Saint Mark's Cathedral

Youth at Saint Mark's

Youth are a vital part of our worshiping community.
Since it takes people of all types to fully reflect the kingdom of God, youth are welcome and active participants in all Saint Mark’s liturgies, from joining the congregation in joyfully singing the Sanctus, and Lord’s Prayer, to passing the peace, to bringing the bread and wine to the altar. Youth also serve as ushers, greeters, drummers, acolytes, lay eucharistic ministers and lectors, as well as participating in the Youth Ensemble, Liturgical Band, and other musical groups.

Youth find small group community, faith and fun in our Church School program.
Church School meets Sundays, mid-September through May, from 10:10 – 10:50 a.m. Middle School and Senior High classes meet to visit, discuss current events, and wonder together about the role of faith in the life of 21st century teens. Our youth classes take field trips to other faith communities, participate together in service projects, and get together approximately once a month just to eat and have fun. Summer activities have included swimming, trips to water parks, outdoor movies and local sporting events.

Youth join the Saint Mark’s community for fun, enriching events throughout the Church year.
The Christian year is full of many wonderful festivals, and Saint Mark’s is a great place in which to celebrate them! Over the years, youth have made meaningful connections and built relationships in the larger community through the celebration of these events, including:

Saint Nicholas Day, the Sunday closest to December 6. Saint Nicholas visits the services with treats for children and youth.
Youth Sponsored Christmas Tree providing gifts for needy children.
Christmas Eve Services, 2:00, 4:00, 7:30 and 11:00 p.m. on December 24.
Mardi Gras party, Tuesday evening before Ash Wednesday. Party with mask-making, crepes, dessert and live band.
Camp Casey Youth Retreat, a yearly weekend retreat at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island.
Saint Mark’s Day Pancake Breakfast, 10:00 a.m., Sunday closest to April 25. This breakfast, sponsored by the youth, is one of our fundraisers.
Pentecost Party, Pentecost. Wear red and join the birthday celebration for the church!
Baptism Celebrations, 10:10 a.m., Baptismal Sundays (four per year). Splash in water, eat, play and remember (or look forward to!) your baptism.
Dinner and Compline, summer Sunday nights, 7:00-10:00 p.m. Join other Saint Mark’s youth and leaders for dinner and Compline once a month. Watch for announcement of dates.
St. Francis Day, Sunday closest to October 4, all services. Bring your pet (or a reminder of your pet) as we celebrate all of creation in this special service. Pets may be blessed following the service.
Fall Festival, a celebration of fall, family and fun!

Youth serve the Saint Mark’s community in many ways.
Youth provide leadership, under the supervision of adults, in the Child- care Center and during Cathedral Camp and other children’s activities. Youth also participate in other Saint Mark’s ministries, such as working with the Ecology/
Spirituality group to clean the Greenbelt, serving meals to Tent City residents, and volunteering at the annual Bridges Celebration each August. Service hours for school may be earned.

Youth grow and learn together as they plan and execute a Pilgrimage.
One of the highlights of Saint Mark’s senior high program is the two-year process of working together to plan a pilgrimage. Traveling in community to discover new truths about oneself and one’s role in community provides both a wonderful metaphor for and actual experience of the Christian life. This process includes learning about pilgrimage, participating in community-building exercises and mini-pilgrimages, and culminates with choosing a location and a means of transportation, raising funds, and finally traveling together as a group on a journey of self-discovery. Past Pilgrimages have been to New York City (2003), Puerto Rico (2006) and Belize (2008). Pilgrimage 2010 will begin planning this school year (2008/09) and is open to students in grades 9 and 10.

Youth participate with other young people in Diocesan wide camps and retreats.
The Diocese of Olympia sponsors many retreats and camps for diocesan youth. JYC, a middle school weekend retreat, is held twice a year, in November and April. HYC, a high school weekend retreat, is held three times a year, in October, January and May. Six-Day, a week-long program at Camp Huston for high schoolers, is held in June. Camp Huston offers many other traditional and adventure camps for middle school and high school students throughout the summer.

For more information about these programs, please contact 206.323.0300:
Acolytes, Lectors, Greeters, Ushers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Becky Morrill, Cathedral Liturgist, x259

Youth Ensemble, Liturgical Band and other music opportunities
Brian Fairbanks, Music Associate, x294

Volunteering in the Childcare Center
Cait Platz, Childcare Coordinator, x313

Church School, Intergenerational Events, Youth Service Projects, Pilgrimage, Diocesan Events
and other Children/Youth Questions
Cindy Spencer, Children/Youth Ministries Coordinator, x225
cspencer@saintmarks.org