St.Barnablog

Friday of the Third Week in Lent

2012-03-16T05:08:00.004-07:00

Thus says the LORD:

Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;
you have collapsed through your guilt.
Take with you words,
and return to the LORD;
Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity,
and receive what is good, that we may render
as offerings the bullocks from our stalls.
Assyria will not save us,
nor shall we have horses to mount;
We shall say no more, 'Our god,'
to the work of our hands;
for in you the orphan finds compassion."

I will heal their defection, says the LORD,
I will love them freely;
for my wrath is turned away from them.
I will be like the dew for Israel:
he shall blossom like the lily;
He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
and put forth his shoots.
His splendor shall be like the olive tree
and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar.
Again they shall dwell in his shade
and raise grain;
They shall blossom like the vine,
and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols?
I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.
"I am like a verdant cypress tree"?
Because of me you bear fruit!

Let him who is wise understand these things;
let him who is prudent know them.
Straight are the paths of the LORD,
in them the just walk,
but sinners stumble in them.

Hosea 14:2-10

Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

2012-03-16T04:51:00.002-07:00

We are at the half-way point in our Lenten journey today.
There is so much yet to learn, to examine, to heal, to renew.
We have a sense of the patterns we are naming and a sense of the graces we are asking for,
as well as the ways God is working in us.

We want to be ready and the Lord wants us to be confident.
So we keep asking and we keep giving thanks, throughout our day.

Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent

2012-03-14T04:44:00.002-07:00

Thank you Father, for your divine, eternal patience with me, your wayward child. And thank you that you have acted on my behalf even while I was unable and unwilling to act. Though I've grieved your Spirit by my disobedience, you have proved yourself to be a good father. Hold me in your arms Lord; I want to feel your loving embrace and your powerful protection.

Meet me in the time I set aside for you. Help me to understand the sacrifice of Jesus through the simple ways that I fast this week. And teach me more about Easter and the joy that is mine.

- David Maddalena, In My Backyard

Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent

2012-03-14T04:40:00.003-07:00

"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." -The Indigo Girls

Monday of the Third Week in Lent

2012-03-12T04:38:00.002-07:00

"O God, you have created all persons and blessed us with a range of gifts, with different ways of seeing, hearing, touching and moving in the world. Grant us deep pleasure at the variety which enriches human kind and fill us with joy for the contacts which bring us understanding of one another."

Glen Rainsley, Prayers and Parables for Public Worship

The Third Sunday in Lent

2012-03-10T16:02:00.003-08:00

At that very time there were some present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.’

Then he told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, “See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?” He replied, “Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig round it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.” ’

Luke 13:1-9

Saturday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-10T15:56:00.003-08:00

Forgive us, O Least among us.

Forgive us for blessing the temples of stone and mortar

while cursing the temples of flesh and bone.

Forgive us, O Bread of Life.

Forgive us for turning your church into a prison, your

tabernacle into your cell.

Forgive us, O Brother Outcast.

Forgive us for turning our neighbors into strangers, our

strangers into enemies, and our enemies into dust.

Forgive us, O Unwanted One.

Forgive us for loving ourselves, but not You.

Forgive us, O Hungry One.

Forgive us for feeding ourselves, but not you.

Forgive us, O Cold One.

Forgive us for sheltering ourselves, but not You.

Friday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-09T04:09:00.003-08:00

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 24:15-18

Thursday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-08T03:54:00.002-08:00

Today I make my Sacrament of Thanksgiving.

I begin with the simple things of my days:

Fresh air to breathe,

Cool water to drink,

The taste of food,

The protection of houses and clothes,

The comforts of home.

For these I make an act of Thanksgiving this day.

I bring to mind all the warmth of humankind I have known:

My mother's arms,

My father's strength

The playmates of my childhood,

The tears I have shed,

The tears I have seen:

The excitement of laughter and the twinkle in the eye with its reminder that life is good.

The Big Hope that never quite deserts me that I and my kind will study

War no more, that love and tenderness and all the inner graces of

Almighty Affection will cover the life of the children of God as the waters

cover the sea.

All these and more then the mind can think and the heart can feel, I make as my

Sacrament of Thanksgiving to Thee,

Our Father, in humbleness of mind and simplicity of heart.

Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart

Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-07T02:06:00.004-08:00

O our mother earth, O our father sky,

Your children are we, and with tired backs

We bring you gifts that you love.

Then weave for us a garment of brightness;

May the warp be the white light of the morning,

May the weft be the red light of the evening,

May the fringes be the falling rain,

May the border be the standing rainbow.

Thus weave for us a garment of brightness

They we may walk fittingly where the grass is green,

O our mother earth, O our father sky!

Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-06T03:23:00.002-08:00

“We have never preached violence, except the violence of love, which left Christ nailed to a cross, the violence that we must each do to ourselves to overcome our selfishness and such cruel inequalities among us. The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood,the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work.”

Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

2012-03-05T04:14:00.004-08:00

Peace does not come rolling in on the wheels of inevitability. We can't just wish for peace. We have to will it, fight for it, suffer for it, demand it from our governments as if peace were God's most cherished hope for humanity, as indeed it is.

William Sloane Coffin, Credo

The Second Sunday in Lent

2012-03-04T05:27:00.003-08:00

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here for Herod wants to kill you." e said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet, today, tomorrow and the next day I must be on my way, for it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that stones the prophets and kills those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not some to see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes on the name of the Lord'."

Luke 13:31-35

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

2012-03-03T16:37:00.003-08:00

Prayer For Natural Disaster Victims

Lord of earth and sea, wind and waves, whose Spirit swept over the dark waters of chaos from which your word created a world of plenty. Restore in us your vision of a world made whole that we may work with those ravaged by the recent natural disasters to build and to plant, to reap and sow.

As our memories fade and images of devastation recede, connect us with all who daily bear the scars of destruction lest we forget our brothers and sisters. Hear our prayer as we remember the homeless and hungry, the depressed and despairing, the lonely and bereaved and engender in us a spirit of solidarity that we may walk with those who watch and weep and dream with those who hope and pray.

Uphold before them a love stronger than death, which no flood can drown nor quake destroy, that we may be bearers of your resurrection spirit and a voice of promise for the future. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.

A prayer for the victims of yesterday's tornados in the Midwest

Friday of the First Week of Lent

2012-03-02T07:02:00.003-08:00

"Our humanity comes to its fullest bloom in giving. We become beautiful people when we give whatever we can give: a smile, a handshake, a kiss, an embrace, a word of love, a present, a part of our life... all of our life."

Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved

Thursday of the First Week in Lent

2012-03-01T03:53:00.005-08:00

"If the God who revealed life to us, and whose only desire is to bring us to life, loved us so much that he wanted to experience with us the total absurdity of death, then- yes, then there must be hope; then there must be something more than death; there must be a promise that is not fulfilled in our short existence in this world; then leaving behind the ones you love, the flowers and the trees, the mountains and the oceans, the beauty of art and music, and all the exuberant gifts of life cannot be just the destruction and cruel end of all things; then indeed we have to wait for the third day."

