Frederick Buechner’s reflections on Advent capture the sense of anticipation that Christians experience during the Advent season.
DECEMBER 2015
The house lights go off and the footlights come on. Even the chattiest stop chattering as they wait in darkness for the curtain to rise. In the orchestra pit, the violin bows are poised. The conductor has raised his baton.
In the silence of a midwinter dusk there is far off in the deeps of it somewhere a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen.
You walk up the steps to the front door. The empty windows at either side of it tell you nothing, or almost nothing. For a second you catch a whiff in the air of some fragrance that reminds you of a place you've never been and a time you have no words for. You are aware of the beating of your heart.
The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.
The Salvation Army Santa Claus clangs his bell. The sidewalks are so crowded you can hardly move. Exhaust fumes are the chief fragrance in the air, and everybody is as bundled up against any sense of what all the fuss is really about as they are bundled up against the wind chill factor.
But if you concentrate just for an instant, far off in the deeps of you somewhere you can feel the beating of your heart. For all its madness and lostness, not to mention your own, you can hear the world itself holding its breath.
EUCHARISTIC LECTIONARY YEAR B
SUNDAY WORSHIP 7:45 AM 9:00 AM 11:00 AM
Holy Eucharist Rite I Holy Eucharist Rite II Holy Eucharist Rite II Children’s Chapel
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 10:00 am
Adult Classes
WEEKDAY WORSHIP 6:00 PM
Wednesday, Holy Eucharist Rite II
12:00 pm
Thursdays Holy Eucharist & Healing (Chapel)
Christian writer and theologian Frederick Buechner is the author of more than thirty books and has been an important source of inspiration and learning for many readers. This selection originally appeared in Whistling in the Dark, and then Beyond Words.
Confirmation Class October 2015
With heartfelt apologies to Barbara Smith and Beth Cunningham, who were incorrectly identified in the November Encourager, here are the correct names. Pictured from left to right: Barbara Smith, Audrey Schwartz, Father Jeff, Emily Donley, John Wallace, John Donley, Debbie Agnew, Bishop Reed and Beth Cunningham. All of us welcome you to membership at St. Barnabas.
Study for Advent The Diocese of West Texas is offering a six-part Advent series “Mary, Mother of God,” that focuses on Mary in Scripture and history. The study has already begun, but all sessions are available on line. Audio and Power Point presentations created by Brother James Dennis can be accessed on the Diocesan website (christianformation-dwtx.org.) James R. Dennis, O.P. is a member of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio and of the Anglican Order of Preachers. He frequently writes, preaches and teaches around the Diocese on spiritual matters.
Year Round Stewardship First, let me again thank all who participated in our annual campaign. The SPIRIT has moved many to join in, and others are in prayer at this time. December brings many ways to give our time, talent and treasure. Our Angel Tree is decorated with the names of families and children who need our help to have a Merry Christmas. Please select an ornament, write your name on the sign-up sheet in the appropriate slots, shop and wrap the gifts. Complete instructions are next to the tree. Return the gifts/baskets to St. Barnabas on or before December 14. Don’t delay...The deadline will be here soon. The Needs Council’s Annual Coat Drive provides warm outer wear for those in need. Please bring new or gently used winter clothing (coats, sweaters, gloves, scarves and hats) for adults, children and toddlers and place them in the shopping cart by the church office. On Friday, December 18th starting at 6:00 p.m., the Fredericksburg Rotary Club will hold its annual “Wrap Party” for Toys for Tots in the Parish Hall. Last year, they gave nearly 900 toys to over 325 families. Food and drinks are providedfor the wrappers. Share the Christmas Spirit with new friends as you help bring joy to a child in our community. All are welcome. The Hill Country SPCA needs animal lovers that will help with animal care at the center and foster animals waiting for adoption. Call Elizabeth Loggie, the Executive Director, at (830) 992-9198. On behalf of the Stewardship Team, Susan Kimbrell, and Carl Luckenbach, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A JOYOUS NEW YEAR. GOD BLESS Bill Burns, Stewardship Chair
Three Generations of Volunteers: Nancy, Wendy and Gracie Bush help get the stewardship mailing ready.
If you’re interested in helping in the office, answering the phone and/or doing clerical work, call Carol or Rachel at (830) 9975762.
