St Mark's Episcopal Church

Scripture Discussion: Revelation for Normal People
2026-07-28 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.

Morning Prayer
2026-07-28 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-27 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-23 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-22 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-21 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-20 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-16 08:00 - 08:30, 2026-07-15 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.

Sunday Forum – Cooking Indian Cuisine with Jonake Bose
2026-07-26 11:30 - 12:30
July 26, 11:30 a.m.
An introduction to Indian cuisine and spices for those who love to cook and those who want to try new dishes at Indian restaurants!

Simple Summer Agape Coffee Hours
2026-07-26 11:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-19 11:00 - 11:30
At the helpful suggestion of several of our stalwart Agape Hosts who have been stepping in to fill frequent Sunday gaps in Agape Host sign-ups: to ease our need for Agape Hosts amidst folks’ busy summer plans, clergy will provide coffee/tea and juice and a snack from July 5 – August 30– as we continue to enjoy the truest Agape: our wonderful fellowship and conversation together after worship. We will revisit our Agape process in the fall.

10 a.m. Liturgy
2026-07-26 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

8 a.m. Liturgy in Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene
2026-07-26 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-07-19 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
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-18 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
2026-07-24 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-22 08:30 - 09:30, 2026-07-17 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-07-15 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
2026-07-23 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-07-16 19:30 - 21:00 | Sanctuary, 600 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Good Reads Book Club
2026-07-23 16:00 - 17:00
Starting this spring and into the summer, the St. Mark’s Good Reads group will be reading and discussing Fatal Discord: Erasmus, Luther, and the Fight for the Western Mind by Michael Massing. The group meets every-other week via Zoom on Thursday afternoons. 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Contact Marie Highby [ mhighby@gmail.com ] for more information and Zoom link!

About the book:

A deeply textured dual biography and fascinating intellectual history that examines two of the greatest minds of European history—Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther—whose heated rivalry gave rise to two enduring, fundamental, and often colliding traditions of philosophical and religious thought.

“A masterly work. Massing manages to juggle the complicated biographies and life work of both Erasmus and Luther while giving the reader a well-written, comprehensive background of pre-Reformation theology.” – Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An impressive, powerful intellectual history. . . A riveting dual biography [that] reveals the social, political, and religious tensions roiling 16th-century Europe. Massing focuses on the well-known rivalry between the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus and the German reformer Martin Luther to create a majestic, deeply informed portrait of their tempestuous times.” – Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Palo Alto Kendo Dojo
2026-07-22 19:00 - 21:30, 2026-07-15 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.

St. Mark’s Book Club July Selection
2026-07-21 14:00 - 15:00
Our book for July will be From Sin to Amazing Grace, by Patrick Cheng. We’ll meet on July 21 at 2:00 in the Kennedy Room to continue the discussion of Cheng’s book following the June parish read forum on June 28.

Forum Intergenerational Watercolor Workshop with Carla Bliss
2026-07-19 11:30 - 12:30
Everyone is invited to try some watercolor painting of beautiful things in nature. No experience required. All ages are welcome.

Men's Breakfast
2026-07-15 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.