Henri Nouwen, A Letter of Consolation

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

2012-02-28T14:43:00.003-08:00

Lent is a journey to the Cross. And toward a tomb, and the mysterious, unending joy of those who found it empty. The goal is to bring the journey's geography into the self, to bend beneath it, to allow the soul to find its narrative within it, its unfolding story. Lent is a journey that contains death and death...cannot be simulated.

Nora Gallagher, Things Seen and Unseen, A Year Lived in Faith

Tuesday of the First Week in Lent

2012-02-27T17:10:00.003-08:00

"The Iona Community is committed to rebuilding the common life, through working for social change, striving for the renewal of the church with an ecumenical emphasis, and exploring new and more inclusive approaches to worship all based on an integrated understanding of spirituality."

-Mission Statement of the Iona Community in Scotland

Monday of the First Week of Lent

2012-02-27T06:27:00.004-08:00

Contributing Towards the Sustenance of Life
Find joy in creation- The beauty and harmony of God’s creation is for all cultures a source of human well-being, spiritual nourishment and joy.
Listen- Prophets are those who speak truth, usually uncomfortable truth, to their generation. In that respect, We must listen to the scientists warning us of approaching dangers, exercise discernment, and be wary of ‘false prophets’ representing the vested interests of the powerful.
Repent- To continue polluting habits goes against God, and for our generation, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels has become essential.
Take responsibility- Humans have a unique responsibility for the well-being of creation, so to that end, we must use our power wisely to promote the flourishing of future generations and the diversity of life on earth.
Seek justice- Climate change justice means taking action for the poor, for future generations and for all creatures. To that end, the challenge is to seek a different, sustainable economy, based on the values of human flourishing and the well-being of all creation."
Love our neighbors- Loving our neighbor requires us to reduce our consumption of energy for the sake of Christ, who suffers with those who suffer. To live simply and sustainably contributes significantly to human flourishing.
Act with hope- Hope in God motivates us to take action that can lead to transformation, for by God’s power at work within us, God is able to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine. For Christians, despair is not an option.

Because of the connections between each of these tenants and climate change, Operation Noah views climate change as a confessional issue for our time, one that requires spiritual reflection and action.

Operation Noah, Ash Wednesday Declaration

The First Sunday in Lent

2012-02-25T04:09:00.013-08:00

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “One does not live by bread alone.” ’

Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, “Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.” ’

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you”, and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”

Luke 4:1-13

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

2012-02-25T04:02:00.002-08:00

'Tis the gift to be simple 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'T'will be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd

To bow and to bend, we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

'Til be turning, turning we come round right.

-Elder Joseph Brackett (Shaker Hymn)

Friday after Ash Wednesday

2012-02-24T11:12:00.003-08:00

Slowly, it dawned on me that there was nothing more important than stopping violence towards women- that the desecration of women indicated the failure of human beings to honor and protect life and that this failing would, if we did not correct it, be the end of us all. I do not think I am being extreme. When you...terrorize women, you destroy the essential life energy on the planet. You force what is meant to be open, trusting, nurturing and creative...to be bent, infertile and broken. In order for the human race to continue, women must be safe and empowered.

- Eve Ensler

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

2012-02-24T11:02:00.002-08:00

"More important than our than our talents are our gifts. We may have only a few talents, but we have many gifts. Our gifts are the many ways in which we express our humanity. They are a part of who we are: friendship, kindness, patience, joy, peace, forgiveness, gentleness, love, hope, trust, and many others. The are the true gifts we have to offer each other."

- Henri Nouwen

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND

2012-02-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

9:00 AM, SERVICE OF ASH WEDNESDAY WITH THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES in the Chapel

7:30 PM, SERVICE OF ASH WEDNESDAY WITH THE IMPOSITION OF ASHES in the Chapel

Lent at St. Barnabas

2012-02-20T08:10:00.000-08:00

What’s Happening at St. Barnabas during Lent

In the Chapel during Lent:

Wednesday, February 29th- Contemplative Prayer at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 7th- Healing Prayer with Anointing at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 14th- Contemplative Prayer at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 21st- Contemplative Prayer at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 28^th- Contemplative Prayer at 7:30 p.m.

Lenten Bible Series

Beginning Ash Wednesday, February 22nd- “The Early Church Through the Eyes of Paul” at 11:30 a.m. in McCormack Lounge.

Ongoing Practices for the Parish

Lenten Meditations: Pick up a copy of this year’s daily meditations from Episcopal Relief and Development. Available outside the office.

Planning Ahead:

The Liturgies of Holy Week:

Palm Sunday, April 1st, Holy Eucharist, 8:00 a.m. with palms; Choral Eucharist and Procession of the Palms, 10:00 a.m.

Monday in Holy Week, April 2nd, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday in Holy Week, April 3rd, Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday in Holy Week, April 4th, Choral Tenebrae and the Darkening of the Church, 7:30 p.m.

Maundy Thursday, April 5th, Choral Eucharist, Stripping the Altar and Footwashing, 7:30 p.m.

Good Friday, April 6th, Good Friday Liturgy, Veneration of the Cross, in the Church,12 Noon; The Way of the Cross/7 Last Words, in the Church, 7:30 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 7th , The Liturgy of the Word, 10:00 a.m.

Easter Sunday, April 8th, 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.

Letter from the Rector Re: Our Financial Situation

2012-02-04T07:23:00.000-08:00

Dear St. Barnabas Family,

At our Annual Meeting we presented a snapshot of our common life. Much of what we all had to report was positive, a new Sunday school curriculum, enjoyable Adult Education opportunities, renowned musical offerings with record attendance, a fully-funded property line, a Thrift Sale, which, despite one expected and one unexpected retirement, came off with hardly a hitch when everyone pulled together.

Our Clothing Sale was almost as successful as it has ever been and last year we gave away a record amount of money in grants as we changed our policy to make 75% of our net proceeds for community outreach.

Finally, we have over 26 new members in the last 12 months. St. Barnabas is healthy and vibrant in so many ways that we can all see and experience.

But, as we told you at the Annual Meeting, there is an enormous challenge facing us right now.

For many years it has been the case that a very few benefactors have often made our budget whole. We have probably looked better on paper than we really were, and didn’t clearly understand that one pledge changing, or one family moving, could result in the immediate loss of a staff position. We may have been a little too restrained in telling you all about how such a very few people (sometimes as few as two), made up a disproportionate amount (sometimes 30%) of the money we need to run this church every year. Please understand; St. Barnabas has been incredibly blessed by individual generosity and we are so thankful for it. But too much reliance on a few big gifts isn’t fair to the givers, and that concentration of risk isn’t really safe for the church. Peoples’ lives and circumstances change, and we need to look to ourselves to manage the impact to our common life should someone need to adjust their giving.

In real numbers, we are $50,000 short of being able to sustain our current operations. Today and into the future.

