St. Bart’s in the City
The mission of St. Bart’s in the City is to strive for justice and peace through a range of social ministries.
For meeting times and other information, such as how to volunteer, contact the Rev. Buddy Stallings, 212-378-0215 or
St. Bart’s Central, 212-378-0222.
They include building homes and direct service, assisting families and children in distressed situations, advocacy and organizing for change on behalf of and with New Yorkers affected by social, political, and economic injustices. The following projects which flow out of St. Bart's in the City are in development or ongoing.
L.I.F.E. Shelter Ministry
The L.I.F.E. Center is a shelter for homeless families of New York City. St. Bartholomew’s Church works with the Executive Director to help provide services and support that enrich the lives of the shelter's residents. A fall school supply drive and a Christmas children's gifts program are among our annual major events.
A new library was donated to the L.I.F.E Center in September of 2008. Here is parishioner, Judy Hall's personal account:
About 9 months I was asked by Alexis Molina, the director of the LIFE
Center, if St.Bart's could help them create a library. We were given
an 800 square foot room that previously had been their sewing room.
They had hundreds of books sitting in a closet that were not being used
so this seemed like a worthwhile project.
I estimated that we
would need about $5,000 to complete it. Attached is a breakdown of the
actual cost which came to $4,933. I wrote letters to parishioners who
had previously been involved in either the school supply drive or the
Christmas Miracles asking for their support. I was able to raise the
money rather quickly with donations from 13 parishioners. I then
started to order furniture and other furnishings that would be needed.
One of the furniture manufacturers that I used went bankrupt and so we
did not get our furniture and we were out $1,900 ( I personally covered
the loss ). That was a lesson learned on ordering stuff from the
internet!
Karen Johnson has been an integral resource to me in
making this happen. She has worked very hard organizing the room this
past summer while I was away. She is also working on getting some
computers donated to use in the library. We also had some members of
the SB Habitat group help us initially to set up the room.
Karen
and I finally finished putting the finishing touches on the library
earlier today. We counted 4,300 books!! Many were donated by St.
Bart's parishioners and the pre-school over the last year. The official
opening is this Thursday evening, the same night the kids will get
their backpacks and school supplies from us. Buddy, Millard and Beth
are planning to attend as is the NYC DHS Commissioner, Robert Hess, and
some of his staff. I believe they are going to call it the St. Bart's
LIFE Library--although they told me the official name will be revealed
at the "ribbon cutting".
Manhattan Together
This borough-wide congregation-based community organizing initiative has set dates for research/action teams to continue their work. The Immigration Team will discuss banking services for immigrants
). The Housing Team will discuss the next steps for our 342-unit housing development in Chelsea, and several other possible development sites and campaigns to preserve affordable housing
.
Ezra Project: Yonkers Church Plant: A success!
St. Bartholomew’s collaborated on a diocesan-wide effort to plant a new church in Yonkers as part of the “Ezra Project,” based on Ezra 5:11( “We are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago”). The initial team (including nine St. Bart’s parishioners) who helped to restart St. Paul’s in Yonkers has formally disbanded having fulfilled their year’s commitment, although most of the individuals will continue to help grow this new church community through organizing liturgies, educational, fellowship and other evangelistic outreach. Congratulations to all on a fulfilling and successful outreach project.
Choral Music Charter School of New York
A Dream Comes True: The Start of a School
By Richard Bayles
The concept of VOICE Charter School began early in 2005, when Ray McGarrigle, our then General Manager, learned that New York City was open to church participation in the founding of a charter school. He pursued the idea to the point of understanding that we could do this. Charles Fels, then a priest at St. Bart’s and now Rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Knoxville, TN carried this work further, helping found our working group and connecting with The New York Center for Charter School Excellence.
The key idea for the school is that a choir school has significant advantages for learning. This was an insight of Bill Tully’s when he called for St. Bartholomew’s Church to support the school’s creation. It has also guided the working group, which began meeting in late 2005 to bring the school to life. It guides the Board today
By the beginning of 2006, The Friends of Choral Music was formed and started work with Franklin Headley as project manager. Frank is now Principal of the school. Members of the working group have come largely from our congregation. Early in our life, Louise Oliver, a lawyer, led us through the thicket of the First Amendment issues and our school. As we began the application process, Kevin Bean, our former Vicar enlisted a network of churches, schools, and community groups to support us. When we needed focus groups and parent petitions of support Karen Nielsen, a former professional pollster drew up our questionnaires. Gideon Pollack, a former priest here, led the effort to obtain the required signatures. Rob Potter established our web presence. Henrietta Ajero, a teacher and the mother of three choristers, introduced us to the community where our school now is located. Leaders there, especially Bishop Mitchell Taylor Pastor of The Center of Hope International and founder of the East River Development Alliance, Jeff Becker, and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan provided invaluable aid.
The working group visited schools, attended lectures and discussions, and planned for the values that lead our school. As time passes its members will be drawn more and more from the local community. Frank Headley above all others has been the leader of our success in establishing The Charter School and will be its leader for many years to come.
Finally, on September 2, 2008 1.2 million students began the 2008/2009 academic year in the New York City Public Schools. Ninety-two of them entered The Charter School housed in P.S. 111 at 37-15 13th Street in Long Island City, Queens. The school has two classes each of Kindergarten and first grade and will add a grade each year until it is a kindergarten to eighth grade elementary school. There are four classroom teachers, a music teacher, a principal, an assistant principal, an office manager, and school aides. Extended day activities mean the school will be open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. These activities include a variety of music programs.
Habitat for Humanity
Our Habitat for Humanity team grows stronger each year, and participates in local and far-away builds, including a week in New Orleans in February. A combination of proceeds from our June 23 “Raise the Roof” benefit concert, personal giving and some grants, has enabled our St. Bart’s Habitat Team to be a generous financial contributor to Habitat For Humanity. More here.
HIV/AIDS Ministry
Participants in this ministry are advocates for people affected by HIV/AIDS through a variety of outreach projects and awareness events. Activities include prayer, education, and awareness events, as well as organizing volunteers from the parish to work with God’s Love We Deliver, which provides meals to the homebound around the city. The HIV/AIDS Ministry also works with
St. Bart’s and the World.
Career Assistance Center
St. Bart's Career Assistance Center is dedicated to helping people discover their best vocation through long-term workshops, one-night learning sessions and networking events.
Learn more by contacting
St. Bart’s Central.
Ecclesia Ministries
St. Bart’s is now taking part in a new ministry dedicated to helping the homeless in Manhattan form faith communities. By hosting weekly worship services in Madison Square Park and providing a meal, members of “housed” congregations like St. Bart's are able to meet and make friends with those who may not have a spiritual home. Learn more here about this ministry and/or contact St. Bart
’
s Central.
For meeting times and other information, such as how to volunteer, contact the Rev. Buddy Stallings, 212-378-0215 or
St. Bart’s Central, 212-378-0222.
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