March 2016 encourager

Holy Week

By Morey Weldon

I write this the day before Ash Wednesday, anticipating Lent, yet already looking forward to Holy Week and Easter, the most anticipated liturgical event in our faith journey. Holy Week is a time of special devotion. As early as the fourth century, pilgrims celebrated Holy Week by visiting sacred sites in Jerusalem and following the path of Jesus in his last days. The liturgical color for Holy Week is red, reflecting the Passion, blood, fire, God’s love and martyrdom.

Holy Week begins with the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. First described by the pilgrim Egeria in 381, a special observance had been established, a procession down the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem. Worshippers waved palm branches and sang psalms along with the antiphon, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” By the twelfth century, the blessing of palms was an accepted liturgy throughout the Christian world.

MARCH 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 Encouragers

WEEKDAY WORSHIP 6:00 PM

Wednesday, Holy Eucharist Rite II

12:00 pm

Thursdays Holy Eucharist & Healing (Chapel)

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week are quiet days for reflection, meditation and, in some churches, the service of Tenebrae (which means darkness or shadows.) The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to create a sense of betrayal and agony. Candles are extinguished as the service proceeds until the church is in darkness.

Maundy Thursday is the first of the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) and is based on the New Commandment (mandatum novum), “that you love one another even as I have loved you.” The liturgy consists of three parts: The washing of feet was a menial act of hospitality, normally performed by servants. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, urging them to follow his example of generous and humble service—a lived expression of his teaching, “whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.”

Holy Eucharist, from the Greek for thanksgiving, commemorates the last meal of Jesus. The shared bread and wine, identified as his body and the blood of the new covenant, invites us to take, bless, break and share in remembrance of Him who died for us.

(Continued from page one.)

Stripping the altar is the ritual removal of all decorative furnishings in the chancel area. At St. Barnabas the reserved sacrament is taken to the chapel for the Easter Vigil, to be returned to the altar on Easter.

The Easter Vigil begins following the Maundy Thursday service and ends at noon on Good Friday. It is a time for reflection, meditation and prayers by those keeping watch in the chapel surrounded by the Stations of the Cross.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. It is a time of fasting, special prayers, acts of discipline and self-denial. The liturgy is John’s account of the Passion Gospel, with collects and devotions. At St. Barnabas, a meditation from noon to 3:00 p.m. is held in remembrance of the Crucifixion.

Holy Saturday recalls the day when the crucified Christ laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

The service for the day is the Liturgy of the Word with collects and readings.

Holy Week ends with Easter and the lighting of the Paschal Candle, symbolizing the risen Christ.

The Lord is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!

Holy Week Worship Schedule Palm Sunday

7:45, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Palm Procession at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Maundy Thursday

7:00 p.m.

Easter Vigil

8:30 p.m. Thursday to 12:00 noon Friday

Good Friday

12:00 noon

Easter

7:45, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Camp Barnabas 2016 This year’s Camp Barnabas will run from June 6–29, 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. Children learn that they can be sure of Jesus’ love, no matter what.

This camp is for children one year old through Kindergarten (just completed.) Afterglow (from 2:00-3:00 p.m.) will be offered for an additional charge.

Registration will begin in April.

The Greeter Ministry

by Bill Burns

Most of us would probably agree that St. Barnabas is a friendly place where visitors are welcome. We certainly want people to join us in worship and become part of our church family. The Greeter Ministry is charged with making sure visitors know how glad we are that they are here. Every Sunday, a volunteer greeter is stationed at the door of the sanctuary to welcome everyone, especially newcomers, to worship with us. The Greeter Ministry is part of the larger Everyone Belongs initiative which is headed by Jimmy Davis. Jimmy follows up with each visitor who fills out a visitor card with an information packet, a friendly email or a phone call.

Our Church is growing and with each newcomer, we all have the responsibility to make sure they feel the warmth of Christian fellowship and love. As members of our congregation, we each should remember to extend a warm welcome to newcomers and visitors. As we read in Romans 15, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Let us happily accept our charge. GOD BLESS

The Friends Benevolence Fund

by Steve Neale

The Friends Benevolence Fund was created in December of 2012 to temporarily assist people encountering financial hardship during a time of crisis. It is intended to address basic needs, such as food, lodging, transportation and medical care, that have proven beyond the means of a person and his or her family. Eligible recipients of assistance include, without preference, members and regular attendees of St. Barnabas, and people who journeying with and referred by a member of the church.