The bottom line is this, we need to increase our giving across the board by 12%, or we will have to continue balancing our budget in ways that we don’t feel good about, and that we cannot sustain beyond this year.

If we cannot find it within ourselves to increase our total pledges by $50,000 per year (or 12% per pledge) we will lose a staff person. But we will lose much more than that, we will not be who we are today as a church.

So, this current vestry and I have already reconsidered our pledges and, in raising them, have covered to first 20% of our shortfall. We know we need to take a leadership role as we invite you to imagine ways in which you might relook at your own financial support of St. Barnabas.

We ask you to imagine what more you might do, now and ongoing, so that we may continue to be the vibrant, magnetic place we love. You may communicate your intent to increase your gift by calling Sue Stanley at the office or speaking directly to me, or to our stewardship chair, Rich LeBuhn.

Faithfully,

Nora+

Stowe School Chamber Choir at St. Barnabas

2012-01-12T05:45:00.000-08:00

NEXT MUSICAL EVENT AT ST. BARNABAS – FEBRUARY 12, AT 5:00 PM

The next music program at St. Barnabas will be a concert by The Stowe School Chamber Choir of Buckingham, England, on Sunday February 12 at 5:00 PM. The choir will be on tour in the New York/New England area and will be performing at various venues, including the St. Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Phillips Exeter Academy, The First Congregational Church in New Canaan, and St. Barnabas Church, Irvington.

There are about 20 students in this group, and they will perform a program of sacred music, and arrangements of pop, jazz, and musical theater songs. We have thought that it might be fun to have a part of the program in the church and then, after an intermission, go to Colwell Hall for the second part of the program. (It would remind me of the last time I was in Venice. (Do you mind if I tell this experience to make it sound as pretentious as possible?) I went to a scaled-down version of “La Traviata” that was performed in one of the palazzos on the Grand Canal, and each act was performed in a different room with act 3 done in a bedroom of the palazzo, where Violetta, our heroine in the opera, dies. Why change scenery when you can change rooms? It was fun.) Well, our setting may not be quite as exotic as a Venetian palazzo, but I am sure the program will be quite enjoyable and fun as well.

The Stowe School is a co-educational, English public (i.e. private in America) school. It is situated in Stowe House in Buckingham. The house was begun in 1676 by Sir Richard Temple and was rebuilt over the next century into a grand classical home in high English style. The house was eventually owned by the 3^rd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, who died in 1889. From there, after a few owners, it passed to the foundation of Stowe School in 1923, and the foundation has worked to run the school and to restore this property. (You may see pictures at www.stowe.co.uk/house.) Among the graduates of the Stowe School are, Sir Richard Branson, David Niven, Prince Rainier of Monaco and our own Hugh Williamson-Noble.

We will be asking for a donation of $5.00 per person or $10.00 for a family. I think the program would be great for all children of school age.

After the concert the school’s choir and adult chaperones will need accommodations and have asked if parishioners could host a singer or two on that evening to give them dinner, a bed for the night, and breakfast the next morning. Of course, we said “Yes!” Details here will follow, but think about hosting these school kids for a night.

So, see you on February 12 at 5:00 PM – another part of our little concert series here.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:35:00.000-08:00

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING AND VESTRY ELECTIONS

THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CHURCH OF SAINT BARNABAS WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 22nd, 2012

IN COLWELL HALL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE 9:00 AM SERVICE

PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2012 ELECTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

SARAH GARDNER, WARDEN-

CLASS OF 2014

JON SCOTT, VESTRYPERSON-

CLASS OF 2014

ROSE LAWSON, VESTRYPERSON-

CLASS OF 2015

HUGH WILLIAMSON-NOBLE, VESTRYPERSON-

CLASS OF 2015

RICH LEBUHN, VESTRYPERSON-

CLASS OF 2015

MARY MERRYMAN, VESTRYPERSON-

CLASS OF 2015

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

Mary Merryman, Vestryperson, Class of 2015

Mary Merryman has been a parishioner at St. Barnabas since she and her husband, Andy, moved to Irvington from Manhattan 33 years ago. Mary has been an Altar Guild member for many years and sings in the Canterbury Choir. Over the years she has worked at the Thrift Sale in at least seven different departments. When her three children were small she worked in the nursery and Sunday School. She retired in 2000 as a senior editor at Reader’s Digest in Chappaqua.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:22:00.001-08:00

Rose Lawson, Vestryperson, Class of 2015

Rose Lawson has worked as regional manager of the Episcopal Church Medical Trust (part of the Church Pension Group) since September 2008. Prior to that, she served as director of administration at St. Bartholomew's in New York City. She has also worked as director of finance and administration for The Gannett Foundation Media Center at Columbia University and the International Longevity Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She earned an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from NYU and a B.S. in Communication from the University of Alabama. A cradle Episcopalian from Montgomery, Alabama, Rose moved to New York City with her sister to experience the Big Apple… and never left! Rose has lived in Irvington since 2002 with her husband, David Knudson, and their daughter, Ellie. Rose currently serves as a greeter and a Sunday school teacher.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

Hugh Williamson-Noble, Vestryperson, Class of 2015

Born in Oxford, England, Hugh studied at Stowe and Lausanne Hotel School. Having worked in the senior management of luxury hotels around the world, he is currently an independent real estate professional based in Manhattan. Outside the UK, he has lived in France, Germany, Switzerland and for the past 17 years in the US, together with his family here in Irvington-on-Hudson.

He met Esmeralda his wife of 26 years in London, during which time they have had four children, the eldest of which, Florentina, is working for the United Nations based in Rome, the youngest, Robert, in his junior year at IHS.

Hugh and Esmeralda have been involved in a number of charities including The Considering Alexander SIDS Foundation and First Candle, The British Garden in Hanover Square, The St George's Society of New York and The Annual Get Your Wellness On Fair in Washington Square Park.

Hugh has been a member of St. Barnabas since 2009 and can be heard singing in the Canterbury Choir.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:10:00.001-08:00

Rich LeBuhn, Vestryperson, Class of 2015

I joined St. Barnabas nearly eight years ago when my wife Sarah (Malin) and I moved to Irvington from New York City. With Sarah being a long-time parishioner who grew up in Irvington, I knew St. Barnabas would become an important part of our life. While living in New York, I was a member of St. James Church on the Upper East Side and was a leader of the St. Jamesians, a group focused on organizing events which involved people in their 20’s and 30’s in church life. Through the St. Jamesians, I became involved in very satisfying activities such as hosting the church dinner for homeless people in NYC and working on Habitat for Humanity projects. At St. Barnabas, I have truly enjoyed the strong sense of community and have found participation in activities like “Bringing-Up Sunday” tremendously rewarding. I am excited to become more involved in St. Barnabas and look forward to serving on the Vestry.

