St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Parish Profile

Transcription

1 Barnabas St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Parish Profile St. Barnabas Episcopal Church 2800 Duncan Road

2 Table of Contents Where do we start? 3 Mission Prayer for our congregation in transition Who are we? 4 Challenges and opportunities How we live our calling Who were we? 14 Where do we live? 18 Who do we want to become? 22 2

3 Where do we start? Mission: We are called by God to see Christ in all persons, grow in faith and live in joyful fellowship with one another. --as adopted by the St. Barnabas Vestry, December 2012 Parishioner Libby Green designed our logo. Prayer for our congregation in transition: Eternal God, the foundation of all wisdom and the source of all courage: enlighten with your grace this congregation in transition, and so rule our minds, and guide our counsel, that in all things we may seek your glory and promote the mission of your Church, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. We seek: A leader whose faith journey inspires us to grow into our mission A teacher who shares the tools to help us live our Christian faith A counselor whose close relationship to God guides our community in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 3

4 Who are we? St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Our mission states: We are called by God to see Christ in all persons, grow in faith and live in joyful fellowship with one another. With this in mind we look ahead to our future with eagerness. We have gathered information about our parish by several means, including: Holy Conversations, comprising 7 listening sessions with a total of 68 attendees, conducted January-June, 2012 Mutual Ministry Review, with the vestry and the Rev. John Pumphrey, conducted August 7, 2012 Parish Statistical Report, , compiled 2012, by The Church Report Company Parish survey, conducted December 1-9, Steeple of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Challenges and Opportunities Our self-examination was an effort to assess where we are, what we are doing well and where we can hope to grow in the future. We ve learned a lot about ourselves and found resilience within our community. Common themes that emerged from our study were: The importance of belonging, connection and fellowship among members The desire to minister and serve within the church and through outreach The need for spiritual nurture and guidance The past few years have brought change to our parish, some favorable and some unsettling. This turbulent time has caused the people of St. Barnabas to pause and regroup as a community that is seeking to thrive. Our congregation has a history of digging deep to get the job done with hard work and elbow grease, from recruiting over 100 parishioners in 1977 to help build an addition to the church, to painting the interior of our newest addition several years ago. On any given day volunteers are working outside in our gardens, maintaining the building or volunteering in the office. Over the past three years St. Barnabas has faced a difficult time financially. Pledging units have dropped but, with a giving spirit, the average pledge has increased. With a tighter budget and a decrease 4

5 St. Barnabas strength is in its people and their desire to serve Christ. in numbers as a whole, the parish continued to look for ways to serve efficiently and prayerfully. The vestry has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and we have worked within our means. Our outreach fundraisers Harvest Fest and the Christmas Bazaar continue to donate all the proceeds to community needs, demonstrating the will to serve those around us. Learn more about these activities beginning on pages Our parish attendance has increased by 15% over 2011, and in 2012, St. Barnabas had 465 parishioners. Our Sunday school has approximately 25 registered students spread over classes from preschool to junior high. These children are typically also members of the two youth choirs and bless us with their musical talents each month and at the spring musical. We see this as an opportunity for growth in the next few years. The addition of new families with children to the congregation would give a much needed boost to these valued youth ministries. The Parish Picnic marks the end of the school year in June Together, the parish has talked, prayed and regrouped to determine what is valued among us. It became clear that St. Barnabas strength is in its people and our desire to serve Christ. Our pastoral care ministries have not only survived but thrived. Sister Cassandra Norsworthy has provided much support throughout this period and remains active in this ongoing effort. Fellowship has remained very important as we strive to stay united and focused. This sense of community is where the heart of our parish lies and what keeps us at St. Barnabas. What we seek is to find stability in the calling of a new rector a leader who, 5

