Dear Friends,
I can hardly wait! The clergy and staff at St. Bart’s are busy preparing for Sunday, St. Bart’s Day; the day we celebrate our patron saint, St. Bartholomew, and the beginning of the programmatic year. We have a joy-filled day planned with beautiful music, great liturgy, fun activities, and lots of opportunities to meet new friends and to reconnect with old ones.
What makes this such a joyful Sunday for me?
- Biodegradable balloons!
- Music by members of the choir!
- Not just one, but two food trucks with delicious meals!
- The infamous St. Bart’s Bouncy Castle (for children and adults alike!)
- Seeing everyone come back to church at the end of a long summer!
Our theme for this year is “A Place at the Table” and I am reminded of the hymn by that very same title written by Shirley Erena Murray.
“For everyone born, a place at the table,
for everyone born, clean water and bread,
a shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
for everyone born, a star overhead.
And God will delight when we are creators
of justice and joy,
Yes, God will delight when we are creators
of justice; justice, and joy."
For genders diverse, a place at the table
Revising the roles, deciding the share
With wisdom and grace, all sharing the power
For genders diverse, a system that's fair.
For young and for old, a place at the table,
a voice to be heard, a part in the song,
the hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
for young and for old, the right to belong.
For everyone born, a place at the table,
to live without fear, and simply to be,
to work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
for everyone born, the right to be free.”
Words © Hope Publishing Company & Shirley Erena Murray
There is a place at the table for you at St. Bart’s this Sunday.
There is a place at the table to find sustenance.
There is a place at the table to find fellowship.
There is a place at the table to find meaning.
There is a place at the table to find Christ.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Faithfully,
The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe
Rector