November 2016 encourager

One Day at a Time Carol Schreider, our newsletter editor, asked me to write something about Advent for the November newsletter since we will be entering the season of Advent on November 27th. I have been trying for two weeks to write an article about being quiet and preparing ourselves for the birth of Christ. Try as I might, I can’t write anything of any substance.

Advent (as we know it) is anything but quiet and preparedness. Advent has become traffic congestions, long lines, missed deadlines, over-commitment, loudness, frustration, and countless other emotions associated with this time of the year.

So, I decided to invite you to spend the season of Advent by living it one-day-at-atime. Do what you can do and then let it go. Start over the next day and enjoy the little things. Laugh at the car that has reindeer antlers on it, admire a beautiful Christmas wreath while waiting in a long line, beg forgiveness for missed deadlines and over-committing yourself, enjoy your moments at Church when loudness is replaced with silence, don’t let the frustrations of this time of year overshadow the incredible gift of the birth of Christ. Jesus continually called us to live in the present—not worry about the past or future. (see Luke 12: 24-32) So, here is your homework assignment: 

Strive to live in the present! The important things will get done. If you are always upset about past slights, things done and not done, insults, injustices, and the like you will never be able to leave the past and enjoy the bright light of Christ in the present. Equally important, if you live in the “perfect” world of the future where you’re always waiting on your “perfect” self to emerge before living then you must let that go as well. God created imperfect people to live imperfect lives. Living in the present allows us to say, “This is who I am—just as God created—love me or not, but I am fine with whatever you choose.”



At least once, have one of those deep belly laughs you use to have as a child.



Give yourself a gift—if not a physical one then the gift of mercy and forgiveness to overcome the darkness of worry.

November 2016 EUCHARISTIC LECTIONARY YEAR C SUNDAY WORSHIP 7:45 AM Holy Eucharist Rite I 9 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II 11 AM Holy Eucharist Rite II Children’s Worship CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 10 AM Adult Classes First Communion Deep Blue One Room Encouragers WEEKDAY WORSHIP 6 PM Wednesday Holy Eucharist Rite II 12 PM Thursday Holy Eucharist & Healing (Chapel)

In order to help you accomplish some of these things, I invite you to enjoy these multi-generational events (ALL AGES invited and encouraged) during the Season of Advent: 

December 1, 8, 15, 22 (Thursdays at 9 pm) – A Compline service will be held

by Melissa Dobbins in the Chapel.



November 27 Make an Advent Wreath (Parish Hall at 10 am – Hot Chocolate and Cookies Provided.)



December 4 Make a Christmas Ornament (Parish Hall at 10 am – More Hot Chocolate and Cookies Provided).

Fr. Bur

In Blessed Memory of our loved ones who have died since last All Saints’ Day. They live forever in our hearts.

Gene Schmid January 11, 1928—November 23, 2016

Betty McElroy Ethel April 7, 1926—February 17, 2016

Jeanne Boles Thomas April 16, 1930—March 10, 2016

Jay Stuart MacManus (not pictured) July 15, 1931—April 13, 2016

Pearl Ann Burleson Smith September 30, 1939—April 18, 2016

Pat Freiday Vinson August 4, 1921—June 21, 2016

The Rev. Dean Pratt August 19, 1934—August 3, 2015

Wyvonne Rust March 16, 1930—August 13, 2016

Ellen L. Pieslak April 4, 1941—August 20, 2016

Juanita Spruiell July 22, 1918—May 4, 2016

Carolyn Leary d. June 15, 2016

Jan McCrath February 1, 1944—September 15, 2016

Larry Roquemore March 29, 1938—October 25, 2016

Encouragers Youth

The Encouragers used the money earned from Taco Sunday to go to Mo Ranch for the Rope Course.

Pictured l to r: Asher Seracen, Gabe Cross, Gracie Estes, Tait Herbig, Olivia Alvarez, Graham Hammond, Olivia Loggie, Jack Henderson, Ruairi Brown, Sam Kowsar, Katya Walker.