Sarah and I have three wonderful daughters, Katie (8) and Emmaline (5) and Johanna (2.5). My educational background includes a BA in Economics from St. Lawrence University and a MBA from Columbia University. I began working in the investment industry while attending Columbia Business School and have worked as an equity analyst at several different firms since then. I currently work for Broadwood Capital, Inc., a private investment firm in NYC.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

Jon Scott, Vestryperson, Class of 2014

Jon Scott began attending the Church of St. Barnabas shortly after moving to the Rivertowns from Miami in 1994 and has served on the vestry since 2011, stepping in to serve an open term. A father of four, he has also served as Youth Group leader for several years and is frequently called upon to bring his power tools to the parish when the trees need trimming or the sidewalks require clearing. He was disappointed to discover that the rumor of the natty uniform that goes along with this call to serve the parish was just that, a rumor.

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-11T17:58:00.000-08:00

Sarah Gardner, Warden, Class of 2014

I have been a lifelong parishioner at St. Barnabas, and, in fact, am the fourth-generation of my family to call this wonderful place our spiritual home. With my husband Brian, I have three daughters, Katie, 15, Schuyler, 11, and Ella, 7, who are reaping the same benefits that I had growing up at St. Barnabas. We all love worshipping here along with my parents, Susan and Russell Watson.

I have taught Sunday School for the last thirteen years. For about eight of those years, I served as co-director of the Sunday School with Cathy Hansen. For the last two years I have been one of the directors of the Christmas pageant. And last year, for the first time, I took on the responsibility of chairing the Thrift Sale. It has been such a blessing to get to know almost all of the children in our parish, and many of their parents. Throughout my years here I have also been an enthusiastic volunteer at the thrift and clothing sales, and been the co-chair of the grants committee for the clothing sale. And I have loved my time with the Altar Guild, learning, like so many before me, from the tutelage of my mother.

I graduated from Bates College and Fordham University Law School. I was an associate at Skadden, Arps until I made the decision to stay home with my girls. I currently serve as a Board member to three charitable organizations and have been a churchwarden since 2009. I am very much looking forward to continuing in my duties as vestry member and warden.

Confirmation Class Chickens!

2011-12-14T18:16:00.000-08:00

Tonights Confirmation Class learned about the church building and our mission statement, "to reach out and share God's abundant gifts with others". We had a scavenger hunt where the confirmation candidates discovered the clutch of chickens bought in their names for a family in Tanzania.

Lindsay named all the animals- they sound suspiciously like the confirmation kids' names...

Please Join us on December 11th at 5:00 p.m.

2011-12-02T07:12:00.001-08:00

Reflections on Christ's Nativity~ An Annual Christmas Event

2011-11-27T11:59:00.000-08:00

The Presiding Bishop Speaks on Occupy(ing) Churches

Our Diocese Elects the next Bishop

2011-11-21T05:22:00.000-08:00

The New Bishop Co-Adjutor Elect

Bp Sisk Writes on OWS and Capitalism

2011-11-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

We Must Not Serve Capitalism – We Must Make It Serve Us

The Rt. Rev. Mark S. Sisk
November 15, 2011

Bishop Sisk writes in response to the Occupy Wall Street protests. This article was originally planned for the next (December) Episcopal New Yorker, but in light of last night's developments in lower Manhattan, it has been decided to publish it now electronically.

On Friday, October 21, I visited Zuccotti Park, the site—at least until last night—of the Occupy Wall Street protest. Whatever happens next in Lower Manhattan (and as I write, on the morning of November 15, things are moving fast, with the outcome unclear), there can be no doubt that this protest has struck a chord, and given birth to a movement that appears, in spite of everything, to be gaining momentum. For some, this chord seems to have sounded like a long awaited trumpet call to action; for others—who have not been shy to express their disdain—it is decidedly discordant.

Back in October, it was not always easy to distinguish those who were “tourists”—people who swung by to see what was going on out of simple curiosity—from those who were active participants in the protest itself. But what was clear was that this was not some tiny cell of extremists. Those present represented what was, to me, a surprisingly wide swath of the American people. Some, young and not so young, gave the appearance of being seasoned protesters. Others, again both young and not so young, seemed to be first timers: folks who held their banners and slogans with a slight aura of awkwardness.

It is true that it was not easy at Zucotti Park to sort out the substance from the theatre. The media have offered little help, with their focus, unsurprisingly, on the most colorful and extreme expressions of protest. They have highlighted slogans that call for the jailing of bankers, while ignoring placards like the one I saw that said “99% + 1% = ONE”—which I interpreted as intending to highlight our common interests and essential unity as a people. Nor, sadly, have those in public leadership often commented helpfully—and they are certainly disingenuous when they point to the protestors' lack of a plan as evidence of a lack of seriousness, when apparently they have no plan themselves. Indeed, all too often the opposing voices that we hear are shrilly dismissive—their aggressive, trivializing tone hinting, to me, at a deep, largely unconscious, level of anxiety. It cannot be lost on many that all this is taking place with the background noise of the Arab Spring ringing in our ears.

Whatever happens next in Downtown Manhattan, it is terribly important that the core energy behind this protest not be lost behind a blizzard of slogans and rhetoric. The particular motivations of those protesting are, undoubtedly, as mixed as the American people itself. One dominant thread, however, is an (admittedly inchoate) critique of unfettered capitalism.

But the fundamental issue is not that the laws of capitalism are flawed; the fundamental issue is that we are flawed in our attitude to them.

There can be little doubt that capitalism is a productive way to order economic life. But we need to remember, as the protestors have reminded us, that that is all that it is—an economic system based on the entirely reasonable propositions that capital has value, and that supply and demand are the most efficient way to set prices. Capitalism is of no help at all in determining what is morally good—that is something that must instead be determined by the community’s wider values.

And there should be no question that when an economic system fails to reflect those communal values, it should be modified and governed until it does. To say, as some do, that any attempt to control or guide our economic system is neither wise nor possible is to admit that an economic system has decisive control of our lives. For a Christian, such an admission would be nothing less than to yield to idolatry. (Though I do not claim deep knowledge of other religious traditions, I suspect that this is true for them as well.) God alone is the One, and the only One, to whom we can concede such ultimate authority. For the non-theist to make the argument that the laws of economics are immutable is to concede that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves. That is the same argument that those in the grip of various kinds of addiction make: “I am not in control, my addiction made me do it.”

As the OWS protestors point out, wealth in our country is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, the real income of the broad middle class has not increased in more than a generation, and the ranks of the poorest among us each year become ever more solidified. These are the facts—and the reality behind them is, quite simply, morally wrong. Ultimately, left unchecked, that reality is deeply dangerous. It is at odds with our vision of ourselves, and as Americans we ignore it at the peril of our most cherished national ideals. As Christians, we ignore it at the peril of our souls.

The way forward is not simple. In spite of what some in the public square would have us think, there are no obvious and easy solutions for complex problems. But what we must strive for is clear. We must—and I believe that this is what lies at the core of the OWS protests—rein in the imbalances that have caused our economic house to careen off course as though it is a self-perpetuating, self-governing good. The solution that we find will not be perfect, just as human beings are not perfect; but to surrender to forces as though we are helpless before them is not an answer, but an excuse.

