Annual Events
Gathering the community
ANNUAL MEETING
At the beginning of each year, St. Bart's is required to hold a meeting of the parish to elect new Vestry members and delegates to the annual Diocesan Convention. In addition, financial updates, including the Vestry-approved budget, are presented by the Treasurer, with an open mic for questions and discussion.
The meeting comes to a close with presentations by the Senior Warden and Rector that highlight the past year and the vision for the year ahead. The Rector names the Senior Warden for the coming year and the results of the election are announced.
Following the meeting, Vestry members host a fabulous lunch with lots of time for catching up with church friends and meeting new members on our main patio.
ZYDECO SHROVE TUESDAY CELEBRATION
We celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Tuesday before the beginning of Lent) with a New Orleans-style Zydeco Mass, Cajun potluck dinner, and Shrove Tuesday Pancake station. Mardi Gras beads & masks, decorations, and Zydeco music and singing all come together in a truly unique and family-friendly celebration. And, the invitation is extended to all Cajun Cooks (and Cajun wannabe cooks) to bring a favorite dish to share, including the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake. You will not want to miss this annual St. Bart's event!
LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS
Each year, the People of St. Bart's and members of the community gather each Wednesday evening during Lent. We share soup, salad, and bread provided each week by a different parish ministry group, followed by programming for adults, youth, and children.
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Following the activities and adult programming, we come together to close the evening with Compline or Evening Prayer. Youth then transition to the regular CREW meeting.
ANNUAL GALA
For many years St. Bart's Outreach Programs were fully funded by proceeds from our Thrift Shop. Following the Thrift Shop closure in 2019, St. Bart's hosted its first annual Gala in 2022 to benefit our Outreach Partners and Programs in San Diego County, Mexico, and Haiti.
This event brings together members of St. Bart's, invited friends & neighbors, members of the community, and our Outreach Partner organizations to bid on awesome experiences and items for the benefit of the Outreach Programs that touch so many lives. We also recognize and celebrate the many St. Bart's volunteers and our Outreach Partners who give their time and talent to make our world a better place.
PRIDE WEEKEND
St. Bart's joins Episcopal churches in the Diocese to celebrate and affirm the LGBTQ+ community by joining the Pride Parade. We begin with Holy Eucharist, "Mass in the Streets," and then march along the downtown San Diego parade route, ending up at St. Paul's Cathedral for lunch.
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We believe that we must show the inclusive love of Jesus by our actions every day to live into our banner that says, ALL ARE WELCOME, NO EXCEPTIONS!
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To learn more about St. Bart's in the Pride Parade and our LGBTQ+ community click the button here:
ST. BART'S WEEKEND
We celebrate our patron saint's day the last weekend in August. This event is always highly anticipated as we join together with meals, fellowship, connecting and reconnecting with old and new friends. Save the date and join the St. Bart's staff and the Hospitality Team to plan this wonderful all-parish event.
POWAY PARADE
The St. Bart's community participates in the annual Poway Days Parade in September, as we proudly carry our banner and march down the streets of Poway, greeting our neighbors and sharing our welcoming spirit.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
In October we remember St. Francis of Assisi who had a deep love for all creatures. Pets of all kinds are welcomed into the Sanctuary and Chapel to receive a blessing: cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, horses, fish, and more. There are also blessings for pets no longer with us. The community is invited to join this St. Bart's event as we recognize the companionship and joy that animals bring to our lives.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Decorate your car trunk and get into costume for the community Halloween event in St. Bart's parking lot! Kids (and adults) go from trunk to trunk to see all the decorations, costumes, meet new friends, and of course ask for candy at each stop.
Invite your neighbors and friends, this is an event for everyone. Join in the fun, even if you don't have kids in your family--all are welcome!
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
A few weeks before Thanksgiving, you'll see stacks of white laundry baskets to pick up after each worship service. St. Bart's members fill over 100 baskets with groceries to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal and then they are loaded into SUVs and pickup trucks in caravan formation.
Families at the ICS transitional housing apartments in Escondido come to receive the baskets and some tell us, "This is the first Thanksgiving meal I've ever had." There is no better way to prepare for our family holiday than by making sure these families have a turkey and all the trimmings on their tables.
HANDEL'S MESSIAH SING-ALONG
Invite your friends and neighbors to start the Christmas season with the annual Messiah sing-along at St. Bart's, in collaboration with the Greater San Diego Music Coterie. Our choirs, soloists, and orchestra perform this annual gift to our parish and the community, and everyone is invited to bring a Messiah music score and join in the singing of each chorus section. The Messiah has become a musical ritual of the holiday season and a cultural touchstone. Following the performance there is a small reception and visitation with the musicians.
CHILDREN'S NATIVITY PAGEANT
The 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service features a Children's Nativity Pageant with costumes and roles for all children that want to join in. Even visiting grandchildren can walk on and take part as angels and sheep!
