St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

Transcription

1 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church We are called by God to see Christ in all persons, grow in faith and live in joyful fellowship with one another The Parish Pen MAY 2015 Christ is alive! His Spirit burns through this and every future age, till all creation lives and learns his joy, his justice, love, and praise. H 182, Words by Brian A. Wren What's next? President Josiah Bartlett, from TV's West Wing Dear People of St. Barnabas', I ponder these words as I reflect back on a rich Holy Week and Easter, my first with this parish. I truly experienced this Holy Week as a journey, emerging from it feeling different than I did going in. Walking the way of the cross with this community of faith during Holy Week beckons us to new life and new possibilities when at last on Easter Sunday we get to ring the bells and proclaim Alleluia! Christ is risen! So, what's next? We are in Eastertide, that season where Christ makes himself known to his disciples in exactly the way they needed to live into new life, to see and know in their hearts that Christ is alive, "no longer bound to distant years." They come to see through their density of grief, doubt, remorse, living in the past whatever it is that is holding them back. They see with new eyes the spirit world inflected through the material world, just as a piece of beautiful stained glass is not for the purpose of showing the images it depicts on its surface, but of revealing the light that shines through it. The church the early Christians will build will not worship a man who has died, but proclaim the living Christ in the world. They learn to walk the Way, with all its twists and turns and uncertainty, bearing witness to the spirit of God. On the Way they become the church. Brian Wren's final words in this beloved Easter hymn beautifully summarize the mission of the church: that we and all creation are to live and learn Christ's joy, his justice, his love, and his praise. Soon we will be electing new members to the Vestry and will begin a new year in our parish life, able to set our sights on being Christ's hands for each other and in the world. I am excited about working together in community to grow into our authentic call to ministry in our time and place. I see signs all over the place of the church's mission in the world as Wren so beautifully expresses it: joy as we gather in worship; justice in our work with organizations like Family Promise, the upcoming youth group workcamp and working on social justice issues in our community; love for each other in pastoral care and support, praise that shines through our glorious music. As we ponder this blessed season of Eastertide not just one day, but fifty! we remember that God could have chosen to be victorious in a way the world could easily recognize, and instead chose the path of love. Amidst the sorrow and pain of the world, we are called by God to engage in mission in joy, justice, love and praise. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Martha+ St Barnabas' Episcopal Church 2800 Duncan Rd. Wilmington, Delaware facebook: phone stbarnabas0ffice@comcast.net website: www://stbarnabasde.org

2 68th ANNUAL WILMINGTON GARDEN DAY May 2, :00am 4:00pm (rain or shine) Celebrate the beauty of spring by visiting 12 of the area's grandest gardens and homes. This year's tour is geared to the home gardener, whether neophyte or expert. One garden is set on a hillside, another features hostas and one is a work in progress transitioning from a formal garden to a more naturalistic one. Tickets are on sale for $ Order on line at Tickets can be purchased at various locations on Concord Pike, in Greenville/Centreville, City of Wilmington, Hockessin/Pike Creek, and Newark. Check the website for the list of vendors. Tickets and a tour guide will be mailed to you, or given to you when you purchase your tickets. Over 200 volunteer as guides in the gardens and houses. Wilmington Garden Day benefits two non profits improving the lives of children and families: St. Michael's School and Friendship House. In the past 7 years, Wilmington Garden Day has donated nearly $350,000 to its beneficiaries. REFLECTIONS ON THE LENTEN PROGRAM Ann Lopez The development/discussion portion for the Lenten Pot Luck suppers were based on "Animate" TM and provided both stimulating conversation, reflections and a chance to challenge ourselves about our Christian faith journey. This series of seven short, unique DVD clips by modern clergy gives perspective about provocative topics in our Christian faith. The speakers and topics are unique, all very interesting but no need to view in sequence or completely. Feedback from participants was universally positive all felt they learned, stretched their brains and enjoyed sharing with each other based on these brief presentations. A couple of the topics (in my own words!) that struck me were "What does the cross symbol means in Christianity, where did it come from and what does it means to me?" and "Consider and maximize the here and now opportunity in addition to the here after in our lives with/connection to God". We covered five topics and plan to continue with at least the last two in upcoming adult education sessions. Please join these relatively brief sessions (30 45 minutes) after the 10 am service to learn from these interesting presenters, challenge your thinking and share insights/reflections with each other. More details will follow in the weekly bulletin and e news, but timing for these sessions is most likely May. Animate TM Series from Sparkhouse, Topic "Faith" ROGATION DAY Saturday, May 2 from 9:00 11:00 am Calling all gardeners and would be gardeners for the spring clean up of the church and rectory grounds, mulching of the flower beds and general weeding and pruning. Bring rakes, clippers, shovels, wheelbarrows, miscellaneous gardening tools of your choice. You don't really need to be gardeners, just willing to weed, spread mulch and pick up sticks, etc. If you can help, contact; Craig Brosi ( ; craigbrosi@verizon.net) or Dave Walker ( ; david.p.walker@usa.dupont.com). Page 2

