Welcome to Church!
We're glad you've found us.
If you are looking for a community that seeks to develop wise, courageous, and discerning persons, consider us. We do so through the traditions inherited by those who witnessed Christ Crucified and encountered Him after his death. We begin where you are, and you can participate at your own pace.
We welcome individuals who are struggling with their faith.
We welcome those who appreciate tradition while asking hard questions of it.
We welcome those who are seeking a stable church.
We welcome those who think loving God and enjoying life are much the same.
We welcome those who love music and think music is a form of prayer.
We welcome those who seek to serve.
We welcome those who do much of their spiritual work in the world, and not just in church.
We welcome those seeking a church that takes worship seriously, without being overly fussy.
We welcome those who can tolerate great diversity theologically and politically.
We welcome those who don't always understand church;
We welcome those who want to learn to be leaders;
We welcome those who believe the church can offer wisdom, while not endorsing particular parties.
We travel in the footsteps of the world's savior, Jesus Christ.
We seek an intelligent and intelligible faith.
We explore scripture, the poetry of encountering the world, through the imagination of a joyful company of festive people, church.
At St. Barts we believe the church does the following:
We build trust among its diverse members:
Advocate for the less fortunate;
Care for those who do not get care;
Harnesses the highest cultural ideas, if imperfectly;
Gather out of mutual affection rather than necessity or profit;
Foster ideas, talents and relationships of intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, worth;
Provide down (or "sabbath") time;
Deepen and encourage reverence and respect;
Teach that there is power in numbers;
Reveres the limits of our individual power;
Contain the madness of individuals in the culture;
Engage in conflict in a safe and manageable way.
Ease the burdens of people who aren’t its members;
Build reliable and strong hearts;
Reinforce an appreciation and wonder for the world.
We cannot prove the physical existence of hell for individual souls after a person dies.
We accept that science explains how nature works.
We believe women participate in all levels of the church.
We agree that Christians can challenge government policies, as citizens.
We hope this answers some of your questions, and look forward to seeing you on Sunday!