6 recognizing the strength of our members, will care for and guide us, understand our values and participate fully in pastoral care and the life of St. Barnabas. We are open to explore new expressions of caring for one another and our mission to the wider community. The Cherub Choir practices for their part in a monthly family service. Parishioners prepare a potluck supper. Memorial Garden landscaping was enhanced as part of a Boy Scout Eagle project several years ago. Coffee hour is a weekly tradition after the 10:00 Sunday service. Flower Guild members create floral arrangements for every service. 6

7 How we live our calling Orphrey group members created banners for each season of the church year. Worship St. Barnabas Episcopal Church St. Barnabas celebrates three weekly services (one Saturday evening service at 5:30 and two Sunday morning services at 7:30 and 10:00). The Chancel choir sings at the 10:00 service, joined once a month by the Renaissance Quire. Lay leadership, including lectors, communion assistants, greeters, ushers and flower and altar guild members support the rector during services. Three youth acolytes, ranging in age from 11 to 18 years, assist at the 10:00 Sunday service. Parishioners help with the audio and provide recordings for those unable to attend church. Saturday services are held in the chapel. On the first Sunday of each month, members celebrate a more casual Family Sunday service where the Cherub and Seraphim youth choirs sing, and the sermon is focused on the youth of the parish. The church also hosts a parish breakfast on this first Sunday. Other worship expressions include: 2012 statistics: Year-end active members: 465 Number of families: 217 Average attendance (three weekend services): 170 Sunday school enrollment: 25 Baptisms: 8 Confirmations: 7 Marriages: 1 Burials: 9 Advent lessons and carols Christmas Eve youth pageant Easter Vigil Blessing of the animals Use of Prayers of the People from such resources as Enriching Our Worship, Ormande Plater, A New Zealand Prayer Book Youth perform a musical in the spring. 7

8 Alternative Eucharistic Prayers of Consecration from Enriching Our Worship and other resources Prayer of Confession from Enriching Our Worship Variations appropriate to the above in the Post-Communion prayer. Chancel Choir Music Music ministry at St. Barnabas is vital in leading worship and providing music to enhance worship experiences. Four choirs sing over 60 anthems and lead worship on Sundays throughout the program year (September-May), for weekday special services during Lent, Easter Vigil, Christmas Eve, for funerals and weddings and during the summer. Every singer is a volunteer. Instrumental music occasionally enhances some Sunday services and other special services. Organist/choir director Dr. Michael Larkin composes and publishes some of the music performed by the Chancel Choir. Dr. Larkin has led music ministry at St. Barnabas for the past 10 years. He is also the founder and director of the New Ark Chorale, serves as a core artist faculty member of the Music School of Delaware and chairs the Eastern Division s Music in Worship Committee for the American Choral Directors Association. Dr. Larkin s compositions have been published by leading publishing houses. Cherub and Seraphim Choirs sing on family Sundays. Two youth choirs sing on family Sundays and perform a lovely musical in the spring. The youth choirs are led by two parishioners who volunteer their leadership, conducting rehearsals weekly during the coffee hour, selecting anthems 8

9 and directing the annual musical. Christian Education the most fun I ve had at church. Ever! In recent years, Sunday school has offered classes for children ages 3 years through 8 th grade. Early years (through grade 4) use the Godly Play curriculum; grades 5-8 use lectionary readings as the basis of weekly lessons. Godly Play involves students and their teachers, as well as other members of the parish who make some of the materials, figures and props used in the curriculum. Candidates for confirmation (7 th through 12 th graders and occasional adults) participate in a series of 7-8 interactive sessions over a 5-6 month period. The current curriculum includes reading and responding to the book of Luke, reflections on favorite Bible verses, discussion of the creed and key points in the catechism, discussion of faith in action and an instructed Eucharist. One recent confirmand commented that the class was the most fun I ve had at church. Ever! View the confirmation class website: The senior high program has been sporadic in recent years and presents an opportunity for future growth. Parishioner Lynda Harriss taught a group to make Chrismon ornaments to use for decorations on the Christmas trees. Adult Christian Education is both lay-led and clergy-organized. Two weekday Bible studies (Early Risers and Lady Julian) began several years ago; they were initiated by clergy, but have been lay-led by design for most of their existence. The Seekers prayer group is also lay-led. Occasional discussion groups after Sunday services have been facilitated by both clergy and lay leaders. Weekly Lenten education has traditionally been organized by our clergy. It has been a goal of many to resume regular weekly classes following the 10:00 service. 9

