Dear Friends in Christ,
Five months and thirty days ago it began after the winter solstice. The shortest day of the year followed by increasing light, bit by bit, day by day. No, this is not news, simply an observation. This gradual shift in the earth’s tilting comes and goes and is a natural occurrence baked into our experience on earth. Two seasons fold into one another, more light and less light, ascending and descending.
Today marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and where we live 15 hours and 22 minutes of daylight to enjoy. But after that the length of light slowly diminishes. By the time St. Bart’s Day arrives, August 20, we will be down to 14 hours and 8 minutes of daylight. (All of this according to the Sunset and Rise app.)
Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want you lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change. 2 Peter 3:8-9 The Message Bible
On June 11 the 6:00 pm service included a rainstorm but by the time we concluded the sun was out and I knew at some point a rainbow would appear. As I was driving home there it was! Then again, yesterday as I was getting into my car in a parking lot, I looked up – a rainbow – not preceded by any visible rain, but obviously enough moisture and light combined to generate one.
On this longest day of the year be reminded that time does not stand still, the light of Christ shines even at night, and God’s promise forever resides in the beauty of the rainbow.
Today summer begins! Rest. Be safe and enjoy!
Faithfully,
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,
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