JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION MINISTRIES – TRANSFORMING THE WORLD
St. Bart’s has a long and storied history of creating just and compassionate communities in each neighborhood it has called home since it first opened in 1835 in the Bowery in Manhattan. Beginning with housing and education assistance for the waves of new immigrants to this country in the mid 19th century and continuing today with programs that meet needs for food security and shelter, dignity and hope, St. Bart’s is answering God’s call to transform its corner of the world—working to realize God’s dream for justice and compassion on earth as it is in heaven.
We discover our lives transformed by community and worship, spiritual practices and theological inquiry, and then we are sent out into the world—a world in deep need of healing and transformation—to create new life and possibilities. St. Bart’s offers several opportunities for parishioners to put their faith in action to transform the world.
Crossroads Community Services, Inc.
St. Bart’s supports this vital 501(c)3 that works to meet the immediate need of food insecurity and builds live-giving, transforming human connections that foster capacity, dignity, agency, and hope. Crossroads cooks and serves hot morning meals four times a week, distributes fresh groceries once a week, and partners with Coalition for the Homeless to serve dinner every evening. In 2021, more than 100,000 people enjoyed over 230,000 meals prepared and served by over 400 volunteers. Crossroads welcomes new volunteers and supporters. To find out more about Crossroads or make a donation to this mission please visit their website, crossroadsnyc.org, and follow Crossroads on Instagram and Facebook.
Learn more about Crossroads on their website at crossroadsnyc.org, and be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Creation Care Task Force
Deeply concerned about the climate crisis and inspired by the “Resurrecting Earth” Sunday Forum series, several parishioners inaugurated the St. Bart’s Creation Care Task Force to continue learning about ways to honor, care for and sustain all of God’s creation. Offering weekly “Eco Tips” to reduce our carbon footprint, working with St. Bart’s Bookstore to stock eco-conscious merchandise, and joining the Global Youth Climate Strike to march in solidarity with courageous youth are just a few of the ways parishioners have discovered how to live out their passion for climate justice.
The Peace Book Club - Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF)
St. Bart’s chapter of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, a national organization, connects all who seek a deliberate response to injustice and violence and want to pray, study and take action for justice and peace in our communities, our church, and the world. It holds interfaith worship services, has members who volunteer in school literacy programs, and participates in local and national projects that promote peace and justice. The Peace Book Club that has grown out of the EPF enjoys reading and discussing books each month that inspire and nurture our call to do justice, dismantle violence, and strive to be peacemakers.
For September through December, the group plans to meet biweekly on the second and fourth Sunday of the month, (next meeting November 21, 2021), skipping October 31 (fifth Sunday), November 28 (Thanksgiving weekend) and December 26 (Christmas weekend). The focus text will be Rosalind Rosenburg's Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray, with one part being read each gathering: (Part Four on October 24...Part 6 and Epilogue on December 12).
LGBTQ+ Community
For many years, St. Bart’s has taken a leading role in the struggle for full equality of LGBTQ+ persons not only in the Church, but also in the world. St. Bart’s LGBTQ+ folks and allies are interested in seeking and serving Christ in all persons, respecting the dignity of every human being, and creating a church and world where everyone is welcomed and valued. LGBTQ+ members are fully integrated into the life and leadership of the larger parish, and this ministry works to meet the needs of its members and raise awareness in the parish with a variety of speakers, and opportunities for service, social gatherings, friendship and support. Learn how to join our Virtual Sunday Brunches here.
St. Tabitha’s Guild
Parishioners who have a love for knitting and crocheting, for community, and for compassion and justice formed a guild for women and men that combines all three. This unique ministry has organized a variety of crocheting and knitting projects for the Seamen’s Institute and Crossroads Community Services. We have also formed a new partnership with Jamaica Hospital to create baby garments for newborns and afghans for hospice patients. All are welcome! We will knit and crochet at a distance approximately every other Sunday from 2 to 4 pm via Zoom as we work on a variety of projects. All are welcome! For exact dates and times, and the Zoom link, click here.