Dear Friends,
Advent is the time when we are getting ready. Through a series of customs and traditions, ancient and modern, we use this season to prepare for the coming of the Christ child. In my house, we’re already selecting presents for family and friends, making special treats to share and, once again, we’re already behind on our Christmas cards.
Exchanging presents is one of the more ancient customs associated with Christmas. At that very first Christmas, the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child to honor his being born into the world. Of course, we all know the whole gift thing can be overdone. There really is too much commercializing of this sacred holiday. Still, there’s something quite wonderful about lovingly selecting a present for a relative or friend. In my family, we’ve discovered our new daughter-in-law is extraordinarily gifted at giving gifts! She puts a great deal of thoughtfulness into selecting just the right thing for each person on her list. Everyone in the family looks forward to discovering what gifts they will receive from her.
This Christmas, I’d like to invite you to make a special Christmas gift to St. Bart’s.
I’m asking you to prayerfully consider remembering St. Bart’s on your Christmas list. I’d like you to give our church a financial gift above and beyond what you have pledged or what you might normally give.
So, what does St. Bart’s want or need? Our community of faith will gratefully receive whatever you want to give but we want to continue to offer the same high-quality worship, educational, and outreach opportunities:
- We want to continue to maintain our National Historic Landmark building located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
- We want to continue to support our world-class choral program for youth and adults.
- We want to continue to respond to the needs of the sick, the mentally ill, the hungry, and the homeless.
- We want to continue to offer compassionate pastoral care and counsel to people going through the toughest days of their lives.
- We want to continue to be the voice of a modern, progressive Christian faith.
- We want to be a place where open minds can meet and where everyone feels the warmth of a radical welcome.
You don’t need to wrap this gift. All you need to do is go to visit our website or write a check and place it in the offering plate... or mail it directly to the church with “Christmas Gift” written in the memo line. Thank you for your continuing generosity and thoughtfulness. I believe making a special gift to St. Bart’s this Christmas will help you support an institution worthy of your generosity.
Gratefully,
The Right Reverend Dean E. Wolfe, D.D.