March 2015 encourager

PRACTICING RESURRECTION ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND A SPECIAL LENTEN PROGRAM EACH WEDNESDAY EVENING DURING LENT.

6:00 PM—CELTIC EUCHARIST IN THE SANCTUARY 6:45 PM—LIGHT SUPPER IN THE PARISH HALL 7:15—8:30 PM— PRACTICING RESURRECTION CLASS RE-NEW RE-CREATE RE–BIRTH RE-VITALIZE RE-GROUP RE-ALIGN RE–BOOT RE–INVENT RE-FRESH RE-COUPLE RE-BALANCE RE-FORM RE-CHARGE RE-CONSTRUCT RE-CLAIM MARCH 11 “RESURRECTION AND VOCATION” MARCH 18 “RESURRECTION OF BODY AND SOUL” MARCH 25 “RESURRECTION AND CULTURE”

CALLED TO SERVE

MARCH 2015 EUCHARISTIC LECTIONARY YEAR B

By Vickie Luckenbach

Sunday WORSHIP

The Diocese of West Texas Annual Council Meeting was held February 26-28, 2015. The theme for this year is “Called to Serve”. We are called to serve those with whom we live, work, go to church, volunteer, as well as those persons who live outside our comfortable boundaries, just as Jesus himself reached out to those on the margins of society. This is the gift of a community of faith – a gift of unconditional love.

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

Wednesdays Holy Eucharist Rite II Thursdays Holy Eucharist & Healing (Chapel)

We began on Thursday afternoon with the call to order and opening prayers

by Bishops Gary Lillibridge and David Reed. There were announcements of council committees and the report of the secretary. We were welcomed by St. John’s of New Braunfels as the hosting church. The Rev. Canon Joann 601 W. CREEK STREET Saylors gave the Dispatch of Business. The Nominating Committee gave its FREDERICKSBURG TX 78623 report and there was the election of the General Officers and in some in830-997-5762 stances several ballots were needed. There were elections from both clergy www.stbarnabasfbg@gmail. com and lay person for the Executive Board, the Standing Committee, the Trustees of the Episcopal Church Corporation, the Trustees of TMI- the Episcopal School of Texas, and Trustees of the University of the South. The diocesan budget was also approved. (continued on page 4) 12:00 PM

January 2015 Financial Report St Barnabas Financials as of January 31, 2015 Monthly $ +/YTD $ +/Jan 15 Budget Budget Jan-Jan Budget Budget Income 44,205 36,063 8,142 44,205 36,063 8,142 Expenses: Staff 26,061 20,675 5,386 26,061 20,675 5,386 Operating 5,675 6,319 -644 5,675 6,319 -644 Ministry 2,644 3,385 -741 2,644 3,385 -741 Apportionment 5,292 5,292 0 5,292 5,292 0 Total Expenses 39,672 35,671 4,001 39,672 35,671 4,001 Net Income 4,533 392 4,141 4,533 392 4,141

Annual Budget 432,750 248,105 75,825 40,600 63,504 428,034 4,716

Balance Sheet: There was an increase of about $54K, due to the addition of capital improvements in 2014 (in the amount of $99K). The large decrease was from the Non-Event payment to Good Samaritan for $53K which closes out the fund. St Barnabas ended up donating around $75K in total. Significant activity from other funds was as follows: Copier Fund (-$880), Benevolence Fund (-$307), Endowment Fund (-$366), Building Fund (-$1,657), MMO Fund (+$2,984).

Monthly Operations: There was a $4K positive result this month, due to these two factors:  Offerings were over budget by about $8K.  Expenses for the month were over budget by $4K because of annual and quarterly medical and quarterly pension payments for the rector.

The new year is starting off well. There is already a surplus of $4K, but because next month has three payroll periods, the expectation is for next month’s net results to be negative.

MMO: MMO had a surplus this month of $3K. Enrollment is still running at a high level. Enrollment is at the maximum level (39 children on Mondays and 37 on Wednesdays). If the higher enrollment remains for the whole year there should be a surplus at the end of the year.

Vestry Happenings

By Jim Spruiell n January, a transition team consisting of Rector, outgoing Senior Warden, incoming Senior Warden, incoming Secretary and incoming new members, attended a series of meetings to facilitate the continuity of leadership responsibilities for St. Barnabas.

Each new vestry member accepted a leadership responsibility beyond membership on the Vestry. David Spencer accepted a role on the Financial Committee; Jimmy Davis is the chairman of the Committee for Ministries; and Vickie Luckenbach is our new Vestry Secretary.

The Vestry is planning a retreat in March where the 2015 priorities will be determined over and above the business as usual that the Vestry conducts.

New Senior Warden: Jim Spruiell

Please review the full Vestry minutes posted on the bulletin board across from the office to see the complete monthly business of your Vestry.

