“Our operative way of doing mission is hospitality.” I heard one of our vision team members share this thought almost two years ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. As this group weighed the different values that each member had experienced, Hospitality kept coming up to the top of the list. When visitors come to St. Bart’s, one of the first pieces of feedback I hear is how welcome everyone feels, how they experience this church like it’s their home already. One of my seminary professors, Bob Webber, used to say “hospitality is a gift of the Spirit.” It’s easy to make this connection with the Spirit, Hospitality and St. Bart’s when we think of Christ on the cross and especially our daily prayer for mission:
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love
On the hard wood of the cross that everyone might
Come within the reach of your saving embrace.
So clothe us in your Spirit, that we, reaching forth
Our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you
To the knowledge and love of you, for the honor of your name. Amen.
Our hope and vision at St. Bart’s is to build a people and place that connect the people of East Dallas with God so that together we may behold God and become more like him.
In this final month of our fiscal year, we see a distinct opportunity to do just that. First, as you have done so well through this calendar year, please continue to remember your tithes to the Lord. It cannot be overstated how this pandemic has affected us all in unique and varied ways. And one reality I return to time and again is that God always provides for his people. I hope you have seen that reality at work in your lives.
Secondly, one specific way we are attempting to extend the hospitality of Christ into East Dallas - and the people of St. Bart’s in particular - is with the Covid Relief Fund. The purpose of the fund is to assist those members of the St. Bart’s family who have been adversely affected economically by the pandemic. So, in this last month of our fiscal year, 10% of June’s contributions will be diverted to this fund. Thank you for your generous giving that enable us to help those in our midst.
The word hospitality has a particular sting to it these days. Our ability to gather is hindered, our ability to welcome our friends and neighbors into our homes and church is hindered. But remember, the core and character of who we are - the things we value - do not change. We remain a hospitable people centered around the crucified and risen Christ. We remain St. Bart’s.
Pray that we can see each other soon -
Jay+