Blessings Beheld
Last Sunday’s Visitation and Confirmation Service with Bishop Mary Glasspool presiding was a really wonderful experience. I was very pleased that our confirmands were so well supported by friends, family and fellow parishioners, as they reaffirmed the vows made on their behalf at Baptism. It was a special pleasure to see so many people in church for such a life-giving event.
Following the service, Bishop Mary met with the wardens and vestry members, affirming their leadership during extraordinary times. She was particularly positive in sharing that a number of parishes have reintroduced congregational singing, a message which resonated with many of our own vestry members. Consequently, at Tuesday night’s vestry meeting, the majority of members voted in favor of reintroducing singing in church with the proviso that fitted masks must be worn.
With this development in mind and with the joys of Christmas just around the corner, I want to give you a brief overview of what to expect over the next 10 days:
- Sunday, December 19, is the Fourth Sunday of Advent with services at 8AM and 10AM.
- Friday, Christmas Eve, we will have a candle-lit outdoor service with Nativity Pageant and carols at 4PM; and an indoor, candle-lit Christmas Eve Mass with carols at 9PM.
In addition, I am offering a Blue Christmas Service for those who find the holidays a particularly difficult time of year. This meditative, reflective, and healing service will be held on Wednesday, December 22 at 7:30PM.
It also is worth noting for all these occasions that the wearing of masks for indoor worship is now mandatory, as per a recent update in New York State requirements.
Onward with Hope,
Gareth
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THIS SUNDAY
8:00AM Worship
in the main sanctuary
10:00AM Worship
in church & online
followed by coffee hour
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4:00PM Candlelight Nativity Pageant with Carols
outdoors on the front lawn
9:00PM Christmas Eve Mass
in the church & online
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Sunday School
Children will meet in the parish hall during 10:00AM worship and then join the service after their lesson. Masks are required.
10:00AM in Colwell Hall
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Angel Tree Fundraiser
We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the Angel Tree fundraiser--raising funds to sponsor an Afghan refugee family. The IPC/St. B’s 4 Refugees Committee has identified a safe, comfortable and clean apartment and will soon begin filling it with all the furniture and home goods that have been donated by so many.
We are thankful for your support, and for this important partnership between our parishes. Our collective efforts have resulted in pledges totaling more than $8,000 toward our $25,000 sponsorship goal. Thank you!
The next step is making sure that all Angel Tree pledges are fulfilled by this Sunday. We will be celebrating our efforts by bringing our fulfilled “angels” back to the Angel Tree during the worship service. You may navigate Here to complete your donation.
Last, there are a few houseware items on our Amazon Wishlist available for purchase to help make the family’s apartment feel like home!
In Christ’s Peace,
Brittnee Crawford, Fundraising Lead
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Stewardship Campaign Update
Christ Our Bridge
So far in our campaign, we have received 76 pledges totaling $477,845, meaning we have pushed beyond our original goal of $425,000. This truly is great and joyful news!
We are especially pleased to report that 35 of the 2022 pledges have increased from 2021, or represent brand new pledges. In addition, 22 pledges increased by $500 or more, generating $11,000 in matching pledges provided by several members. This matching program will end on Sunday, December 19th, so there is still time to participate. Mail your pledge card before Sunday, or go to our online portal.
Please remember that every pledge -- large or small -- is a critical part of our overall effort to ensure our church is on a sound financial footing for the coming year.
Blessings,
Scott and Ed
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Memorial Christmas Flowers
If you would like to honor your loved ones with flowers at Christmas, please send their names and a check made out to the "Altar Guild of St. Barnabas" by December 19th. Their names will be included in the Christmas Eve service bulletin.
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Christmas Gifts to Staff
If you would like to make a contribution to the church staff this year, please send a check to the office made out to St. Barnabas with "Staff Gift" in the memo line.
Donald Butt, Music Director
Ron Lillo, Sexton
Sue Stanley, Parish Secretary
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What's Next for REPAIR?
Our inter-parish group dedicated to racial justice and inclusion, REPAIR, will resume regular monthly meetings in January after a brief hiatus for the holiday season. The REPAIR leadership team is working on programs for the new year that we hope you'll find challenging and inspiring, including:
• A deep dive into the issue of environmental justice--how everything from the roads we build to the neighborhoods we leave vulnerable to pollution and flooding is shaped by racial bias
• A profile of Pauli Murray, the activist, author, and Episcopal priest who was a pioneering leader in the battle for equality regardless of race, gender, and sexual orientation
• A look at the work of photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks and his legacy for contemporary artists
Karl Weber
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Women’s Group
Fran Bean leads this group on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. All welcome! Contact Fran with questions.
Next Meeting
December 22
10:45AM - 12:00PM
This is a hybrid event. The meeting will take place on the rectory front porch and also at this Zoom Link.
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686
Passcode: 10533
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Adult Formation
Reading the New Testament
Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursdays
9:30AM - 10:30AM
Online Class -
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686
Passcode: 10533
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Book Group
The St. Barnabas Book Group will meet by Zoom at 7:30 on January 4 to discuss "Ransom," by David Malouf, a retelling of a part of the Iliad.
Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions, would like to be added to the Book Group email list, or would like the Zoom link for this meeting, contact Lea Carmichael Richardson
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Notice of Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Church of St. Barnabas will take place on Sunday, January 23, 2022. Please save the date. We hope to do this both in person and online via Zoom.
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Giving
Please continue to make your pledges or contributions. Online payments may be made HERE, or on our website under the "Give" section, or by mail.
If you would like to contribute stock or wire funds, contact Cynthia Ferguson at (914) 922-1921.
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Connect
To schedule a meeting with the rector, call the Parish Office at (914) 591-8194 or email Sue Stanley. The rector's Sabbath (day off) is Monday.
For pastoral emergencies, call the Rev. Gareth Evans at (617) 930-3728.
If you have announcements for the weekly eNews, email Hope Durot by Tuesday. |
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