St Mark's Episcopal Church

10 a.m. Liturgy
2025-12-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-23 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-11-16 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

8 a.m. Liturgy in Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene
2025-12-07 08:00 - 09:30, 2025-11-30 08:00 - 09:30, 2025-11-23 08:00 - 09:30 | Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Join us for a spoken 8:00 a.m. service from the Book of Common Prayer held in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene.

Ordination of Debie Thomas
2025-12-06 15:00 - 16:30 | CA
Our Seminarian, Debie Thomas, will be ordained at Grace Cathedral on December 6 at 3:00 p.m. We are organizing carpools to leave together from St. Mark’s at 1:30 – sign up here!

Centering Prayer
2025-12-05 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-12-03 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-11-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-11-26 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-11-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-11-19 08:30 - 09:30 | Kennedy Room – St. Marks, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, California, 94306
Gather to spend time with God in quiet communion and Centering Prayer

Choir Rehearsal
2025-12-04 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-11-27 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-11-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Scripture Discussion: Revelation for Normal People
2025-12-02 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:30 | CA
Starting in November, the Scripture Discussion group will be reading and discussing Revelation.
We read aloud passages of Scripture and then have discussions following Study Guide materials. All are welcome; no prior Scripture background is needed,
The group meets every-other week in the Kennedy Room (or the Library) on Tuesday Evenings 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Contact Ken Bencala [kenbnc@hotmail.com] for more information.
For our discussions we will be using the Study Guide Revelation for Normal People: A Guide to the Strangest and Most Dangerous Book in the Bible by Robyn J. Whitaker
It has never been more important to read Revelation well. Whether you love it, hate it, or avoid it like the plague, the last book of the Bible’s influence permeates our cultural, political, and religious landscapes. From the so-bad-they’re…still bad actually…Left Behind series, to conspiracy theories about microchips and barcodes, to all-too-real political discourse and actions, John’s visions in Revelation reach far beyond anything their ancient author could have imagined. But what did John imagine? Who was he writing for and why? And what’s the deal with all the hideous horned beasts? Join New Testament scholar Robyn Whitaker as she uncovers the real-world contexts behind this ancient apocalyptic text. A world occupied by an oppressive empire, a marginalized people, and a God committed to justice. Where a beast overthrown was a declaration of authority and a falling star was a statement of evil’s demise. Where symbols gave voice to resistance and visions provided a glimpse of hope. A world utterly and entirely ancient. Only when we understand Revelation’s ancient contexts can we begin to find meaning from it for our own.

Advent Festival
2025-11-30 16:00 - 18:30 | CA
Advent Festival – Wreath-Making, Lessons & Carols, and Dinner – Nov. 30

Come celebrate the beginning of the holy season of Advent with a festival for all ages! We’ll begin with wreath-making on the fountain patio at 4:00 p.m. (all supplies provided). Then we’ll process into the church at 5:00 p.m. for a candlelit service of Lessons and Carols, followed by a delicious and festive dinner in Parish Hall. This event is a wonderful and time-honored way to usher in the new church year. ALL ARE WELCOME, so invite friends and family to join you! And if you might be able to offer a ride to nearby parishioners who don’t drive at night, please email Rev. Nancy at nancy@saint-marks.com.

Advent Forum
2025-11-30 11:30 - 12:30 | CA
Join us each Sunday in Advent for a special forum after the 10:00 a.m. service. Led by Rev. Kirsten Spalding, these forums will include discussion of scripture and theology, our Episcopal traditions and our call to action at St. Mark’s in this season of preparation & hope.

Yoga with Alan Twhigg
2025-11-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-22 11:00 - 12:00 | CA
Parishioner Alan Twhigg, a trained yoga instructor, is offering free yoga classes on Saturdays, November 8, 15, 22, and 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Room. All are welcome to this meditative practice. Register here.

Building & Grounds Work Day
2025-11-29 09:00 - 12:00 | CA
Saturday November 29 is our last workday of the year, beginning at 9:00 and ending around 12:00.
The tasks we hope to accomplish include focused cleaning inside the church, especially cleaning the pew cushions, dusting, vacuuming, windows and miscellaneous tasks. We will also do any cleaning in other meeting rooms as needed. Outside areas requiring attention would be the parking lot areas walkways.
Any amount of time you can give is appreciated whether you arrive early or anytime later in the morning. It is a good opportunity to meet and socialize with members of our community especially if you are new to St. Mark’s. Many thanks in advance for your help from the Building and Grounds Commission.
If you have any questions about the day, please contact Mary Murphy or Marius Milner by email: mkemur@yahoo.com and mariusm@gmail.com

Good Reads October Book Club
2025-11-27 16:00 - 17:00 | CA
In November, the Good Reads Book Group will be reading and discussing Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus by Elaine Pagels.
The group meets bi-monthly via Zoom on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. Contact Marie Highby at mhighby@gmail.com for the Zoom link!

Thanksgiving Service
2025-11-27 10:00 - 11:30 | CA
Join us at 10:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 27 in the Chapel for our traditional Rite 1 Thanksgiving service. Pie will be served afterwards.

Choral Evensong at St. Bede's
2025-11-23 17:00 - 18:30 | CA
Join us at Christ Church Los Altos for the second of this season’s combined choir evensongs, featuring singers, organists, and directors from Christ Church Los Altos, Christ Church Portola Valley, St. Bede’s Menlo Park, and St. Mark’s!
A reception follows the service.

Diaconate Forum
2025-11-23 11:30 - 12:30 | CA
What is a Deacon? What does a Deacon do in the church? As we prepare to celebrate Debie Thomas’s ordination, join Rev. Kirsten for a forum to learn all about Deacons!

St. Marks Book Club
2025-11-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Kennedy Room – St. Marks, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, California, 94306
The St. Mark’s Book Club is a group of dedicated readers who gather to discuss great books! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m.
The November book for the St. Mark’s Book Group is Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck by Sophie Elmhirst. Nadine O’Leary will lead our discussion.
Email Kathy Gillam, kgillamk@stanford.edu, for more information and to be added to the group email.

Pilgrimage Forum with Rev. Nancy
2025-11-16 11:30 - 12:30 | CA
What is pilgrimage about? What is the Camino de Santiago de Compostela like? Join us for a forum to see pictures and hear a few stories from Rev. Nancy about her recent walking pilgrimage undertaken as both a spiritual practice and a joyful, fun thing to do (not mutually exclusive!) – and bring your own stories to share of pilgrimages you have been on and what they meant to you.
