InCommon eNews
October 29, 2020
RECTOR'S MESSAGE Rector
Every Piece Counts 
 
"In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

My favorite response to the saying, "Time heals all," is "Activity in time heals all." in other words, time itself is not an agent of healing. Reflecting this insight, we have added some healing pieces to church life by taking advantage of good weather and a willingness of our members to gather for Holy Eucharist on the front lawn, for Church School on the back lawn, and Youth Group on the Rectory porch. All these activities have taken place because the time of year has allowed them. As we face into inclement weather and the shortening of daylight hours, we are making necessary adjustments to worship and activity times. This Sunday we will hold our outdoor worship and Church School at 3pm, as we adjust to clocks "going back." Holding church events outside this Fall has spoken to me of healing and wholeness, and I give thanks to God for them. As the season changes from Fall to Winter and the pandemic continues to surge across the country, the sacrifices we are called to make are very real and costly in ways that are both visible and hidden. Perhaps like me, you find yourself sighing as we head toward the holidays, which are going to look very differently this year for many of us. I find myself joining what feels like a collective sigh; a sigh too deep for words. Finding ways to bring kindness and "a healing touch" to consciousness is part of the task we face right now, as hard as it can be to do so. Time itself heals nothing, only our continued efforts to embody Christ's healing touch will redeem time as we move forward.

Onward in Hope, 
Gareth
Stewardship 2021 - Every Piece Counts

Our 2021 Stewardship Campaign is underway! Please help us ensure that St. Barnabas will continue to be here for all of us during these difficult times. 

Remember that every pledge that is increased, or stays the same, will earn the parish an additional $500 matching gift. But, if you are experiencing financial stress, please know that every pledge, no matter the amount, is a blessing and is very much appreciated. 
To make a pledge, you can go to our website homepage and click on the button on the top of the page. You can also pledge here.

If you have not seen our video with all the details of our Stewardship Campaign this year, you can view it hereAnd remember, online payments may be made anytime by clicking here, or by mailing your check to St. Barnabas Church, 15 North Broadway, Irvington, NY 10533.
JOIN US SUNDAYsunday
Worship In-Person or Online

SERVICE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST 
Sunday, November 1
10:00AM

To attend this service in person, please Register Here

To attend this service virtually, please join LocalLive Online
This link is also on our website homepage under Join Us in the red banner.
 
Following 10AM worship, we gather by Zoom for Virtual Coffee Hour 
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686   Passcode: 10533  
 
Outdoor Worship

SERVICE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Sunday, November 1
3:00PM - Note this time change!!!
 
To attend this service in person, on the front lawn, please Register Here

Sunday School
We will be holding outdoor Sunday School in the backyard during the 3:00PM service. (Time change!) We will use the Godly Play curriculum, and, since we cannot share art supplies, consider bringing something that your child might enjoy--paper, colored pencils, crayons, LEGOs, beads, etc. Children will be socially distanced and masks are required. For details, please contact Gabrielle Boozer at ggautrau@hotmail.com.  
UPCOMING upcoming
The Bible Project

Morning Bible Study - Gareth leads Bible Study sessions three mornings a week using The Bible Project materials. You're welcome to join the meeting anytime. 
Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, 9:30AM - 10:00AM

How to Read the Bible - Gareth leads Wednesday evening meetings about how the Bible's many different literary styles are used to convey the overall story of Scripture. 
Wednesday Evenings, 7:30PM - 8:30PM

Meeting ID: 336 690 2686  Passcode: 10533 
Book Group
The St. Barnabas Book Group will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17, at 7:30PM to discuss The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai.

All are welcome to join the discussion. If you are interested and not on the Book Group mailing list, please email Lea Carmichael Richardson at Paintmoth@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

Youth Group
Join us for the next meeting on Sunday, November 8, in front of the Rectory from 3:00-5:00PM. Email Kelli Scott (kellisherelle@gmail.com) with questions, and let her know if you want to receive the weekly newsletter, The Buzz. Remember that our food drive kicks off on Nov 1. Please collect items such as healthy cereal, plain oatmeal, ricepeanut butter, shelf stable milk, tuna, sardines, dried beans and pasta.
Every Piece Counts - Youth Group
We are excited to share some recent, promising developments with our Youth Program.  At a time when we feel our younger members could benefit significantly from spiritual sustenance, a dose of church fellowship, and an afternoon of just plain fun, we are pleased to announce that the program is being revived. Two valued members of our parish are leading these efforts-Jamer Linares is a Mental Health Clinician with a background in adolescent and child development, and Kelli Scott, who brings her degree in Bible Studies and background in College Campus Ministry mentoring. Jamer is graciously donating his time to help breathe new life back into our youth initiatives, which had been in abeyance since the COVID lockdown in March. Kelli has transitioned from her previous role as interim communications coordinator to a part-time staff position, that also includes support for our Sunday services. Last week we had good participation, and we are hopeful that this group will continue to gather regularly to support charitable causes, engage in lively spiritual discussions, and enjoy time together.
-Gareth
2021 Calendars Needed for New Beginnings
St. Barnabas is once again collecting 2021 calendars for New Beginnings of Westchester located in Ossining. There is a plastic bin outside the church (the entrance by the choir room) and you can drop off calendars there. Thank you!

New Beginnings is a non-profit organization that provides basic household essentials to homeless families and individuals making the transition to permanent housing.
RESOURCES resources
Holding on to Hope
A National Service for Healing and Wholeness

On the eve of a historic election and in the midst of pandemic and racial reckoning, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will call Americans together for a live-streamed prayer service from Washington National Cathedral. The Holding on to Hope service will be held on All Saints Sunday, November 1, at 4:00-5:30 pm. , and viewers can join in a variety of ways. To learn more, visit Holding on to Hope.

PARISH OFFICE

To schedule a meeting with the rector, call the Parish Office at (914) 591-8194.

Office hours are Wednesdays, 1:00pm-3:30pm. 

The rector's Sabbath (day off) is Monday.

For pastoral emergencies, call Gareth directly, at (617) 930-3728.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you have announcements to include in the InCommon weekly newsletter, please email the information by noon on Tuesdays. 
Sue Stanley

 
 


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