Check out what’s happening this Sunday

Spring 2025 Pathfinders

This nine-session course is for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the Episcopal Church and the Christian faith, with an open and inclusive lens. Led by St. Bart’s clergy, each session will explore topics such as the Bible, prayer, church history, the liturgical calendar, and the sacraments. At the conclusion of the course, participants are invited to be formally Confirmed or Received into the wider Episcopal Church by the Bishop of New York on June 1.

Sign Up

In-Person Schedule

12:30 pm ET in the Community House (Room 33)

March 9 - Session 1 - The Anglican Way
March 16 - Session 2 - The Sacraments
March 23 - Session 3 - Marking Time 
March 30 - Session 4 - Bible & Creeds
April 6 - Session 5 - Theology
April 19 - Great Vigil of Easter w/ Baptisms 7 pm
April 27 - Session 6 - Church History & Governance
May 4 - Session 7 - Anglican Spirituality
May 11 - Session 8 - Christian Social Ethics
May 18 - Session 9 - Ask Us Anything!
May 30 & 31 - Closing Retreat
June 1 - Bishop's Visitation w/Confirmation & Reception

Retreat 

May 30-31 at St. Bart's
Mark your calendars!
More info coming soon.

Online Schedule

7:00 pm ET Wednesdays on Zoom

March 12 - Session 1 - The Anglican Way
March 19 - Session 2 - Marking Time (Church Calendar)
March 26 - Session 3 - The Sacraments
April 2 - Session 4 - Bible & Creeds
April 9 - Session 5 - Theology
April 19 - Great Vigil of Easter w/ Baptisms 7 pm
April 30 - Session 6 - Church History & Governance
May 7 - Session 7 - Anglican Spirituality
May 14 - Session 8 - Christian Social Ethics
May 21 - Session 9 - Ask Us Anything!
May 30 & 31 - Closing Retreat
June 1 - Bishop's Visitation w/Confirmation & Reception

Click to Join on Zoom

Course Map

The course map provides an overview and syllabus for the class, including key dates and topics

View the Course Map

Submit a Question

The course map provides an overview and syllabus for the class, including key dates and topics

Submit a Question

Session 1 (Intro)

Session 2 (Liturgical Calendar)

Session 3 (Sacraments)

Session 4 (Bible)

Session 5 (Theological Foundations)

Session 6 (Prayer)

Session 7 (The Church)

Join the Pathfinders Message Board

To join from a web browser:

  • Click this link and sign in with the credentials sent to your email address
  • Select Groups on the lefthand corner
  • Select "Pathfinders Discussion Group"
  • Click the "Messages Tab"
  • The message board can be accessed at any time from stbarts.org/pathfinderschatt

To join from our mobile app:

  • Click here to download the St. Bart's app
  • Sign in using your mobile number
  • Visit "groups" on the bottom panel
  • Select "Pathfinders Discussion Group"
  • Select "Messages"

FAQs

Are there any prerequisites?

No. This course is open to anyone curious to learn more in a warm and accepting atmosphere. Doubters, believers, cynics, and skeptics are welcome. No question is off the table, and no one will be shamed or pressured because of their beliefs, questions, or background.

What is Confirmation? 

Confirmation is an ancient rite of passage in which the bishop of a diocese (region) lays hands upon those who have been baptized at an earlier date to pray that God will strengthen their faith and empower them for service.

For those baptized as young children, this rite allows an opportunity to "confirm" the promises made on their behalf by parents and godparents.

For those baptized as adults, Confirmation is an opportunity to reaffirm the promises made at baptism and receive the laying on of hands, just as the first apostles did. By virtue of the Bishop's ministry, Confirmation connects us to the fellowship of the apostles and to the universal church across time and space.

If you are not yet baptized and would like to explore the possibilities, we would love to have a conversation with you! Click here to learn more.

What is Reception? 

Reception is a formal rite of welcome, in which the Bishop of a diocese (region) lays hands upon those who have been confirmed (or the equivalent) in another Christian tradition to officially receive them into the Episcopal Church and the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

What is Reaffirmation?

Reaffirmation is an opportunity for those who have already at some point been Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church to publicly recommit their lives to Christ. This is often a meaningful experience for those who have recently come back to church or experienced a major life transition such as a relocation, retirement, or divorce. 

Should I be Confirmed or Received?

Generally speaking, you would be Confirmed if you have never before made a public, mature commitment to Christ as an adolescent or adult. If you have been Confirmed in a liturgical Christian denomination (such as Lutheran, Roman Catholic, or Orthodox) you would be Received. If you have made a public, mature commitment to Christ in a non-liturgical denomination (such as Baptist or Pentecostal), our clergy would seek a conversation with you about the nature of your previous experience and then make a determination.

I am unsure about Confirmation and Reception. Can I still take the course?

Absolutely. The course is meant in part to help you earnestly discern whether you feel called to be Confirmed or Received. We honor and respect each individual's decision. If at the at the conclusion of the course you choose not to be Confirmed or Received, we will continue celebrating your presence at St. Bart's and welcome you to continue engaging however you feel led.

Are there any materials required? 

We will make use of a variety of resources, including the book Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices  by Scott Gunn and Melody Wilson Shobe. A copy of the book, along with all other course materials will be provided free of charge for those who register in advance. 

What if I cannot make all the classes or the closing retreat?

You are still welcome to participate as you are available. Let us know when you will need to miss, and we can provide readings, class recordings, and other resources to help you catch up.

Will this course be offered online?

An online Pathfinders course will be offered on Zoom, Wednesday nights from 7:00 - 8:30 pm ET beginning March 12. Click here learn more and register.

I live outside NYC. Can I still participate?

Yes! Remote participants are welcome to take Pathfinders online, or to commute into the city for the in-person class. All are invited to the Pilgrims and Pathfinders Retreat weekend, and all are eligible to be confirmed, received, or reaffirmed at that time.

I have already been Confirmed or Received. Am I still allowed to participate?

Because newcomers tend to have unique needs and perspectives, we ask that anyone who has taken this or a similar course (such as The Transformed Life) in the last three years refrain from participating. However, we are recruiting members who have already been confirmed or received to to participate in Pathfinders as "shepherds" for our newcomers.  Please contact Teagan Sage for more information.