December 2022
Dear Friends
We are pleased to be able to update you on the Church’s activities. Clearly the world has had a difficult time over the last few years with Covid and economic & political disruption seemingly everywhere. However, just like after Hurricane Irma, the island and indeed the Church have recovered well, and we all breathe a collective sigh of relief and say a thankful prayer.
As many of you know, we used the series of Covid lockdowns to expand our ministry – and we now offer a weekly virtual service so that everyone, no matter where they are in the world, can enjoy the spirituality, lively music and be present at the Holy Eucharist … just as we are in our Church every Sunday.
We are delighted to announce the Revd Charlie Vere Nicoll has again offered his services in a major way to our Church. The Vestry warmly welcome Father Charlie back in the role of Resident Honorary Priest, to work in conjunction with the visiting priest program, whilst offering a continuity in local ministry.
Even in a year affected by Covid, we had over 2,000 attend our services in person, as well as over 3,000 views online, and we had 14 weddings or renewals of vows, as well as the privilege of baptising 6 children to welcome them into the Christian family. We have also held 5 funerals in the Church; including for two of our dearest friends and former churchwardens, Brook Lacour and Trinette Wellesley-Wesley, and more recently for dear Mina; as well as saying our fond farewells to great supporters of the Church and island: Tim Warburton, Larry O’Donnell, Roy Simpson, Scudder Smith, and Lucy Day.
We have been busy with our buildings too, making sure that they are kept in top condition – which meant closing the church for two months so that the walls, floors and hurricane shutters could be fully repaired and restored … we invested a total of €70,000 in a carefully controlled way, which all came in on time and on budget.
Our vibrant Church community really does come from all around the world – visiting the island from time to time and having access to the Church throughout the year via our online ministry. As you know, we are an entirely volunteer based church and self-funding. Our US affiliated charity, Friends of St Bartholomew’s Anglican Church, is the financial adviser and custodian of our off-island church finances which offers an efficient method of donating for US citizens.
The Friends Annual Fundraising is an important part of the Church’s calendar. We are immensely grateful to everybody in our vibrant church family who is able to contribute (whether connecting with us when on-island or watching online), without whom we would not be in a position to offer our unique ministry, music and outreach and keep our buildings and garden in a proper state of repair.
As the festive season approaches, we wish you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year and we very much hope to see you during 2023.
With love and blessings
Father Charlie & Philip