Mystery Worshipper: Handb
Church:
St. Bartholomew’s, New York City
Location: USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 7 July 2024, 11:00am
The building
This large and beautiful church, built in a mixture of Romanesque and Byzantine styles, opened in 1918, after the congregation moved from their previous home on Madison Avenue. The church community dates back to 1835. St Bart’s is set back from the street – unusual in NYC – allowing folks to gather on the steps and be greeted there, making a very hospitable entry. The interior is filled with splendid Byzantine mosaics, with a particularly striking transfiguration rising up in the apse.
The church
The neighborhood around St Bart's, which stands on Park Avenue, has become less and less residential, so the community assembles from a broad area. They are indeed high and low, rich and poor, gay and straight. Their mission and commitment is not limited to the neighborhood, but extends to the city and beyond. St Bart’s has a lively youth education program, and offers weekly study, prayer and meditation groups through the week. The church has a strong musical tradition, with choir, a musical ensemble, and the St Bartholomew Choristers for children. The building is open for prayer and reflection Monday through Friday, with four Sunday services.
The neighborhood
St Bart's sits just north of Grand Central Station in the midst of grand skyscrapers, fine hotels, and elegant shops. Inside Park, a terraced restaurant and wine bar, sits beside the church on Park Avenue.
The cast
The senior associate rector was the celebrant, the associate rector for pastoral care served as deacon, and the vicar preached. In addition, lay people, mostly vested, served as verger, two crucifers, four chalicists, three acolytes, two lectors – who read the lessons splendidly – and an intercessor.
What was the name of the service?
Choral Eucharist.How full was the building?
About 200-plus people; the nave was about half full.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
Friendly youth on the church steps saying, ‘Happy Sunday, happy Sunday,’ and passing out bulletins. Friendly people greeting us at the passing of the peace. The deacon greeted us after the service.
Was your pew comfortable?
We sat in chairs arranged in rows, which were comfortable and not crowded.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
People were quiet and expectant; they arrived on time and waited for the service to begin.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.’ Response: ‘Glory to God for ever and ever.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
Everything needed was printed in the bulletin.
What musical instruments were played?
A fine pipe organ, the largest in New York City.
Did anything distract you?
The dog sitting a few rows ahead of us. It was nicely cared for by its ‘parents,’ but squealed at the beginning of the service, so we waited for squeal #2, which never came. Also the excellent choir singing far away in the chancel; the distraction came from trying to think of another placement where they would have seemed closer to the congregation.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
The formal Anglican liturgy was beautifully planned and executed; all participants knew their roles well and were comfortable in them. Thus what could have been stiff and formal was incorporated into the heart of the congregation. The choir members actually smiled as they processed.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
32 minutes – and it seemed shorter!
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
10 — The preacher spoke clearly at a pace which allowed careful listening. His humor was sophisticated and contagious. He knew the congregation and spoke directly to them, and also included visitors such as us.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
An offensive God! The prayer before the sermon began, ‘Lord God, you are offensive...’ Curiosity was heightened indeed! In interpreting the Gospel of the day, the preacher opened with hypothetical commentary on the American presidential race, giving examples of ways we might be offended because we are overly sure about our own opinions. He focused on the way Jesus’ preaching was offensive to the people of Nazareth, and how it was Jesus’ intent to condemn the self-righteous. Jesus’ words are not spoken just to comfort but also to offend us, and thereby open our eyes to see that we are not blameless. This innovative interpretation of the scripture was preached in a conversational but convincing way, and ended with a memorable challenge.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
1. Beautifully constructed intercessions, which were well integrated with the scripture lessons and the sermon. 2. The invitation to surround the altar after the postlude and sing the national anthem together (this was Independence Day weekend). The music drew us together in holy community.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The preacher said he would be at coffee hour to hear any comments on the sermon. The event was touted in the bulletin as ‘on the Great Terrace,’ and was mentioned warmly in the announcements, and we were invited by an usher who offered to show us the way. We went to the Great Terrace, but there was no coffee hour, and no preacher. We went to the parish hall, but there was no coffee we could see, just popsicles, and no preacher. We found the preacher by the front door engaged in a long conversation. We waited, but eventually gave up and left.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
We stood in the dim light near the popsicles, and that was that.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
There was no coffee.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 —Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Absolutely. The liturgy was powerful; the music was magnificent; the sermon was clear and persuasive, addressing how we are to live in these conflicted times.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
The sermon and an intercession: ‘Make us bold enough to speak the truth and wise enough to speak the truth in love.’
Photo by Beyond My Ken under CC BY-SA 4.0