together:
- We have settled on four hospitality ministers per service. This number works well with the current way that communion is being administered. We still could use more volunteers to be hospitality ministers! If you are interested in being trained as a hospitality minister, please contact me, or speak to Don Sutkus.
- As of May 2, we will resume the opening procession. The route will be different from what we have done in the past, but with this we will once again schedule an acolyte to serve as crucifer. If you are interested in being trained as an acolyte, please contact me.
- We are continuing for the time being with one Sunday service at 11am. We will consider adding the 9am service back to the Sunday schedule as numbers and safety warrant it. The 8am Thomsen Chapel service will return at an undetermined later date (use of the Chapel is limited due to lack of ventilation in the space). I will engage those who have traditionally attended the 9am service when the decision is made to bring that service back so that we can get ministry volunteers scheduled.
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A simple reminder that bears repeating: Dean Thomason has asked that a reminder be sent about wearing black shoes when serving. This would apply to all those vested ministries (altar guild, acolytes, vergers, etc.) as well as lectors and intercessors. They need not be leather dress shoes, they can simply be black sneakers (best that they be all black). If you do not own a pair of black shoes and are not able to purchase a pair on your own, please let me know and we will help make this happen. I do not want this requirement to prevent anyone from feeling welcome to serve! The whole point is that we do not want to draw attention to ourselves...the very same reason why most priests and deacons where black clothing (called clericals). If you have any questions please let me know! |
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May-August Schedule Now Posted in MSP |
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The May-August Sunday Services Schedule is now posted online here. You can also view the schedule from within the Rotunda MSP site or app by selecting Full Schedules.
If you end up needing to find someone to cover for you, you can request a sub by clicking "request sub" from within the MSP web terminal or mobile app. That will notify all those who are available for that day that you need a sub. You are also able to reach out to someone directly and then let me know to change the schedule.
Also, many people have asked about text message reminders in MSP. Based on this, I've activated the SMS reminder feature. If you would like to receive a text message 2 hours before any service when you are scheduled, you can activate this by select ing "Send me text message (SMS) reminders 2 hours before my scheduled times" on the My Profile tab in the MSP Web Terminal. Just make sure your cell phone number is entered in your MSP profile.
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Flower Guild at Saint Mark's |
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The Flower Guild is looking for new people! Members of the Flower Ministry possess a wide range of abilities and experiences, and work in teams to support and learn from each other. Anyone is welcome to join this ministry, even if you don't have any experience. You will learn from the other members of the team, so don't hesitate to let us know if you are interested!
The hope is that the Flower Guild can find additional people to help, and then weekly flower arrangements will once again be possible.
If interested in joining the Flower Guild, or just learning more about it,
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