Since the beginning of the fund, seven individuals have been helped with needs including rent, short-term motel stay, hospital bills, and car repair with total funds of $5815. The fund is primarily funded by St. Barnabas parishioners who are moved to assist those within the church needing help.

If you would like to support the Friends Fund, please make a check payable to St. Barnabas with a note on the memo line naming the Friends Fund. If you are in need of assistance or know someone who is, please refer them to one the Friends Fund Trustees: Steve Neale, Lola Roseberry and Debbie Agnew.

MMO Staff Attends Early Childhood Conference On Saturday, February 6, eight members of our Mom’s Morning Off staff attended a Weekday Education Conference in San Antonio. Some of the workshops we attended were: “How to Care for Children with Allergies;” Staff who attended the Conference: Lorie Dearinger, Deanne Moellering, JoAnn “What Really Makes Young Learners Duecker, Amy Stehling, Lynda Bynum, Nancy Lochte, Sue Gustin and Dana Hudson Tick;” “These Aren’t Grandma’s Bible (not pictured.)

Songs;” “Positive Guidance;” “Preventing the Spread of Communicable Diseases;” and “Including the Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Classroom.” Our teachers really appreciate the opportunity for training and inspiration that this conference provides. Our MMO children will reap the benefits of this training.

January 2015 Financials

St Barnabas Financials as of January 31, 2016 YTD Jan 16 Monthly $ +/Jan-Jan Actuals Budget Budget Actuals Budget

$ +/Budget

Annual Budget

50,416 40,230

10,186 50,416 40,230

10,186 482,750

21,287 26,685 5,860 6,449 4,217 2,778 5,381 5,381

-5,398 -589 1,439 0

21,287 26,685 5,860 6,449 4,217 2,778 5,381 5,381

-5,398 320,199 -589 77,400 1,439 33,350 0 64,572

Total Expenses 36,745 41,293 Net Income 13,671 -1,063

-4,548

36,745 41,293

-4,548 495,521

14,734 13,671 -1,063

14,734 -12,771

Income Expenses: Staff Operating Ministry Apportionment

Balance Sheet: An increase of about $21K was due to $13K in monthly operations and +$8K in MMO. An $8K decrease in Funds was due in part to losses in Endowment investments (-$5.1K) and the Columbarium Fund (-$1.9K) Prepaid 2016 pledges equaled +$7K. Significant activity from funds was as follows: Copier Fund (-$1,042), Dugat MMO Scholarship Fund (-$1,158), Outreach Fund (+$417), Building Fund (-$1,019).

Monthly Operations: There were a number of large donations in January that contributed to our income being $10.2K over budget. Expenses were under budget by $4.6K. Almost all of the under budget was in personnel. We compute our monthly budget numbers by taking our annual budget and dividing by 12. This is simple, but when we have a situation like our new assistant who won’t start until May it will seem that we are under budget in Jan-Apr and a little over budget the remaining months.

MMO: MMO had a surplus of $8.5K for the month. Tuition income was higher because a number of families paid their December fees (late) and prepaid future tuition. Enrollment is at 38 children with 10 teachers; this means everything is running at full capacity.

Encouragers Presenting Taco Sunday Proceeds to the SPCA. Pictured in front left to right: Elizabeth Loggie, SPCA Director, Claire Kendrick, Ainslie Brown, Miles Hammond, Gabe Cross, Graham Hammond, Dylan Eggleston, Katya Walker, Allison Young, Marilee Pankratz. In back: Joe David Shearer, Ruairi Brown, Olivia Loggie, Sam Cowsar, Jack Henderson.

From the Senior Warden………...

The 112th Diocesan Council convened February 18-20, at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. This year’s theme for Council and the Diocese is: “The strength of the Lord is your joy of the Lord.” This is an amazing time and a joyful one at that! The days are filled with business sessions, elections, reports, banquets, lunches, guest speakers, Bible studies, prayer times, exhibits, videos, music, and worship services. Bishop Lillibridge, with help from Bishop Reed, presides over the agenda.

We heard reports on World Missions (including the Texas Water Mission) the Evangelism Department, Financial Department, Camps and Conferences Department, Texas Military Institute (TMI), Habitat Builders for West Texas, the Standing Committee, College Missions, Episcopal Church Foundation in West Texas, Good Samaritan Community Services, Christian Education, and the Order of Naucratius. Never a boring moment!