In Praise of Error

By Tom Taylor It is a curious fact that the older we get and the more we learn, the less sure we are of what we know. Oh, yes, there are some old curmudgeons whose certainty is rigid, and tiresome. But for most of us there seems to be a gradient that over time trends away from black and white, towards middle gray – a softening of hard edges, of harsh judgments, arising in no small part from the realization of how often one’s fixed and righteous notions have turned out to be quite simply wrong. The accumulation of error leads to epistemological modesty – a fancy way of saying we don’t (and can’t) know as much as we thought, either about the nature of the problems we face or the possible ways to deal with them. Error may be our best tutor, our best hope for acquiring humility in our opinions and actions.

It is worth wondering why humility and modesty are such rare virtues in our civic and religious life. Perhaps it is because we fear exposing ourselves to the possibility of error, and avoid this by staying within the confines of a world that conforms to our expectations. Everything is kept agreeable: we only see people we agree with, read books we agree with, watch programs we agree with, listen to speakers we agree with – thus assuring that we are always right, that we encounter no intelligent person who holds to any other system of belief than our own. What need for modesty in such a world?

I was reminded of this a few weeks ago at a gathering that was attended mostly, if not entirely, by people of my “tribe.” The ideology of “my tribe” doesn’t matter; all tribes in our society seem to behave the same way. Which is to say, the speaker assumed that the audience consisted entirely of “his people,” and soon enough the whole room indulged in bashing members of other tribes, not present. Instead of being exhilarated, however, I found it rather dispiriting. I prefer tribes with bigger tents – and that is one reason I remain, proudly, an Episcopalian.

Camp Barnabas 2015 Enrollment opens on March 16.

This year’s Camp Barnabas will run from June 8 through July 1, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Activities will be based on the theme Weird Animals and will include Bible stories, music, playground time, crafts, Imagination Station, games and snacks.

This camp is for children one year old through Kindergarten (just completed.) Afterglow will be offered for an additional charge.

Enrollment/Supply Fee is $25 per family and the tuition is $184. Enrollment forms are available on the bulletin board outside the MMO Director’s Office or by calling 997-5762. Enrollment forms along with the $25 fee are due by Thursday, April 30th Tuition will be due Wednesday, May 13th. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Sue Gustin.

Enrollment for 2015 - 2016 MMO will begin on April 6.

Year Round Stewardship—Spiritual Gifts Rise and Shine by Bill Burns In Romans 12:6-8, the Apostle Paul tells us: We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

This seven-fold gift of the Holy Spirit must operate within the Church for it to function as the Body of CHRIST and ensure that it meets its mission. All of these gifts are vital and of equal importance. They are to be exercised not in isolation, but in community, as an offering to GOD. Each of us has strengths in some, but not all, of these spiritual gifts.

I challenge you to inventory your own particular mix of gifts. The Church office has a form available to help you identify your particular gifts. Just call or leave a message for Steve Neale in the Church office to obtain one. Becoming aware of your own spiritual gifts will allow you to select a ministry in which you can be useful and find satisfaction. Sharing your gifts to strengthen the Body of CHRIST at St. Barnabas is serving GOD and serving our neighbor as Jesus Commissioned us to do.

Report from 2015 Council (continued) Bishop Lillibridge welcomed special guests: Seminarians, the Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Visiting Bishops and Retired Bishops from the Diocese of West Texas.

Throughout the council, reports/videos were shown that tell the story of our diocese and its Mission and Outreach efforts. We provide support to camps and conferences, Christian education, ecological stewardship, Habitat Builders for West Texas, Kairos, Recovery Ministries, College Ministry, World Missions, and Youth Ministries. These are only the “tip of the iceberg”. Others include the Good Samaritan Community Services, Wounded Warriors Project, and the Border Immigration Crisis (in which our own Joe Davis Shearer was featured). The outreach of our diocese is truly amazing!

The last session on Saturday morning featured the installation of Bishop David Reed as Bishop Coadjutor which was presided over by the Presiding Bishop.

You are encouraged to attend the Diocesan Council either as a delegate, alternate delegate, or a visitor. For a truly enlightening and very enjoyable experience make plans to attend the council meeting in Harlingen next year from February 18-20, 2016!

For more information, visit the Diocese of West Texas website at: www.dwtx.org

Pancake Supper on Shrove Tuesday

Ella Money, June Brundrett, Harper Money Dylan Eggleston, Estella McMurrey, Katya Walker

Maddie Squyres, Estella McMurrey Pat and Ric McCormick, Vickie and Carl Luckenbach

Dyana Orrin, Lorri and Jack Kendrick, Jack Oates

Finn Money

St. Barnabites, young and old, enjoyed delicious pancakes, sausages and bacon prepared by the Encouragers, the Confirmation Class and their sponsors on Shrove Tuesday, February 17.

The Parish Hall “Back Yard” Update

By Pat McCormick The long promised changes to the back yard have been underway for over a year. If you look out the window of the Parish Hall, you will see a fairly clean space.

