2026 Ice Skating Party
The winter ice skating party is a relatively recent St. Mark’s tradition, but it has deep roots within our St. Mark’s community. Our neighbor the Winter Lodge was established in 1956, meaning that St. Mark’s members have enjoyed a neighborhood ice skating rink for nearly the entire time our parish has existed!
This year, our event organizers were Kathy Chen, whose daughters participate in skating programs and even work at the Winter Lodge, and Virginia Rock, whose mother Cosette was an accomplished figure skater and beloved St. Mark’s parishioner. Virginia even wore her mother’s skating team sweater!
On January 25, we gathered at the ice rink for games, twirls, and wintertime treats. We enjoyed hot cocoa and cookies courtesy of Virginia and her husband Jeremy, and a crowd-pleasing stack of pizzas delivered by the Chen family.
This was the first Winter Ice Skating Party attended by our new rector, Rev. Kirsten Spalding, who did a number of turns on the ice. Her son Macy also joined us!
The Winter Ice Skating Party is an intergenerational, all-parish event, with ice skating as an optional activity. We were delighted to welcome parishioners of all ages, on and off the ice!
Call it providence or coincidence, but Trinity Menlo Park’s youth group was also hosting an ice skating party on the same night, so we were able to set up near each other, share snacks and make connections. St. Mark’s is piloting a combined youth group with the Trinity youth program, making this a great opportunity to start building community among our young people and the adults who minister to them.
Our Minister of Children, Youth, and Families, Lily Dodge, fills many shoes at St. Mark’s, but ice skates aren’t on the list. In an attempt to keep our prayer list from growing longer, Lily stayed off the ice and instead hosted games and conversation by the fire.
Thanks to all who contributed and participated!
