January 2016 encourager

Father Bur Dobbins to Be Our Assistant Rector On May 1, Father Bur will join the staff at St. Barnabas as Assistant Rector. As you read his reflections on undertaking this new ministry, you will understand how blessed we are to have him at St. Barnabas.

I

am constantly amazed at the places God takes me when I respond with a “yes” to God’s call. Many times I have committed to doing a particular ministry with a specific objective only to see the work of the Holy Spirit lead me in a completely different direction. My family and I look forward to our move to Fredericksburg; not because of something that we think needs to happen at St. Barnabas, but because of the incredible opportunities for ministry that will be revealed by the Holy Spirit. It is exciting to be a part of St. Barnabas because of its long history of ministry in Christ’s name and as a witness to the glory of God not only in Fredericksburg but to the world.

JANUARY 2016 EUCHARISTIC LECTIONARY YEAR C

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)

I am the fifth generation Episcopal priest in my family (the generations are sort of zig zag and not a in straight line). My father, Charles J. Dobbins, was an Episcopal priest in Port Neches, Houston (Epiphany), and Corpus Christi (Good Shepherd). His father (my grandfather), Joseph Burford Dobbins, was an Episcopal priest primarily in Temple (Christ Church.) His father-in-law (my greatgrandfather), Charles Maltas, was an Episcopal priest in Orange County, Calfornia and Salina, Kansas. His father (my great, great-grandfather), William Maltas was a Methodist priest and then an Episcopal priest in the eastern part of Upper Michigan. He spent most of his time walking from town to town and house to house to share the Gospel.

It wasn’t initially my intention to follow in the footsteps of these men in my life. Prior to entering seminary, I was an attorney for more than ten years in Corpus Christi. Feeling God’s call, I entered seminary at the University of the South in 2000. Since my ordination in 2003, I have served at St. Peter & St. Paul in Mission, Trinity in Victoria, and Church of the Annunciation in Luling.

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Elizabeth and Dylan, Melissa and Father Bur Dobbins .

MMO Christmas Program A standing-room-only crowd of parents and grandparents filled the sanctuary to hear the MMO children present their Christmas program. Father Jeff led the students in the Lord’s Prayer and each of the five classes performed carols they had been practicing.

Following the program, everyone gathered in the beautifully decorated Parish Hall for cookies, milk and sparkling cider.

Thank you, Sue Gustin and MMO teachers!

Make a Joyful Noise!

THE MUSIC MINISTRY AT ST. BARNABAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

By Carl Luckenback

Do you sometimes look over your shoulder during worship services at St. Barnabas, up toward the mezzanine, to identify the source of the beautiful sounds you are hearing? Those sounds are the product of the St. Barnabas Music Ministry.

The regular music activities at St. Barnabas, with congregational participation, in addition to Sunday morning singing of hymns and liturgy, are the two choirs, bell and choral. The bell choir practices at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Christian Education Building (CEB) and plays as often as possible for the prelude and offertory at the 11:00 a.m. Sunday worship services. They also play for special events, such as the December 11 Christmas party at the Fredericksburg Nursing Home, which is hosted by the Daughters of the King. There are nine regular ringers under the direction of Deborah Agnew. Persons willing to be substitutes are welcome. Experience, while highly desired, is not required.

Our choral choir practices at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday nights in the music/Encouragers classroom. Our choir size at practices varies from three souls to eleven. They participate in worship as often as they are able, singing at either the 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. worship services, or both. We usually sing in unison, with everyone singing the melody, although we sometimes sing in parts, depending on voice availability. The goal is to grow large enough to perform regularly, singing more complex music. Additional singers are gladly welcomed, and experience in choral singing is not a requirement. The chief requirement is a desire to praise God in music.

A special activity with music is the Children’s Christmas Pageant. Hearing the youthful voices is encouragement to develop a Children’s Choir at some point in the future. We are blessed with talented church members who join the regular musicians from time to time on the violin, cello, viola and guitar. The Encouragers also contribute on Youth Day and other occasions with their musical gifts on keyboard, guitar and bass.