The granite gravel is the new walking surface for the garden and will be accessible for everyone, including wheelchairs. It is still a bit soft when wet, but will firm up when it dries out. The garden beds are still being planned. We intend to create long organically-shaped beds while still leaving a four-to-five-foot-wide walking space between the patio edges and the beds. There will be new benches for us to pause, sit and rest.

The new “pondless fountain” near Jeff’s office pumps water from a rock-filled basin up through a hole drilled in the large rock. The pondless nature of the fountain will keep us all safe. Most of the rocks are well seated and won’t tip over, but the smaller rocks can move, so it’s best not to stand on them. The large rock was naturally formed of limestone and flint with the channels that now direct the flow of the water.

The peaceful design of the fountain provides white noise to allow privacy for conversation and meditation. It is already bringing back the birds that used to come to the back yard.

The landscape team decided over a year ago to create a biblical garden in the back yard. Research has been done and will continue to identify plants with biblical significance that will grow and thrive in our climate. Our climate is similar to parts of the Holy Land, but it’s difficult to say which Holy Land plants will take hold and thrive here. The Holy Land receives 20 to 40 inches of rain in a year, while we get an average of 27 inches. (Yes, I know you are smiling and scoffing). However, the climate in the Holy Land is more varied than ours because it has a sea coastline, mountains and deserts.

Many of the books in the Bible were transcriptions of spoken versions intended to tell a story, or make a point of faith; the authors were not botanists. Therefore, the identity of the plants mentioned in the Bible can only be verified by the existence of plants growing in the Holy Land today. There are many plants we know today growing in the Hill Country named for biblical events or that are symbols for specific people and teachings from the Bible. Take, for example, the plant called “crown of thorns”.

This species varies from region to region in the world. And, yet, the very name invokes deep in us a remembrance of Good Friday and Christ’s sacrifice for us.

Our new fountain represents the living water that Jesus pours out to us described to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:11. Other garden areas of St. Barnabas already have biblical plants: the sycamore trees in the courtyard, the myrtle trees along the parish hall, the grape vines, and the roses.

In the future, we will create a printed guide with each plant’s name and scripture reference. Plants will be identified with markers as well.

The biblical garden is still a work in progress and will move forward with deliberate care. We thank you for your patience. Please contact your landscape servant, Pat McCormick, if you have any questions.

March

MEETINGS & MINISTRIES ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS

Birthdays

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

3/1 3/2 3/6

Wednesday—6 p.m. in CEB

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

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

3/7 3/8 3/9 3/12 3/13 3/15

Monday—7 a.m. in Library Thursday—10 a.m. in CEB

BOY SCOUT TROOP

Tuesday—7 p.m. in CEB

CHOIR

Tuesday—7 p.m. in Encourager Room

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

2nd Saturday of the Month—9:30 a.m.— Sanctuary

LIBRARY GUILD

1st Thursday of the Month—10 a.m. in Library

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Thursday—7 a.m.—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

Tuesday—11:30 a.m. in Library Thursday—7:00 p.m. Parish Hall

3/16 3/17 3/20

Jo Hallmark Mark Hallman James Drury Sohnne Hill Mary Lindsey Mary Gallagher Kelly Hallman Mike Gillespie Katherine Grimble Nancy Steinbach Nannette Shannon Richard Mickelson Mary Easterling Jack Oates Fred Grimes Patsy Crouch Gray Beckmann Wyvonne Rust Caroline Gibson Ainsley Plesko Margaret Hawn Peggy Jo Potucek

3/22 3/23

3/24 3/25 3/27 3/29

David Clements Ron Cottle Ross Taylor Molly Wolf Emma Carnes Haylie Knight Barbara MacManus Jane Good Harry McMurrey Katie Setterbo Mark Goebel Debra Cox Robert Thomason Mary Hatchette Larry Roquemore

Anniversaries 3/5 3/9 3/13 3/29

Diane & Ray Smith Helen & Richard McDonald Evelyn & Barrett Burns Sharon & Bill Miller

Lost and Found It’s time to clean out the lost and found again. Please claim your items. Items will be donated after March 22, 4T girl’s sweater – cream colored with tan satin ribbon 5T girl’s jacket, light blue with multi-colored flowers Small black and white purse with Velcro closing Stainless cup with “North East Campus Teacher of the Year” 1928 Book of Common Prayer inscribed to Mary Ann Motorola cell phone – silver colored Men’s size M shorts, blue and white Black cord combination bicycle lock Miscellaneous jewelry, reading and dark glasses An old white box with a book inside A Gazetteer of Illinois Needlepointed glasses case—blue with tan dog on the front

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

Return Service Requested

Walk the Labyrinth In preparation for Holy Week, the labyrinth will be available in the Parish Hall on Thursday, March 26, from 10:00 am to 8:30 p.m. and Friday, March 27, from 11:00 am to 6:00 p.m. with guided meditation led by Julie Roseberry.

To help with the Annual Parish Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4. Volunteers will stuff the plastic eggs during the week preceding, hide the eggs and oversee the event.