10 Parish Life St. Barnabas parishioners have long worked to offer an atmosphere and platform to encourage fellowship among all members. At St. Barnabas, people shar[e] in the Holy Eucharist with each other. We stand with each other in times of celebration and sorrow, and in times of need. Several programs contribute to a welcoming and supportive community. Weekly coffee hours after the 10:00 Sunday service and Family Sunday breakfasts encourage families to spend time together. I have been visiting the same person for almost 10 years I get more out of it than that person does. The parish kitchen is used to prepare many meals, some social and some for outreach. Other activities bring parishioners together, too, including a bowling team, bridge group, monthly men s and ladies luncheons at local restaurants and gardening volunteers who maintain the planting beds around the church and memorial garden. Pastoral Care Members of St. Barnabas see ourselves as a group bonded in love and encourage each other to carry the love and light of Christ to everyone in need. Parishioners care for each other in times of sickness, grief and trouble. Several groups share in the ministry of pastoral care. Eucharistic Visitors take the sacrament to those who are sick or shut-in. Stephen Ministers offer one-on-one care to those who suffer in the face of life s difficulties. Prayer Shawl Ministry volunteers create warm shawls that are blessed and delivered to those in and around the congregation who are ill. Cards and flowers team members send cards and create flower baskets for delivery each week to members of the congregation in nursing homes, or those who are sick or shut-in. Prayer and Praise Chain members pray daily for anyone who requests prayer. Writers send comforting letters to those who have suffered loss. 10

11 CD ministry team members record the 10:00 Sunday service and create CDs for delivery to those who are homebound, or have missed services, or those who just want a copy of the sermon. Meal ministry volunteers provide meals for those who are ill or have just returned from the hospital. Funeral reception volunteers help families organize and host a reception for those attending the funeral of a loved one at St. Barnabas. Outreach Fr. John Pumphrey celebrated 40 years in the priesthood in January The St. Barnabas community finds ways both collectively and individually to care for neighbors, inspired by Jesus command to love your neighbor as yourself. Two events (Harvest Fest in the fall and the Christmas Bazaar in December) raise funds solely for outreach. These funds are distributed locally to organizations such as the Food Bank of Delaware, Connections (for disabled adults) and to Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD). St. Barnabas supports additional ministries with both funding and volunteer support, including: Lady Julian Bible study attendees and youth collected gifts for Connections, a local community agency. Friendship House, Andrew s Place: Parishioners prepare, deliver and serve a meal to men at a homeless shelter one day a month. Emmanuel Dining Room: Parishioners prepare, deliver and then serve a meal for up to 300 people at a downtown Wilmington site one day a month. Food Bank of Delaware receives food collected seasonally at St. Barnabas services. Meals on Wheels: A team of parishioners deliver meals one week out of every six. Salvation Army Kettle Drive: Parishioners ring bells and staff kettle collections outside a local store during the Christmas season. Seaman s Center (at the Port of Wilmington): Members of the parish provide transportation to stores for foreign ship 11

