|
We Do Not Know
by the Reverend Peter D. Thompson, Vicar and Interim Rector
Last Sunday at The Forum, Zack, Meredith, and I addressed some of the questions posted on our community questions wall. Nearly every question was a big and exceedingly difficult one: Why are we even here? What comes after death? How can we exist together?
In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus' disciples ask him their own difficult question. Encountering a man who was blind from birth, they wonder aloud why the man was born blind. Jesus, pushing back against prevailing wisdom of the time, refuses to attribute the man's blindness to human sin. At the end of the ensuing episode, Jesus warns against rushing to easy answers about who is a sinner. Better, he suggests, to stay humble and admit that we do not know.
This Sunday, like every Sunday, we gather together to engage in a great unknowing--to be stripped of all our illusions, to have our answers challenged, to surrender to a God who is greater than ourselves. It is disorienting, but also liberating, to let go of our certainties and worship someone else.
"I do not know," the blind man says, when he is first questioned about Jesus. Neither do we--and that is good news indeed.
| | | | |
The Fourth Sunday In Lent
Sunday, March 15
Join us in person at 9 am, 11 am, or 5 pm.
The Reverend Dr. Gary Dorrien, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, will preach at 9 am and 11 am. The Reverend Zack Nyein, Senior Associate Rector and Pastor of Imagine Worship, will preach at 5 pm. Please note that the New York City Half Marathon takes place on Sunday and may affect travel to church.
Join us online at 11 am. Download the service leaflet to follow along as we livestream from the church on our website, Facebook, and YouTube.
| | | | |
The Forum
Sunday, March 15 at 10 am
Becoming a Theologian: How I Got Like This
The Reverend Dr. Gary Dorrien, Reinhold Niebuhr Professor of Social Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, discusses themes from his recent memoir, Over from Union Road: My Christian-Left-Intellectual Life.
Please post your questions in the comments section on Facebook or YouTube, or email the Reverend Peter Thompson at pthompson@stbarts.org.
| |
Click here for a complete list of Community Groups and activities after church this Sunday.
| | | | |
Into the Night: A Lenten Retreat Day
Saturday, March 21 at 9 am in the Chapel
In this day-long retreat led by the Reverend Meredith Ward and the Reverend Peter Thompson, we reflect on the essential question of our shared human destiny: how do we live in full knowledge that one day we will die? The retreat will include a viewing of the documentary Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death by filmmaker and St. Bart’s parishioner Helen Whitney. Register here.
| | | | |
The Forum
Sunday, March 22 at 10 am
Everything You Wanted to Know About Passover (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Rabbi Sarah Berman of Central Synagogue explores the rituals of Passover and its significance in Jewish tradition.
| | | | |
A Choral Feast: J.S. Bach's Motet Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227
Sunday, March 22 at 11 am
A Choral Feast offers the opportunity to experience great sacred choral repertoire in its original context of a worship service. On Sunday, March 22, St. Bartholomew's Choir with orchestra offers J.S. Bach's Motet Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227.
| | | | |
Paolo Bordignon, organist, in recital
Sunday, March 22 at 4 pm
This recital continues St. Bartholomew’s decades-long tradition of organ recitals in Lent. Paolo Bordignon offers a 45-minute program including music of Johann Sebastian Bach on the day after the composer’s birthday. No tickets needed but a $20 donation is suggested, either in advance here or at the concert.
| | | | |
Easter Flowers and Music at St. Bart’s
As Easter approaches, you may wish to remember loved ones and offer thanksgiving for special blessings by making a gift to St. Bart’s Easter Flowers and Music. Our Easter Vigil and Easter Day service leaflets will include a listing of these tributes. To dedicate a gift of flowers and music, click here or contact Susannah Wade Lewis in the Development Office (swadelewis@stbarts.org). Please submit your tribute gift by March 22 to ensure inclusion in the leaflets.
| | | | |
Imagine Worship: Faith on Pointe
Thursday, March 26
6 pm Symposium, 7 pm Imagine Worship
Imagine Worship is thrilled to welcome the Reverend Julie Hoplamazian, Episcopal priest and founder of Faith on Pointe, a ministry at the intersection of ballet and theology that teaches ballet as a spiritual practice. She will offer a symposium in the church at 6 pm and preach at the 7 pm Imagine Worship Eucharist. All are welcome — you don’t have to be a dancer to participate in this exploration of movement and spirituality! Learn more.
| | | | |
Holy Week and Easter at St. Bart’s
Visit stbarts.org/holyweekandeaster to see our complete schedule for Holy Week, which begins Palm Sunday, March 29.
| | | | |
Palm Sunday Fête for All Ages
Sunday, March 29 at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm
Come to the Great Hall on Palm Sunday after the 9 am and 11 am services for a special Palm Sunday Fête for All Ages featuring traditional palm cross making, hot cross buns, coffee and tea.
| | | | |
Holy Baptism at St. Bart’s
Saturday, April 4 at 7 pm and Sunday, April 12 at 11 am
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body, the Church. All adult believers and children of Christian parents who have never been baptized are welcome and encouraged to take this step of faith. To explore baptism for you or your children, please contact Curry Brinson, Associate for Community Engagement, at cbrinson@stbarts.org or visit stbarts.org/baptism.
| | | | |
Easter Vigil Reception
Saturday, April 4
Whether you’re a whiz in the kitchen, or a savvy foodie, we’d be grateful for your contribution to the annual Easter Vigil Festive Reception, immediately following the 7 pm Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4. Please contact Paul Rodriguez at prodriguez@stbarts.org to sign up.
| | |
The Forum, Sunday, March 8 at 10 am
Got Questions?
Sunday, March 8 at 11 am
The Third Sunday in Lent
The Sermon from Sunday, March 8 at 11 am
Tell Me Everything
The Reverend Peter Thompson, Vicar and Interim Rector
| | |
Click the icons below to see what St. Bart's is doing on social media.
Your engagement on all these feeds helps St. Bart's.
Please Subscribe, Follow, Like and Share @stbartsnyc
| | | | |
