As we progress further into Advent and draw closer to Christmas, my mind is drawn to what God has done in us over the past year. My anticipation of the return of Christ is encouraged by the way you all have engaged in God’s mission here at St. Bartholomew’s. And at the top of my mind is our story of “becoming St. Bartholomew’s” in 2018.

A key part of our becoming St. Bartholomew’s was our St. Bart’s Day Festival held on September 9th. Our Bishop Philip Jones presided over our service to dedicate us as our own church. He prayed for us as a people, for Chris and me, your clergy, and for God’s vision to be fulfilled in our mission and ministry. After the service we celebrated with a feast in the courtyard - it was a tremendous time of celebration and joy. That day the reality hit me that what God is doing in our midst at St. Bartholomew’s is beyond us, our efforts, our ability to keep up. And yet God delights in calling us to partner with him to participate in his mission. I hope you have felt that joy and delight as you’ve engaged in God’s mission at St. Bart’s.

As the year draws to a close and you grow in your anticipation of Christ’s return and the celebration of his birth, please remember St. Bartholomew’s - where we’ve come from, where we’ve been, and where God is taking us in 2019 and beyond.

On mission with you -

Jay+