We can do better. We are not helpless. We can, by working together, build a better, more just, society: a society founded on the American ideal of a nation in which there are “certain unalienable Rights,” including those to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We can look to the heart of who we are as a people and draw upon our better lights to seek the common good. That is our challenge as a nation. As followers of Jesus, we know that our calling now and always is to seek the welfare of the people, the children of God.

"Between Jobs Support Group" on the Rivertowns Patch

2011-10-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

The Spiritual Side of Unemployment

”The Doors and Doorways of Irvington”

2011-10-26T16:03:00.000-07:00

Despite knowing there would be tough competition at the Irvington Historical Society’s 2011 photo contest, I decided I would enter when I saw that the subject was “The Doors and Doorways of Irvington.” How could I help but enter the contest after walking through the beautiful doors of St. Barnabas for the past 16 years? The photo entries on display were all so beautiful. I only voted for my own pictures after my daughter Laurel said, “Are you crazy? Of course you should vote for yours!” My son Sebastian said “It’s a nice picture of the door, but it would look better if all that stuff were cleared away.” That there is such a lovely space used for storage, is what I think is intriguing about the photo. Most people never see the door. You have to walk into the north transept and past the organ pipe room to get to the entrance on the Broadway side of the Church. It is definitely worth the walk to see the door and the lovely mosaic pattern of bricks surrounding it. There’s an assortment of “stuff” stored year ‘round in the entranceway, including an old snow shovel, stacks of clay flower pots, two neat rows of pew candle poles, a number of bags of ice melt, the wooden “grid” for locating spaces in the Memorial Garden, two large wooden crosses, and a wooden podium with a big brass eagle on top. That entranceway with its beautiful mosaic brick-work on the walls is one of my favorite spots. One year the sexton and I lugged four huge Christmas trees from the backyard and wedged them into the little hallway to get them inside before the snow started to fall. I have a soft spot in my heart for that little entranceway. I definitely recommend a walk to see the door and the adjacent wall that bares the word PEACE in large brick mosaic. I was totally surprised and pleased to win an honorable mention for my photograph. And I can’t wait for next year’s contest. I’m hoping the topic will be: “The Best View from an Irvington Office Window.” I am fully aware of how blessed I am. I figure I’m a shoe-in!

Peace,

Sue Stanley, Office Administrator, St. Barnabas

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver!  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

2011-10-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Stewardship Chair, Rich LeBuhn and I were having a conversation about types of giving this past Sunday. We are always thinking about good ways to explain the type of giving that is thought of as “stewardship” as opposed to philanthropic giving. Rich explains that the key difference is our gifts to the church are gifts of gratitude to God for all that we have, because all that we have is from God. We earn our monies through the application of our personal gifts and talents, and we respond to that ability with thankfulness to God. And though our annual pledges are given in support of the work we already do here, it is also in the hope that more might find themselves within the reach of abundant living through our church community.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Stewardship that were first well-crafted by a colleague in Rhode Island, the Rev. Scott Gunn. I have adapted them for our use and I hope you will find them helpful as you consider your annual pledge to The Church of Saint Barnabas:

How much should I give?

There is no right answer. You should give the amount that feels right to you. When Jesus watched many people putting large sums of money into the temple treasury, he commented on the widow who put in a penny – because she was generous. It is not the amount that matters, but our generosity. If you are looking for a suggestion, you might think about starting with $1 per week for every thousand dollars of household income. That means if your gross household income is $40,000, you would give $40 per week. Or you may consider a percentage (see below).

Why do I need to pledge for the year?

There are two reasons. First, it encourages you to consider your giving in a thoughtful and prayerful way and it helps you set a budget. Second, this helps the church to set the budget for the year, so that we may continue and expand upon our programs and offerings.

I hear talk about a “tithe.” What is that?

The Bible says that God asks people to give the first ten percent of what they receive as a contribution for God’s work. This is the tithe – 10%. It is what I do with my own income. I tithe to St. Barnabas. And I consider that percent is the “thank you” I offer to God for everything I have. Not everyone feels able to tithe, but proportional giving is worthy of consideration by everyone.

OK, what is “proportional giving?”

This is when you set aside a given percentage of your income, and give that proportion for God’s work. If you can’t start with ten percent, you can try some other percentage. This is still a proportional gift. Giving this way helps us to ensure that we are giving “off the top” of what we make. More important, it may rise and fall as a total dollar amount as our circumstances change.

Where does my money go?

Your money funds our priests' stipends and the salaries of our other staff. The money pays for the expenses to operate the buildings: insurance, heating oil, electricity, etc. and to care for the grounds. Your money covers program expenses (paper, supplies, and books). Some of our money is shared with the Diocese of New York.

Why do we give money to the Diocese?

By canon (law) of the Diocese, a percentage of our operating income is sent to support diocesan ministries. These ministries include diocesan programs and staff salaries for people who serve as resources to our parish and to every parish. Some of the money from our diocese is sent to The Episcopal Church for ministries around the world. We give this money not just because it is required, but because in our tradition, congregations see themselves not as independent churches but as parts of a wider church with a world-wide mission.

How do I know where my money is going?

The financial affairs of our church are overseen by the Vestry- an elected group of St. Barnabas members- and the Rector. The Vestry meets once each month, usually the second Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. and meetings are open to anyone who would like to see what is happening. In addition, our treasurer's monthly reports are available as well, detailing all income and expenses. Once each year, our parish gathers for the Annual Meeting to elect the Vestry and to approve the budget. In short, our financial operations are completely transparent. There are no secrets, and you are welcome to speak with any Vestry member, our treasurer, or our priests at any time.

How do I pledge?

You can complete a pledge card. You should have received one in your letter from Rich LeBuhn. If you don't have a pledge card you can pick one up on any Sunday or just contact the Parish Office and we'll get you a card right away. This year, as we have in the past, we ask that everyone return his or her pledge cards on or before December 11^th, 2011 so that we may prepare our budget for 2012 appropriately and realistically.

How may I give money?

If you choose to use weekly envelopes, we will send you a supply for the year. If you would prefer to pay by cash or stock transfer in one transaction, please be in touch with Sue Stanley in the office.

What if I have trouble paying my pledge?

You can change your pledge at any time. Just call the parish office.

I have other questions, what do I do?

By all means, talk to our Stewardship Chair, Rich LeBuhn, or another member of the parish. Any member will speak with you. You are also very welcome to speak to the priests. We are all happy to answer questions and share our own experiences!

Peace,

Nora+

Embracing Prayer

2011-10-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

We have had some interesting conversations about prayer lately. A couple weeks ago St Barnabas held a series of conversation over dinner or tea about prayer and about 40 people participated. I learned that almost all of us pray in one way or another (even if it is just a quick prayer for a parking space). Our discussions have got me thinking about the way we pray together as a church community has changed the way I feel about my connections to you and to every person I pray with and for.