12 workers and provide small gift boxes for the Christmas at Sea program. St. Michael s Day Nursery: Parishioners collect aluminum cans for recycling. Profits help support a downtown Wilmington school dedicated to providing affordable early education and day care for children. Stewardship St. Barnabas is beginning its fourth year without a rector, following the removal of Fr. Robert Broesler in As one might expect, membership declined as a result of normal attrition, including the death and relocation of older members, and as a result of some leaving for parishes with a full-time rector. The parish enters 2013 with 139 pledging units, with the average annual pledge on the rise. Entrance to the new addition 2013 statistics: Pledging units: 139 Average pledge: $1,893 Total amount pledged: $263,123 Diocesan acceptance: $45,000 In 2009, St. Barnabas completed a major expansion and renovation of its facilities. A capital fund campaign raised $500,000. However, the total cost of the project amounted to $867,000, which resulted in the church withdrawing $60,000 from its operating funds and borrowing $300,000. Of this debt, $50,000 is due and payable in full in The remaining $250,000 amortizes over the period ending in We consider our debt obligations manageable. The market value of the church s endowment fund, which was initially funded in 1999 through a membership-wide campaign, amounted to $386,330 at December 31, This fund has been used occasionally to support our mission. Since its inception the fund has contributed $37,700 to church operations and loaned an additional $50,000 to defray the cost of the recent expansion of the facilities. The fund may disburse A 2,500 square foot addition in 2009 increased office space. funds only from its investment income. 12

13 Statement of Operations for the years 2012 and 2013 Income Proposed Pledge and Plate Offerings $277,925 $279,000 Endowment Fund 0 -a- Day Care Rental 66,892 68,230 Rectory Rental 22,100 20,400 Other 6,695 5,660 Total $373,612 $373,290 Expenses Clergy & Staff Salaries, Benefits & Housing $193,346 $200,638 Diocesan Acceptance 48,000 45,000 Mortgage and Other Debt Service 40,765 40,269 Utilities and Reserve 33,659 38,301 Buildings, Grounds and HVAC reserve 17,134 20,874 Music 4,468 3,609 Other b 41,485 53,628 Total $378,857 $402,319 Deficit ($5,245) ($29,029) a. The vestry at its meeting on December 11, 2012, declared a distribution from the Endowment Fund to the church of up to $20,000, to be disbursed as needed during b. The category Other expenses is inflated by allotted search costs. 13

14 Who were we? St. Barnabas began as a church school of St. James Episcopal Church, Newport, sometime before Parishioners first met in each other s homes under the lay leadership of William J. Robinson. It was organized as a mission on December 17, 1890, with Rev. Edward H. Eckel celebrating the first Eucharist. St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Newport, Delaware On May 18, 1892, Warden Robinson was thrown from a railroad car and hit by an engine. He died several days later from his injuries. A week later a committee was chosen to start raising funds for a chapel in memory of Mr. Robinson. They raised $600 by June and purchased a lot at Kiamensi and Newport Roads in Marshallton. They laid the cornerstone October 29, On May 12, 1893, the church was dedicated by Bishop Leighton Coleman and given the name St. Barnabas. This first church burned to the ground on Christmas Eve It was rebuilt on the same site by the parishioners and dedicated in 1899 by Bishop Coleman. A bell tower was added in In 1913, St. James Newport, St. James Stanton and St. Barnabas mission were all in the charge of Rev. John E. Parks of Seaford, DE. These parishes were the first in Delaware to realize the importance of transportation in rural areas and got together to buy Rev. Parks a small automobile. In 1932, the two churches and St. Barnabas were being led by Rev. Millard W. Riker. He retired in 1940 and was replaced by Rev. Kenneth Albright. In February 1943, the Rev. Alexander W. Boyer became Rev. Albright s assistant. By 1947 the mission had 221 families, 147 communicants and 244 teachers and pupils in the Sunday school and was admitted at the Annual Convention of the Diocese as a full parish. In May of 1950, St. Barnabas mission officially became a parish with the Rev. Jack Smith, Rector. Christus triumphans hangs in the chapel. The chapel is dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Cloud Rutter. In 1957, the Rev. Cloud Rutter was called as second rector. By this time it was apparent that membership was outgrowing the space of the old church and the vestry felt it was time to build a bigger church. St. Barnabas had been given a very generous gift by Frederick Bringhurst. This gift included all of Mr. Bringhurst s real estate located in and about Marshalltown. It was suggested by a parishioner that this land be sold and that St. Barnabas purchase 14

