Celebrate St. Barnabas! If you were asked what part of St. Barnabas keeps you coming back, what would you answer? Father Jeff asked Nancy Kimbrell and Bob Gates, both long-time members, just that question. Their answer, “The people!” We all remember the nursery rhyme: with hands held in prayer, we said, “Here is the church and here is the steeple. Open the doors and here are the people.” Truly a church is not a building; it is the people who worship there, serve there, build friendships there, grieve and celebrate there.
SEPTEMBER 2016 EUCHARISTIC LECTIONARY YEAR
SUNDAY WORSHIP 7:45 AM 9 AM 11 AM
St. Barnabas is unique in Fredericksburg in that it doesn’t have many multigenerational families – members whose families have worshipped in the same church for generations. Our collective memory rests primarily in the memories of several long-time members. On August 17, Father Jeff interviewed Bob Gates and Nancy Kimbrell, invoking their memories of the earlier years at St. Barnabas. Bob has been active at St. Barnabas for over 40 years and Nancy, for over 30 years. Jeff explained that this interview is part of “Celebrate St. Barnabas,” the theme for this year’s stewardship campaign. Future interviews will feature members with different C time-frames of experience at St. Barnabas.
Holy Eucharist Rite I Holy Eucharist Rite II Holy Eucharist Rite II Children’s Chapel
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 10 AM
Adult Classes First Communion Deep Blue One Room Encouragers
WEEKDAY WORSHIP 6 PM
Wednesday, Holy Eucharist Rite II
12 pm
Thursdays Holy Eucharist & Healing (Chapel)
Both Nancy and Bob stressed the strength of commitment, the energy and enthusiasm of everyone at St. Barnabas in their early days. “Everything we did we did together as a community of faith,” Bob explained. Nancy added, “Everyone had all this energy – a feeling of real joy in everything we undertook.” Nancy was introduced to St. Barnabas by her life-long friend Nancy Wareing, “Everyone was so friendly. If you walked in a stranger, you didn’t walk out a stranger. I came to this church through the barn – the Bargain Barn, that is.” The Women of the Church collected used items—mostly clothing and sold them to finance the church’s outreach efforts. “I loved it! We had so much fun! We put on style shows wearing the donated items. Fran Hubbard and I wrote the scripts. They were silly and outrageous, but fun and hilarious.”
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Bob included the 40th Anniversary Celebration in his favorite memories. “We had a parade around the neighborhood. Jack Swanzy and CC Gibbons were clowns and Richard McDonald walked on stilts. One of the founders, Willa Marie Dietz rode in a convertible.” When Bob joined St. Barnabas, we were still a mission. He described the council meeting where St. Barnabas was granted parish status. “We entered the hall singing, ‘In heaven there is no beer – that’s why we drink it here!’” Other St. Barnabites played the bass drum, cymbals, trumpet and glockenspiel. “It was our finest hour!” Most of us know that St. Barnabas recently raised almost $80,000 to fund the community health worker at the Good Samaritan Center. Jennie Wieser, chair of that campaign, remarked “That’s right up our alley!” What she meant is that ministries that serve our community are part of the legacy our early members gave us. Dean Pratt started the Concerned Citizens, a program that brought truckloads of produce from the valley to give to the poor in Fredericksburg. Blood drives and the Free Clinic were held in the Parish Hall. We started Habitat for Humanity and built the first two houses. Sara Allerkamp founded the Good Samaritan Center and many of its current board members are St. Barnabites. Paul Alban pushed to create the recycling center. In the early days, all the money earned by the Women of the Church, about $10,000 a year went to outreach in the community. Today, our Outreach Committee disperses approximately $30,000 to groups like the Child Services Board, the Needs Council, Kairos, the Boys and Girls Club and many more. A much-loved St Barnabas icon is the little white church where we place our pledge cards. In the mid1980s, George Kimbrell, Nancy’s husband, and Paul Alban were inspired by the little AME church on Main Street to build a model version of it. Nancy added the door and windows with magic marker. When asked what it means to her, Nancy replied,” It’s so simple and straightforward. It’s not showy – it represents a house of worship where anyone can walk in.” Bob added, “When you put your pledge card in, you know it’s going to church - to God. As you consider your pledge this year, reflect prayerfully, but also remember with pride the legacy we’ve inherited at St Barnabas – service to others and joyful commitment to our church.