For over a year we have prayed for Sarah, Shane and Josh who were in prison in Iran. Their names were on our prayer list for as long as they were captive in a cell, waiting to stand trial. We prayed for them every week, so often that there names became printed as part of our form for the Prayers of the People—almost a permanent fixture. About couple weeks after Shane and Josh were released from prison and returned home to the U.S., I saw them walking down the street. I recognized them from their pictures in the paper and in the news and as they came closer to me, I began to smile, ready for them to smile back in recognition. Although we had never met, for a split second, I believed that Sarah, Shane, and Josh knew me. To them, I was another person on the street but because I had prayed for them, said their name every week for over a year, they became part of me. We have a connection (even if they don’t know it).

This is what praying for another person does: it builds a bridge, strengthens a bond, creates a space with in us and between us. Praying for others is a form of embrace, momentarily embracing the lives and needs of others. Somehow this works when we pray for dear friends and total strangers, because when I passed the three former prisoners on the street I felt that they would know me. The wonderful part is that they don’t need to know me for us to have had that connection.

Since that day that I walked past Sarah, Shane, and Josh, I have been thinking about all of the people we pray for in church on Sunday. I don’t know most of those people and I often don’t even know what circumstances they are facing. But I have an image of a string going from my heart to God and then to that person. And strings go from your hearts, to God’s, and then to that person, too. And because there are so many of us and so many people that we pray for, there is a big tangle of string everywhere that somehow cris-cross together into a holy hammock, a place where we hold all of the people we pray for in a divine embrace.

Prayer doesn’t just benefit the people for whom we pray. Prayer changes us, too. I am so grateful that we can pray with and for each other. May God grant us the things that are best for us, even good parking spots! Amen.

-- Lindsay+

From the Music Department

2011-10-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

“WOW!” seems to be the consensus of opinion for those who attended Chris Houlihan’s organ recital here on Sunday afternoon, October 23. With just the first piece, the “Allegro” from Widor’s Symphony VI, the organ got a thorough work-out. He was completely in charge of both the music and the instrument, as he blazed through a volley of 16^th notes in hands and feet and at a formidable tempo. Other music on the program, the “Andantino” from a Debussy string quartet, the “Second Fantasy” of Jehan Alain, and “Comes Autumn Time” by Leo Sowerby, gave us a feeling for the quiet and expressive side of his playing and personality. His comments prepared us nicely for the pieces that were to come, and much of this music proved that his playing could be of a deeper and more musical nature than just a bunch of fast notes. The final selection on the program was Franck’s “Grande Piece Symphonique.” I’ve always had the feeling that, as a composition, this lengthy piece has some great moments but maybe a few not so great ones, but he made it hang together, and it held my interest throughout.

Finally, I will observe that it was an afternoon of pretty serious music of the French vintage. There were no lollipops here but some different and unusual repertoire. It was all fascinating, however, because it was played with vitality and musicality. You had to listen and think, but it was an enjoyable kind of listening and thinking. What a talent! I am sure that, if you are paying attention, you will hear a great deal more of him, and I am so pleased that we were able to get him here.

Now I must say that this mission was accomplished only with the help of several generous “angels,” who did much to underwrite this recital. Even with our suggested donation, without these “angels”, we would have had a serious shortfall in meeting Chris’s fee. As it turns out, we “made” $10. (Yes, it was that close!) So I thank the “angels” for their generosity in making possible this occasion. Also I must thank Nora for her help with the program formatting; Mary Merryman and Mary Stevenson, who presented a beautiful reception (worth the price of the donation right there); Ann Jones and Chris Mitchell, who worked at the door; and, of course, Sue Stanley, who always helps with whatever needs doing. As I said in the program, “It does take a village to produce a recital.”

COMING EVENT:

The Canterbury Choir is rehearsing for our special Christmas program, “Reflections on Christ’s Nativity.” If you might like to sing with the choir for just this program, would you speak to me, and I will tell you about rehearsals.

REFLECTIONS ON CHRIST’S NATIVITY, the special Christmas concert by the Canterbury Choir, will be performed on Sunday afternoon, December 11 at 5:00 PM. Please mark your calendars.

- Donald Butt

The Hagberg Sisters, A St. Barnabas Legacy

2011-10-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

by Barrett Seaman

Dorothy and Caroline Hagberg were as much a part of Irvington as the Town Hall Theater, or the Burnham Building, or for that matter The Church of St. Barnabas, where the two sisters worshiped for at least half a century. They were raised in Irvington, schooled in Irvington and worked in Irvington as well. Caroline handled mortgages at the old Irvington National Bank & Trust Company that has long since evolved into a local branch of Chase Bank. Dorothy was the secretary to the Principal of Irvington Schools—all twelve grades, which were then housed in what is now the Main Street School. Before that, according to their old friend, Billie Jeanne Sanders, Dorothy had worked for the old Burnham Company in the building that now houses the library.

Legacy is the operative word to describe the Hagberg sisters. They drew strength from St. Barnabas as faithful attendees at the 8:00am service. For a number of years, one or the other of them kept the parish books. Charlie Bates, a friend of many years, remembers that for many years, the two of them took care of tallying up the weekly plate offerings. Lou Lustenberger recalls regularly stopping by their house on Croton Place in the village where they had organized the church’s monthly bills. Caroline, he said, “would have everything laid out on her kitchen table, and I would sign the checks that she had prepared—without question.”

Rev. Nora Smith remembers them when she herself was growing up in Irvington. “But it was when I met them again at Tarrytown Hall (the continual care facility to which they retired) that I came to know their charm and their sincere devotion to everything they were passionate about, which in Caroline’s case included Yankee baseball.”

Their passion also embraced St. Barnabas. Dorothy passed away in June of 2010, and after Caroline followed her just this past August, they left behind their joint appreciation of what the church had done for them in the form of a bequest of approximately $350,000.

Dorothy and Caroline Hagberg left no family survivors—either children or siblings. So the decision to leave a substantial portion of their joint estate to the church they loved was not a conflicted one. For others, however, such a decision might well be—especially if they do not want to give short shrift to their children, or to other worthy causes to which they feel loyalty.

Fortunately, the law provides for a number of ways in which that can be done. Life income gifts, charitable annuities, remainder trusts and gifts of property or retirement funds are among some of the options individuals might consider as they make or review their estate plans.

Not every bequest has to be as generous as the Hagbergs’ and still be meaningful. Those of us who have been around St. Barnabas awhile will recall Russ Bouton, who left the church $11,000, and Roz Pelletier, who bequeathed $10,000.

A good source of information on estate planning options is the Episcopal Church Foundation, whose web site (www.EpiscopalFoundation,org) has detailed explanations of the various strategies available. There are also brochures you can pick up in the parish lounge.

The Hagbergs’ gift was specifically designated for the parish’s Permanent Property Trust, St. Barnabas’ financial nest egg from which the Vestry is able to draw down a specified amount of income each year. Thanks to Dorothy and Caroline, our nest egg just grew by a significant amount. And for that, we must all be grateful.

