Rector's Forum
/Select Sundays after High Mass
On Sundays after the 11:00 am High Mass all are invited to the Parish Hall for the Aloha Hour when refreshments are served. On select Sundays a Rector’s Forum is offered beginning approximately at 12:30 noon.
The Gift of Unity
Sunday, August 30
This summer 2026, Father Lillie spent four weeks in Rome studying at the Centro Pro Unione, an ecumenical institute of the Roman Catholic Church and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement. Join Father Paul for this forum when he shares highlights of his studies, as well as his time in Rome. The forum will begin after the 11:00 am High Mass at approximately 12:30 noon.
Centro Pro Unione Ceiling
Past Rector’s Forums
Christianity in Rome: the Early Church, the Catacombs, and the Basilicas
March 1 and 8
On these Sundays in Lent 2026, Father Lillie and Dr. Randall Furushima spoke about the earliest Christian communities in Rome, including their worship, the catacombs, and houses of worship.
Saints Francis and Clare in Art and Theology
January and February 2026
Father Lillie presented various depictions of these two great saints in art of the ages, exploring different theological themes that illuminate their respective lives.
Guild of the Annunciation Marian Talks
Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
For one academic year on one Sunday each month, talks on the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary were offered by the parish’s Marian Society, the Guild of the Annunciation. Topics included Mary at the Foot of the Cross, Mary as Ever-Virgin, Mary as the New Rachel, Mary as the Queen Mother, Mary as the Mother of the Messiah, and Mary as the New Ark.
The Canon of the Mass
Michaelmas 2024
Eucharistic Prayers were our topic with special attention given to the Roman Canon and the Anaphora of Saint Basil.
The Gospel of Saint Mark
August 2024
Dr. Randy Furushima led a scripture study on the Gospel of Mark, as we were currently hearing this Gospel at the Sunday masses.
Anglo-Catholic Distinctions
Lent and Easter 2024
Our focus turned to our Anglo-Catholic spirituality and the theology that supports our worship. Areas of study included the incarnation and resurrection calendar cycles, Marian devotion, the liturgies of Holy Week, feasts and their respective octaves, and upcoming summer feast days.
The Advent of Christ
Advent 2023
Our focus was on the various Advents of Christ: the first coming at Bethlehem, the second coming at the Last Judgment, and the coming of Christ in the Eucharist. We also studied the Advent and Christmas Eucharistic lections, we learned about Advent Lessons and Carols Services, and we spent time understanding the roles of John the Baptist and the Blessed Virgin Mary for the season.
What is the Parish?
October 2023
We gathered to reflect upon the role of the parish in our lives at St. Mark’s and as Christians. The inspiration for this study hailed from an online lecture series given by the Rev’d Canon Alison Milbank entitled “The Once and Future Parish” at the Edward King Centre of St. Stephen’s House, Oxford.
What is the history of the parish, and why do Christians worship in community? What is the threefold ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons in the parish, and why is lay ministry and leadership absolutely essential for vibrant parishes? What are the challenges, and what are the joys of the parish structure? How are parishes to serve their communities and their neighborhoods? In our modern context, is there even a future for the parish, and what might it look like? This study wrestled with these and other questions, using scripture as a guide.
The Jewish Roots of the Eucharist and the Holy Week Liturgies
LENT 2023
We gathered for a study of the Jewish roots of the Eucharist and the Holy Week Liturgies. We used Brant Pitre’s book partially as our guide. Topics included the New Exodus and the New Passover, the Manna of the Messiah, Jesus as the Bread of Presence, and the Fourth Cup of Calvary.
The Gospel of Saint Matthew
Epiphany-tide and July 2023
As we were in the Year of Matthew, parishioner Dr. Randy Furushima lead us through a study of this text.
Advent with Mary
December 2022
Why is the Blessed Virgin Mary so important for the Christian faith? What does it mean that Mary is the Mother of God? Why is she the Queen of Saints? Other themes of Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant and the Queen Mother were explored.
The Autumn Triduum
Autumn 2022
Our focus was All Hallows, All Saints, and All Souls. Topics included the communion of saints, praying for the dead, requiem masses, the afterlife, and the resurrection of the dead.
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