The Bishop also gives an address to council. One of the highlights of Bishop Lillibridge’s address was a call for a Bishop Suffragan. The Standing Committee has developed a process for the election of a Bishop Suffragan. The election of a Bishop Suffragan will be held at next year’s Diocesan Council in Corpus Christi on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The person elected will then join the diocesan office in May/ June in the role of Bishop-elect, and will be ordained as a Bishop on July 29, 2017, by the Presiding Bishop. The Standing Committee will conduct “forums” during which the nominees will have a chance to speak and to which the diocesan family will be invited. This will be an exciting year for our diocese!

Bishop Lillibridge also gave us an update on Habitat for Humanity; our diocese is ahead of schedule with the building of a fourth house in six years rather than the expected three houses. He also spoke of the Good Samaritan Community Services which has expanded into six communities with its Camp Good Sam. In talking about Camps and Conferences, Bishop Lillibridge reported that Camp Capers is beginning a $4.5 million capital campaign for a new dining hall……and, yes, there will be opportunities for you to give! TMI, our diocesan Episcopal School, also has a capital campaign with a goal of $14-17 million.

Adult Christian Formation will provide Bible study on the Gospel of Luke and other Bible study opportunities. Sharing Faith Dinners in which parish members can get to know one another by talking about our faith and building relationships.

Not to be outdone by Bishop Lillibridge, Bishop Reed also addressed the council on “Godly Joy.” When asked his vision for the diocese, Bishop Reed’s response was “The Kingdom of God. This is the way of Christ, the way of the Kingdom.” In order to pursue his vision of the Kingdom of God, Bishop Reed plans to focus on these six areas: church planting, evangelism, college missions, young adult leadership formation, small church— big mission, and veterans’ ministries. I’m sure we will be hearing more about each of these during this next year.

If you have never been to one of our diocesan council meetings, I encourage you to attend as a delegate or an alternate. If that doesn’t appeal to you, then attend as a visitor. There is always plenty of seating for visitors. It is a fun time, an informative time, and an inspirational and uplifting time to see the wonderful and Godly things our diocese does.

In humble servitude,

Vicki

Anglican Prayer Bead Workshop On Saturday, February 13, over 20 women gathered in the CEB to learn and make Anglican Prayer Beads. Each participant brought her own beads and the results were over 20 distinctive and beautiful creations.

Sign up for the Easter Vigil The Easter Vigil will begin in the Chapel following the Maundy Thursday service and continue until the Good Friday service at 12:00 noon. Parishioners are asked to keep watch for at least 30 minutes each. The sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex beginning February 28.

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

1st 2nd 6th

7th

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

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

8th 9th 12th 13th 15th

CHOIR

Wednesday—7 p.m.—Encourager Room 16th

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

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

17th 22nd

Jo Hallmark Mark Hallman Jimmy Drury Mary Gallagher Kelly Hallman Mike Gillespie Katherine Gribble Nancy Steinbach Nanette Shannon Richard Mickelson Mary Easterling Jack Oates Fred Grimes Patsy Crouch Caroline Gibson Margaret Hawn Ainsley Plesko David Clements

March 23rd

24th 25th 27th 29th

Ronnie Cottle Ross Taylor Emma Carnes Barbara McMannus Jane Good Harry McMurrey Katie Setterbo Mark Goebel Robert Thomason Debra Cox Mary Hatchette Larry Roquemore

A NNIVERSARIES : 5th 9th 13th 29th 30th

Raymond & Diane Smith Richard & Helen McDonald Barrett & Evelyn Burns Bill & Sharon Miller Jeff & Barbara Smith

LIBRARY GUILD

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

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Thursday—7 a.m. in Parish Hall

The Easter Lily sign-up sheets

MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF)

Monday & Wednesday—9 a.m.

are in the Narthex. You may

VESTRY

purchase a lily for $15 each and

3rd

Monday of the Month—5 p.m. in Conference Room

dedicate them in honor of or in

WISDOM SCHOOL

memory of the person(s) you

Gospel of Thomas Tues—11:30 a.m. in Library A View from the East Seasons of Glory Thurs—6 p.m. in the Parish Hall

designate.

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

Easter Egg Hunt

The annual St. Barnabas Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. for children age ten and under. Children (accompanied by an adult) should meet in the Parish Hall. Refreshments will be served.

After an Easter story, children will hunt 100s of colorful eggs stuffed with treats.

Egg hunters should bring their own baskets.

Easter bunny helpers are needed! Please call Wendy Bush (830-456-2171) if you are able to stuff eggs, bring refreshments and/or help during the Egg Hunt.