“Welcome. No, really, it’s a blessing to meet you. Is this your first time at St. Bart’s?”

My friends, first impressions are everything. St. Bart’s has developed a reputation for radical hospitality—and it depends on you to make it real and tangible. Join one of our teams to make our welcome felt from the very first moment someone parks their car, walks up the stairs, and enters our church.

Who are you? I am pretty good at facial recognition, but I can’t recall a name to save my life. So please, please wear your name tags—if you need an extra, request another. (I have several, in my car, office, travel bag, and home.) Order forms are available at the WELCOME table.

If you are new to St. Bart’s, please mark your calendars and join us for our annual meeting on Sunday, January 27 at 10 a.m. We will give thanks for 2018, prepare for 2019, and affirm where God is calling us. Children and youth programming will parallel the meeting. We’ll conclude with an awesome lunch on the patio.

St. Bart’s rocks! When I was first ordained, the rector (priest) told me to expect “things to quiet down” after Christmas. Well, that is furthest from the truth for St. Bart’s. This newsletter serves as a reminder of the many opportunities to engage with Jesus Christ and with others as you continue on your journey.

Here are a few possibilities for those New Year’s resolutions you may be considering. As I was reminded by the manager of a sports club one January, we make our profit off the people who sign up at the beginning of the year and never come back in March. In other words, you don’t need to commit for the entire year, just get involved with God and our community now.

May I suggest you “try on” meeting Christ in companionship with others? When you walk on campus, check out the CONNECT and SERVE tables.

Adult Formation: Canon Allisyn starts her first adult formation series on January 30. Sign up, whether you are new, visiting for the winter, or have been active for years.

Youth CREW: Bring your teens to our youth group which meets every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner is provided. Note that we often have adult formation offerings at the same time.

Bible Studies: We have three groups, all of which are open:
Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m. (Women's Bible study)
Fridays, 7:45-9 a.m., Church Office (Men's Bible study)
Sundays, 6-7:30 p.m., Church Office

Feeding San Diego: Our food pantry got off to a great start in November and December. As demand grows, we need you and your family/friends to join one of our weekend teams. You can volunteer once a month from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or help pick up food between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

MLK Weekend: Services will offer a remembrance of Dr. King’s prophetic words. We'll have a parish dinner and movie night for all ages on Monday, January 21.

Bishop Candidates: On Friday, January 18, St. Bart’s will host the diocese for a daytime (mid-morning) opportunity to meet the candidates and hear them speak to their joys and hopes for our diocese and the future of the church. More info to come.

We Need You: Just for an hour a month! Seriously. Look to the patio as we expand our teams for welcoming, greeting, and serving on campus:

Youth: Please sing in the choir (ages 7-18) and acolyte (assist at the altar, 5th grade and older). Acolytes serve once a month; for singers, check John-Luke’s schedule based on age.

Greeters: Welcome visitors and seekers on the patio before and after each service and event. Team members often serve once a month.

Ushers: We need ushers for all five services (5 p.m. on Saturday, 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on Sunday, monthly Choral Evensong, and our anticipated monthly ReGeneration service).

Reception Help: Set up and serve at receptions following the Choral Evensong and ReGeneration services.

Lectors: Join our lector teams and read scripture—we want to hear your voice. Lectors are needed for all services.

Bartmobile Drivers: Drivers are needed at every service and parish event. We want the first impression in the parking lot to be your face and smile.

Flower and Altar Guild: Want a quieter, more interment servanthood? Become a part of one of the weekend teams that arrange flowers or prepare the altar and sacraments for each service.

Formation: Serve on one of our formation teams as a teacher or aide. We have 25 adults working with our children and youth, but we are always seeking more—our young people learn best from adults who are passionate about their relationship with Jesus.

Hospitality: Our hospitality team regularly needs many hands. Join us as we serve each other and those around us at parish and community events.