2016-2017 MMO Has Started
MMO Teachers— Front Row l to r: Lorie Dearinger, Dana Hudson, Deanne Moellering, Debbie Crenwelge, and Anne Wadsworth. Back Row l to r: Crystal Ables, Cynthia Prado, Katrina Galeano, Andrea Brown, JoAnn Duecker, and Amy Stehling.
Troop 137 Returns From Camp ... Exhausted, but invigorated! St. Barnabas’ Boy Scout Troop 137 recently returned from Buffalo Trail Scout Ranch in the Davis Mountains of West Texas where they spent a week hiking the backcountry, diving in Balmorhea State Park, and exploring desert canyons. Five boys from the Troop, along with three adult leaders, made the trek out west and all returned excited about future excursions. “The Troop members decided that they wanted the focus of this Troop to be high adventure.” Scoutmaster Gayne C. Young explains, “They want to go hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, caving…anything outdoors. So we have pledged to make that a reality.” Young says the Troop has already begun planning several excursions for the fall and perhaps two or three major trips in the summer.
Bottom row, L-to R, Liam Matthes, Barrett Young, Top
Boys between the ages of 10 ½ and 18 years are welcome to Row L-to R, Carl Wilger, Michael Penton, Josh Fotschky join the Troop or to simply attend a meeting to learn more. Adults are also encouraged to offer their time and experience to the Troop. Boy Scout Troop 137 meets each Tuesday night (Starting August 30) from 6:30 to 8 in the Parish Hall at St. Barnabas Church at 601 W. Creek St. Contact Gayne C. Young at gayne@gaynecyoung.com for at (830) 285-1011.
Be a “Giver” ♦ World Mission Project Join us on Wednesday, September 28 from 9 am. to 1 pm, to make items for children as part of our Diocesan World Mission ministry. We’ll make “Love Dolls” for children to hug, “pillowcase dresses” for girls and “britches” for boys. We’ll set up sewing machines in the Parish Hall to put together the dolls, simple dresses and pants. There will be plenty of tasks for all, no matter your sewing or nonsewing skills. The finished items will be taken to the Diocese for delivery to our missions. Contact Pat Sadd for more information at (830) 990-4980 or pwsadd@earthlink.net. There are three components to World Mission: Going, Giving and Praying. The items we make will be given out by missionaries as they visit different areas. The World Mission Department seeks to engage every member and every church of the diocese in the work of evangelism and mission. We are working to be faithful to the Great Commission, Jesus Christ's command to "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19) and His Great Commandment "to love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) We currently have missioners in Honduras, Mexico and Uganda, as well as Haiti, Kenya, Russia, Belarus, Vietnam, Sudan and Guatemala. Not everyone can be a “Go-er” for World Missions, but everyone can be a “Giv-er.” On September 28, give your time and effort to show your love for the children in our world that have so little.
Fall Activities at St. Barnabas (not all, but some) Sundays offer three morning worship services: 7:45 am (more traditional with no music); 9 am (more contemporary with music); and 11 am (more contemporary with music).
At 10 am on Sundays (in between the 9 am and 11 am services) three Adult Sunday School classes will be offered: Seekers; Lost and Found; and Living the Questions.
Also at 10 am. there will be three Youth Sunday School classes: First Communion, One Room Schoolhouse, and the Encouragers.
Fall Youth Sunday School classes will begin September 18 and end November 20. During the Season of Advent there will be a special, Multi-Generation Sunday School where youth and adults will come together to make Advent wreaths, bake treats for those in need, make ornaments, and prepare for the Christmas pageant.