We are blessed to have a talented and versatile Musical Director and Organist. Hazel Hanson, is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and a secondary emphasis in organ. She began piano at age six and organ at age nineteen, and plays other instruments as well. She has also sung in various choirs through the years. She has been the organist/pianist/accompanist at a number of churches . We appreciate Hazel’s ability to Produce A Joyful Noise in any circumstances!

Hazel Hanson, St. Barnabas Music Director

You are cordially invited to join the Daughters of the King for Coffee on January 9, 2015, at 9:30 a.m., at Nan Mosley’s home.

If you are a woman interested in knowing more about this ministry, join us for a short presentation about membership and the activities of the Daughters, along with information about the discernment process.

Call Wendy Bush ((830 456-2171) or Katharine Brundrett (830 992-7273.

Christmas Luncheon On Saturday, December 12, the St. Barnabas Chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) met at Judy Taylor’s home for a potluck luncheon. Pat McCormick and Frances Money led the group in a study of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and then a delicious and elegant lunch was served.

Co-Presidents Katharine Brundrett and Wendy Bush along with program leaders Pat McCormick and Frances Money.

Fredericksburg Nursing Home Party On December 11, the Daughters hosted a Christmas party for the residents of the Fredericksburg Nursing Home. The St. Barnabas Bell Choir played carols and the residents enjoyed homemade cookies and punch.

Each resident received a gift of a new blanket.

Pris Williams, Sarah Campbell and Cydney Mickelson prepare the table for the party.

The Daughters of the King is an order of Christian women who seek a closer walk with the Lord. They are strengthened by the discipline of a Rule of Life and supported through the companionship of other Daughters. They are committed to living a life of prayer, service and evangelism. The St. Barnabas Chapter has 57 members and meets monthly for prayer, study and fellowship.

New Wisdom School Classes Start January 14 Seasons of Glory: Personal, Congregational and Social Transformation through the Sacraments and the Liturgical Year Some Christians ask, “Are you saved?” This implies a black and white, legalistic and individualistic notion of salvation. In this class, we’ll consider salvation as a process which involves our whole lifetimes, our congregations, and which sees God’s purpose as the salvation of the whole creation—a process which is not yet finished. It is based on the four actions of the Eucharist of being taken, blessed, broken and given. We’ll be encouraged to consider how we personally are being taken, blessed, broken and given, and how our congregation and our society are always in this process of transformation.

A View from the East In this class, we will look at sacred writings that were circulating and influencing Christians during the first century after Jesus’ resurrection, but did not become part of our Bible. The stream of Christianity that traveled west to Rome did not possess the only viewpoint. Different Christian viewpoints were spreading east at the same time. We will study these other streams of Christianity through lectures by Professor Bart Ehrman, BBC videos with Anglican Priest Peter Owen Jones, and readings from “The Lost Gospels.”

We will meet Peter, Thomas, Philip, Mary Magdalene and others from the eastern stream of Christianity.

The Thursday evening Wisdom School classes begin Thursday, January 14, and will meet until May 12.

Dinner is served at 6 pm with the classes held from 6:30 to 8 pm.

Sign up in the church office by email to carolstbarn607@gmail.com or calling 997-5762.

Cost is $10 per person.

Christmas Eve at St. Barnabas

November 2015 Financials St Barnabas Financials as of November 30, 2015 Nov 15 Monthly $ +/- Jan-Nov Actuals Budget Budget Actuals Income 41,441 36,063 5,378 402,968 Expenses: Staff 16,711 20,675 -3,964 228,071 Operating 4,974 6,319 -1,345 70,514 Ministry 1,397 3,385 -1,988 31,825 Apportionment 5,292 5,292 0 58,212 Total Expenses 28,374 35,671 -7,297 388,622 Net Income 13,067 392 12,675 14,346

YTD $ +/Budget Budget 396,693 6,275

Annual Budget 432,750

227,425 69,509 37,235 58,212 392,381 4,312

248,105 75,825 40,600 63,504 428,034 4,716

646 1,005 -5,410 0 -3,759 10,034

Balance Sheet: There was an increase of about $10K. The following is the breakdown by area: Monthly Operations -$13K (explained below) Moms Morning Off -$3.6K (explained below) Significant activity from funds were as follows; Copier Fund (-$936), Dugat MMO Scholarship Fund (+$500), Endowment Fund (+$.5K.) Monthly Operations: Income was over budget by $5.4K and expenses under budget by $7.3K making the net a positive $13.1K. Pledge and non-pledge offerings were both over budget. All areas of expenses were under budget for the month. Key areas under budget are rector compensation by $2.9K because all pension and medical have been paid for the year. There were no outreach expenses. Outreach expenses will probably exceed the budget next month. On a YTD basis, income is over budget by $6.3K and expenses are under budget by $3.8K. As of the end of November, income is greater than expenses by $14.4K. We are expecting a surplus around $20K for the year as December is always a large income month.