Outreach Committee Report The St. Barnabas Outreach Committee has been busy following our mandate to support “projects of universal giving that do unimpeachable good.” To date, the committee has expended approximately 80% of its $30,000 budget.

For many years St. Barnabas has supported Habitat for Humanity both at the local and diocesan level.

In fact, St. Barnabas clergy and parishioners were instrumental in founding Habitat in Fredericksburg.In September, St. Barnabas donated $1,000 toward completion of Fredericksburg Habitat House #16 located at 304 West Park Street Parishioner Bud Parish submitted a request for $5,000 in support of the Christian Job Corps of Gillespie County. CJCGC is currently raising funds to join over 200 certified sites across the country that “seek to equip men and women, in a Christian context, for life and employment; funds will be used for the purchase of bibles, meals, class curriculums, and workstation hardware/software.” Vestry has oversight of all expenditures exceeding $2,000, and it approved this request at its meeting on October 24, 2016.

Tom Christofferson, Chair

Wisdom School—Great Faiths Class

Members of the Great Faiths Class pictured with guest speakers Mehmet Oguz and Imam Beytullah Colak.

Oguz (rear 3rd from right), Executive Director of The Dialogue Institute in San Antonio, presented the basics of Islam. Imam Colak (front 3rd from right), Director of The Islamic Institute in San Antonio, led evening prayers.

SeptemberFinancial Report St Barnabas Financials as of September 30, 2016 Sep 16 Monthly $ +/- Jan-Sep Ac- YTD Budg- $ +/Actuals Budget Budget tuals et Budget Income

Annual Budget

36,321 40,230

-3,909

357,345

362,070

-4,725

482,750

24,729 26,685

-1,956

243,896

240,165

3,731

320,199

Operating

5,416

6,449

-1,033

59,234

58,041

1,193

77,400

Ministry

2,033

2,778

-745

29,439

25,002

4,437

33,350

Apportionment

5,381

5,381

0

48,429

48,429

0

64,572

-3,734

380,998

371,637

9,361

495,521

-175

-23,653

-9,567

Expenses: Staff

Total Expenses 37,559 41,293 Net Income

-1,238

-1,063

-14,086 -12,771

Balance Sheet: There was a decrease of $617. The following is the breakdown by area: Monthly Operations-$1,239 (explained below) Moms Morning Off $4,895 (explained below) Prepaid Pledges $2,440 Funds $2,278 Significant activity from funds were as follows; Building Fund (-$2,364), Columbarium (+$2,038), Daughters of the King (-$1,240), Outreach (-$880), Rector Discretionary (+$1,001) Monthly Operations: Overall there was a deficit of $1,239 versus a budgeted deficit of $1,063, on budget for the month. Income was under budget by $3,909. It was a little lower in all areas of income (Pledge, Non Pledge, and Plate). All the expense areas were under budget this month. Payroll was under budget by around $2,000 because no payment was made for pension expenses this month. They will be paid next month; it’s a quarterly thing. YTD results are over budget by $14,087. The expectation is that if we get the normal December income increase that we will end the year close to our budget. YTD income is slightly under budget by $4,725 ($357,345 vs $362,070).

MMO: MMO had a surplus of $4,895. Enrollment is at 40 children with 10 teachers, this means everything is running at full+ capacity. The YTD balance is a positive $8,750.

HELP WANTED Elementary School Teachers are needed to teach January 22 – March 26 (no class on March 12 or 19).

(Both lead-teachers and substitutes are needed.) This session will use Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace, Jr.” which teaches children that money comes from work and about the importance of giving, saving and spending.

Advent Teachers Needed Teachers are needed for the following one-class sessions: Special Sunday 1: November 27 –Making Advent Wreaths Special Sunday 2: December 4 –Baking Cookies for those in Need Special Sunday 3: December 11 –Art project for Christmas gifts All the supplies will be provided, we are looking for volunteers to encourage us. These classes are designed for all our youth and everyone from the Church will be invited to participate.