3 From Martha Precht ANNUAL PARISH MEETING The Annual Parish Meeting is Sunday, May 3 in the sanctuary following the 10:00 am service. The financial status and the accomplishments in 2014 will be reviewed. In addition, there will an election of four members for 3 year terms, one Delegate for a 2 year term and one Alternate Delegate for a 1 year term to the Diocsean convention. Please attend this important meeting. So very many poeple helped to send my Sweet William to Heaven, where I am sure Andy Harriss greated him. Thank you to everyone who participaed in a lovely service. Rev. Martha gave a wonderful Homily. The church looked festive. And so many people came to express their sorrow at his passing. Sixty two years is a long time, but they were filled with love and joy. I feel God blessed us that Bill did not suffer. Sudden death is great for the individual, but it's a shock to everyone else. Again, thank you for your part in the We thank Libby Green, Terry Sloman, Scott service and reception, no matter how great or Stanard and Bette Francis for their service on small. I appreciate all of the calls, cards and the Vestry. Bette Francis is elegible for s. reelection since she was appointed to the THIS 'N THAT Vestry to complete the term of a member who resigned. St. Barnabas' Notary Public If you need an important document notarized, contact Beth in Biographies and pictures of the 2015 the Church Office, from Monday candidates are on pages 4 and 5. Friday 9:00 am 2:00 pm. LYNDA HARRISS HONORED Pastoral Care Remember to call Martha, Sr. In April, Lynda Harriss was Cassandra or the Church Office if you have a honored by the A. I. DuPont de pastoral emergency. Martha or Sr. Cassandra are available on a 24 hr basis if you have a crisis or Nemours Children's Hospital for 5500 Hours are admitted to or in one of the Christiana Care of volunteer service in the Neonatal Intensive hospitals. If you or a family member are unable Care Unit. In addition, Lynda makes Chrismon Angels which she gives to family to attend church and would like to have members of the patients. Some know her by Communion, please contact Sr. Cassandra. the name "Angel Lady". VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our yearly parish picnic will be here before we know it!. It is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, but it can't happen without a lot of help. Since this is an event for the enire family, we need all sorts of volunteers. First of all, we need one person to serve as the chairperson who would be willing to oversee the whole project. We also need to know who would be willing to grill ot dogs, bugers and such, in addition to people who would help run games and things for the children. (Maybe the youth group would be willing to take on this job???) and, last but hardly least, we need people to set up, tear down, and clean up. There will be sign up sheets in the back of the church. Please put you names on the list to help out any way you are able. STITCHED WITH LOVE The next meeting for this group will be on May 6 at 1:00 p.m. in the lounge. In spite of having to cancel several of our monthly meetings due to bad weather, we have continued to knit or crochet shawls, baby blankets, and smaller items such as hats and scarfs. Several prayer shawls and baby blankets have been recently delivered. This is a small, but dedicated, group of women who enjoy creating these items to support those who are in need of our prayers or to celebrate a particular blessing. We are always looking for new members. Knowing how to knit or crochet is not a requirement! Come join us on the 6th. Page 3

4 2015 VESTRY CANDIDATES BETTE FRANCIS My name is Bette Francis and my grandson, Cameron, and I have been members of St. Barnabas for 7 years. We moved from Northern New Jersey for my job at Wilmington Trust and have enjoyed getting to know Delaware and the Mid Atlantic area. My role at Wilmington Trust is in organizational development, strategy and talent management, and I love it. We were immediately welcomed at St. Barnabas and call it home. Cameron became involved quickly first in the Cherub Choir and now the Seraphim Choir an the spring and Christmas musicals so it was easy for me to help out and build some very nice friendships. I'm also helping with the 2 4 grade Sunday School and enjoy watching the children grow in their faith. It has taught me a few things as well! This past year I was appointed to the Vestry to fulfill the term of someone who resigned. I have enjoyed the experience and hope to continue in the future. We would like to continue to be active members of this wonderful community we call St. Barnabas and do our part to prepare St. Barnabas for the future. CAROLEE KUNZ I ve been attending St. Barnabas for approximately 25 years. My involvement has included Lady Julian Bible study, youth group leader, junior high Sunday School teacher, Assistant Church Attorney for the Diocese, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Emmanuel Dining Room server, and Vestry member. Most recently I served on the Rector Search Team, which was yet another (!) experience of boy we have a lot of great people at our church. I studied history at UD and law at Boston College, and currently work part time hearing labor grievances for the Department of Health and Social Services. For a number of years I ve been participating in Ignatian based spiritual direction. I love the St. Barnabas community and would look forward to serving on the Vestry. PAT McDONALD I was born in Washington, D.C. in I was one of five kids; two brothers and two sisters. I was the mediator of the kids. I graduated from Suitland High School in 1969 and went directly to work for the US Census Bureau in the Computer Division working on UNIVAC main frame computers. I continued to work there in many capacities until I retired forty years later. I met Bonnie while she lived in the same apartment complex. We were married (34 Years ago) at Limestone Presbyterian church by Rev Willet Smith. We moved back to Bonnie's home town and eventually moved to her old neighborhood. Our daughter, Megan and the Flanagan's daughter, Erin became good friends in elementary school. Erin told Megan about the Sunday school at St Barnabas', and Megan found it to be a good fit. She convinced Bonnie and me to start going to church service; that was about 15 years ago. I joined the ushers and am now the "lead" usher. Page 4