MMO: MMO had a deficit for the month of $3.6K. Tuition income was lower because December has fewer class days while November expenses were normal. It should be reversed next month. On a YTD basis, MMO is still positive for $3.1K. Fall enrollment is at 34 children with 10 teachers, this means everything is running at close to full capacity. MMO is expected to end the year with a positive balance.

Father Bur Dobbins (con’t.)

My Dad once told me a story that continues to inspire me:

My great, great grandmother was a woman by the name of Emma Maltas. She died at the age of forty and left a husband and six children. On her deathbed she said to my great, great grandfather – “God will not take my spirit until you promise to give your life and efforts to the Gospel.” My great, great grandfather replied “How can I, I have six children to raise and no money.” My great, great grandmother responded “It is not for you to ask questions but to obey God and He will open doors for you.” My great, great grandfather prayed for three hours and agreed to his wife’s request. I continue to hear that story and I am inspired by knowing that with God all things are possible.

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constantly give thanks for the hope and grace found in Jesus Christ and I think it is vitally important for us to share that hope and grace with the world. I believe that as Christians we are each given a unique gift that we are called to share with one another and the world. I pray that with God’s help, I can inspire Christians to share their gift with the world.

January

M EETINGS & M INISTRIES

ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS

B IRTHDAYS :

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 CEB Thurs, Closed Meeting (Women) 7 p.m. in CEB

AL-ANON

Monday—6:30 p.m. in CEB Friday—6:30 p.m. in CEB

BELL CHOIR

Wednesday—4:30 p.m. in CEB

BIBLE STUDIES

1st

2nd 4th 8th

10th 11th 12th

CHOIR

13th 14th 18th 19th

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

20th

LIBRARY GUILD

21st

Monday—7 a.m. in Library Thursday—10 a.m. in CEB Tuesday—7 p.m.—Encourager Room 2nd Saturday of the Month 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary 1st Thursday of the Month 10 a.m. in the Library

22nd

MEN’S BREAKFAST

23rd

Thursday—7 a.m. in Parish Hall

Austin Spruiell Jon Hamilton Aviya York Eden York Ron Hamby David Plesko Annette Annen Ruby Cottle Hazel Hanson Mary Lee Marschall Rachel Goff Jolie P ea vy Bill Weldon Eleanor Loggie Rexanne Hill Marcia Manhart Elizabeth Coe David Tuttle Pat Sadd Dylan Eggleston Aaron Goebel Walt Biddle Johnny Gorden Rob Welch Kathy Parrish Gail Eager Linda Zehnder Linda Wilson

24th 25th 26th

27th

28th 29th 30th

31st

Jimmy Davis Sue Thompson Shirley Crooks Stacy Rodgers Ray Smith Coy Earley Joan Puryear Mollie Lastovica Neil Klenk Tim Squyres Barclay Hammond Carl Luckenbach Saeng Keow Pornphet Joe Shearer Angie Cross Linda Kemp

A NNIVERSARIES : 2nd 8th 9th 16th 23rd 27th

Mike and Sandy Wuest Jim and Pam Spruiell Ed and Robin Cowsar Bill and Sally Klekotta Wolfgang & Shalmir Benner Bruce and Jane Good Dennis and Ann Rea

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

Annual Parish Meeting Wisdom School Starts Vestry Retreat 112th Diocesan Council Ash Wednesday Easter Sunday

Sun., Jan. 10, 2016 Thurs., Jan. 14, 2016 Sat., Jan. 16, 2016 Feb. 18—20, 2016 February 10, 2016 March 27, 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

The St Barnabas 2015 Christmas Pageant was held on December 20.