Mom’s Morning Off Update MMO enrollment is close to capacity at 35 children in five rooms. Early Bird and Afterglow have a combined 26 children demonstrating the popularity of these options.
October 7 was a fun day. Firemen, Sparky and a fire truck! The children got to have a turn at helping with fire hose if they wanted to - not everyone did. The fireman talked to the children about their equipment and how they would help in case of a fire at school or at home. This was Fire Department mascot Sparky’s first visit to St. Barnabas—a terrific bonus! The MMO Christmas Program will be on December 14, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Cookies and beverages will be served in the Parish Hall following the program.
On October 28, the children enjoyed Character Dress Up Day and Trick or Treat. The morning was full with story time, chapel and trick or treating. (There were no tricks.)
Thanksgiving at St. Barnabas
The beautiful Thanksgiving altar and a concert by the Bell Choir kicked off Thanksgiving week.
Over 150 parishioners enjoyed a delicious dinner and fellowship at the Thanksgiving Potluck on November 1. Lots of volunteers helped make it happen. Pictured upper right: Cheri Snyder and Frances Money. Lower left: Jack Oates and Bill Snyder. Lower right: Sharon and Bill Miller on clean up. Others who helped are Debbie and Bill Agnew, Della Potucek, Cindy Beeman, Ric McCormick, Mike and Sandy Wuest, Pris Williams, Margaret Hawn, Gay Youngblood, Diane Smith, Holly Dickens, Linda Zehnder, Lyda Slayton and all of the fabulous St. Barnabas cooks.
October 2015 Financials Balance Sheet: There was an increase of about $4K. The following is the breakdown by area: · Monthly Operations -$2.9K (explained below) · Moms Morning Off $1.2K (explained below) · Other (mostly Funds) $5.4K Significant activity from funds was as follows: Copier Fund (-$936), Building Fund ($1.5K), Columbarium Fund ($4K), Endowment Fund (+$.5K), and the Rector Discretionary Fund ($.5K). Monthly Operations: Income for the month was under budget by $1.3K and expenses over budget by $2K making the net for the month a negative $2.9K. Lower October pledge income was the key to lower income for the month. The over budget expenses were in outreach for the Jeanie Miley Seminar ($1.6K) and a Reverend Discretionary Expense ($1K).On a YTD basis, income is over budget by $.9K and expenses are over budget by $4.6K. As of the end of October, income is greater than expenses.
MMO: MMO had a surplus for the month of $1.2K. Enrollment is higher than was used to budget and will continue at that rate for the rest of the year. On a YTD basis, MMO is a positive $.6.7K. Fall enrollment is at 34 children with 10 teachers, close to full capacity. St Barnabas Financials as of October 31, 2015 Oct 15 Monthly $ +/- Jan-Oct Actuals Budget Budget Actuals Income 34,776 36,063 -1,287 361,526 Expenses: Staff 21,301 20,675 626 211,360 Operating 6,352 6,319 33 65,530 Ministry 4,700 3,385 1,315 31,509 Apportionment 5,292 5,292 0 52,920 Total Expenses 37,645 35,671 1,974 361,319 Net Income -2,869 392 -3,261 207
YTD $ +/Budget Budget 360,630 896
Annual Budget 432,750
206,750 4,610 63,190 2,340 33,850 -2,341 52,920 0 356,710 4,609 3,920 -3,713
248,105 75,825 40,600 63,504 428,034 4,716
Vestry Happenings Jim Spruiell, Senior Warden The Vestry’s monthly meeting had a packed agenda that included: the presentation of the draft budget for 2016; the upcoming expansion of the “Everyone Belongs ministry; the nominating committee discussion and qualifying of active church members to be candidates for Vestry; the building and grounds update regarding the campus plan; and the Rector’s discussion of the new Assistant Rector’s role. The Treasurer, Ric McCormick, presented the financials and the rationale for developing the 2016 budget. The final budget will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting in January. Jimmy Davis, Chair for the “Everyone Belongs” ministry, talked about expanding to incorporate the activities of the DWTX program for “Everyone Belongs,” and the role our new priest could take in this ministry. The Administration Committee discussed and qualified potential new members for the Vestry 2016. Three current members will leave the Vestry and the Parish will elect three new members at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Committee presents the following Parish members who have agreed to stand for Vestry: Julie Alvarez, Elizabeth Loggie, Frances Money, Bill Snyder and John Sumner . Father Jeff stated that the new priest’s role continues to develop and crystalize. The field has been narrowed and we expect the new Assistant Priest to be announced at the December Vestry meeting .