From the Senior Warden Our Stewardship One Service Sunday on October 23 was a delightful event! Many thanks to the Lost and Found Sunday school class for setting up, serving and cleaning up for the delicious barbeque meal.

I am looking forward to the next One Service Sunday. The next one is planned for our Annual Parish Meeting, January 15, 2017.

The vestry nominating committee is continuing to work on a slate of parishioners who will stand for vestry election at our Annual Parish Meeting. If you are asked to stand for vestry, please prayerfully consider being a member of the vestry. I can promise you that our vestry meetings are not boring!

Another ministry that is open to all parishioners is to be a Greeter at one of the Sunday services. If you like to talk and meet new people, please contact Jimmy Davis. We are in need of more Greeters at all Sunday services. Jimmy has a wonderful training for the Greeters that will have you prepared. Greeters usually only have one service once a month for which they are needed. You may think that you don’t know enough people at St. Barnabas to be a greeter, but being a Greeter gives you the opportunity to meet visitors and newcomers but also long time members at St. Barnabas. Perhaps you think you already know a lot of the people at the service you attend, but how about being a Greeter at one of the services you do not attend? Besides, being a Greeter gives you easy access to the coffee and donuts!

Jimmy’s email contact is jwdavis78624@gmail.com or contact the church office.

The vestry approved at its last meeting, upon the request of Tom Taylor representing the Outreach Committee, to make a gift of $5,000 to the Christian Men & Women’s Job Corps of Gillespie County.

This organization is to provide a Christian context in which men and women in need are equipped for life and employment with a mission context where men are helping men and women are helping women.

CJC helps unlock the future for adults who need to meet their educational and vocational goals as they move from dependency on others to God’s sufficiency by learning job and life skills. They will need volunteers and mentors. If you are interested in more information, you may contact Danny McQuay at 210-393-6793.

Most of our new programs and activities have gotten off the ground and off to a good start. Check out Meal Train on the St. Barnabas website! There are still new activities or renewing old activities still to come. Your vestry not only wants to offer new opportunities and activities to you, the parishioners, but also to our clergy and staff. So, stayed tuned for more!

Faithfully,

Vickie

Ready, Set, Be Prepared When the time comes - whether from emergency, illness or death, do you have all the information your family and/or loved ones need, in one central location? A seminar to help guide you through the process of assembling vital details regarding your current life, and end of life wishes, is being offered again. Join us, Saturday, Nov. 5th from 10 am to noon at St. Barnabas Parish Hall to learn how to “Be Prepared.”

Cost is $20 per household for the seminar and binder. Register on stbarnabasfbg.org or at the church office. Payment must be submitted to the office.

World Mission Project On September 28th, eight St. Barnabites gathered to make items that missionaries from our diocese take to the rural poor of other countries.: washable sanitary pads, shorts for boys, simple dresses for girls and simple stuffed “love dolls”. We made great progress and everyone was kept busy for three hours or so. Of course ,there is still more to do which is being done independently.

Our goal is to have these items and more done by Sunday, February 26th - which is World Mission Sunday - so they can be blessed and then delivered to the Diocese for distribution. To reach that goal, we are hoping more people will help by making shorts or ”britches” for boys, and smaller size dresses. We will meet again in January to finish up. There are patterns available and some fabric has been donated. The items need to durable and washable in order to be of use in the villages where they are destined.

The knitting group and the sewing group will place a box in the church hall to collect any material or yarn you may want to donate. The material must be washable but can not be a light color or very lightweight. Yarn can be any weight and does not need to be full balls. Please contact Lola Roseberry (830-990-8575) or Pat Sadd (830-990-4980) for directions, patterns, material and/or questions.

Around the Parish

A special All Saints’ Day service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, November 5, 2016, in the Sanctuary.

Four-legged St. Barnabites wait to be blessed.

The Fire Department visit is a popular event for the MMO children and teachers.

