Lent, deriving from a medieval Germanic word for “spring,” is a time for renewal, preparation for the rebirth of the church at Easter baptisms. It offers us an opportunity each year to consider how we are living out our baptismal calling. As we begin this time of reflection together...
Life in the Spirit John 3:1-17 During the calling process that ultimately brought me to St Barts, myself and the other candidates were asked a number of tough questions in a series of interviews. None were more tough for me than this one: What is your favorite hymn? Having not grown up going...
Last post I introduced how religion was changing in America. Here’s a look at some of the ways religious practice and belief have changed over the last 50 years, and the trends that may continue to evolve: It isn’t sufficient to simply build the positive case for historical...
And What Can We Do About It? Nearly a century after German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche first proclaimed “God is dead,” TIME magazine released a controversial cover on its April 8, 1966 edition with the related provocative question: “Is God dead?” Both Nietzsche and...
The Tabernacle or, as it is usually called when put on the wall, the Aumbry was dedicated on December 5, 1982. Designed by Horace Judson, St. Bart’s Aumbry was given as a Thank Offering by Horace and his wife, Blanche. Most of you know that the Judson Studios designed our beautiful...
What do you thirst for?Water? Soda? Wine? Beer? Fruit juice? Companionship? Love? Friendship? Justice? In one our Gospel readings this month, Jesus asks the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink of water. Her response is incredulous: “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a...
In December of last year on the patio following a service, Fr. Mark invited me to join their group going to Haiti in February. In his joyful energetic way, he said, “Really! You should join us. You would be a great addition to our team!” I’m sure he says that to all the gals...
One of the primary aims of singing in any context - whether around a campfire, a birthday table, in a ballpark, caroling through a neighborhood, or at church - is, in fact, the opposite of exclusion, in the idea that communal song can be a great symbol and expression of our unity as a people. In...
The Rev. Laurel Mathewson, Co-Vicar at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in North Park, joined us on Sunday, February 12 at the 9am Forum to talk about "the North Park Project" and how it relates to our community at St. Bart's. Rev. Laurel gave the sermon on Sunday also. Fields of...
What defines a community? Is it common location, common language, common experience? Or can communities form in other ways? Today in Lorenette, we learned about community through worship and soccer. We began with morning prayer conducted by the school principal. Our group shared two...