St. Bartholomew's Church is dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people in the Western New York region. As members of the American Anglican Council (AAC) and the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) we greatly value our ties to the World Wide Anglican Communion.

We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and encourage all people to strive to enter into a personal relationship with Him. Our mission is to provide our membership with sound biblical teaching through sermons and Bible study led by our clergy and to equip our members for the work of ministry in Christ's name.

We warmly welcome all newcomers and visitors to our parish. Our church is open to all sinners looking to find their redemption in Jesus Christ. Please join us for the worship of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our Ministries

 

Children's Ministry Programs

September - June Programs Nursery We have a nursery for infants - 2 years old available during our Sunday services at 9:15 and 11:00 AM Sunday School Classes We have weekly Sunday School classes for Pre-K (3 & 4 year olds) and up through 12th grade at our 9:15 and 11:00 AM services (there is none at our 8AM service.). Use of the Bible and Prayer are stressed in the lessons, music, and crafts. Children's Chapel We have a Children's Chapel time at the beginning of the 9:15 and 11:00 AM Sunday School classes, (there is none for our 8AM service) for all children in grades Pre-K through 4th Grade, on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 5th Sundays of every month. On the 4th Sunday of every month the children go directly to the Sanctuary for the Children's Homily and then go to their Sunday school classes. Special Events during the school year There are 8 special events held throughout the year. All the events focus on Jesus, are Biblically based, and include music, crafts, and games.

Summer Programs  We have a Chapel time and a Sunday school class for all children Pre-K through 3rd grade at our 10 AM Sunday service. We focus on Worship and Praising the Lord with lessons and songs.

Vacation Bible School VBS is held every summer for one full week usually in July. The week includes Bible study, crafts, games, snack time and a skit. this event is for children ages 3 years thru 6th grade.

Community Outreach

Red Sleigh Family Fair This is a fund raising event for charity held annually in November every year Host by FFF and the Bishop Sciafe Guild. Rock, Rods and Relationships - An outreach event to the community we serve. All Day Music, Worship, Healing Service, Food and fun events for the Kids. A summertime event that blesses many.

Christian Education Ministries

Mid-Week Bible Study Children's Sunday School We have weekly Sunday School classes for Pre-K thru 12th grades at our 9:15 & 11:00 AM services during the school year. Baptism/Confirmation Classes Confirmations classes meet on Saturdays at 10 AM. Upcoming classes begin September 19, 2009. New Member Classes Adult Inquirers Classes begin in January with Father Ward. T.B.A. Any one interested in being confirmed, received or having their confirmation vows renewed should contact Father Ward for enrollment in this class.

Men's Ministries

Men's Bible Study and Fellowship This is an opportunity for men of all ages to come together in a casual atmosphere to study the Bible, fellowship, and pray. We minister to and receive ministry from each other. All are encouraged to actively engage Scripture. Open and frank discussion is invited as we strive to better understand how to live our lives as the biblical Jesus informs us. We meet most Tuesday nights at the church from 6:30 - 8:00 PM.

Music Ministries

Senior Choir: The St. Bart's Senior choir is open to all people from 9th grade on up through adult. We presently have 20 members, and we sing for the 11:00 A.M. Sunday service and practice every Wednesday at 7:00 P.M. All interested singers are invited to join us! Reading music is NOT a prerequisite. Just a desire to serve the Lord through song. Please join us! Junior Choir: The St. Bart's Junior Choir is open to all children from second grade on up through seventh. We presently have 12 members, and they sing at the 9:15 A.M. service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. We rehearse every Wednesday evening at 6:15 P.M. The choir is open to all interested children! Please join us! Contemporary Choir: The contemporary choir is new this year. We sing modern choruses, and participate in the 9:15 A.M. service, on the second Sunday of the month. We rehearse at 8:30 A.M. on the Sunday we sing. For those of you looking for a commitment to the church less strenuous that the Senior Choir, this is the place for you! Please join us! You are welcome. Immanuel: Immanuel is a group of young people who lead worship with Contemporary Christian Music. During the Summer months they lead at the 5:00 PM Eucharist, and the rest of the year lead the Youth Worship on Sunday Evenings. This group planned and led worship at the Healing Eucharist at the First Rock, Rods, and Relationships held on August 13, 2005 and each year following at RRR. We are blessed that they are the opening act for II Guys From Petra - on October 3, 2009 in our Great Hall.

Special Interest/Needs PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH This prayer ministry is open to all who have a heart for our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world.  We meet on the first Monday of each month in the Sanctuary for prayer for various people, people-groups, and countries where persecution against Christians is most severe.  There is also a persecution country highlighted in the monthly church newsletter, The Chatter, so that church members can pray at home too.

