Email from Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral

The Weekly Connector

November 10, 2025

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER!

Monday, Nov. 10, 6:00 pm. Mixed Blood Equitable Dinners presents Affordable Housing, registration required. More information

Sunday, Nov. 16, 11:45 am. Soup Luncheon supporting GEFS Soup Drive (see below).

Sunday, Nov. 16, 2:30 pm. Music Series String Recital featuring Mill City Quartet. Free admission. More information

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:00 pm. Voices of Reconciliation; Rev. Craig Lemming, Associate Rector of St. John the Evangelist in St. Paul, will present, followed by Q & A (see below).

Thursday, Nov. 27, 10:00 am. Thanksgiving Interfaith Service, Basilica of St. Mary. More information

Sunday, Nov. 30, 5:00 pm. Advent Service of Lessons and Carols.

NEW MONTHLY CONNECTOR:

Complete information on worship, events, and more can be found in the new Saint Mark's Monthly Connector, available in the Welcome Center and many places around the Cathedral, or online by clicking here.

Annual Giving Campaign Update:
Pledges for 2026 are rolling in!

Week 2 Update

We've received 77 pledge cards, with total pledge dollars at $372,310 so far - a great uptick from last week. Let's keep the momentum going as we work toward our goal of $1.1M!

If you've already pledged for 2026, thank you! If you haven't returned your pledge card yet, please drop it in the mail this week (using the envelope included with your annual giving campaign letter), or place it in the offering plate on Sunday.

Need a pledge card? We have extras at Saint Mark's, or you can print one here.

Our due date for all pledge cards is November 16th.

Every pledge, no matter the amount, makes a big difference. Please make your plan to support Saint Mark's by returning your pledge card for 2026. Thanks for your support of this faith community!

Donate soup to Groveland Emergency
Food Shelf's NOVEMBER SOUP DRIVE

Reliance on Groveland Emergency Food Shelf has drastically increased, now serving about 5,000 people per month. Higher food costs, decreased access to food rescue options, and government funding uncertainty make this an especially challenging time.

Each Sunday in November, Saint Mark's will be collecting canned soup for Groveland. Please drop your donation off in the Narthex or Community Room. Pop-tops are preferred, but single serve microwaveable containers or boxes of soup or ramen noodles will also be gratefully accepted.

More information

SOUP LUNCHEON supporting Groveland Emergency Food Shelf Soup Drive

Sunday, November 16

Sunday November 16, from 11:45 am - 1:00 pm, please join your Saint Mark's community for a comforting soup luncheon.

Help feed the hungry while sharing a simple meal of soup, bread and desserts. Free-will offering will be accepted to support Groveland's soup drive, and to cover luncheon costs.

You can help further by bringing canned soup for the soup drive, each Sunday in November.

Voices of Reconciliation

November 19, 7:00 pm

Join us on Wednesday, November 19th, at 7:00 pm for the third and final event in our "Voices of Reconciliation" fall series, which has highlighted pastoral leaders from a variety of faith communities of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.

Following our conversations with Canon Robert Two Bulls on his ministry with indigenous communities, and Rev. Jeckonia Okoth on his work with faith communities of other than European origin, we conclude the series with the Rev. Craig Lemming, Associate Rector of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in St. Paul. Fr. Craig is a native of Zimbabwe, a professionally trained tenor, and a passionate advocate for inclusion in Christian communities. He will share his own journey of faith and reconciliation, and the ways his experiences shape his pastoral ministry. Following his presentation there will be a facilitated Q&A session.

More information

For Such a Time as This

Wednesdays in Advent: December 3, 10, and 17, 6 pm to 8 pm

Let’s join together in the Community Room on Wednesday evenings in Advent for fellowship, food, and creativity. This intergenerational gathering will include sharing stories and conversations based on the new book For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional.

These evenings are for the entire family, no matter the number in your family, and for all ages. Similar to a worship service, we will:

· Gather for an intergenerational evening

· Communion together in a shared meal

· Listen to a reading or presentation

· Send the gifts of food warmth that we have created to those in need

December 3 will be a Pot Luck Dinner.

Using the first initial of your last name, please bring a pot luck to share from your category.

A – I Salads & Sides

J – R Entrees (both meat and vegetarian entrees needed)

S – Z Desserts

To assist diners, please supply a note card with the name of the dish and a list of ingredients. If supplying a container or serving utensil, please mark your name on those items. A piece of masking tape works well as a label and you can use a Sharpie to write your name. Please collect your container and serving utensil before you leave for the evening. All foods to be served warm need should arrive already heated.

Any questions about this evening, please contact Joyce Hoelzer, at jrhh5comm@proton.me or 763-762-6998.

Please come and join in as we prepare ourselves this Advent, with renewed inspiration and hope, for the approaching birth of Jesus Christ into our world!

Season of Hope Brunch

Sunday, December 14

Plan now to attend and prepare your hearts as we nourish each other with food and fellowship at the Season of Hope Brunch.

WHAT: All-church Advent brunch

WHO: Saint Mark's Community

WHERE: Community Room

WHEN: Sunday December 14th 8:30 am -10:30 am

HOW: It takes a village to feed a church family. As you are able, please use the link below to contribute food or volunteer to help with serving. Sharing food and volunteering are welcomed but not required to attend this free event. The link below will provide further information. Further questions? Contact Inez Bergquist 651-260-6312 or Lois Satterberg 612-310-5825.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FAEAE2FABFCC43-58891852-christmas#/

Altar Guild Christmas Poinsettia Memorials

The Altar Guild would like to invite you to purchase a poinsettia as a memorial to, or in honor of, a special loved one this Christmas.

To make a Christmas Flower contribution, fill out a Memorial Flowers card found at either entrance to the Nave. Ask an usher for an envelope if you need one, and include your $40 payment for each honor/memorial. Make check payable to Saint Mark's Epioscopal Cathedral. Place the envelope and payment in the collection plate or mail it back to Saint Mark’s. Thank you for covering the cost of postage.

The names of those to be honored/remembered will be included in our Christmas worship bulletins if they are received by the church office by December 17. If you have any questions, call Deacon Terry at 612-870-7800.

WELLS FOUNDATION GRANT SPOTLIGHT

University Episcopal Community (UEC)

The Wells Foundation is an independent non-profit charitable foundation managed by Saint Markans, granting funds to organizations serving the needs of our communities.

Here is one of the organizations supported:

The University Episcopal Community (UEC) in Minneapolis is a vibrant campus ministry cultivating connection, spiritual growth, and belonging among college students and young adults. Addressing the prevalent loneliness many 20-somethings experience — 22% report having no friendships and 70% report fewer than three meaningful interactions per day — UEC strives to offer a nurturing space where individuals can slow down, share stories, partake in meals, and practice prayer together.

UEC hosts Sunday gatherings, intentional shared living in the 417 House, and leadership development all centered around compassionate fellowship and service.

For more information on The University Episcopal Community, visit https://www.universityepiscopalcommunity.org/. To learn about the Wells Foundation, visit www.wellsfound.org.