Newsletter--March 2000

In case you’ve been wondering about the hold-up in The Messenger over the past months, here’s your answer. I’ve been waiting to bring you the latest news on the situation at Accokeek. I can now do that--there isn’t any latest news. In fact, things are amazingly quiet. I don’t take that as a good sign. Were this the Kingdom we could expect that God’s will had prevailed and that all His children were getting along. But this is the Garden after the Fall, and it would seem that is not likely. With our fallen nature holding sway these days, it is most likely that plots and counter-plots are being hatched so that everyone can try to have their own way.

The recent edition of The Nebraska Episcopalian contained an editorial which is typical of the new ethos in Church and State. The editor related how he had tried to get their parish organist to utilize a different type of music and failed. Never mind that the rest of the parish was happy with music they were getting; never mind that what the author wanted was from a different tradition and that what Anglicanism has to offer is every bit as good-just different. The fact is that HE wanted it HIS way. Just like many people in the Church and in Society. “I want-I deserve” is today’s sad refrain.

The Cross of Christ teaches us a different story. If Christ had decided that what He wanted was most important, the gates of heaven would still be closed. “Father, let this cup pass,” was what He wanted, alone and afraid on that Passover night. But Christ did not sin-did not let His ego have full rein-and so He finished His prayer, “not my will, but thine be done.”

The answer to the problem at Accokeek--the answer to the problems throughout the Church and Country--can be found at the foot of Calvary’s tree. Look to the Cross and see what happens when individual wants and needs vie to win the day. Then look to the Savior hanging on that tree who teaches us to sublimate those desires and wants to the will of the Father who created us and loves us in spite of our pettiness.

Pray, sisters and brothers. Pray that the Church may find her way, not on the road to courts and presentments, but in to the path of repentance, in submission to the mind of Christ.

We have been truly blessed in recent years by the presence of several retired priests in our midst. Fr. Barger, our priest associate, joins us when his schedule permits, Fr. Stillwell, while being restricted from attending due to vision problems, keeps tabs on us and in his prayers.

Fr. Kilby attends Mass here on a regular basis and has graced us with several quiet days in the last few years. This year he has graciously offered to lead an adult study on the Gospel of Luke.

Father’s course will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning on September 12th and continue through April. 7:00 p.m. is the starting time.

Luke’s Gospel, often referred to as the Gospel of the Gentleness of Christ, contains such beloved pieces as the infancy narrative and the material concerning Jesus’ journey through Samaria to Jerusalem. It is the Gospel currently being read in this Cycle of the Lectionary.

It will be necessary to make a commitment to this study. There will be an expectation of reading and participating. But it will pay off in a deeper appreciation of our Faith and the person of Jesus.

If you’ve been thinking of doing something to broaden your understanding of Scripture or deepening your commitment to Christ and His Church, this is it!!!

English High Tea And Solemn Choral Evensong

Sunday, September 16

The music will include choral and organ works by Stanford, Morley, Goss and Handel

4:30 High Tea 5:30 Evensong

A contract has been signed with a roofing company to replace our aging and damaged roof. Work will begin in late September or early October.

We have received an insurance settlement for approximately one half the total cost, with the remaining portion left to our own funding resources. These are our parish Capitol Fund, the remaining Hitchcock Grant, and the Clark Trust. We need alternative financing to avoid depleting these sources, especially the Clark Trust.

The cost per roof tile panel will be $10. We are asking that parishioners and friends of the parish purchase one or more tiles as memorials or thank offerings. A list of donors will be published and updated weekly as the project progresses. Please speak to the Senior Warden (Donald Ehrlich) or any Vestry member about your participation in this project. Vestry members are: Norma Morehouse, Wanda Marsh, Frieda Wagner, Matthew Burbach, James Pierson, and Todd Illig.

We cannot recall a time when the Faithful of St. Barnabas have been asked for additional revenues over and above their annual pledges, so let us give this unique venture top priority status as good and faithful stewards.