On the Second Sunday of every month there will be an evening class on Episcopal Basics for newcomers, old timers, and anyone-in-between. During this class time we will have conversation about how and why we do things, exploration of different volunteer opportunities, fellowship, and then dinner. These Second Sunday Suppers will begin at 6 pm in the Parish Hall and should conclude by 7:30 pm.
Every Sunday evening there are two AA meetings: Spanish Speaking at 6:30 pm; English Speaking at 8 pm.
Mondays revolve around Mother’s Morning Out (MMO)!
MMO is for children 12 months – 4 years, and provides chapel, music, outdoor play, art, and Bible stories. Christian faith, consideration, and cooperation are practiced in each classroom.
Mondays conclude with 12-Step meetings: Spanish Speaking AA meeting at 6:30 pm; Al Anon meeting 6:30 pm; and an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
Tuesdays begin with a gathering of the Wisdom School.
The Gospel of Thomas class meets from 11:30 am – 1 pm in the Parish Library.
Boy Scout Troop 137 meets 6:30 to 8 pm in the Parish Hall.
Tuesdays conclude with an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
Wednesdays
MMO is scheduled from 9 am to 2 pm, with options for care before and after (8 am-3 pm).
At 3 pm, the Knit Wits (a knitting group) meet in the Christian Education Building.
The Bell Choir rehearses at 4:30 pm in the Christian Education Building.
The Choir practices at 7 pm.
At 6 pm, there is a wonderful mid-week Communion service in the Church. The service lasts approximately 45 minutes and is a great way to be rejuvenated mid-week.
Wednesdays conclude with an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
Thursdays
Men’s Breakfast in the Parish Hall at 7 am.
A Healing Service with Holy Eucharist is held in the Historic Walter House Chapel at 12 noon. You don’t have to be in need of any specific healing to attend this service. It is another wonderful midweek opportunity for fellowship and worship.
Thursdays
The Wisdom School continues in the evening with a time for meditation at 5:45 pm, a gathering in the Parish Hall at 6:15 pm, announcements at 6:20 pm, and then two different classes from 6:30 pm until 8 pm: Exploring the Great Faiths; and The Enneagram Journey.
Thursdays conclude with a closed Women’s AA meeting at 7 pm and an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
Fridays focus on Education for Ministry (EfM) which meets from 1 pm - 4 pm.
EfM is a four-year theological education program. During the four years, participants study Bible, church history, and theology, while learning to engage in theological reflection.
Fabulous Fourth Fridays return from 6:30 - 10 pm. Youth of all ages gather for fun and activities.
Fridays conclude with a 6:30 pm Al Anon meeting and an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
Saturdays begin and end with an English Speaking AA Meeting at 8 pm.
More Events
The Vestry meets the third Monday of each month at 5 pm.
The Library Guild meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 10 am.
Daughters of the King Meet on the 2nd Saturday of the Month at 9:30 am.
“One Sundays” – on Sundays September 11 and October 16 we will combine the 7:45 am, 9 am, and 11 am service into one service at 10 am.
Youth Program Highlights
Youth Sunday school is now at 10 am for all ages. The Encouragers (6th grade – 12th grade) will be reading a book entitled The Real Jesus: A Devotional, written by Jean Bradbery.
Five year olds to fifth graders will have two options: First Communion Class or Deep Blue One Room Sunday School.
The First Communion Class is available to any child of any age (the target age is 5—7 year olds, but any age is welcome and should find it meaningful). In this class, we will explore the meaning of communion by examining the Book of Common Prayer, the Bible, our worship area, the bread and wine itself, and other symbols of the Last Supper and Holy Communion. On November 20 th, the First Communion Class will be celebrated and honored during the 11 am service.
In the Deep Blue One Room Sunday School, youth will learn about the Bible passages being read that day in church and will have a chance for fellowship and response to the passages.
Training of acolytes: Children ages kindergarten to 3rd grade will serve on the first Sunday of each month. Children grades 4 through 12 will serve on the remaining Sundays.
