11 a.m. • The Holy Eucharist

in person and livestreamed

in person and livestreamed

in person and livestreamed

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Preregistration for Christmas Eve Services and The Pageant of the Nativity Opens WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 9 A.M.

The cathedral announced several weeks ago the pre-registration would be required for the five largest Advent and Christmas liturgies. This Sunday's "O" Antiphons liturgy reached capacity earlier this week, but registration for The Pageant of the Nativity and the three Christmas Eve services—4 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 11 p.m.—will open this coming Wednesday at 9 a.m. Keep an eye out for an email with the registration links Wednesday morning, or visit saintmarks.org/advent, where the links will be posted.

A reminder: when you register, you will receive information in the confirmation email about how to submit your proof of vaccination in advance. Submitting your proof of vaccination in advance, rather than when you arrive at the time of the event, is not required; however, by completing this required step in advance, entry may be quicker for everyone. If you choose not to submit your proof of vaccination in advance, you must present it when you arrive in order to enter the building.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021, 7 P.M., in person in the cathedral nave, and livestreamed.

Pre-registration and proof of vaccination/negative COVID test required to attend in person (see details here). Preregistration opens to all Wednesday, December 1, 9 a.m.

In 2015, the leadership of Saint Mark's Cathedral formulated a vision of a new kind of Christmas Pageant, bringing together the choirs and children of the community with costumes of cathedral finery, visual art displayed within cathedral architecture, and special instrumental accompaniment to reflect upon the Nativity of Christ as told in Holy Scripture. After a pause in 2020, the Pageant returns in 2021, with some modifications in the staging for the sake of safety.

Saint Mark's Pageant of the Nativity is not a re-enactment of a single event in history, but rather a reflection and meditation on a sacred story which has spoken to people around the world and across the ages. The hymns and carols sung by the assembly, and the anthems offered by the choirs, have ranged from medieval chant to 21st-century world premieres. The visual images of the pageant reference art spanning the centuries, from Byzantine icons through Renaissance masters to the Victorian age and beyond. So while the stable in Bethlehem certainly did not contain fine velvet and brocade, we clothe our pageant in the most beautiful finery the cathedral has to offer, in order that we might offer of our best to the Christ Child today. It is the hope that, each year, the readings from Holy Scripture, imagery, and music bring new insight into the coming of the Prince of Peace, the incarnation of God among us. See video, programs, and photos from previous years' pageants here.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021, 6:45 P.M.–8:15 P.M, Bloedel Hall and via Zoom

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 10:10-10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall

Canon Daugherty returns from her three-month sabbatical on December 1 and is looking forward to sharing her experiences and learning with the Saint Mark’s community. Join her on December 12 for the Sunday Forum, in which she will talk about her Celtic pilgrimage to Ireland, Iona, and the Isle of Skye, as well as time spent in other holy places in the United States. Sabbatical time is meant for rest, renewal, and cultivation of creativity and curiosity for the benefit of the faith community. All of that happened and she is very glad to be returning to Saint Mark’s. Come be part of her early reflections on her time away; there will be much to share in the coming months.

We are told that this is “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for many who are experiencing or have experienced loss, grief, or hardship, the festive season can in fact be particularly painful and alienating. Saint Mark’s has a long-standing tradition of holding space for prayerful care and companionship for those who find the holiday season a painful or difficult time. The "Blue Christmas" liturgy is a special service of Holy Eucharist in Thomsen Chapel, intended to hold a space for whatever you may be going through, while offering the hope of light and peace. This service will take place only in person in Thomsen Chapel. All are welcome.

Once again, Saint Mark’s is sharing Christmas joy with families from Casa Latina, Lowell Elementary School, and Mary’s Place. Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary School have asked for gift cards this year, and Mary’s Place has requested specific gifts for children, youth, and parents.

The Giving Tree is full of tags, and will be placed in the nave for the next three Sundays. For Casa Latina and Lowell Elementary, pick a tag off the Giving Tree, or donate online at saintmarks.org/give (Choose "Casa Latina & Lowell School Gift Cards" from the list of options.) For Mary’s Place, visit their Amazon Wish List here, or come by and choose a tag from the Giving Tree.

In this second year of hardship, your generosity means even more to these wonderful families. Please donate online or bring your (unwrapped) gift(s) or gift card(s) back to Saint Mark’s by Sunday, December 12. You may also donate by mailing a check to Saint Mark’s (with “gift cards” in the memo line), or using the Venmo mobile app (@SaintMarksCathedralSeattle; put "gift cards" in the comment), or by calling Erik Donner at 206.323.0300 x217.

 If you have questions about the Giving Tree, please contact Wendy Claire Barrie (wbarrie@saintmarks.org) or call 206.323.0300 x223.

This service will be livestreamed.

Christmas Memorials & Thanksgivings

Help underwrite the beautiful flowers and special music of the season by making a special contri­bution in honor or memory of someone. You can make your gift online at saintmarks.org/give, or fill out the form inserted in your bulletin on Sunday and make your gift by check. Return the form with your check in the offering plate, to the cathedral office, or by mail (instructions may be found on the form.) Contributions received by December 12 will be acknowledged in the bulletins on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 4:30 P.M., ticketed livestream or in person

Next weekend, the Boston-based Tapestry Vocal Ensemble will open the 2021-22 Music Series with their program Starry Night, a exploration in poetry and music of angels in different traditions, and a meditation on the star-lit sky, ideal for the Advent season. In the brief promotional video above, Saint Mark's community member and acclaimed local musician James Falzone introduces the concert and invites all to attend.

Learn more about Tapestry here, the Music Series here, and purchase livestream or in-person tickets here.

Purchasing this year's Noel House Christmas Holiday card supports homeless outreach, helps care for our friends at Noel House, and offers a beautiful and meaningful way to reach out to your friends and family with Christmas greetings. There will be no in-person sales this year, but you can order cards online here. For more information, email crystalp@ccsww.org or call 206.456.3452

Across our church and our society, we are having profound dialogues about race, truth, justice, and healing. Coming this Advent, Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community is a podcast that explores where that dialogue intersects with our faith. Join The Episcopal Church and invited guests (including The Rev. Rachel Taber-Hamilton!) as they share prophetic voices and explore the readings for each week of Advent and Christmas Day through the lens of social justice. Find out more and listen to the first two episodes now here.

Ethnic Ministries Circles of Color of the Diocese of Olympia and the Meaningful Movies Project offer this online screening of End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock, a film that captures history in the making, as a small group of Indigenous women establish a peaceful camp in protest of the $3.8 billion oil pipeline construction that threatens their land, water, and existence. Learn more here.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 7:30 P.M., in the cathedral nave

The Kirkland Choral Society 2021-22 season begins with an enchanting holiday concert, this year at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle. We can again connect our hearts through music, together, in the concert hall. This concert, a favorite holiday tradition for so many, features the full choral-orchestral version of the Vivaldi Gloria, performed with their wonderful partner orchestra, Philharmonia Northwest. The beautiful music and setting for this performance will remind you why people frequent this concert year after year. For tickets please visit the ticket page.​

Please note: proof of vaccination, ID, and masks are required at our Gloria! holiday concert. You may also appreciate that all performers are fully vaccinated and will wear masks, and that ticket sales will be limited to approximately half the fire code maximum occupancy. KCS will comply with all state and local COVID-19 restrictions in effect at the time of the concert.

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 the Duwamish Tribe. [Learn more]