Dear Friends in Christ,
We all know this is a leap year, and today, February 29th, pushes all days forward by one. I’ve chosen this day in Lent to address a matter many do not want to ponder – death. As the saying put forward by Benjamin Franklin reminds us – death and taxes cannot be avoided.
A colleague of mine urges people to “not leave a mess” for family and friends to clean up. The time will come for each of us to leave our earthly bodies and our loved ones behind.
Neatly concealed in the Book of Common Prayer is the following:
The Minister of the Congregation is directed to instruct people, from time to time, about the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provisions for the well-being of their families, and of all persons to make wills, while they are in good health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. p. 445.
Lent is an ideal time to get a will. Otherwise, the state of Georgia will determine what happens to your earthly treasures.
When it comes to ecclesiastical matters, I encourage you to make plans for your Celebration of Life while you are able. Select scripture, music, etc. If your choice is cremation, consider being interred in the St. Joseph of Arimathea Memorial Garden. Pick your spot now. Yes, this is all daunting but real. Tending to these details may be one of the greatest gifts you leave behind.
For your convenience, here are links to the Burial Planning Booklet,
St. Joseph of Arimathea Memorial Garden information, and application.
Finally, invest in the future of St. Bart’s by joining The Heirs of Anna and Simeon. There are many options for planned giving.
Don’t leap past this reminder to “make prudent provisions for the well-being” of loved ones.
With prayers for a meaningful Lent,
Mother Angela
My name is Reverend Deacon Florence Cooper Mitchell. I was ordained in 2022 as deacon in the Dioceses of Atlanta. Prior to becoming a deacon I taught science in the following Georgia counties and city school districts: Dooly, Crisp, Dougherty and Atlanta Public Schools. During my tenure as an educator I taught: chemistry, biology, physical science, mathematics, forensic science and environmental sciences. I was born in Brooks County Georgia and reared on my maternal grandparents’ farm in Quitman, Georgia. Upon graduation from Brooks County High School, I enrolled in Fort Valley State College where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. I continued my education by earning a Master of Science in Biology from Albany State University.
Karen Dickey was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and has called Atlanta home for the last 28 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and her master’s degree in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Business. Karen has been involved in church accounting for the last 10 years. She considers church accounting “her ministry” where her skill, working with God’s people, and passion for social justice intersects. Her hope is to use her gifts to enhance St. Bartholomew’s community centered mission.
Maquita is a published storyteller with a deeply rooted dedication to truth-seeking and narrative change work in overlooked communities. Maquita has seven years of experience in marketing and content communications for the financial, higher education, and government sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Journalism. She was the editor-in-chief of two teen magazines, the author of three books, and now ghostwrites and documents some of life’s precious moments through video, podcast, and an online journal.
My name is Rev. Shirley Porter. I am a Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at the invite of the Rector, Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, and I look forward to meeting with you!
Hello, I’m Kristi Painter is St. Bartholomew’s Parish Administrator. Kristi has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She recently moved back to Atlanta after spending several years in Philadelphia working as a United Methodist young adult missionary with a homeless services organization. Her calling is assisting congregations in living out their faith through both service and advocacy.
Hello, I’m 
The Rev. Alex Sherrill
The Rev. Canon Dr. Angela F. Shepherd 
Debbie Kerr 
The Rev. Peter Wallace 
The Rev. Dr. Stefanie Taylor
Audry Gagnon
Stephen Frketic 
Kenneth Hilson
Deacon Katharine Hilliard-Yntema
The Rev. Bill Deneke,
Recent Comments