Hopeful Future: A Role

Before the Barth family joined St. Philip, they attended numerous different churches, most of which leaned toward a contemporary style of worship. However, as time passed, they began to realize that what felt right at the time started not to align with the path their family was on. 

James Barth, the oldest of the Barth children, noted about attending elsewhere, “There wasn’t too much of a role for me at those churches.” His dad, Daniel, echoed that sentiment. “We were searching for an environment where our kids could actively participate. That’s a big part of what drew us to St. Philip.”

So, after worshiping online for a while, the family finally stepped through the doors at St. Philip, and they immediately sensed they had found a welcoming community with people of all ages. It felt right.

Soon after their arrival, the first group of acolytes completed their training and were officially installed. James, with a sense of curiosity and eagerness, decided to step forward. He volunteered for the next acolyte training, saying, “I wanted to know what it felt like to do that. I feel like it is great to be a part of the church - to serve, to help with worship. I really like being an acolyte.”

Reflecting on their journey, Daniel shared, “Everything in our path led us here. The kids thrive, and it's great to see how well they’ve done. It meets our own needs, but it is really great for the kids. It’s an all-around blessing for us.”

James chimed in with his youthful enthusiasm, “This is a really, really good church. It’s cool to have a role.”

Your generous support through our rich history has transformed St. Philip into a place where young people like James can shine their light through their roles within the church community, just as candles illuminate a dark room. Your contributions have played a pivotal role in creating an inclusive environment in our vibrant present where everyone can actively engage in God's mission and ministry, spreading the warmth and hope of faith.

By continuing to grow in generosity, we can keep nurturing and empowering the leaders and volunteers of tomorrow’s hopeful future. Your gifts to St. Philip make it possible for us to keep fostering this spirit of involvement and service.

Thank you for your unwavering support of St. Philip, where being a part of something special is indeed "cool."