April 4, 2020   ·   325 PARK AVENUE AT 51ST STREET  212-378-0222    ·     STBARTS.ORG
A Journey We Could Not Imagine

Here we are, at the end of Lent…and it’s been a journey, the likes of which we could not have imagined. Our lives have been turned upside down by a virus – a novel coronavirus – which has spread like wildfire, with effects just as devastating. The disruption of our normal routines has made the whole notion of a “Lenten discipline” seem moot, and the season has passed in a blur.

Here we are, ready to enter Jerusalem with Jesus. Only this year we must do it without our usual fanfare, without waving palms and crying hosanna, at least without doing it together, which renders the triumphal entry more like a game of hide and seek (or avoiding land mines?) as we sequester ourselves to avoid infection, never knowing where or how we might encounter contagion.

Here we are, walking towards the cross with Jesus, filled with dread; grief and shock seeping into our very bones. How will we go on?

And yet – here we are, with Jesus. Here we are with Jesus who faced the cross, who would not turn back, who triumphed over an ignominious death to show us, once and for all, that love wins.

That is the same love that binds us together in this time of crisis, the love that fuels our on-line worship, our Zoom classes, our phone and email and text connections; the same love that empowers our care givers to go on when their resources – mental, physical, and material - are depleted, the same love that fills our prayers.

So here we are, ready to enter Holy Week , a Holy Week the likes of which we cannot imagine. As we embark on this journey, may we be surrounded by God’s presence, and buoyed by God’s love, and reassured by the knowledge that when all is said and done, love wins.

Hosanna in the highest!

The Reverend Kris Lewis-Theerman
Interim Associate Rector and Director, Children, Youth and Family Formation
JOIN US ON SUNDAY
The Liturgy of Palms & Holy Eucharist at 11am this Sunday, April 5: Tune into our livestream as we joyfully celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and solemnly remember Jesus' final moments on earth. The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, Rector, preaches.
Download our service leaflet with hymns and prayers to follow along with us as we livestream worship from the church on our website , Facebook Live and You Tube . Read our tips and tricks for worship online.

The Forum: "Social Justice & COVID-19: Caring for All in a Time of Pandemic" 10 am: The Reverend Susan Anderson-Smith, Associate Rector for Justice and Reconciliation talks with the Reverend Peter Thompson about justice issues related to the novel coronavirus. How can we act with integrity and ensure the well-being of all in this strange and scary moment? The Forum will streamed live on our website, Facebook Live and You Tube. Please email questions for our Forum speaker to the Reverend Peter Thompson. You may also post questions in the comments section during the YouTube and Facebook livestreams.
Holy Week begins this Sunday, April 5 with Palm Sunday and continues through Saturday morning, April 11. It is the final week in Lent, and also the week leading up to Easter. Holy Week tells a powerful story of change—a story that continues to change the world, and to change people’s lives. Join us Tuesday, April 8 at 6 pm for the Stations of the Cross, Maundy Thursday, April 9 and Good Friday, April 10 for the Seven Last Words.

St. Bart's Creation Care Task Force will meet via Zoom this Sunday, April 5 at 12:30 pm to discuss Earth Month programs. All are welcome.

The St. Bart's 20s/30s Group is meeting online each Sunday for virtual coffee hour. Join with other Young Adults from St. Bart's for a casual time of community and conversation immediately following the 11 am service. Newcomers welcome!

Atheism for Lent St. Bart's group will meet via Zoom this Sunday, April 5 at 1 pm to reflect on an online course about the connection between faith and doubt curated by the theologian Peter Rollins.

St. Tabitha's Guild will knit at a distance, this Sunday, April 5 from 2 to 4 pm via Zoom as we work on a variety of projects for Crossroads Community, the Seamen’s Institute, and baby garments for a young mothers’ shelter. All are welcome.

Living Christ Sangha: Each Sunday afternoon at 3 pm a group meets online for meditation practice, ending by 4:45 pm. They also meet on Wednesdays at 6 pm. All are welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. The practices are simple and instructions are provided. Our weekly practice consists of sitting meditation, walking meditation, a Dharma reading and sharing as well as feedback for future sessions.

Our Children, Youth and Family Ministries are continuing online. Youth @ The Center is organizing virtual meetups with our youth, and the Reverend Kris Lewis-Theerman and Dent Davidson are emailing families each week with activities they can do at home. Contact the Reverend Kris Lewis-Theerman if you'd like to be added to this email list.

COMING UP
Morning and Evening Meditations from St. Bart's
We are pleased to partner with The Episcopal Church
on a series of morning and evening meditations with St. Bart's clergy from March 23 through April 5. These meditations are posted at 8 am and 8 pm at stbarts.org home page and on our Calendar. They are also in shared in playlist on our YouTube Channel and shared on Facebook.

Centering Prayer is adding more sessions this week and will gather on Zoom Monday, April 6 at 7pm, Wednesday, April 8 at 5 pm and Friday, April 10 at 9 am. Experience a few moments of peace and comfort through the contemplative practice of centering prayer. Newcomers welcome! To join our email list to receive updates on centering prayer, contact Manny Rodriguez.

To join our Weekly Bible Study online, contact the Reverend Kris Lewis-Theerman.
The St. Bart's Chapter of Episcopal Peace Fellowship will meet to offer prayers for peace at this time on Wednesday, April 8 at 6 pm. All are welcome.

Crossroads Community Services is still providing food and shelter to those in need in this most challenging moment. Demand is increasing as more people are feeling the economic impact steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. Please consider volunteering, if you are able to do so, and please keep this essential ministry in your prayers.

The Peace Book Club will meet Sunday, April 19 at 1 pm to discuss God for Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter. This book features the hope, faith, courage and wisdom of some spiritual powerhouses that are particularly relevant for our time. All are welcome.

Join Us on Instagram: During this time of social distancing and increasing isolation, we need more than ever to look for moments of joy, signs of hope, a glimpse of beauty. And one way we can share these is on Instagram. The Reverend Kris Lewis-Theerman will serve as guest curator on St. Bart’s Instagram over the next few weeks, posting photos from daily walks and other places she finds inspiration. You, too, can participate. Post your photos and tag @stbartsnyc; suggested hashtags #stbartsnyc #joy #findingbeauty #hope. Or email your photos to Kris and with your permission she will post them on St. Bart’s Instagram.
Please continue to support St. Bart's: If you have not yet made your 2020 pledge to St. Bart's, please make a pledge and set up recurring credit card payments. If you have an existing pledge, please fulfill your pledge with credit card payments. Credit card gifts are preferred while our mail is only being collected once a week by a staff member, and your gift may not be acknowledged and processed in as timely a manner as we would like. Your gifts help us keep bringing services, meditations, comfort, and connection to individuals across NYC and beyond. Thank you for your generosity.