CALENDAR for October, 2011

2011-10-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

CALENDAR, October 2011

IN COMMON for October

2011-10-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

IN COMMON, October 2011

2011-09-05T14:23:00.002-07:00

From the Rector

Unexpected Sabbath

Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. For six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work—you, your son or your daughter, your male or female slave, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it.

- Exodus 20:8

In our Wednesday afternoon bible study this summer we have been reading Exodus together. One of our number remarked, “I am amazed that this commandment to keep the Sabbath is so close to the top of the order. It’s in the top four!”

As we thought about that, it became clear that this commandment isn’t a selfish excuse to lounge about one day a week, or just a day God insisted upon having devoted to special attention to God’s self, but an actual, essential, life-preserving time. Sabbath is a day that is required for health. Livestock that are pushed beyond their limits will not be capable of plowing a field. Field hands that are not permitted rest cannot harvest. Relentlessly working your helpers is not only cruel, it’s dangerous. The image of a Creator who rested is understood to be an image in which we ourselves are made. We are built for Sabbath. Jesus’ words from Mark 2:27 come to mind in a new way, “Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This is for us. Not only that, it’s a commandment because, without one, we might just go on without giving ourselves, and those whose lives are linked with ours, a break.

In our conversation, many of us recalled what life was like when nothing was open on Sundays, and nothing was scheduled. In fact, we recalled with great nostalgia the communal expectation that everyone was resting- after his or her own fashion. It really was lovely to share the same day off with so many, especially those with whom you gathered for worship in community.

Another one of us recalled the unexpected sabbath of the New York Black Out in August of 2003. Though it was certainly a misery for some, there was also an unusual sense of camaraderie on that hot summer evening. No one could do much of anything other than interact with their neighbor. There were many who met those neighbors for the first time when they found themselves sitting outside their office and apartment buildings together, seeking a cool breeze.

And then there was the Unexpected Sabbath of August 28, 2011.

I confess, I struggled with the decision to call off the service that day. What decided it for me was my colleague’s anxiety about being alone and trapped in her isolated rectory if she didn’t find a place to go. We decided it would be best if she stayed here, close to a village, and we would stock up on food and do all the preparations Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel told us to do.

As it turns out, we were perfectly safe. Thank God this area was spared the worst. But, what was especially nice for us- and many of you have told me this in the days afterwards- was the uninterrupted time without demand or expectation or concern that others were doing and we were lounging. And we feasted. It was an Unexpected Sabbath…and it felt shared beyond our walls.

I don’t have a full answer to the question of how we reproduce this sense of communal “being” as opposed to “doing”. I wish that our own lives and our children’s lives were less programmed. I would encourage us to see our church as a place where we gather to remember that we are one body, one community, one group of interdependent neighbors, friends and family so that we may return to our homes and rest in the comfort of that knowing. Perhaps this is simply something to ponder and pray about right now, and begin to put into practice more intentionally with the memory of this Unexpected Sabbath day fresh in our minds.

With this thought, I welcome many of you back from your summer’s travel and vacation. It will be so nice to be back together! I bid you, come to Saint Barnabas for all that we do here, and especially for the opportunity to just be here, without demand. Come to Saint Barnabas for who we are here. And to rest, refresh, reflect and seek the profound holiness of Sabbath Rest.

Faithfully,

Nora+

“O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and

rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be

our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,

to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou

art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. “

***

2011-09-05T14:23:00.001-07:00

Entertaining Questions

from the Assistant Rector

A few weeks ago, as my brother-in-law tucked my niece in to bed, she observed that all the world's religions could not be accurate simultaneously, and that possibly all the religions, or all but one of them, is "worshiping, like, something make believe." That girl really knows how to delay bedtime! Her question made my brother-in-law’s heart pound as he tried to find a way to answer her question in a way that was both true to his beliefs while also leaving room for her to entertain her own ideas about truth and religion. If you have spent any significant time with a child, you have probably been asked a question that evoked a similar response in you, “What if I tell her the wrong thing?”

I love these sorts of questions! And I feel that part of my job is helping to equip parents, children and families to openly and honestly discuss spiritual questions. Rabbi David Volpe, the author of “Teaching Your Children About God,” sees a parallel between parents’ approach to God and their approach to sex. In both cases, skittish parents are so frightened of saying the wrong thing that they end up saying nothing at all, thereby forcing their children to seek answers from untrustworthy sources. “If you want to share with your kids your deepest beliefs,” the Rabbi said, “your deepest beliefs are not about shopping. They’re about what happens after you die, or what life is about.”

But what if you are not sure of your own beliefs? It is our hope that St. Barnabas is the place where you can ask your own questions and find the space to discover and deepen your faith. This year, Nora and I hope to provide plenty of opportunities for every age group to do just that. We will be offering forums on weeknights, Sunday afternoons, and mornings on topics like prayer and practicing spirituality in the home. There will be several times to participate in Bible Study. Children will be included in Sunday morning worship more often and we will be kicking off two new curriculum in Sunday School. But the action that will speak louder than any answer you can give your child is for them to see you live with your own questions and ideas about God. Let them see you pray when you are worried about a problem. Read them a Bible story. Choose a charity to support as a family. Come to church regularly to worship God with your community.

The fact that parents are unsure of their own beliefs does not mean that one can’t talk to their kids about God. As the Bible scholar Bart Ehrman said, “It’s like saying you’re not sure what to do about the problem of joblessness, or hunger or homelessness. Just because you don’t have the solution doesn’t mean you don’t want to talk about it. The problem with our society is that everybody is interested only in the answers.”

We are very interested in questions at St. Barnabas. In fact, we have more questions than we have answers. But we want to ask and live out these questions and discover ideas together. We hope that you will keep bringing your questions and your children to church.

--The Rev. Lindsay Lunnum

2011-09-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

from the Music Department

There is much good and happy news to report here, but let me begin by relaying some distressing news -- just to get it out of the way.

During the summer Sandy Summer-Parks, our soprano section leader, has undergone extensive treatments for cancer. She has done well with them, but she is now in an extended period of recovery and feels that she must take a sabbatical from her work here in order to devote herself to her healing. We wish Sandy the speediest recovery possible and a quick return to us.

I had thought that I had a temporary replacement for Sandy, but the arrangement did not work out. As I write, I am in the process of looking for someone to work with us on a temporary basis, and I hope to find someone soon to help us here.

Now, our summer got off to a fun start in the beginning of July with the appearance of the Largs Academy Show Choir from Largs, Scotland, in our Colwell Hall. They did a great job performing many of the hit tunes of Broadway.

On behalf of our summer congregations, I want to commend and thank Sandy Summer-Parks, Elvina Schullere, Lee Richardson, and Sandy Miller who volunteered their musical talent to perform for us at some of our summer services. It is not so much fun to perform in heat and humidity and at such an early hour, but perform they did and to the delight of all of us.

Now, everybody, I hope that you are sitting down when you read this next piece of news. Can you believe? The “new” organ is 10 years old! It is frightening to think that so much time has passed so quickly and (for me and I hope for you) enjoyably.

