FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 6–7:30 P.M., on the front lawn and outdoor labyrinth.

All are welcome to a back-to-school gathering on Friday evening, September 9 at 6 p.m.—to reconnect in person, have some fun together, and celebrate the amazing kids of our community. Bring a blanket and your own picnic dinner. The cathedral will provide fresh fruit, chips, and water/lemonade for everyone along with a variety of fun activities. There will also be a Lunchbox Dessert Dash (featuring cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and bars) to benefit the Seattle Service Corps and the youth of Saint Mark's. Bring your backpacks, bookbags, and briefcases to receive a blessing! Contact Canon Barrie with questions.

THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, at the 9 and 11 a.m. liturgies

The kids, youth, and adults of Saint Mark's Evensong Choir have recently returned from their two-week pilgrimage to Bristol and Chichester cathedrals in the U.K., during which they sang liturgies almost every day. For "Homecoming Sunday" this weekend, the choir is excited to present some of the pilgrimage repertoire to the Saint Mark's community, including Anglican Chant, a canticle by Philip Stopford, Alice Parker's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," and an anthem by Saint Mark's own Peter Hallock (Director of Music here from 1951 to 1991).

Members of the choir will be available to answer questions during the Ministry Fair in the cathedral nave immediately following both services. Stop by the Intergenerational Ministries table for a fun get-to-know-people activity!

New purple bags with color-coded tags (pink for toddlers, blue for preschoolers, yellow for elementary ages) filled with items to connect kids to worship are ready for this Sunday, September 11!

Pick them up in the narthex and return them there when you leave. Each contains age-appropriate materials such as a clipboard with a children’s lectionary-based bulletin, a finger labyrinth for older children, a lacing lamb for younger ones, and Montessori hand kites with ribbons in liturgical colors for responding to the music. 

What Happens After the 20s/30s Group?

The Children and Families Committee has a survey for parents, grandparents, and caregivers about faith formation and community building for kids and their adults. We'd love to learn what you are hoping for! Find the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/se0nRia2RH

What might be next for those who are moving on from the 20s/30s Group at Saint Mark's? The cathedral leadership is eager to hear what you need and what you'd like. Here's the link: https://forms.office.com/r/WG8Qc1cFPC

SMALL GROUPS MEET: ONCE A WEEK FOR SIX WEEKS—STARTING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18, THROUGH THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 23. (Sunday groups conclude on October 30.)

Groups will meet online via Zoom OR in person. Register for a small group here.

The Radix Project is an opportunity to gather in small groups, share their stories, reflect on Holy Scripture and sacred art, and pray for one another with intention. The project was created to provide a way to connect in a setting that fosters trust, so that our relationships with God and one another are strengthened. New groups are formed each time, and each series is just six weeks, so all are encouraged to sign up, particularly if you have not participated in the past. Deadline to register for a small group: Tuesday, September 13.

OPENING PLENARY: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 7–8:30 P.M., in Bloedel Hall or via Zoom.

All are welcome to the opening plenary on Sunday evening, led by Dean Thomason and the Radix team, whether or not you intend to participate in a small group. Join the plenary in person in Bloedel Hall or using this Zoom link. Learn more about Radix groups and see video and materials from previous iterations here. Questions? Email radix@saintmarks.org

ALL CLASSES MEET SUNDAYS, 12:30–2 P.M., IN-PERSON IN BLOEDEL HALL AND ONLINE VIA ZOOM, registration required

The fall series begins Sunday, September 18, and lasts six weeks through Sunday, October 23, 2022 and is offered in Bloedel Hall and/or via Zoom. After completing the series, many people often decide to receive the sacrament of baptism or be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Attendees are strongly encouraged to attend all six sessions. Learn more about the class here, and please contact Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com) with questions. Register here.

The tradition of the Wednesday night community dinner, suspended during the pandemic, at last returns to Bloedel Hall this week, as part of the suite of Wednesday evening offerings. The evening's opportunities begin with in-person Evening Prayer in Thomsen Chapel at 6 p.m. Dinner is served in Bloedel Hall from 6 to 6:30 p.m. (Health regulations require that food service ends promptly at 6:30.) A faith formation offering or other community activity usually follows at 6:45. For the first dinner, on Wednesday, September 14, there will be no Cathedral Commons offering—they begin one week later with Dean Thomason's presentation on embodied spirituality on September 21 (see bel0w). The cost of the meal, payable in cash at the door or electronically, is now: Child/$6, Adult/$8, Family max/$25.

Remember to keep an eye on our weekly Sundays & Beyond email, the Online Community page of the cathedral website, and the Facebook Group. Each week there are new offerings and ways to stay connected at Saint Mark's.