5 MARIA PEREZ O'NEAL Greetings to my fellow parishioners. I am running (why do we say running and not walking? sorry my odd sense of humor is kicking in) for vestry in this very exciting time for St. Barnabas'. I have been a parish member for 25 years. I have served as a Vestry member with Father Karney, previously active in choir for 10 years, and most recently (past 15 years) I have been active in Sunday School with 4th thru 6th graders. I participated on the search committee in our successful pastoral selection. I enjoy all my activities with my fellow parishioners: worship, attending Seekers, or trying to attend Early Risers. Our recent Lenten program and early morning prayer are examples of how we learn to seek Christ individually and collectively. It would be my honor to serve if chosen. JOHN WARRINGTON I have been a member of St. Barnabas' since Sharon and I were married here and continue to serve our church. Since joining St. Barnabas', my activities have included: being on the Search Committee and was asked to co lead the Transition Team, where Rev. Martha Kirkpatrick and Annie were chosen; serving as an usher (since 2008); and being a counter (2 Years). I am a life long member of the Boy Scouts of America and as an adult, have worked as a committee member for various Scout Troops, holding leadership positions as a Cub Scout Den Leader through being Scout Master. Being a Vestry member would allow me to be involved with the future direction of St. Barnabas'. MEMORIAL GARDEN IN BLOOM Page 5

6 HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS * When I entered the Sanctuary on Palm Sunday with the palms in my hands, I did not know how the coming week would differ from any other week of the year. As I attended Morning Prayer daily, listening, reflecting on the Scripture, Psalms and poetry, I began to look forward to the routine that brought some order into my daily life. Sitting together as a family at the table for the agape meal on Maundy Thursday, sharing food with quiet chatter, followed by the sacred service commemorating Jesus' "The Last Supper" truly moved my heart. Walking "The Stations of the Cross, on Good Friday " pausing at each station, reminiscing the events that happened over two thousand years ago, deeply touched my heart. The Easter Vigil Service beginning in the Memorial Garden with beautifully sung Liturgy and hymns, after a long Lenten Season, made it such a joyous evening. Then the climax of the Holy Week came on the glorious Easter Morning Celebration with music, in the beautifully decorated Sanctuary filled with people of all ages saying, "Lord is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!" It surely did lift up my spirits! Mano Fernando * I was so very grateful to have the opportunity during Holy Week to attend Morning Prayer each day at 8 a.m. in the chapel. Every morning, the carefully created worship environment included softly playing music as people entered the chapel and quietly settled in; candlelight; lovely poetry and scripture readings; and periods of meditation, reflection on the readings and related questions, and sharing among those gathered. There was no pressure, just presence and the opportunity to receive and to offer. It was a true place of sanctuary from which to begin each day. Participating in daily Morning Prayer helped to make this year s Holy Week the most meaningful of my life. It provided me with a spiritual bridge, so to speak, traveled in the company of friends, from Palm Sunday, through the solemnity of the remaining days of the week, to a joyful Easter Day. Lesley Haushalter * I came to Morning Prayer on Tuesday because Sarah Jane Page promised breakfast before Lady Julian if we came. I enjoyed it so much with its prayer, meditation, scripture reading, poem, and discussion, that I made it two more times! It was interesting that only women showed up. It was a great way to start the day. It would be nice if we could do that once a month! Thanks for doing it! Libby Green * Maundy Thursday has always been a meaningful service for me, and I have fond memories of attending with my parents growing up. I have always appreciated the solemnity and the intimate nature of the service. This year, Martha introduced St. Barnabas' to the Agape Feast prior to the service. And while I always welcome an opportunity not to fix dinner, I was a bit daunted by the idea of preparing a Mediterranean dish to share! But Martha assured us not to let that stop us from attending, and since Gregory was already committed to acolyting, we were committed to being there. So off to the store I went, to get some bread, cheese and olives, and then our family headed to church. How pleasant it was to sit and literally break bread with our family and fellow parishioners to share, to sing and to pray together around the table, and to try to imagine what the Last Supper was truly like. We wondered if the disciples told stories and laughed as well, before they were aware of the magnitude of the evening. I sat across the table from Lynda Harriss, who shared with us her travel experiences to the Garden of Gethsemane, treasured stories I probably would have otherwise never heard. It was a valuable reminder to me of the importance of eating a meal around the table and that it's not nearly so important what's on the table as who is around it with you. My boys surprised me by trying food they were unfamiliar with, and sat at the table longer than they probably would have at home! The Agape Feast was a beautiful spread of food, offered and prepared with love, and a wonderful opportunity to truly enjoy the company of our extended church family. Cara Stanard Page 6