St. Bart's Computer Club The computer club is a group that is on hiatus. Prison Ministry My involvement with Western New York ministries includes facilitating a men's fellowship and Bible study at the Grace House, a men's halfway house for parolees. I am also a member of the Volunteer Services Staff at Grace House, providing what ever work the Pastor deems necessary, both spiritual and physical. Saving Grace Ministries was envisioned by Pastor Terry King several years ago. The mission of Saving Grace Ministries is to provide a smooth transition to community life for men recently released from a correctional facility, by providing a highly structured program based on Christian principles. Grace House, the home of Saving Grace Ministries, is a highly structured, transitional residence, designed to disciple men who are on Parole (released from Prison), to become productive for the Kingdom of God, their families, and their communities. Jim Wheaton, Vestry Member Crown Small Group Study: The Small Group Study is a 10 week in-depth study of what scripture teaches about money and possessions. Topics include getting out of debt, spending, giving, investing, earning money, saving, budgeting and training children. Graduates have confirmed that marriages are being strengthened and individuals are finding their way out of debt. They are also becoming consistent savers, generous givers, and prudent consumers. Most importantly, people are entering into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as they learn to apply His Word. Groups meet for 2 hours every week and include scripture memorization and interactive discussions. There are four requirements for students participating in this study: 1. Daily prayer for each member of your group 2. Memorize one assigned scripture each week 3. Complete weekly homework assignments-both Bible study and practical application. (approximately 2 hours of homework per week) 4. Attend a minimum of 8 of the 10 classes For more information contact Gary Wisniewski or Susan Tobin at the Church Office. Telephone Prayer Chain The Telephone Prayer Chain is an outreach ministry formed from a prayer group that began in 1983. It tranformed into a telephone relay network in 1984. The telephone chain is a line of communication among believers who are willing to be "on call" to pray for a specific need. One phone call activates the network. All prayer requests are kept strictly confidential and are sent through the chain within a 48 hour period. At the present time there are 11 members, although 12 has been the standard number that we have maintained over the years. This ministry is open to anyone who feels a serious call to contemplative intercessory prayer. For prayer or more information, please call the Church Office.

Women's Ministries

Bishop Scaife Guild All baptized women are members of the Episcopal Church Women( commonly referred to as the "ECW" The Local extension of this national body, in this parish, is called the "Bishop Scaife Guild" Any baptized woman in the parish is invited, as an "ECW" member, to participate in any Guild activity or event, on any occasion. Wed. Morning / Thursday Night Bible Study The Wednesday Morning / Thursday Night Womens Bible Study Group will start its Fall schedule beginning September 14 and 15. The group will meet on Wednesday morning from 10:30 AM to Noon, and the Thursday Night Group will meet from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Missionettes Girls Club Missionettes Girls Club is a ministry tool to help fulfill the Titus 2 principle of women mentoring young girls. Girls can begin missionettes at 5-6 years of age and continue on to the fifth grade. The group is similar to Brownies or Girl Scouts, but bases itself on Christian principles. The Fivefold Purpose of Missionettes is: To win girls to Jesus Christ through love and acceptance To teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded us--developing girls spiritually and mentally To provide encouragement, support, and accountability through lasting Christian relationships To provide an environment for girls to develop their gifts and abilities To acquaint them with the Great Commission of Jesus Christ our Lord Each of the following clubs have their own uniform (t-shirt), pledges, motto, and program guide. Girls earn colorful badges as they work their way through 4 week units. There are 18 units that will be completed in 2 years. Woman's Fellowship Group Please call Elaine Henzler for more information. Please join us as we continue in our 5 week study of When the Going Gets Tough, Finding Hope and Joy in our Trials, by Joe Stowell (Discovery Series Bible Study, Our Daily Bread. We will then proceed with another study entitled Women of the Bible. Some of the women we will study are Delilah, Rahab, Potiphar's Wife, the Woman at Endor, Leah, Rachel and others. We meet every other Tuesday beginning September 8, 2009. Please consider joining us!

Youth Ministries (Jr./Sr. High)

Generation Next For young people: Junior Youth Group - grades 6 thru 8, Senior Youth Group grades 9 thru Young Adult. Seniors meet every Monday evening, while Juniors meet the second and fourth Wednesday. Each meeting is filled with Fun, Worship and Fellowship. For more detailed information check out the GENERATION NEXT tab on the left side of the screen -- and you will visit the GENERATION NEXT WEB PAGE. All are welcome, bring a friend! Summer Camps St. Bartholomew's Church supports and participates in the following youth camps and conferences: Kingdom Bound-- Held at Six Flags Darien Lake during the Summer.

Additional Ministries

FFF (Family -Fun-Fellowship) FFF is a group that plans and promotes family activities (The Family of GOD) Example: Dances,  A Thanksgiving camping weekend and the Red Sleigh Family Fair, & Silent Auction. St Bart's Angels This is a group of anonymous individuals known only by the clergy. They prefer to work in the background using the gift that God has given them. They make items such as afghans and blankets for newborns into the church family also for people that are seriously ill and for the needy at nursing homes and area hospitals. They also donate to needy of our community through programs including The Buffalo City Mission, Hearts for the Homeless and the Inter-Church Food Pantry Clothes Closet to name a few. Anyone interested in helping with this ministry contact clergy. HomeBuilders - A marriage encounter small group Bible study meeting once a month that is dedicated to making your family all that God intended. Whether you have been married for years or are newly married - this series will help you and your spouse discover the timeless principles from God's Word that you can apply to your family. For more information please contact John Reitz.