You may have noticed that there is no mention of an 11 am Youth Service. We are still revamping this service and trying to locate a Guitarist/Worship Leader. In the meantime, a group of the youth will be seated together in the “Peanut Gallery” – some seats set aside in the balcony with a parent volunteer. If you prefer, your children may sit with you.
There will also be the return of Fabulous Fourth Fridays – youth of all ages will gather from 6:30 pm until 10 pm. Parents can use the time for a date night or get together with other parents for fellowship.
Hymn of the Pearl
The St. Barnabas Wisdom School Hymn of the Pearl Retreat was held at Way of the Wolf on August 19-20. Facilitator Ron Poidevin served as guide for the 13 attendees: Janice and Tom Christofferson, Vanita Clark, Debbie Gorden, Ralph & Stirling Greenlee, Margaret Hawn, Cindy Heifner, Molly Martin, Cydney and Richard Mickelson, Karen Poidevin, and Linda Zehnder. The Hymn of the Pearl expresses an Early Christian form of poetic, prophetic, and wisdom seeing that helps us understand answers to four great perennial wisdom questions. Who am I? What am I doing here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
In 72 A.D., while awaiting execution, tradition says the Apostle Thomas recited this saga about the Journey of Eternal Return throughout the evening. St. Thomas had established seven churches in India, bringing Christianity there, where it flourished, uninfluenced by empires or crusades, for 1,600 years.
Vacation Bible School 2016
Thank you! VBS Volunteers Over 70 children enjoyed learning about Joseph’s story. They visited him in prison and in the pharaoh’s palace. They sang, danced, played games, tasted Egyptian snacks and even wrapped up as mummies. Our St. Barnabas volunteers made it all happen. We are all so grateful to the men, women and teens who gave their time and talent for these children.
July 2016 Financials St Barnabas Financials as of July 31, 2016 Jul 16
Monthly
$ +/-
Jan-Jul
YTD
$ +/-
Annual
Actuals Budget Income 32,466 40,230 Expenses: Staff 27,903 26,685 Operating 8,229 6,449 Ministry 951 2,778 5,381 Apportionment 5,381
Budget Actuals Budget Budget -7,764 286,098 281,610 4,488
Budget 482,750
1,218 183,607 186,795 -3,188 1,780 47,269 45,143 2,126 -1,827 21,252 19,446 1,806 0 37,667 37,667 0
320,199 77,400 33,350 64,572
Total Expenses 42,464 41,293
1,171 289,795 289,051
744
495,521
3,744
-12,771
Net Income -9,998
-1,063
-8,935
-3,697
-7,441
Balance Sheet: A decrease of $42,909 was due to the following: Monthly Operations -$ 9,999 (explained below) Moms Morning Off -$ 4,105 (explained below) Prepaid Pledges $ 2,440 Funds -$25,965 Columbarium Fund: Expansion Project (-$27,282) Significant activity from other funds were as follows: Dugat MMO Scholarship (+1,026), Daughters of the King (+893), Outreach (+$417), Rector Discretionary (-$500), Benevolence (-$500). Monthly Operations: The overall deficit of $9,999, versus a budgeted deficit of $1063 was driven by these two items: Income was under budget by $7,764. and the Parish Hall tables were replaced with lighter and more durable tables at a cost of $2,389. YTD results are still better than budgeted by $3,744. Income is still higher than budgeted with expenses right at budget. MMO: MMO had a deficit of $4,105 because there was little income against all expenses for the last partial month of programs. When the program starts up again in September, there will be collection of tuition in August before expenses occurring in September. Pre-enrollment is at 36 children for the fall, with requests still coming in. There are 10 teachers hired of which four are new. The YTD balance is a negative $1,504.
Father Jeff presented Karen Young with a model pyramid as he thanked her for leading Vacation Bible School this year.
