APRIL/MAY 2023
In this Issue

  • Opening Reflection - Emily Meeks
  • Upcoming Events - April & May 
  • What We’re Reading Lately - Amelia Brandt
  • Spotlight: Spiritual Practices - Justin Shelley
  • Snapshots
  • Quick Links
REFLECTION
“Absence for the sake of Presence.”
—From Image Journal, “In prayer, self-forgotten,” meditations for Lent and Easter  

One of my intentions for Lent has been to be more in and with my body—not against or detached because of distraction or critique. Recently, on pilgrimage with Saint Mark’s to the Holy Land, I started most mornings with a run to reflect on the day ahead and experience the adventure of exploring new paths and turns. Starting our trip at the Sea of Galilee, I would dart out the door to catch the first starts of sunlight, running past olive trees and hearing birdsong surrounding me. One morning, I decided to incorporate hill repeats and a HIIT workout on a hill I discovered just in view from our hotel. 
In between wild flowers and patches of grass, I lunged and jumped while morning began in soft colors over the sea. In the distance, down a rocky path, a building caught my eye, and I knew I had to get closer. I ran past fields of banana trees to see a cross come into view. And then, I knew. I was standing at the foot of the church on the “Mount” of the Beatitudes – where Jesus gave tough wisdom that came in the form of words like, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God,” and, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” 

On our way toward Easter, I am reminded by how Christ meets us in the ordinary moments of our journeys. The work of being present to how I live, move and have my being is a continual challenge and opportunity to experience the fullness of life that Easter promises in my body. 

We have many offerings in April and May to engage our senses—feel the cool water of Lake Washington in a Polar Plunge, taste delicious and nourishing meals in community during Holy Week, view the Stations of the Cross and listen to scripture in two languages, and walk a path in a new neighborhood. Come be present with us. 
Emily Meeks (emcmeeks@gmail.com)
20s/30s EVENTS: APRIL & MAY
20s/30s Radix Group

SUNDAYS, APRIL 30–JUNE 4, 12:30-2 P.M., in person at Saint Mark’s 

Radix small groups gather to get to know one another through shared stories, scripture, and prayer. For Radix 10, we’ll offer an option for a 20s/30s group co-facilitated by Julia Cooper and Adrienne Hubbard. The theme for Radix 10 will be Gratitude. Email Luke Abdow at labdow@saintmarks.org to sign up. If you have already signed up for Radix, please email Luke so he can coordinate your spot. 
Lenten Lake Plunge

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 5-6 P.M., Madison Park Beach (1900 43rd Ave E)

Come experience the enlivening power of a cold water dip and its possible invitation as we enter into Holy Week. We'll gather below the boathouse by the beach area. Warm refreshments provided. Bring your own towel and warm clothes. Email Rev. Linzi Stahlecker at lstahlecker@saintmarks.org with questions.
Bilingual Stations of the Cross and 20s/30s Potluck Brunch

SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 12:30–2 P.M., cathedral nave, with potluck to follow in Leffler House

We’ll walk the Stations with the cathedral community and then have a potluck brunch at Leffler with time for a bilingual reflection and conversation led by 20s/30s member Ross Pearson. Bring your favorite dish or snack to share—but all are welcome. Use this sign up form to indicate what you will bring. RSVP encouraged but not required for brunch. Email Emily Meeks emcmeeks@gmail.com if you have questions. 
Agape Dinner

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 5:30 P.M., Leffler House

An Agape Meal is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with his disciples during his ministry. We will use the prayers found in The Book of Occasional Services to bless our meal. We will have vegetarian lentil soup and salad to share, and other simple, vegetarian dishes are welcome – bread, vegetables, hummus, nuts, cheeses, etc. After dinner, there is an option to go to the Maundy Thursday liturgy together at 7 pm. Please RSVP to Luke Abdow at labdow@saintmarks.org
Post Easter Vigil Breakfast

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, Midnight, Lost Lake Cafe (1505 10th Ave, between Pike and Pine) 

Join members of the 20s/30s group for a late-night breakfast following the Easter Vigil! After the service concludes, and Easter has been proclaimed, we will celebrate at Lost Lake Cafe in Capitol Hill. It will be a joyous feast, and all are welcome! Questions or more information? Contact Luke Abdow at: labdow@saintmarks.org
Explore West Seattle Day

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 9:30 A.M. (if carpooling) to 3 P.M.

We’ll visit the Duwamish Longhouse, walk a labyrinth at St. John the Baptist, eat lunch, and explore a local park. See a preliminary schedule for the day here. Sign up to participate here. Questions? Email Emily Meeks at: emcmeeks@gmail.com
Nurturing Roots Farm Days

Nurturing Roots has not been able to renew their lease and will be looking for a new location for the farm. To best support Nurturing Roots in this transition, we will be rescheduling new dates for farm work days (originally scheduled for April 16 and 30 and June 18). Nurturing Roots will be onsite for Cathedral Day on Saturday, April 22 featuring a smoothie bike and information on farm fresh fruit and vegetables. Follow and support Nurturing Roots’ displacement journey on Instagram (@nurturingrootsfarm). Learn more about Dig Deeper, a food justice initiative from Saint Mark's and the Diocese of Olympia, here
The Efficacy of Prayer
 
SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 7:30 P.M., Leffler Living Room

Come join a discussion with The Rev. Linzi Stahlecker and Fraser Reach as we explore the efficacy of prayer. Afterwards, some may wish to go to Compline together. Questions? Email Emily Meeks: mcmeeks@gmail.com
Potluck Dinner and Centering Prayer

TUESDAY, 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. Contact Luke Abdow at labdow@saintmarks.org with any questions or to RSVP.

