For all weeknight classes please enter at 109 East 50th Street. If you have any questions, please contact the Reverend Peter Thompson, Associate Rector for Formation and Liturgy.
Centering Prayer
Mondays, 6:30-7:30 PM
Seeking some calm and peace amidst the rush of your daily life? Learn how to connect more deeply with the divine by joining our weekly centering prayer group on Monday evenings.
Weekly Bible Study
Wednesdays, 12:45 PM-2:00 PM
Thoughtful reflection and lively discussion of the upcoming Sunday readings.
Book Group: Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved)
Sundays in November (3, 10, 17, 24), 6:00-7:00 PM
Kate Bowler was 35, a new mom, and a successful writer and professor when she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Her book Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved) chronicles her struggle to reckon with her diagnosis while living in a culture that sees sickness as a sign of failure and avoids death at all costs. After the 5:00 pm Eucharist on Sundays in November, we’ll discuss Bowler’s book together and reflect on our society’s inability to acknowledge how ultimately fragile we all are.
The Forum, Sundays at 10 am
Sunday, November 17: What Does the Lord Require? Bishop Gene Robinson on Faith and Justice
In 2003, the Right Reverend Gene Robinson made headlines when he was elected the Bishop of New Hampshire, making him the first openly gay person to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church. As the Bishop of New Hampshire until 2013 and in the years since, Bishop Robinson has been a tireless advocate for justice, particularly for LGBTQ+ people. What has he learned? And what does his faith look like now? Bishop Robinson speaks from the heart.
Sunday, November 24: The Crisis of Human Trafficking, Part 2 of 2: Why All Our Children are Vulnerable and How to Protect Them
Each year thousands of children, average age of 11-15, are trafficked right here from our own communities in and around NYC. A growing number of youth under the age of 18 are at high risk for exploitation. Lima James, Education and Development Manager of Lifeway Network, an organization that works to end human trafficking, discusses signs that indicate children are at risk for trafficking and reflects on what we can do to protect the children in our lives.
Sunday, December 1: Advent Fair
Celebrate the start of Advent with the rest of the St. Bart’s community. Wreath-making, holiday treats and more!
Sunday, December 8: Sounds of the Season: Upcoming Advent and Christmas Music at St. Bart’s
Some of the best and most well-known music of the Church has been written for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, and each year members of St. Bart’s look forward to enjoying several special musical events during December. Interim Organist and Choirmaster Paolo Bordignon offers a preview of Advent Lessons and Carols, the Mid-Manhattan Performing Arts Foundation’s A Joyous Christmas Concert, Christmas Lessons and Carols (new this year), and services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Sunday, December 15: Rejoice, Rejoice: Dent Davidson on the Great O Antiphons
The much loved Advent hymn O Come, O Come Emmanuel is based off of a set of antiphons historically used with the Magnificat (Song of Mary) at evening services in the week leading up to Christmas. The antiphons, often known as the Great O Antiphons, address different attributes of the Christ who is coming. Interim Director of Emerging Music and Liturgy Dent Davidson introduces these antiphons and explains how they can facilitate our devotion during this holy time of preparation.
Sunday, December 22: Once in Royal David’s City: The History of Christmas Lessons and Carols
Just before St. Bart’s first ever service of Christmas lessons and carols, Associate Rector for Formation and Liturgy Peter Thompson takes a look at how the tradition originated in late nineteenth century England, was developed by Eric Milner-White in twentieth century Cambridge, and continues to evolve as it spreads to a growing variety of contexts. What makes the service so special and what will it add to the St. Bart’s experience of Christmas?