St Mark's Episcopal Church

Parish Picnic
2026-05-24 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Our annual Parish Picnic at Hoover Park will be Sunday, May 24, immediately after the 10:00 service. Food will be provided, but parishioners are also invited to bring a favorite salad to share (fruit, potato, bean, pasta, etc.) The event is being organized by the Men of St. Mark’s. Want to help with this event? Sign up at this link.

Pentecost Jazz Eucharist
2026-05-24 10:00 - 23:30
We will celebrate Pentecost with a Jazz Eucharist and other festive liturgy at 10:00 a.m. followed immediately by our Annual Parish Picnic at Hoover Park.

10 a.m. Liturgy
2026-05-24 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

8 a.m. Liturgy in Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene
2026-05-24 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-05-17 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.

Taoist Tai Chi
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00
Taoist Tai Chi introductory sessions are held at St. Mark’s Palo Alto in the Parish Hall every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Beginners are welcome to join a Taoist Tai Chi™ arts introductory sessions at any time. Group leaders will guide you through the practice which is part of an ancient tradition dating back to the 13th century. Read their Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.

Centering Prayer
2026-05-22 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-20 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-05-15 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-13 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
2026-05-21 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-14 19:30 - 21:00 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Morning Prayer
2026-05-21 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-20 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-19 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-18 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-14 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-13 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-05-12 08:00 - 08:30 | Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
All are welcome for morning prayers in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Palo Alto Kendo Dojo
2026-05-20 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-05-13 19:00 - 21:30
Kendo is a Japanese martial art descended from kenjutsu, the traditional sword practice of the samurai. Centuries ago, practitioners developed the shinai (training sword) and kendo-gu (protective equipment) to allow for full-speed practice without the risk of injury. Modern kendo continues this tradition while incorporating a competitive sporting aspect.

If you are interested in joining, we encourage you to observe one of our practices. This will provide an opportunity to learn more about kendo and our dojo’s specific approach to training.

Please contact us ahead of time to schedule your visit at info@paloaltokendo.org. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Men's Breakfast
2026-05-20 07:00 - 08:00
The Men’s Breakfast is open to all men of St. Mark’s. We meet every other Wednesday morning at 7:15 a.m. in the Parish Library. We typically choose a book to discuss based on a consensus of what’s on the minds of our members. Breakfast is truly spirit driven with folks bringing what they like, or nothing but themselves…all are welcome! Lively and open discussion are always on the menu.

Scripture Discussion: Revelation for Normal People
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:30
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.

St. Mark's May Book Club
2026-05-19 14:00 - 15:00
The May book for the St. Mark’s Book Club will be American Midnight: The Great War, a Violent Peace, and Democracy’s Forgotten Crisis by Adam Hochschild. Rob Nielson will lead the discussion. The date is May 19, 2:00, Kennedy Room.

Canon for Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice Forum
2026-05-17 11:30 - 12:30
On May 17, we will host the Very Rev. Eric Metoyer, our diocese’s Canon for Racial, Social, and Environmental Justice, as our guest preacher and forum speaker. Rev. Metoyer has served the Diocese of California and the wider Episcopal Church as the Province VIII Convener of Multi-Cultural Ministries; a deputy to General Convention (Standing Committee on the State of the Church, Legislative Committee on Racial Reconciliation); convener of the California Public Policy Network, meeting on Climate Change and Environmental Racism; and he is a frequent speaker and panelist on congregational development and multi-cultural ministries in The Episcopal Church.
On that day, we will also collect a plate offering for the Ecumenical Hunger Program. For over fifty years, EHP has provided compassionate, dignified assistance to families and individuals experiencing economic and personal hardship in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and surrounding communities. Through food distribution, Back to School programs for children, community gardening, emergency support services, advocacy work and more, EHP offers an essential lifeline for our neighbors in need. Those who wish to give online can do so here.

Ascension Day Service at Stanford Memorial Church
2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, May 14, Stanford Canterbury Progressive Christian Campus Ministry will host an Ascension Day service beginning at 7pm. As part of their shared ministry with the Lutheran church, they will welcome three bishops at that special service!
You can find out more about Stanford Canterbury here and see a calendar of other services hosted at Stanford Memorial Church here.

Good Reads Book Club
2026-05-14 16:00 - 17:00
In March, the Good Reads group will be reading and discussing Ophelia by Lisa Klein.
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!

Immigration & Apocalypse ft. Prof. Yii-Jan Lin
2026-05-13 16:30 - 17:30