From the Senior Warden In the next few weeks the nominating committee will begin prayerfully considering candidates for the 2017 Vestry elections to be held at the Annual Parish Meeting, January 15, 2017. There will be three new vestry members elected at that time. The nominating committee consists of the three outgoing vestry members, Fred Grimes, Pris Williams, and Johnny Gorden, along with Sr. Warden, Vickie Luckenbach and Fr. Jeff. Nominees are submitted to the committee by parishioners as well as vestry members. Nominees must agree to serve prior to submission of their names. Vestry members serve three years. St. Barnabas by-laws state that vestry members shall be lay communicants in good standing, at least eighteen (18) years of age, canonically resident in the parish, and be financial supporters of the parish. If you feel, or you know someone who feels that they could serve our church community in this capacity, please let one of the nominating committee members know. As many of you know, Jimmy Davis has been involved in the discernment process to serve our diocese in role of a clergy person. After many steps and many prayers uplifted, Jimmy has been approved by the Bishop to officially become a postulant. Jimmy has been an ordained minister for the past 45 years in another faith and he will serve in the Diocese of West Texas for a period of formation and education for another year. He will be a Bi-vocational priest and will serve churches in our area but not as a parish priest and not for a long period of time. He will not serve here at St. Barnabas but his membership will remain here. He may serve as an interim priest or serve as a priest to churches in our convocation where there may be an absence of a priest for a short period of time. There are seven churches within 75 miles of Fredericksburg who may have a need for his services. He has already begun to visit other Episcopal churches in our convocation to learn and serve. St. Barnabas is honored to have Jimmy accepted in this process and we joyfully pray for him and his service. This also gives St. Barnabas an opportunity to have a relationship with other churches through Jimmy. Don’t forget that on Sunday, September 11, there will be a One Service Sunday at 10 am in the Parish Hall with a light meal served afterwards. For some of you, this may be your first opportunity to see the new “lighter” tables in the Parish Hall……in fact, we will probably need you to help set up the new tables and clean up afterwards!
With gratitude for your service to St. Barnabas,
VIcki
VBS participants, teachers and volunteers perform during the11 am service on August 7.
The St. Barnabas Wisdom School is offering two new courses this fall.
Exploring the Great Faiths Beginning on September 8, Father Jeff will teach “ Exploring the Great Faiths,” a course that features five world religions. Beginning with a discussion of primal religious practices, the course will then explore the rich diversity of the these faith traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. The study of these religions will provide perspective on the distinct ways others perceive their moral universe and their place in it. Guest speakers from each religion will introduce the origins, beliefs and practices of their faith. We’ll examine how these religions differ from each other in the explanations they give to the mysteries humans have always confronted: What is the nature of the divine? What is the meaning of life? Why do we suffer? What is sin? What happens after we die? And many more….
The Enneagram Journey The Enneagram is a model of human personality which is best understood as a typology of nine interconnected personality types. This course, taught by Suzanne Stabile in a DVD format, will provide opportunities for exploration, growth and transformation, as well as intellectual understanding. Transformation and growth take place as a community of people experience the Enneagram together. That is why Stabile has called this curriculum ”The Enneagram Journey”—it’s a shared experience designed to help you connect with the other members of the class and learn with and from each other. The course describes how you see and inhabit the world. The wisdom of the Enneagram helps all who know it to understand differences, practice compassion, and find ways of being in the world that add meaning to what poet Mary Oliver calls our “one wild and precious life.” The course will be facilitated by Carolyn Stewart and Gwynne Juett. Required text available for purchase at first class.
Dates: Time: Place: Registration:
Thursdays, September 8 through November 17 5:45—6:15 pm— Meditation (optional) 6:30—8 pm—Classes meet St. Barnabas Parish Hall St. Barnabas Church Office, (830) 997-5762.
We are looking for volunteers for the Audit committee. We already have someone who will lead this effort next year. Serving on the Audit committee is neither difficult nor time consuming. Please contact Ric McCormick with any questions.
Boy Scout Troup 137 is in desperate need of storage space. If you are able to help with this, please contact. Gayne Young at (830) 285-1011 or gayne@gaynecyoung.com.