7 HOLY WEEK REFLECTIONS (Continued) * Going in to Holy Week, I made up my mind that I was going to take in everything that this special week had to offer. I was hoping it would allow me to calm down and relax since I knew there were things that I needed to do to help make the scheduled events successful (and for those who know me, that word could be replaced with perfect!). I'm so glad I made the special effort to get up earlier than usual so I could attend Morning Prayer. I felt such a peaceful, quiet calming inside me; it was truly spiritual, a chance to share with others, with such beautiful readings and prayers. Going into Maundy Thursday, I didn't realize how the agape meal would make me aware of such a strong presence of Jesus among us breaking bread with family and friends as He had done with his disciples two thousand years ago. Following the meal, the service was very spiritual for me and I feel blessed that I could participate by singing in the choir. I had unexpected positive feelings, and I hope we will make the meal before the service an annual event. I didn't know what to expect when I attended the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. I had never been to this service before, but was looking forward to it. It was more than I could have imagined! Walking to each Station, looking at each of the pictures, and hearing the words and prayers at each one made me awe inspired! It was an amazing feeling! Following this service, I attended the 7 Last Words at St. James Mill Creek. The clergy spoke on each Word and all had such inspiring words to express to those present. Since music is a big part of my life, the anthems that the choir performed brought tears to my eyes, and I saw others dabbing their eyes as well. Beginning Easter Vigil in the Memorial Garden was amazing! I was blessed to have participated in the service. The entire Holy Week for me took my breath away, and I was able to take two steps back and reflect, thanking God that Jesus is Risen! Halleluia! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Marti LaRue *I attended the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 4th this year, which started in the Memorial Garden. Being in that garden and remembering all those wonderful friends who have passed away was very special to me. The fire was started, and I must say it was the best fire we have had in several years. We lit our candles and processed into the Church. There was silence and darkness. I listened to all the scriptures which were read, the Collects and the music. I was suddenly overcome by the truth and beauty of just exactly what God has given us in the form of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I have attended these services for many years in several different places, and for eight years at St. Barnabas'. I was suddenly aware of real true forgiveness for the first time. Tears came to my eyes several times during the service thinking about how my sins and the sins of every human being were totally, completely and honestly forgiven. We are so blessed! Sr. Cassandra Page 7

8 Worship Services Saturday, Holy Eucharist 5:30 pm Sunday, Holy Eucharist 8:00 am 10:00 am (with music) Sunday School 9:45 am Church Calendar Weekly Lady Julian's Bible Study Tuesdays, 9:30 am Lounge Seekers' Prayer Group Wednesdays, 6:45 pm Lounge Early Risers Bible Study Thursdays, 6:30 am Lounge Monthly Ladies' Luncheon Monday, May 4, 12:30 pm, BackBurner Hockessin Building & Grounds Meeting Tuesday, May 5, 7:30 pm Lounge Stitching with Love Wednesday, May 6, 1:00 pm Lounge Bridge Monday, May 11, 12:30 pm Lounge Finance Committee Tuesday, May 12, 6:00 pm Lounge Vestry Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 pm Lounge Men's Luncheon Wednesday, May 13, 12:30 pm 2Fat Guys Hockessin Bowling Saturday, May16, 7:00 pm, Price Lanes, Kirkwood Highway OTHER ACTIVITIES Saturday, May 2, 9:00 11:00 am Rogation Day, Spring Clean up of Church and Rectory Grounds Sunday, May 3, 11:15am ANNUAL PARISH MEETING, with Election of new Vestry Members Sunday, May 17, 10:00am Children's Spring Musical: "God of the City", followed by Holy Eucharist Sunday, June 7, Spring Picnic Page 8