Believing in a More Inclusive Church
Last Sunday afternoon, I attended a Memorial Service for Archbishop Desmond Tutu at St. John the Divine. I felt a connection with “the Arch,” as he was affectionately known, having assisted him at the altar when he visited Harvard Divinity School in 2002. On Sunday, I felt like our Church was doing something it really knows how to do: lift up a life, the whole life of a person, and to remember that individual before God and those present in a way both gracious and true. In this case, a globally recognized Anglican Bishop, who absolutely loved life and put a high value on human life to the point that he was willing to risk his own in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. It’s brilliant to belong to the same worldwide Anglican Communion that raises up Desmond Tutu.
On Wednesday night, I attended the REPAIR meeting which explored the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, the first black woman to be ordained in the Episcopal Church. She/he was a trailblazer in so many ways, not least as a lawyer framing the arguments for equal Constitutional Rights for Black Americans that led to the Civil Rights Movement, public school desegregation, women’s rights in the workplace, and an extension of rights to LGBTQ+ people based on Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. She/he, like Desmond Tutu, believed in the value of human life and was willing to organize her/their whole life around fighting for human rights. Again, it’s brilliant to belong to the same Episcopal Church that raised up Pauli Murray.
As an institution, the Episcopal Church has its “original sins” to atone for but also much to commend, as it gives expression to God’s desire for greater racial equity and inclusion. During this Black History Month, let us continue to celebrate and center the ways in which our denomination does the work of the Gospel at the international, national and local levels.
Onward as the Rainbow People of God,
Gareth+
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THIS SUNDAY
8:00AM Worship
in the Main Sanctuary
10:00AM Worship
in-person or online
All are welcome though we strongly encourage in-person attendees to be fully vaccinated and boosted. Masks are required. COVID protocols.
For assistance viewing online,
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Sunday School is Back!
Children will meet in the parish hall at 10:00AM worship and then join the service after their lesson. Please wear masks.
10:00AM in Colwell Hall
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Youth Group News
Youth and parents of St. Barnabas and the Irvington Presbyterian Church (IPC) are invited to meet our new Youth Director, David Bryan.
This Saturday, Feb 19, 10:00-11:00AM
in-person at St.B's Colwell Hall
Next Sunday, Feb 27, 4:00-5:00PM
Sunday, March 6, 5:00-6:30PM
Youth Group Kick-off Event for both High School and Middle School Youth
IPC, Church Hall.
Weekly youth group meetings will be held on Sundays 5:00-6:30PM alternating between the High Schoolers one week and the Middle Schoolers the next. For the month of March, meetings will be held at St. B’s, and at then held at IPC for the month of April, alternating venues on a monthly basis.
March 13, 5:00-6:30PM
High School Youth Gp at St.B’s, Colwell Hall
March 20, 5:00-6:30PM
Middle School Youth Gp at St.B’s, Colwell Hall
March 27th, 5:00-6:30PM
High School Youth Gp at St.B’s, Colwell Hall
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Hymnal Purchase for St. Bs
Lift Every Voice and Sing
If you would like to dedicate a copy of the hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special event such as a wedding anniversary or baptism, you are welcome to take this opportunity to do so. The hymnal dedications are $25 per copy and will be mounted on bookplates with customary elegance and care on the inside cover of the books.
Please click HERE to purchase Lift Every Voice and Sing.
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Sermon
The ceremony to celebrate the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was held last weekend at St. John the Divine. If you have not heard our bishop's sermon, it is inspiring and hopeful.
The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry is Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church. He is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, and as Chair of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church.
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New Sign for February
The new Diversity Committee of St. Barnabas helped design this sign to promote awareness of Black History Month. This year's national theme is "Recharge, refocus and renew" with special emphasis on prioritizing self-care and well-being.
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Clothing Sale Grant Form
We are now accepting grant requests for the proceeds from the 2021 Clothing Sale! The St. Barnabas Clothing Sale Outreach program is designed specifically to extend the charitable outreach of our parishioners, so we solicit requests from our faith community for worthy non-profit (501c3) organizations that benefit the local community. In order to be eligible for grant consideration, at least one St. Barnabas parishioner must volunteer or be connected to your organization. Further, the requested grant (most grants are between $500 and $1,500, rarely more than $5,000) must have a meaningful impact on the community your program serves. We believe that God desires and delights in human flourishing, hence our desire to pour the proceeds of our clothing sales back into the community.
Deadline: email completed application no later than Sunday, March 13, 2022 to Hanna Gyory or drop it with Sue Stanley at the church office. Sue will keep a binder of all the grant requests.
Decision: Grant application decisions will be made by the Grant Committee on Wednesday, March 16 and disbursed in March.
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IPC/StB's for Refugees
Our joint Afghan resettlement ministry has helped the Khpolwak family find and furnish an apartment, navigate public transit, find health services, look for employment, and maneuver through the complex legal process of moving to the U.S. as refugees. Going forward, we are focusing on continued holistic healthcare for the family, helping them find employment, and finding meaningful ways for them to connect in the community.
Currently, we are exploring low-cost or no-cost English as a Second Language (ESL) training options. The Khpolwaks all understand and speak English, some better than others, but they want help to improve their written communication.
We are also interested in hearing about
- specific job-training programs (specifically a certificate program in IT) that are online or accessible via public transportation from the family’s home, and
- companies or organizations interested in hiring Afghan refugees
Thank you for your support until now. Please let us have your questions and suggestions, by email or by speaking with Frances Bean (Evans), Susan Brunenavs or Barbara Wright.
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Food Drive
Irvington Presbyterian Church is the host for our next IPC/St.B's joint food drive.
Please drop your donations at Irvington Presbyterian Church on
This Sunday, February 20
between 9 AM - 12 PM
Volunteers will be available in the parking lot to accept your donations. This is our fifth joint food drive. We are happy to partner with IPC and thank you for your support. Please know how much your gifts are needed and appreciated. It is a way for us to be good neighbors in our community. The people in need and the pantry have felt your love! If you would like to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Barbara Mahoney.
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Women’s Group
Fran Bean leads this group on the second and fourth Wednesdays (usually!) of each month. All welcome! Contact Fran with questions.
Next Meetings are
Tuesday, March 1
10:45AM - 12:00PM
Wednesday, March 22
10:45AM -12:00PM
Remote Event
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686
Passcode: 10533
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Connected Parenting
The next meeting will take place
Sunday evening
March 6
5:00PM to 6:30PM
This will be an in-person meeting at the rectory with dinner and childcare provided!
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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 Saint Barnabas Book Group will meet on Tuesday, March 22, by Zoom, at 7:30PM to discuss "Matrix", by Lauren Groff.
All are welcome, to any meeting. If you would like the Zoom link, would like to be added to the Book Group email list, or have any questions, please contact Lea Carmichael Richardson
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Lenten Psalms Study with IPC
Ecumenical Women of St. B’s are invited to join Irvington Presbyterian Church women for a six-week Lenten Study using N.T. Wright’s study of the Psalms. The first five of the classes will be held on Saturdays at 1 pm from February 26 – March 26th. The last class day and time will be negotiated with the class. All classes will be held on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 818 8558 6168
Passcode: 490781
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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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Contact
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.
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