Sundays and Beyond at Saint Mark’s Cathedral Sunday, August 7- Pentecost 8 Dear Ones, What is a vacation without photographs? These days, with digital ease, I can frame and shoot quickly, discarding the images that fail to capture the moment. On Monday there was an especially beautiful sunrise in Phoenix and I took many wonderful shots including the very moment the sun peaked over Camelback Mountain. One image stood out – it was a mistake, I’m not even certain how it happened – jagged edged mountains and blazing gold and salmon streaked sky had been replaced with an ethereal view of the morning, soft, hazy, dreamy, smoky blue mountains beckoning in the distant desert sky. The image was blurred and my first instinct was to push delete but as I looked at it one more time, I couldn’t let it go – there was something mystical about it, something I knew about the desert that is so easily missed in the apparent stark and barren land – a transformative quality of light that surprises and opens one’s eyes to a different reality. A mystery, a paradox, a parable, the possibility that in this stark and often barren life, there is, as Parker Palmer reminds us, a hidden wholeness. This hidden wholeness, this image that beckons us to look more deeply at our lives and calls us to see with new eyes, is a unique gift from God. On this earth, only we humans can see in this way – the way of consciousness and introspection that is transformative. It is our greatest gift and so often squandered as we rush through this life. Over the next two months, we are hosting an international exhibit of icons and sculpture by acclaimed abstract expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska. Traditional Russian icons and Ludmila’s dramatic interpretation of them, offer us a wonderful opportunity to see with new eyes and to experience the hidden wholeness of our life together in this sacred space. The series is called Icons in Transformation and you are invited to be part of the experience. The art will engage our space and we will be engaged as a worshipping community to see with eyes of transformation. Ludmila, her husband Jan and daughter Sylvia will be with us for the next two weeks, preparing the exhibit. Many helpers and volunteers are assisting and next week we will train docents who will share Ludmila's vision with our guests. Please note that there are many opportunities to volunteer. Find more on our website at www.saintmarks.org/ComingEvents/icons.php. The Cathedral will hold these images and serve as a beacon of hope to a world that feels increasingly stark and barren. Four major events will highlight the series and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) will be the recipient of any funds raised from the sale of art or free will offerings for work in South Sudan, Nets for Life and Wine into Water. From the Gala Opening on Saturday evening, August 13 at 7:00 PM to our interfaith event Remembering 911 to the daily rhythm of coming and going, Saint Mark’s will become a living icon for the city of Seattle, our doors open to seekers of every kind. This Sunday many changes will be obvious – to host such an exhibit is a monumental task and we will quickly discover what patterned creatures we are (see if you can find the Peace Shrine). It is a good thing to see with new eyes but remember, don’t push delete too quickly, you might miss a moment of transformation! Also this Sunday, special friend of the Cathedral and Seattle native, the Reverend Dr. Lucas Mix will preach. Lucas is both priest and an astrobiologist, serving as chaplain and adjunct faculty at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Please welcome all our guests this Sunday! Blessings, Rebecca+ The Rev. Canon Rebecca L. McClain, Canon Missioner
Vestry Corner:
Kudos to the Wine into Water group, a word about the Rev. Joan Anthony’s forum next Sunday, a reminder from the Parish Profile Committee’s questions. All on the back cover.
Art in the Nave: Icons in Transformation August 13—October 12 Cathedral Nave A dramatic 120 piece exhibit of acclaimed Russian-Swedish expressionist Ludmila Pawlowska. Exhibit includes her own paintings and sculpture, as well as traditional icons from Russia. Learn more at www.saintmarks.org
Volunteers needed Docents (tour guides) and other projects. Training provided! Contact Heather Hodsdon at hhodsdon@ecww.org The Cathedral Shop will have icons by local iconographer Deborah Anderson, books and other items related to the exhibit available for purchase.
Oikocredit and Microfinance Informational Table Sunday, August 7, after 9 am & 11am services Back of the nave Stop by and find out more about the work of microfinance– and sign up to attend a more in depth conversation.
Update & Information Meeting Sunday, August 14, 12:30 Leffler Living Room Discussion of microfinance and Oikocredit's accomplishments in specific. Kick-off the Saint Mark's Microfinance initiative . Everyone who is interested, including current Oikocredit investors, is welcome to attend. A light lunch will be served.