College & Young Adult Ministry
College Ministry
"We're the Church Across the Street!"
St. Bartholomew’s Parish is located next to Coker College and is practically on the college campus. The peal of the church bell before worship can be heard from anywhere on campus and even our address is 103 Campus Drive! College Ministry is not new at St. Barts, but we are seeking to take it to a new level with a commitment of all of our resources to reaching out to college students.
Currently, we are working with our Diocese through Segue (sey-gwey) a movement of college age and young adults in the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina under the leadership of Daron Taylor. We are also working locally with Paradox an ecumenical outreach meeting at a local coffee bar (The Midnight Rooster), CRAVE, a student led group meeting at the YMCA, BCM (Because Christ Matters) a Baptist outreach ministry and FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). As a direct parish outreahc, Thirst Quinchers, we provided 1600 bottles of water to students and their parents on move-in day this fall and have provided Canterbury Club cookouts on the parish lawn to welcome new and returning students.
A member of our vestry, Prof. John Foster, III is overseeing our outreach to college students and is also a faculty member at Coker College. Please join us in praying for and supporting this ministry.
Coker College Students already:
- Worship at St. Barts
- Sing in the Choir
- Volunteer as tutors as part of our SAT outreach program
- Intern in our preschool program, Learn & Play
- Are welcome to fully participate in parish life as your "Home away from Home."
The Church is Open Daily for Prayer Sunday - Friday
Feel free to come in and pray in either the chapel, church, or on the grounds. There are beautiful outdoor settings for prayer, reading or contemplation in the Memory Garden (near the front of the church), Parish Cloister (open space in the center of the facilities), on on the green close before the shine of St. Francis (Garden at the back of the church in the playground area). Clergy are available for prayer, conversation, and confession -- just stop by the office.
Spirituali-tea & Coffee too
- Even Wi-Fi!
Join us on Wednesdays at 4:00 pm for "Spirituali-tea" or free trade, organic gourmet coffee in the Parish Library. We have light conversation, listen to music and pray together, as needed. During the week stop by the Shrine of St. Caffienatius (Just Kidding), but stop by anytime for a delicious cupa gourmet free trade and organic coffee. Fr. Michael always keeps a pot on and there is plenty of space to hang out, have a cupa, and even study using wireless interet. At St. Barts, we take hospitality seriously!
Meeting Students Needs, Not Ours
We are always striving to meet the needs of college students on their terms, not ours. If you are a college student, and have a need, suggestion or prayer request, please contact John Foster, III or Fr. Michael.
Young Adult Ministry
We recognize the need to meet the needs of young adults in our community and are in prayerful discernment of how best to do this. Please contact, Fr. Michael Ridgill for any ideas and suggestions as we are in the nascent stages of this exciting ministry opportunity.
Some of the ideas being prayed over are:
- Hiking and Camping Trips
- Parish Day Trips & Weekends Away
- Special Interest Bible Studies or Biblically Based Topical Studies