December
MEETINGS & MINISTRIES
ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS
Birthdays
Wednesday—6 p.m. in CEB
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Sun Mon Tues Wed Fri Sat 8 p.m. in CEB Spanish Speaking Meeting Sun & Mon 6:30 p.m. in the CEB Thurs, Closed Meeting (Women) 7 p.m. in CEB
AL-ANON
12/01
12/02 12/03
Monday—6:30 p.m. in CEB Friday—6:30 p.m. in CEB
12/05
BELL CHOIR
12/06 12/07
Wednesday—4:30 p.m. in CEB
BIBLE STUDIES
Monday—7 a.m. in Library Thursday—10 a.m. in CEB
12/09 12/11
CHOIR
Resumes Oct. 13,—7 p.m.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
2nd Saturday of the Month—9:30 a.m. in Sanctuary
LIBRARY GUILD
1st Thursday of the Month 10 a.m. in Library
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Thursday—7 a.m. in Parish Hall
MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF)
Monday & Wednesday—9 a.m.
VESTRY
3rd Monday of the Month—5 p.m. in Conference Room
WISDOM SCHOOL
Gospel of Thomas Tues—11:30 a.m. in Library New Testament and Parables of Grace Thurs.—7 p.m. in the Parish Hall Dinner, Thurs.—6 p.m.
12/12 12/13 12/15
Elizabeth Cunningham Ann Pfeiffer Julie Alvarez Stirling Greenlee Sally Brinker Shari Massengale Robert Lastovica Frank Pieslak John Phelps Marion Isenberg Dianna Green Scott Wuest Jake Plesko Julie Roseberry Jennifer Eggleston Shane Spruiell George Ellison, Sr. Sharla Godfrey Richard McDonald Elizabeth Setterbo Nancy Wareing Charles Green
12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 12/20 12/23 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 12/30
12/31
Bill Burns Mike Wuest June Brundrett Ann Shafer Debra Oates Stephen Kinney Logan Lastovica Jack Thompson Dennis Pfeiffer Finn Alban Ann Schuman Nick Bishop Jack Wynne-Smith Chris Brundrett Marley Clements Della Potucek Bud Parish Chuck Ramsey Andrew Alvarez Nancy Grimes Karen Welch
Anniversaries 12/03 Jack & Arlinda Daffern Ray & Stacy Rodgers 12/04 Nick & Gerry Bishop 12/15 John & Tracy Donley 12/25 Grady & Joan Puryear
Rotary Wrap Party Annual Parish Meeting Vestry Retreat 112th Diocesan Council Ash Wednesday
12/26 Charlie & Linda Wilson 12/27 John & Gay Youngblood Carl & Vickie Luckenbach Art & Ann Shafer 12/28 David & Pat Tuttle
Fri., Dec. 18,2015 Sun., Jan. 10, 2016 Sat., Jan. 16, 2016 Feb. 18—20, 2016 February 10, 2016
Return Service Requested
CHURCH CLERGY AND STAFF: Rector: The Rev. Jeff Hammond Lay Pastoral Minister: Morey Weldon Clergy Associate: The Rev. Dr. Dyana Orrin Clergy Associate: The Rev. Anne Finn Parish Administrator: Rachael Cole Office Assistant: Carol Schreider Director of Music: Hazel Hanson Lay Ministry Coordinator: Steve Neale Mom’s Morning Off Director: Sue Gustin Nursery Director: Madeline Clanton Housekeeper: Patty Ramirez
Christmas at St. Barnabas 2015 Worship Services
Christmas Eve Family Service
4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
5:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist
10:30 p.m.
Christmas Day Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m.
Poinsettias Childcare available at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Church Office will be closed December 24—25 and December 31—January 1
Sign up in the Narthex on Sundays or in the office during the week. Cost is $15. The Plants will adorn the altar during the Christmas season.