St. Bart's eNews: Juneteenth, Pride Sunday and More

JUNE 17, 2022 · 325 PARK AVENUE AT 51ST STREET · 212-378-0222 · STBARTS.ORG

Empathy, Exorcism, and Action: Responding to Gun Violence

By the Reverend Zack Nyein, Senior Associate Rector

Yesterday evening I opened my phone to news of the unthinkable: yet another mass shooting, this time in an Episcopal church in Alabama, St. Stephen's in Birmingham. It is a parish known to many, a place where I have prayed, now the sight of bloodshed: two dead, another in the hospital at the time of this writing.

New Features in our Sunday Services

With the arrival of our liturgical platform for the summer season, our 9 am service of Holy Eucharist will be “in the round” for the first time since March 2020. Come and experience the Eucharist in this intimate format once again! While the 11 am Eucharist is too large to hold “in the round,” the platform will allow for a more intimate experience at the 11 am service as well. This summer, our 11 am Eucharist will also feature a Eucharistic prayer from the worship supplement Enriching Our Worship. We welcome your feedback about our liturgies! Contact the Reverend Peter Thompson, Vicar.

The Second Sunday After Pentecost, June 19, 2022

Join us in person at 8 am, 9 am, 11 am, or 5 pm.

Find our Covid-19 Safety protocols for in-person worship here.

Join us online at 11 am. Download our service leaflet to follow along with us as we live stream Sunday morning worship from the church on our website, Facebook and YouTube. Join our Virtual Sermon Talkback after church.

The Forum: Juneteenth, National Holidays, and Moral Reckoning

Sunday, June 19 at 10 am

In 2021, Juneteenth became America’s 11th national holiday, a day to commemorate slavery and emancipation. Emily Blanck, Associate Professor of History at Rowan University, provides an overview of the process through which Juneteenth became a national holiday and explores what Juneteenth means as a day of moral reckoning.

Please post your questions for our speaker in the YouTube or Facebook comments section or email the Reverend Peter D. Thompson, Vicar, at pthompson@stbarts.org.

2022 Stewardship

“....Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” –Genesis 9:16

We have received over 200 pledges from the faithful people of St. Bart’s. Your pledge to the 2022 Stewardship Campaign funds our essential and vibrant ministries. From Christian education and community to music and outreach to our sacred worship space and landmark campus – all is made possible by your generous gifts.

Make a Pledge Today

This Sunday's Virtual and In-Person Gatherings

12:30 pm • Virtual Sermon Talkback

3 pm • Living Christ Sangha

Newcomers welcome to all groups!

The Forum: Out & Proud: Jane Lynch on LGBTQ+ Pride

Sunday, June 26 at 10 am

Beloved actress Jane Lynch, currently starring in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, visits St. Bart’s to reflect on her life as an openly lesbian public figure and share stories from her long and acclaimed career.

Join us online on YouTube or Facebook comments section or email the Reverend Peter D. Thompson, Vicar, at pthompson@stbarts.org.

Faith and Full Color Instagram Live Series

Saturdays in June at 11 am

We're celebrating Pride all month long with our "Faith in Full Color" series on Instagram Live. Our next guest is the Reverend Senator Kim Jackson, the first openly LGBTQ+ person of color ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and the first out person to be elected to the Georgia state senate. In addition to her role in public office, Kim lives out a bi-vocational ministry, serving as Vicar at Church of the Common Ground, a church without walls made up by and for people experiencing homelessness in downtown Atlanta. Watch here on Instagram.

Guest Preacher Julie Rodgers

Sunday, June 26 at 11 am

As part of our Pride Sunday celebrations at St. Bart's we welcome Julie Rodgers, author of Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story as our guest preacher. She played a key role in shutting down Exodus International, the largest conversion therapy organization in the world, and was featured in the Netflix documentary, Pray Away.

Annual Pride Barbeque and Pride March

Sunday, June 26 at 12:15 pm

Join in our annual Pride Sunday celebration on the Great Terrace. Pride is for all, and all are welcome, allies included! No registration is required. Anyone who would like to march in the annual Pride parade with St. Bart's is invited to gather on the Great Terrace for a Blessing of the Marchers. After the barbecue we will join the parade with the rest of the Episcopal diocesan contingent gathered at The Church of the Transfiguration at 1 E 29th Street. Please note that official marching times will not be confirmed until the week of June 20. Sign up for updates.

The Stories of St. Bart’s: Mary Kate Wold

Wednesday, June 22 from 7 - 8 pm

This week, long-time member Mary Kate Wold reflects on important moments in the life of our community. Each week in this series will feature a different parishioner who has attended for 30 years or more. Recordings of the sessions will be placed in the parish archives so that future generations may learn and benefit from the stories that are told. All are welcome to attend, including those who moved away many years ago! We are eager to welcome former members back through the wonders of technology. Register here.

20s/30s Thursday Happy Hours,

Inside Park at St. Bart’s

Thursdays through September 1 from 5 to 6:30 pm

Join Peter, Zack, and other members of our 20s/30s group for drinks at Inside Park on Thursdays throughout the summer. Though these gatherings are official events of the 20s/30s group, all are welcome to attend.

Education For Ministry (EFM)

Do you hope to live into your faith more fully, to have faith connect more deeply with everyday life?

Do you wonder how to put faith into action, or what service God calls you to? What can the Bible teach us about ourselves and the world today? If you want to seek answers through study, reflection and spiritual practice in a small group community, EfM may be for you. To learn more about this weekly in-person seminar program, please download our guide to EFM, or contact EfM Mentor Liza Page Nelson. See photos from this year's EfM Graduation.

Seasonal Classes Continuing This Week

Living Buddha, Living Christ Saturdays, through -July 10, 10 - 11 am

The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill: Case Studies in the Modern Megachurch Thursdays, May 5-June 30, 7 - 8 pm

Summer Explore Class (Online)

Wednesdays, June 8, 15, 22 from 6 - 7 pm

Ongoing Opportunities

Weekly Bible Study: Wednesdays at 1 pm.

St. Bart’s Night Prayer: Each weekday evening at 8:30 pm via Zoom.

Centering Prayer: Fridays at 9 am

Forward Together: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month at 6 pm. A support group for people who are experiencing job insecurity.

Midsummer Nights’ Dream Group

Tuesdays, June 14 - 28, 6:45-8:15 pm

St. Bart’s Players presents Agatha Christie’s classic “And Then There Were None”

June 14-19 at the Robert Moss Theater at Playwrights Downtown. For more information or to purchase tickets click here.

St. Bart's Community Preschool News

St. Bart's Preschool is very happy to announce that Playgroup will resume for the 2022-2023 school year! The Playgroup provides a time and place for toddlers to gather with a parent or caregiver for their first school experience. Enrollment into Playgroup is on a first-come, first-serve basis and space is limited! Please visit our website for more information or contact Mary Ponce at 212-378-0238 or mponce@stbarts.org.

Registration is Open for Summer Camp

Summer Camp at St. Bart’s offers something for everyone ages two through six! Every day campers ages three to six learn how to swim onsite in our indoor heated pool! All of our campers ages two through six, participate in a variety of activities which include sports in the full-sized gymnasium, outdoor play on the rooftop, arts and crafts, dance and movement, and free play in the classroom! Learn more.