SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 · 325 PARK AVENUE AT 51ST STREET  212-378-0222 · STBARTS.ORG
"Filling in the Blanks"
by the Reverend Peter Thompson
Bartholomew is a strange saint for a church to choose as a namesake. We know that he existed, yet we know hardly anything else about him. He is mentioned four times in the Bible but only as part of a larger list of disciples in each case. One of the Gospels, John, doesn’t mention him at all. 
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
ST. BART'S DAY!

This Sunday we mark the Feast of St. Bartholomew
by celebrating our wonderful community established in his name.

Download our service leaflet to follow along with us as we livestream worship from the church on our website, Facebook and YouTube. Read our tips and tricks for worship online.

The clergy of St. Bart’s reflect on the parish’s response to COVID-19 and share plans for the coming year. The Forum will be streamed on our website, Facebook Live and YouTube.

In place of coffee hour on St. Bart's Day, this Sunday, September 27 at 12:30 pm the Wardens and Rector will hold a virtual town hall meeting to discuss steps towards re-gathering for in-person worship. Please join us. Click here to register to attend.

We remain very appreciative of your continued strong support for the ministries of St. Barts. Fall has historically been the busiest time of year for Stewardship with a substantial proportion of our annual goal being met with fourth quarter pledges and gifts. This year is no different, though in this unusual year it is more important than ever that we meet that goal given the other revenue losses that St. Bart's continues to face. Thank you so very much for your generosity and participation in this effort.
MEET US AFTER CHURCH

for a list of groups meeting after church each week.
Newcomers welcome to all groups!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Saturday, September 26 at 12 pm
In honor of St. Bart’s Day this coming Sunday, three St. Bart’s “alumni”—The Reverend Brandon Ashcraft of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, TX, The Reverend Margaret McGhee of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, FL and The Reverend Michael Kurth of Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Wilmington, DE—join Associate Rector Peter Thompson in a conversation about who St. Bartholomew was and why this community gathered in his name is such a special one.

Sunday, October 4 at 2 pm
Each year, in observance of the Feast of St. Francis, we celebrate the beauty of God’s creation and bless the furry creatures who provide joy and companionship in our lives. This year, our Blessing of the Animals will take place virtually via Zoom. We plan on incorporating a slideshow of our beloved animal friends as part of the festivities. Please submit a photo of your pet by Thursday, October 1: central@stbarts.org.

PARISH LIFE
Proceeds from an upcoming auction of 15,000 items from the historic Waldorf Astoria will benefit St. Bartholomew’s Conservancy and their ongoing work of restoration and preservation of the exteriors of St. Bartholomew's Church, Community House, and gardens. Online bidding and in person previews beginning on October 3. 

Do you have a talent for arranging flowers?
Our flower guild is seeking volunteers able come to to the church and make altar flower arrangements for our Sunday morning livestream service. Contact Manny Rodríguez if you can help.

WEEKLY ADULT FORMATION
Centering Prayer
Mondays at 7 pm, Wednesdays at 5 pm, and Fridays 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.

Tuesdays, September 8 - 29, 6:30-7:30 pm
Are you interested in bridging the gap between the image of God you hear about in Church and your everyday life? Dana Catharine, a St. Bart’s parishioner and experienced workshop facilitator, aims to help you do just that in this four-week exploration of Celtic spirituality. Known especially for its enthusiastic embrace of the natural world, Celtic spirituality is a form of Christianity rooted in the ancient traditions of Scotland and Ireland.

Wednesdays, September 16 - October 28, 6:30-8 pm
This seven week class, led by the Reverend Peter Thompson, will focus on a series of beliefs rejected by the Church in the first few centuries after Jesus’ death. Sessions will be based on the book Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why it matters what Christians believe (edited by Ben Quash and Michael Ward), though no advance reading is required. The next session will focus on the relationship between Jesus’ human and divine natures. For background on the issues to be discussed, consult Chapter 3 (Nestorianism) and Chapter 4 (Eutcychianism).

Thursdays, September 10 - October 15 at 7 pm
This fall, all 200 parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of New York are invited to form local groups to read, discuss, and learn from one of the most timely and important books of our day: How To Be An Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi. St. Bart's and St. Mark's in the Bowery will read and discuss this book online for six weeks. Our journey will culminate in an exclusive Diocesan online event on October 22, when the author will answer questions and reflect on the nationwide antiracist movement. Please read Chapters 10-12 before the next meeting.

Saturdays, September 12 - October 17, 10 am-11 am
During one of the more difficult times in his life, Roman Catholic priest and theologian Henri Nouwen wrote a series of lectures recently published for the first time in the book Following Jesus: Finding our Way Home in an Age of Anxiety. Join the Reverend Peter Thompson and an intimate group of other Jesus followers for a discussion about how Nouwen’s words speak to the difficult times we are living through now. Please read Chapter 3 “The Challenge: Love Your Enemies” ahead of the next session.
 
Sunday, October 11, 1:30 pm
Please join us for our final session on White Fragility. The focus will be Chapter 12, “Where do we go from here?” We encourage you to think about the clarifications, ideas and processes that have been discussed in previous meetings, and consider what the next steps might be—where we want to go, whom we might join, what “good trouble” we might start.

JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION
Please join us for the next Interfaith ROV phone banking sessions. Phonebanking is second only to canvassing for Getting Out the Vote (GOTV). It might not seem you’re making much headway with all the unanswered, out-of-service calls, but at scale – when we’ve made thousands of dials, the effect is substantial. We need you!

The U.S. Census Bureau will end the census on September 30, one month earlier than previously planned. This means we have a short time to get every New Yorker counted or the city will lose crucial funding, at a time when the city is already struggling to recover from COVID-19. If you have left the city, we still need you to do your part. Complete the census today in just five minutes at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.

The 38th Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer Retreat for Social Justice
Thursday, October 8 from 9 am-2 pm via Zoom
The climate crisis poses an existential threat to New York City, and indeed to our entire world. Marginalized communities in New York and elsewhere are uniquely vulnerable, as they face a future of displacement and dislocation. The conference will catalyze much-needed action, by exploring the role of faith-based organizations in confronting this crisis. Learn more and register.

Vote Faithfully
This week, the Office of Government Relations/Episcopal Public Policy Network has posted an article about challenges to voter access in the upcoming elections. Click here to learn more.

Click here for more resources to carry out our faith and live into our responsibilities living in community with others.


DAILY PRAYER
Do you need a few moments of peace to embark upon your daily rounds? Watch the Reverend Deborah Lee's one- to three-minute scripture-inspired video meditations, released at 7 am weekdays on YouTube and Facebook.

Do you desire a few moments of peace at the end of each day? Join the St. Bart's community for Night Prayer each weekday evening at 8:30 pm. Clergy and lay officiants will lead brief services based on or inspired by the ancient office of Compline.

LAST SUNDAY
Missed Last Sunday?

Watch last Sunday's Forum with Cole Arthur Riley, the creator of the Instagram account @BlackLiturgies

Watch or listen to the sermon preached by the Reverend Deborah A. Lee

Watch as St. Bartholomew's Choir sings Gardner's Fight the Good Fight and Noble's Come Labor On and Organist and Choirmaster Dr. Paolo Bordignon plays Praeludium in E Minor, "The Great"
Over 400 people have completed our St. Bart's Census, our summer initiative to update as many records as possible in our database. This is an important way to make sure we have the accurate information we need to be in touch with you. If you haven't yet completed this short online form, please take a moment to do so—even if you think we already have your information. 
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