NEXT WELCOME SUNDAYS (all at 11am)
May 20, 2012
October 28, 2012
If you have joined St. Bart's recently, or if you are ready to join, let us welcome you "officially" and festively during the 11am service on a Welcome Sunday. We encourage those new to St. Bart's to take an EXPLORE class series leading up to Welcome Sunday.
Ready to be welcomed? Email
VIEW A SLIDESHOW from WELCOME SUNDAY 10/31/11, photos by Millard S. Cook.
WHAT ARE WELCOME SUNDAYS?
St. Bartholomew’s Church has a long tradition of “radical welcome,” from which our unusually broad understanding of membership has evolved. Any person who wants to be a member of this community—and who intends to offer support for the ministries here by their prayers, presence, time and resources—can be a member. Anyone, period. You can join this community of St. Bart's at any time, simply by talking with one of the clergy. Further paths of membership, such as baptism, confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation are open, too, and we’ll help you find the right one(s) for you.
WHO CAN BE WELCOMED?
Anyone who has joined St. Bart's recently (or even not so recently) and hasn't yet been welcomed on a Welcome Sunday.
Anyone who has decided s/he is ready to join this community of faith and comes forward when invited. For example:
* Those who have taken the EXPLORE class series (if you missed this, fear not, the series repeats throughout the year) or the OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS class
* Those who have been attending St. Bart's for some time (even years!)
* Those who are new but know that St. Bart's is the right church for them.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
On a Welcome Sunday during the 11 am service, a group of seekers make known their desire to become “official” members of St. Bart’s. In response, the St. Bart's community offers these newest members our welcome and thanksgiving for their presence here with us. All of us affirm our commitment to support each other in living our lives of faith, now joined in this particular community.
You may join other new members at the front of the church (to the right of the pulpit) at 10:45 a.m. and sit together. If you prefer to sit in your favorite spot, that’s OK too; just follow the rest of the group when you're invited to come forward for the Welcoming of New Members.
Following the service, you (and any guests) are cordially invited to a Welcome Reception for New Members in Room 33 (third floor) of the Community House. If you don’t know the way, a Welcome Committee member—wearing a green button—will be stationed near the door at the right front side of the church, and will direct you.
Please join us for food and refreshments, and the opportunity to meet fellow parishioners, including members of the Clergy, the Vestry, the Welcome Committee, and several other groups active at St. Bart's.
We look forward to welcoming you as a new member of the St. Bart’s community!
Welcome Sunday 2/19/12, where we welcomed 32 new members to our St. Bart's Community, was a wonderful, joyous occasion. New members are now learning more about St. Bart's, how much there is to be received, beginning with eucharist services every day of the week, our fellowship groups, ways to serve and give back to those in need, and wait a minute . . . what is our mission?
QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING AND BELONGING?
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