A reflection on Philippians 2 and what it means to have the mind of Christ — through curiosity, listening to one another's stories, and slowing down enough to be surprised.

A reflection on God's provision of manna in the wilderness — and what the slow, daily work of forming new habits teaches us about transitions in both our spiritual lives and our public life.

A reflection on nursing grudges, seeking vindication, and what Jesus really means when he tells Peter to forgive seventy-seven times — not a target to hit, but an invitation to stop counting altogether.

Jesus said, "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a

Sometimes seeing a burning bush is less about a startling apparition and more about how closely we're willing to look. A Homecoming Sunday reflection on wonder, rest, and reconnecting with parish life.

A Google typo, a pilgrimage to Rome, and the Book of Numbers converge in this reflection on the biblical meaning of the number 30 — and what it means to keep our promises.

We had a full and beautiful summer here at St. Mark's. One highlight was the incredible residency our choir had at Salisbury Cathedral and St. Paul's, London, under the direction of Jon Johnson. It was a transformative experience for all who participated. Choir members will continue sharing their reflections from that time this Sunday morning at 9:15 in Gish Hall. We hope you will come! The amount of preparation and work that goes into a pilgrimage cannot be underestimated, a

“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim)…Romans 10:8 Paul writes in his letter to the Romans reminding them that God means for each of us to find the abundant goodness of life in Christ. That truth is near to us and made real in the telling of it, on our lips and in our hearts. Sixty-five or so of my closest friends and I just returned from a rich and meaningful time in the UK, as the St. Mark's Choir took up residen

The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone… From Genesis 32:22-31 This Sunday we hear the story of Jacob wrestling the angel at night. It is a powerful encounter as he prepares to reckon with the fullness of his life. He's on his way back home to deal with the brother he betrayed. The years

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” From Romans 8:26-39 I was able to spend two weeks at the end of June at Green Bough House of Prayer. It is my spiritual home, and extended time there renews me in ways few other places do. I love the rhythm of life there

In my sixth St. Mark's choir pilgrimage, I've learned that these journeys mean many surprises. In fact, you can count on it! (Fish pedicures in Exeter, anyone?) Before we arrived in Salisbury, we knew we'd be discovering this vibrant city and, of course, the Cathedral. What we didn't know was that we would also discover a city within the city…a green oasis called the Cathedral Close. "Close" is a versatile word, but here it's used to describe an enclosed space. The Close surp

Singing in the Cathedral is an experience during which everything is heightened: desires for accomplishment and communication, fears of failure and distraction, openness to direction and deeply reassuring words, gratitude for composers and musicians whose music carries people to again feel their faith fully (at least while they listen and when they remember being carried). Speaking as an old hippie, it's quite a trip. Though surprised at my physical limitations, weariness, ph

I normally see myself as a pretty competent, easygoing person, but the time leading up to this trip/pilgrimage was rife with anxieties: will I remember everything I "need" to take, could I manage going outside my daily routine of maintenance, would I be able to sing the music well enough, etc. However, when I answer the question posed to me in our reflection booklet, "What does the word 'pilgrimage' mean to you?," my answer includes—journey, search, clarification, new meaning

The tour has been delightful. Much of it has been spent connecting with people. Groups form and break and reform. I didn't realize how much the size and walkability of the town would matter for chance encounters. On walks and outside restaurants, one can spot others and start conversations that would never happen otherwise. I have deeply enjoyed slow breakfasts and hearing about what people will do that day. Slow and deliberate days lead to walks on the cathedral grounds and

St. Mark's Choir in Salisbury Cathedral, July 2026 After landing at Heathrow outside London, the St. Mark's choir stopped at Windsor on the way to Salisbury. I visited the Windsor Parish Church, where, as a St. Mark's singer, I paid attention to the choir stalls and the organ — a large 19th-century instrument with three manuals and 60 stops. From there, the choir continued on to Salisbury. On our second day, some of us took an optional trip to Portsmouth, where a walking path

“And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on g

Dear Friends, At long last the St. Mark's Choir and Senior Choristers have reached their goal, and we'll soon begin our journey together at two of England's finest cathedrals. Our choirs have evolved immensely over the course of the past three years since our last pilgrimage. It is a privilege and honor to serve with them in a total of nine Evensongs and four Choral Eucharists over the course of two weeks. In her letter to the choir pilgrims, the Rev. Ann Fraser states, "A pi

He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. (Genesis 22:10-11) Jesus said, “…whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-- truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42) What is it that God requires of us? In Genesis this week, we have the weighty story of the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. Abraham is asked

They said to Abraham "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There, in the tent." Then one said, "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?" - Genesis 18:9-12 Well, i

O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — Collect for the Sunday Closest to June 8 As many of you know, Vacation Bible School week is one of my favorite weeks of the year. Now that we have a full-day program with Music Camp, it's even better. The kids a