Additional greeters are needed at the 9 am and 11 am service. Contact Jimmy Davis at (830) 456-2224.
M EETINGS & M INISTRIES
SEPTEMBER
ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS Wednesday—6 pm in CEB
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
B IRTHDAYS 1st 2nd
AL-ANON
3rd 4th 5th 8th 9th
BELL CHOIR
10th
BIBLE STUDIES
11th 13th 14th 15th 16th
Monday—6:30 pm in CEB Friday—6:30 pm in CEB Wednesday—4:30 pm in CEB Monday—7 am in Library Thursday—10 am in CEB
BOY SCOUT TROOP 137
Tuesday—6:30 pm in Parish Hall
Emily Aubin Melanie Nesbit Aviya York Maggie Gillespie Linda Bates Lorri Kendrick Norma Shepard Elizabeth Loggie Luke Mullen Ann Rea Barbara Johnson Helen McDonald Gina Seracen Ann Shult Will Cross Diane Matthews Robin Cowsar Pat Hammond
CHOIR
2nd Saturday of the Month 9:30 am in Sanctuary
LIBRARY GUILD
1st Thursday of the Month 10 am in the Library
3rd 4th 7th 8th 18th 19th
Chuck & Julie Alvarez Bill & Sandra Smallwood Steve & Jana Neale Jack & Sue Thompson Fred & Shirley Crooks Jim & Mary Hatchett
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Resumes August 29 8 am—2 pm
VESTRY
3rd Monday of the Month—5 pm in Conference Room
WISDOM SCHOOL
Thursday—Sept. 8—Nov. 17 5:45—8 pm
21st 23rd 25th 26th 27th 29th
21st 24th 27th 29th 30th
Mike & Maggie Gillespie Bud & Vicki Arnold Ralph & Stirling Greenlee Chuck & Shannon Ramsey Lloyd & Mary Easterling
Hold the Dates
Thursday—7 am in Parish Hall
MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF)
19th
A NNIVERSARIES
Tuesday—7 pm in Encourager Room
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
17th 18th
Molly Martin Denese Gibson Kelly Albrecht Karen Brune Amanda Marschall Pat McCormick Tom Christofferson Ron Poidevin Jeff Smith Doug Kimbrell Sam Cowsar Fred Crooks Jim Hatchette Ella Money Ralph Greenlee Vicki Arnold Terry Henderson Marti Spruiell
Sept. 8 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 28 Oct. 16 Nov. 6 Nov. 27 Jan. 15
Wisdom School classes begin One Service with Meal Following Youth Sunday School starts World Mission Program One Service with Meal Following Thanksgiving Potluck—12:15 pm First Sunday of Advent One Service with Meal and Annual Meeting Following
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
Return Service Requested
Mission Trip to Honduras –January 19-26, 2017 The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas Water Ministry is a group of Christian volunteers committed to using the ministry of drilling water wells to fulfill the Great Commandment. Currently, we are working in the country of Honduras, where we have had 80 well projects in the past 14 years. Work in the mission field includes drilling water wells, repairing water wells and hand-pumps, teaching sustainable health and hygiene programs, and ministering to the children and people in the communities we serve. Through God's gift of water, we strive to fulfill the commandment of Christ to make disciples who share the "living water" of the Gospel with others. The purpose of this trip is to go to Honduras as a team of dedicated Christians, to work with our Honduran brothers and sisters, and to share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ through our Water Ministry. We will go as a team, work as a team, share as a team, and play as a team. Your decision to go means you are committed to be a part of the whole life of the team, including meetings and worship. There will be two meetings to get ready for the trip. Because St. Barnabas is sponsoring this well, both meetings will be held in Fredericksburg, at the church. The meetings are scheduled for Sunday, December 4, 2016, and January 8, 2017. Both will be at 12:30 pm and will last for about three hours. Contact David Spencer at (830) 995-2912 for more information.