Welcome
Dear Friends,
Have you ever seen an epiphany? It isn’t completely unlike the television ad when someone strikes his or her forehead with their hand and exclaims, “Wow, I could have had a V-8.” The difference is that the kind of epiphany that concerns the Church in the Season of Epiphany discloses not the missed possibility of drinking a blend of eight vegetable juices but, rather, discloses the not-yet-missed possibility of being in the presence of and receiving divine grace from the One who seeks to heal and save us all. The Bible tells of many such epiphanies, in addition to the manifestation of Christ to the world expressed in the journey to visit the infant Jesus that was made by those wise men following the star from afar. The many biblical epiphanies that disclose the presence, power, and activity of God include the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptizer in the Jordan River and Jesus’ turning water into wine at a wedding feast in Cana. Such epiphanies occur also in our lives. At times we can see God’s presence and grace on the faces and in the movements of people whose lives intersect ours. And, at times, we are epiphanies for others, reflecting the light and love of Christ on our faces, in our words, and in our caring actions for them. May your recall epiphanies, see epiphanies, and be an epiphany in and beyond this Season of the Church Year.
St. Bartholomew’s is a friendly church where people come together to worship God, to affirm our unity in Christ, and to be renewed for ministry in the Church and world, in language and idiom that is clear, understood, and unifying. We would love to meet you in person, whoever you are and wherever you are on your journey in faith. At “St. Bart’s” we strive to reach into hearts and reach into the world.
The Rector's Corner - St. Bartholomew's 50th! - Forward in Faith (with glances in the rearview mirror)
The 50th anniversary of St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church is almost here. On February 28, 2010 we will honor our past and continue moving forward in the creation of our future. We will move forward in faith building on our traditions and we will move in such new directions as we will be prompted to move by the Holy Spirit. I am most hopeful for the future of St. Bartholomew’s because of the richness of our life together and our ministry so far. Harvey Cox writes in The Future of Faith: “Hope is that virtue that sees the past and the present in light of a future horizon.” At this milestone moment, as we see the past and the present in light of our future horizon, we have a great opportunity to celebrate all that we – and those who’ve come before us at St. Bart’s – have been. And, we have a great opportunity to anticipate in faith and in hope, all that we and those who will come after us will become at St. Bart’s. We’ll be looking toward the horizon and, of course, we’ll be enjoying some glances in the rearview mirror. Hardly any of us were here at the founding of St. Bartholomew’s. Yet, what the founders did then is now part of our story. Hardly any of us will be here 50 years from now. Indeed, many of us will not be here 25 years from now. Yet, the story of St. Bart’s yet to unfold is our story, too. Of course, the foundation for all St. Bart’s has been, is, and will become is ‘the Church’s one foundation, Jesus Christ her Lord.’ To Christ be glory and praise!
Of Special Note
February Bible Study Series with The Rev. Bill Zettinger
Take a Radical Road Trip with the Gnostic Gospels
The term Gnostic gospels refer to the Gnostic collections of writings about the teaching of Jesus, written from the second to the fourth century AD. These gospels are not accepted by most mainstream Christians as part of the standard Biblical canon. Rather, they are part of what is called the "New Testament apocrypha". Come explore what these gospels have to say as we discuss the Gospel of Thomas and other Gnostic writings.
When: February 3 and 10
What Time: 10:30 am with lunch 7:00 pm with snacks
Where: The Parish Hall
Cost: Morning with lunch $15, Evening with snacks $5
Signup: Click here to sign up on line or mail Bill Zettinger at wzettinger@stbartschurch.org, or call the church office at 858-487-2159.
Click here to view the 2009-2010 "Journey Through the Bible" curriculum.
