The New Year 2006

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Schedule for week of January 1st

The Church's One Foundation

“What kind of Church is this?” I get that question from visitors a lot. Oftentimes someone who is not used to some of the grayer areas of Christendom’s ecclesiastical life will continue on in a puzzled manner. “You’re Catholic, but you’re not Roman, you’re reformed, but you’re not Protestant?” You can almost hear the wheels of their minds grinding to a halt as they try to put us into one of the categories found in the typical questionnaire: “Protestant, Catholic, or Jew.”

People like to speculate on what kind of church we are. I have heard that we are a gay church. I have heard that we are a church that is hostile to gay people. I have heard that we are a friendly church. I have heard that we are a cold and aloof church. Many times these comments come from people who have never set foot within the four walls that make up St. B’s.

What kind of Church is St. Barnabas’ Church then? The hymn whose first line heads this article describes her best in my mind. She is a Church with Jesus Christ as Her foundation - her one and only foundation. She is a new creation, which may explain why people have such a difficult time categorizing her. She is a place where all sorts and conditions of men and women can come together with a common purpose - the spread of the Kingdom of Heaven. One Holy Name she blesses, that of the Most Holy Trinity. She partakes of one Holy Food, the Body and Blood of her Lord and Savior. And to one hope she presses - that of the everlasting reign of Christ - “thy Kingdom come.”

St. B's is not the building, but the people who come through her doors week after week seeking peace in a troubled world. It is a group of people who know that they are sinners in need of the redeeming love of Christ Jesus. It is a place in which all are welcome, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, political ideology or any other distinction by which the world separates brothers and sisters one from the other. It invites everyone to join in the life of Christ - to hear the Gospel and heed the call to repentance. It is the family of God going out its doors in service to the world that the world may come to know the love of Christ in action.

“What kind of Church is this?” Hopefully you will always be able to answer that with, “come in and find out.” Together we walk the path of the Master and truly discover that, as it says above the door, “This is the Door of Heaven.”

Brotherhood of St. Andrew

We were pleased to have Mr. Clarence St. John in our midst to speak to us about the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. This organization is a ministry of men for and to men. They strive to bring men to Christ and active participation in the life of the Church.

St. Barnabas’ chapter of the Brotherhood was chartered in 1886 and bears the number 0030. The chapter has been inactive in recent memory.

Any men of the parish interested in the work and witness of the Brotherhood should speak to the Rector.

Looking Ahead...

Mark your calendars now for the Annual Canvass Luncheon, Sunday, November 5. The luncheon will take place immediately following the 10:00 Mass.

The parish will provide the meat course. Parishioners are asked to bring a side dish, salad, vegetable or dessert.

We would like to have all pledges in by that day. Pledge cards will be sent in a letter preceding the luncheon. If you are not able to attend the luncheon, please consider sending in your pledge card on or before the 5th of November.

Calling Mrs. Olson...

One popular event in the life of this parish is the Sunday morning coffee hour. Our coffee hours are always well attended; a positive sign.

One problem with increased membership and the growth of popularity of the coffee hour is that it is becoming costly for a single person or family to provide enough food for the coffee hour. A possible corrective to this situation is to have two families sign up on a weekend to provide the “goodies.” Check the list in the kitchen and feel free to team-up with someone else for a Sunday.

Many thanks to those who have provided food in the past. We hope they will continue in their generosity and that they will be joined by others who have not yet had the fun of hosting one of these events.

Our Lady of Walsingham

Much information has been given in previous newsletters about the history of Our Lady’s apparitions at the miraculous well in Walsingham and of the copy of the Holy House of Nazareth she commanded to be built there.

Suffice it to say that her feast day is October 15th which this year falls on a Sunday. While ordinarily only a feast of first class may take precedence over Sunday, because the Chapel is under the patronage of Our Lady of Walsingham, we are allowed to celebrate that feast on Sunday.

The Solemn Mass of that day will be that of the Holy House of Nazareth and the Choral Evensong of that evening will carry out the theme finishing out the celebration in grand style.

Clean-Up Day Saturday, October 28 10 a.m. to Noon

Come join us for a Fall cleaning day of the Church and grounds. There’s something for everyone to do: bush trimming, pew washing, leaf raking, etc.

Let’s get the “old girl” spruced up and looking her best before Winter is upon us.