Becoming
Becoming a Member
Becoming a Member
Exploring Life at Saint Mark's
To best support your unique connection to Saint Mark’s, we will help you explore life as part of the Cathedral congregation. We have a diverse team of companions to walk with you and to assist you in connecting in whatever ways feel most appropriate at this stage of your life.
Becoming a Member
We welcome you into the community of Saint Mark’s and are delighted that you’re interested in deepening your relationship with Jesus! Please know that our desire is to support and guide you on your pathway of faith, which can lead to membership, but membership is not the main goal. The main goal for each of us is to grow as a disciple of Jesus, sharing God's love with our neighbors.
We encourage you to take advantage of any number of opportunities to discover more about who we are, and in doing so, you may discover more about yourself and your unique wants and needs for community support, encouragement, and maybe even mutual accountability. Our aim is to help you identify meaningful ways for you to stretch your understanding of neighbor and to practice loving service with them in ways that both affirm and challenge you and that contribute to the building up of the kingdom among us.
Prayer, Study & Service
As a growing disciple, a member of Saint Mark's will focus on a rhythm of life. Prayer, Study, and Service are practices that occur every day at home, and they are also practices that happen in community, as we grow in our faith together.
Prayer: Attending worship regularly, in person and virtually, and cultivate a personal life of prayer to attune your heart and mind to God’s heart and mind.
Study: Reading some portion of Scripture daily and engage in ongoing classes and small groups that develop a personal practice of study, considering both the past and present thinking about church and the world, to better understand God and God’s world.
Service: Participating in God’s mission and manifest your faith for the common good. In your daily life, there may be many ways that you are serving others within your personal community.
Growing and Connecting
Opportunities to grow as members of Saint Mark's and to be transformed as disciples are numerous. The following are the core programs to explore as you continue the path to membership and commitment at Saint Mark's.
Newcomer Gathering
Each month, we offer a gathering for all who are new and beginning to explore Saint Mark's and the Episcopal church. The gathering is held at 12 p.m. in the Heritage Room on the second Sunday of each month.
Episcopal 101 and 201
Beginning Sunday, September 22 | 9:15 a.m. in the Heritage Room
This course is for anyone who is simply interested in who we are as a church, as well as for those who are considering membership in the Cathedral or Confirmation in the Episcopal Church. Episcopal 101 is more introductory, and 201 going more in depth. You are welcome to join one or both.
Way of Love
Beginning Tuesday, October 29 | 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Small faith-based groups are ideal for building our relationships with God and with one another. When we meet together for conversation, reflection, learning and prayer, we can also discover how we might serve God’s people as we follow the Way of Jesus.
The Way of Love is just such a group. This 6-week online group experience explores The Way of Love and its seven practices – Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go and Rest.
The 6-week series will be Tuesdays, October 29-December 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Group leaders are Joan Olson and Lois Satterberg.
This discussion will use the Way of Love: A Practice Guide to Following Jesus as its primary resource. This book is available for purchase from the Cathedral Bookshop.
Identity Groups
Small groups provide the opportunity to connect with other people in a manner that is deeper than a regular hospitality gathering. Examples include youth, men, LGBTQ, young adults, and children.
Round Table Dinner & Discussion
Beginning Wednesday, October 16 | 6 p.m.
One of the most important fellowship and learning opportunities is our annual series of Round Table discussions.
Dates and Topics:
- Oct. 16 Being Served: the faith foundations of servant discipleship; why is it easier to serve than to be served?
- Oct. 23 Serving Watchwords: grace, love, boundaries.
- Oct. 30 Experiencing Serving: a moderated conversation with several Saint Markans sharing how they have answered the call.
Members of the St. Mark’s community will lead these sessions. Plan to come to learn, fellowship, and, as always enjoy wine, cheese, and wonderful soup!
Gospel Based Discipleship
This is a small group opportunity that combines study of Scripture with reflection on our spiritual lives. Focusing on the Gospel selection prescribed for the upcoming Sunday, we ask three questions, reading the passage each time. We meet every Friday at 12:15 p.m. via Zoom. Click the "Learn More" link below for the Zoom link and more information.
Additional Information
Transfer of Membership
If you have been a member of a different Episcopal congregation, you may have your membership transferred to Saint Mark’s. Please contact your former church and request a transfer to the attention of Mary Lusk. While the Episcopal 101 classes are not required with a membership transfer, we believe that by attending those and other offerings, you will become better acquainted with our community and the common language that we share. And, we hope that you will celebrate your membership at Saint Mark’s by joining us on one of the Membership Sundays.
Submit a Pledge of Financial Support
Saint Mark's is a pledging community, in which every member commits a meaningful portion of their income to support the mission and ministry of this cathedral community. It is your financial support that ensures Saint Mark's is here both for you and for the world around us. To pledge, visit our Annual Giving page, or pick up a pledge card at the cathedral or call the cathedral business office at (612) 870-7800.
Membership Sundays
Membership Sundays are a time to share in a commitment with the congregation of Saint Mark’s during Sunday morning worship services. Twice a year, we welcome, incorporate, and celebrate new members into our shared life at Saint Mark's. This occurs during Sunday worship around the baptismal fount with shared commitments and prayers. Membership is a commitment and you will know when you are ready. One way to prepare for membership is joining the Episcopal 101 classes.
Upcoming Membership Sunday dates are November 3, 2024, and early May 2025.