OCTOBER

Meetings & Ministries

ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS Wednesday—6 pm in CEB

B IRTHDAYS

1st

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Sun Mon Tues Wed Fri Sat 8 pm in CEB Spanish Speaking Meeting Sun & Mon 6:30 pm in CEB Thurs, Closed Meeting (Women) 7 pm in CEB

3rd

4th

AL-ANON

5th 6th

Monday—6:30 pm in CEB Friday—6:30 pm in CEB BELL CHOIIR

Wednesday—4:30 pm in CEB

8th 9th

BIBLE STUDIES

Monday—7 am in Library Thursday—10 am in CEB 10th

BOY SCOUT TROOP 137

Tuesday—6:30 pm in Parish Hall

11th

CHOIR

Tuesday—7 pm in Encourager Room

12th

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

2nd Saturday of the Month 9:30 am in Sanctuary

13th

LIBRARY GUILD

1st Thursday of the Month 10 am in the Library MEN’S BREAKFAST

Thursday—7 am in Parish Hall

A NNIV ERSARIES

7th 12th 20th

MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF)

Resumes August 29 8 am—2 pm VESTRY

3rd Monday of the Month—5 pm in Conference Room

Leu Quanesavanh Destry Quinn Neal Priestley Vickie Luckenbach Arlinda Daffern Stephen Smith Jeannine Frost Pam Spruiell Bill Varney Samjit Pornphet Jim Spruiell Mary Ann Mayse Kathy Palmerin Cheri Snyder Barbara Hayden Lane Hutchins Eddie Setterbo Harper Money John Sumners Charlie Jackson Barbara Smith Judy Taylor John Youngblood Finn Money Nancy Braunitzer Mike Couvillion Gayne Young

25th 26th 28th 29th

Tim & Emily Bowyer Mike & Linda Couvillion Bo & Debra Cox Gary & Cheryl Hill Joe Simmons & Paula Provost Pat & Raleigh Kreuz Katie & Dan Day Neal & Mary Priestley Johnny & Debbie Gorden

13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 19th 20th 22nd 23rd 24th

25th 29th 30th

Milo Schult Linda Couvillion Richard Ellison Tom Gibbons Charles Loggie Sally Klekotta Sue Biddle Violet Schofield Lloyd Easterling Shannon Ramsey Abban Lastovica Tom Taylor Tess Kothmann Janet Schindler True Stephens Shirlee Thompson Nan Mosley Suzie Humphries Melissa Dobbins Bo Cox Pam Seipp Kerry Beth Smith Patricia Frederick Meredith Schuman Penny Scroggins Beth La Penna

Return Service Requested

CHURCH CLERGY AND STAFF: Rector: The Rev. Jeff Hammond Assistant Rector: The Rev. Bur Dobbins Lay Pastoral Minister: Morey Weldon Clergy Associate: The Rev. Dr. Dyana Orrin Clergy Associate: The Rev. Anne Finn Clergy Associate: The Rev. Tom Luck Parish Administrator: Rachael Cole Office Assistant: Carol Schreider Youth Director: Marilee Pankratz Director of Music: Hazel Hanson Lay Ministry Coordinator: Steve Neale Mom’s Morning Off Director: Deanne Moellering Nursery Director: Madeline Clanton Housekeeper: Patty Ramirez

Thanksgiving Potluck Sunday, Nov. 6 The Annual Thanksgiving Potluck will be held on Sunday, November 6, after the 11 am service and the blessing of the Columbarium. Turkey, gravy, cranberries, rolls and beverages will be provided. Members of the congregation are asked to bring dishes to share, as indicated by the first letter of your last name.

We need lots of helpers to make this event a success. Please call Carol at 997-5762 if you are eager (or at least willing) to help set up, serve and/or clean up

A to H

Something yummy for dessert

I to P

Something to put gravy on (potatoes, dressing, rice)

Q to Z

Something that adds color to the plate (veggies, fruit, salad)