NOTE: There will be no potluck on Tuesday, April 4 (Tuesday in Holy Week), as previously announced. Centering Prayer is suspended on that Tuesday. All are welcome to join a Service of Healing in the nave at 7 p.m.
Sabbath & Rest—A 20s/30s Conversation with St. Luke’s Ballard  

SUNDAY, MAY 7, 8-10 P.M., Leffler House

How does keeping sabbath allow us to break a restless cycle and focus on the wholeness God intends? Join for a conversation to explore the practice of sabbath with young adults from St. Luke's and their clergy, Canon Britt Olson and Mother Hillary Kimsey. Conversation will draw on themes from Walter Brugemann's Sabbath as Resistance but prior reading is not required. Dessert provided. At 9:15, we'll head over to Compline together. Questions? Email Emily: emcmeeks@gmail.com
Behind the Seams: Ugly Clothes with 20s/30s member Clara Berg 

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2–3 P.M., MOHAI and White Swan Public House

Hosted by 20s/30s—All are welcome 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! The aesthetics of fashion are constantly changing and with it our perception of what looks good. We’ll join MOHAI Curator of Collections and 20s/30s member, Clara Berg, for an in-person, one-hour session to view the historic fashions in MOHAI’s collection which were once stylish but don’t translate well to our modern eyes. What do you think—is it fabulous or frightful? Some may choose to join early (12:30 p.m.) to visit the museum’s exhibit and/or join after (3:30 p.m.) for snacks and refreshments at White Swan Public House. Tickets are required for Behind the Seams admission. A limited number of discounted tickets from Saint Mark’s are available ($20). Sign up here. Questions? Email Betsy Heimburger: betsy.heimburger@gmail.com
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 Heimburger at 205.532.4556 for more information and to meet up with the group.
Squeezing in the last days of March…
TGIF Coffee Break

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 8–9 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. Look for 20s/30s member and UW grad student Hilary McLeland-Wieser when you arrive. Seating, with heaters, is outside—bring layers. Email Hilary with questions: hmcleland12@live.com
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
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 at betsy.heimburger@gmail.com  for information and to be added to the channel.
Resources posted from recent 20s/30s conversations with clergy

UPCOMING EVENTS AT SAINT MARK'S
FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 6:30-7:30 P.M., Bloedel Hall or via Zoom

Transgender Day of Visibility Forum will be led by Canon Carla Robinson and other transgender clergy and lay people from the diocese. Offered in person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. Find the link to sign up here. Hosted by Canon Robinson.
PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 5:30–6:30 P.M., Leffler House

There will be a second Queer in Christ Meet and Greet following Evensong on Palm Sunday. Questions? Contact Sacristan Michael Seewer: mseewer@saintmarks.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 2 through SUNDAY, APRIL 9 

Liturgies are offered every day of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday this weekend. Read a brief introduction to each liturgical offering of the week here.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 6:45-8:15 P.M., Bloedel Hall or via Zoom

Racial Justice Forum. Facilitated by Vinh Do and The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson. Optional community dinner at 6 p.m. ($6/child; $8/adult; $25/max. family). Contact Canon Carla Robinson for more information.
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 9:30 A.M.–3 P.M., Bloedel Hall or via Zoom

In person in Bloedel Hall and online via Zoom. $65 fee per person. (Scholarships available.) Register here.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10 & 24, 6:45–8:15 P.M., Bloedel Hall or via Zoom

The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson will lead a discussion of the book God Is a Black Woman by Dr. Christena Cleveland as seen through the lens of pilgrimage. Learn more here.

Dr. Cleveland will be visiting the Cathedral in June (an event made possible by gifts in memory of Matthew Briggs). This two-part book study series is intended to help people prepare for the material she will present when she comes to Saint Mark's.
WHAT WE'RE READING LATELY
From 20s/30s member Amelia Brandt (amelia.brandt@gmail.com).

Throughout 2022, I spent each Sunday reading a chapter of Wayne Muller's book Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives. This book has been nothing short of life-changing. Drawing from not only Judaism (as the origin of Sabbath) and Christianity (Muller's faith), the book explores a variety of faith traditions' approaches to a day of rest, as well as more general spiritual and even secular approaches. Understanding that the Sabbath is made for us as a gift is such an open invitation to do what makes a difference in our lives and those of others. For Lent, I love the idea of adopting something, rather than taking something away. I encourage you to consider adopting an observation of Sundays as a different kind of day in your week—and Muller's book is the perfect instructive tool.
SPOTLIGHT: SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
From 20s/30s Member Justin Shelley (shelley.justin@gmail.com

I have a passion for landscape photography. It pairs well with exploring the wondrous terrain of the Pacific Northwest on foot. In years past, I was simply documenting the path I was traveling while flexing my artistic muscle at times. Since re-committing to Jesus and joining the Saint Mark's community, my heart has been opened to God and how He is working in my life. Landscape photography has become a spiritual practice that fosters connection. It forces me to slow down and be attentive to His presence, in a world that is vying for my attention. In doing so, a deeper appreciation is felt for the beauty and mystery that I'm witnessing, and for my own life. Lastly, I realize that the aptitude that I have for picture taking is a gift from God, one to be shared with others and points to Him.
SNAPSHOTS
20s/30s members explore Jerusalem on pilgrimage.
February Saint Bread meetup
QUICK LINKS
  • The Hive - wellness, spirituality and growth resources developed by The Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining who also served this year as theologian-in-residence for Saint Mark’s


  • Many videos of past forums and presentations at Saint Mark’s —virtual, in person, or hybrid—are now gathered into a YouTube playlist here.

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]