Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be an Episcopalian to come here?
Everyone is welcome at Saint Mark’s. Whether you are in your first steps toward seeking God, or if you are confirmed in your faith; if you are a long-time member of another denomination, or a tentative believer with no denominational affiliation; if you are a person of another faith or of no faith at all; this is a house of prayer for all people.
How can I get involved?
Almost everything we do here depends on the active participation of people like you to volunteer and there are lots of ways to get involved. For example:
Make soup to feed the hungry at the Saturday Soup Bowl, or come to serve soup on Saturday mornings
Bag and pass out groceries to the needy at the Food Cupboard on weekday mornings
Teach Schola for kids or help with Summer Choir Camp in August
Serve at the altar as an acolyte
Help with food and party prep for Sunday coffee hour and other social events
Learn about the Christian tradition at the 10 a.m. Sunday Forum
Welcome people to Saint Mark's as an usher
Volunteer to plant, weed, and water in the Gardens
Pray more frequently and intentionally at daily Mass or at Morning or Evening Prayer each day
Who may receive communion here?
Everyone is welcome at the Lord’s Table. Following ancient custom, communion is normally received by those who have been baptized into the Body of Christ (in any denomination). Others who come forward to the Altar Rail may receive a blessing in Christ’s name.
Who was Saint Mark?
According to ancient tradition, Mark is the author of one of the four Gospels that tell of the life and ministry of Jesus. Most scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was the first one written. The writers of the Gospels are known as ‘evangelists’ – those who proclaim the good news. The tradition suggests that Saint Mark may well be the person identified as ‘John Mark’ in the Book of Acts, who was the cousin of Saint Barnabas and a close friend of Saint Peter. The symbol of Saint Mark is a winged lion, often depicted with a book of his Gospel.
How do I become a member?
Everyone who worships with us on any kind of regular basis becomes, in a real sense, a member of this community: someone whose prayers, gifts, and hopes are joined to the life of this parish church in a meaningful way.
Those who come to us from other denominations or religious traditions and would like to consider becoming members of the Episcopal Church and Saint Mark’s should speak to one of the clergy about preparation for Confirmation or Reception into the church. This preparation usually consists of participation in a group that meets for several weeks during Lent.
For more information please see the Membership section of the site.
Can I make my confession here? Should I?
The clergy of the parish are available to hear confessions on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. by St. John’s Altar, and by appointment. The practice of telling one’s sins to a priest is meant to help in two ways: first, by helping to accept responsibility for the things we’ve done wrong or failed to do at all; and second, by reassuring the penitent person of God’s over-flowing mercy and the limitlessness of God’s forgiveness. Confession, or reconciliation, as it is often called, is meant to be a path to freedom and hope not punishment and shame.
Where can I park?
Parking in center city Philadelphia is not always easy, but on Sunday mornings it is a little easier at Saint Mark’s. On Sundays and on evenings when we have special services parking is available on the ‘wrong’ side of the street (i.e. where it is normally prohibited) to those displaying an “Attending Saint Mark’s” permit on their dashboards. These permits are available from an usher, or on the shelves just inside the main doors of the church. Detailed information on parking is available in the Getting Here section of the site. We are also convenient to a variety of public transportation options.
Our Vision
Saint Mark’s is a welcoming church that seeks to grow through spiritual nourishment, evangelism, and outreach; bearing witness, in the Anglo-catholic tradition, to God’s grace in Philadelphia and in the wider church.
Our Values
Saint Mark’s is a loving community that values:
reverent sacramental worship
gracious hospitality
generous outreach
comprehensive Christian formation