A decade’s worth of service by the organ deserves a celebration, and celebrate we will in two ways.

A new oboe stop is under construction for us at the Austin Organ factory in Hartford, Ct., and we are hoping that it will be installed some time during October in time for part two or our celebration. I will write at greater length about this addition to the organ in the October issue of IN COMMON, but simply say that it will add a nice new color to the range of sound that is now available on the organ.

Most of the guest organ recitalists that we have had over the past 10 years have always said how much they enjoyed the sound of the organ and playing it, but that they missed this kind of stop on the organ. So it has been in the back of my mind to try eventually to make this addition, as it was in the minds of Dick Taylor and Mike Fazio, our organ builders and curators. Mike had long ago devised a scheme to make these pipes fit in our already cramped organ chamber. After 10 years of service, it seemed to be a nice time to be able to make such an addition to the organ.

Over the past 35 years that the special music fund has been in existence, the fund did run in the black, though not dramatically so, every year and a certain amount of money had accreted there. Also in the past year or so a few people have given special gifts to this fund. So, as it turned out, there was a desire for this new organ stop and the means to pay for it. “Hello,” said Opportunity. “Hello” back we said.

The second part of our celebration will be a special organ recital by Christopher Houlihan on Sunday October 23 at 4:00 PM.

Again, I will do an article to introduce you to Chris for the October newsletter, but let me say for now that Chris is one of the hot recitalists in the organ playing world these days, and this recital will be an event! He has established a huge reputation for himself as a virtuoso and has played many recitals all over the world. (He comes to us after having played a recital at Notre Dame, Paris this July.) This past spring he received his master’s degree from Juilliard. He’s a mere youth!

Another date of note for your calendar is Sunday, December 11 at 5:00 PM, when the Canterbury Choir will present its annual REFLECTIONS ON CHRIST’S NATIVITY. Again, I will have more to say later about this event.

You should mark your calendar for these events NOW – October 23 and December 11!

Finally, I extend my annual invitation to any closeted choral singers in the congregation to express their talents by joining the Canterbury Choir. The Choir rehearses on Thursday nights at 8:15 PM. (And we are a whole lot more interesting and fun than Thursday night TV.) It is helpful, though not essential, if you have had some other choral experience. Think about it and join us on Thursday nights and, of course, Sunday mornings, if you can. If you may have any question, please speak to me.

Donald Butt

Sunday School 2011-2012 at St. B.'s

2011-09-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday School: A New Year, A New Curriculum

Sunday School begins on Sept. 11^th. We are excited to offer a comprehensive program of spiritual formation for the youngest members of the parish. Class 1 (for kids age 3 to Kindergarten-level) will be introduced to the great stories of the Bible using the new Spark curriculum. Maggie Manetti, Jen Oakes, and Stephanie Smith-Marone will be teaching this class. Class 2 (for kids learning at an early elementary school-level) will continue using the Montessori-based Godly Play lessons which are very interactive and hands-on. Becky Whipple, Sarah LeBuhn, Karen Dring, and Rose Lawson will teach this class. Class 3 (for children who learn at mid-to-late elementary school level) will also be using the Spark curriculum to reengage with Bible stories. Taught by Cathy Hansen, Sarah Gardner, and Sarah Staropoli. Class 4 (Middle School age, pre-Confirmation) will start learning how to embrace an adult faith of their own through the Rite-13 curriculum. Karen Jones, Susan Brennan, and Susan Ordahl will lead this class which will now meet in a room in the Sunday School wing.

If you are not sure which class would be best suited for your child, please let The Rev. Lindsay Lunnum know. Classes are divided by learning level instead of age so that everybody will have the chance to be engaged by the lessons.

We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 11^th at 9:30 in Colwell Hall for our first day of Sunday School!

Youth Group 2011 Kick-Off

2011-09-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Youth Group

The Youth Group (8^th-12^th grades) will kick-off this year with a swimming party and BBQ at the Armstrong’s after church on Sept. 18^th.

St. Barnabas People In The News

2011-09-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

IN THE NEWS:

Andy Merryman, Chairman of the Board at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and our own Chairman of the Property Committee!

Excerpted from the Rivertowns Patch, July 6, 2011

We’re about patient care,” said Andrew C. Merryman.

As the recently named chairman of the board at Sleepy Hollow’s Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, Merryman is clear about the medical center’s fundamental mission: taking the best possible care of patients.

“What the hospital is doing is very exciting,” said Merryman, who has been active with Phelps as a member of the board—serving on the Executive, Strategic Planning and New Ventures committees—head of the Major Gifts committee, as well as a member of the Capital Campaign Cabinet during the successful $20 million fund-raising effort for the new emergency room.

“We have a major focus on aging,” he said, citing such signature programs as Phelps’ wellness-plus program for the elderly, stroke center, rehabilitation institute, and state-of-the-art hip replacement service. Merryman also mentioned the hospital’s new hyperbaric chamber that can handle up to 12 patients at a time as another example of Phelps’ state-of-the-art medical care. Phelps, which is the seventh largest employer in Westchester County, has also been proactive in developing electronic medical records.

With a professional background as a management consultant—he founded the consulting firm, Brecker & Merryman, which focused on strategic workforce management—Merryman has an affinity for “getting people and organizations to be in sync. I have some facility at understanding the views of stake-holders.”

He’s looking forward to the challenge of “putting the pieces together” in his new role.

Read the entire article online at:

http://rivertowns.patch.com/articles/keeping-patient-care-first

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

2011-09-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

The rector won a watermelon at a raffle!

St.Barnablog

Friday of the Third Week in Lent

Thursday of the Third Week in Lent

Wednesday of the Third Week in Lent

Tuesday of the Third Week in Lent

Monday of the Third Week in Lent

The Third Sunday in Lent

Saturday of the Second Week in Lent

Friday of the Second Week in Lent

Thursday of the Second Week in Lent

Wednesday of the Second Week in Lent

Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent

Monday of the Second Week in Lent

The Second Sunday in Lent

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Friday of the First Week of Lent

Thursday of the First Week in Lent

Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Tuesday of the First Week in Lent

Monday of the First Week of Lent

The First Sunday in Lent

Saturday after Ash Wednesday

Friday after Ash Wednesday

Thursday after Ash Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND

Lent at St. Barnabas

Letter from the Rector Re: Our Financial Situation

Stowe School Chamber Choir at St. Barnabas

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Vestry Elections, January 22nd, 2012

Confirmation Class Chickens!

Please Join us on December 11th at 5:00 p.m.

Our Diocese Elects the next Bishop

Bp Sisk Writes on OWS and Capitalism

"Between Jobs Support Group" on the Rivertowns Patch

”The Doors and Doorways of Irvington”

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Embracing Prayer

From the Music Department

The Hagberg Sisters, A St. Barnabas Legacy

CALENDAR for October, 2011

IN COMMON for October

Sunday School 2011-2012 at St. B.'s

Youth Group 2011 Kick-Off

St. Barnabas People In The News

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver!  (2 Corinthians 9:7)