15 land in a growing residential area. The vestry agreed and all of the Bringhurst property was sold for $250,000. This money was enough to buy nine acres on Duncan Road and have money left to start building the new church. Ground was broken for the new church on October 9, Fr. Rutter was very involved with the design of the new building. The first service in the new church was a baptism on December 17, The first Sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated Christmas Eve by Bishop J. Brooke Mosley. The church was dedicated November 28, 1963 by Bishop Mosley. The Blessing of the Animals service was added during Fr. Karney s tenure. Fr. Rutter continued as rector of St. Barnabas until The church continued to grow, and lay leadership and participation was strong. A new space for Christian education, offices and a lounge were added to the building in The parishioners did much of the work themselves. After Fr. Rutter retired, Rev. Edward Ranck was called to be the new rector. At this time it was decided to build a rectory on the grounds of the church. Rev. Ranck lived in the rectory from 1987 until he left suddenly in April His tenure officially ended May 31, There were about 150 families when the Rev. George Karney came in the fall of The Rev. Nicholas Knisely was added to the staff in 1991 and served as Deacon and Assistant Rector until he was called to another parish in April A chapel was added in 1995 during Fr. Karney s tenure. An elevator with openings on four levels was added at the same time. The Rev. Bruce Lomas joined our parish as Assistant Rector soon after and shepherded us through Fr. Karney s retirement and the subsequent interim period. Baptismal font at the front entrance to the church The Rev. Robert Broesler was called to serve St. Barnabas on August 20, He was soon joined by the Rev. Russ Bohner as Assistant Rector. Fr. Bohner served until he was called to another parish in Sister Cassandra Grace Norsworthy, an avowed member of the Anamchara Fellowship monastic order, joined the church staff in 2009 as Pastoral Assistant. She does much of the pastoral care, is a Stephen Minister and fills in where needed. While Fr. Broesler was here, we managed a successful capital campaign that afforded a major expansion project as well as several much needed improvements to the buildings and grounds. 15

16 The present St. Barnabas was consecrated in St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Fr. Broesler was removed as rector in 2012 following a lengthy Ecclesiastical Trial and Provincial Review. During the trial and review transition, the Rev. Peter Huiner served as Bishop s Vicar until returning to retirement. The Rev. John Pumphrey is now serving as Interim Rector. Both have helped mend relationships, strengthen our spiritual commitment and prepare us for our future, both spiritually and communally. We will be comfortable with whatever form of address our new rector prefers. St. Barnabas has been and continues to be a parish with strong lay leadership and commitment. It is important to us to share our time, talents and facilities with the community. The first Boy Scout troop in Delaware was organized at St. Barnabas in It was the longest continuous scout troop in the country. It was disbanded in Our parish hall hosts Narcotics Anonymous groups several times a week. In 1978 a Senior Center operated by the county was started with the use of St. Barnabas parish hall, kitchen and rest rooms. When the Center outgrew the space, it was relocated in Since approximately 1990, we have leased space to Stepping Stones Daycare and Preschool which uses the space Monday through Friday. This agreement provides us with revenue and offers a service to neighborhood families with small children. St. Barnabas has been fortunate to have consistent strong leadership in its Parish Administrator, Beth Winward, who has served in that capacity since Her organizational skills are complemented by contributions from dedicated volunteers. Some of these volunteers have been active for over 10 years, contributing a variety of clerical and organizational skills to keep the office running smoothly. Baptismal font in the Memorial Garden The parish has had a history of keeping the facilities in good repair using the labor and talent of our members. When the new education 16

17 wing was added in the 1970 s, 100 members of the parish participated in the work. An article in the Wilmington News Journal compared it to an old fashion barn-raising. Our current sweat equity group did the same when our newest addition was built. We have a dedicated group of gardeners who keep our grounds looking beautiful in all seasons. The Christmas Bazaar (above) and Harvest Fest (below) fund outreach. The annual Christmas Bazaar was begun in 1963 and was first organized by Margaret Slocomb and Josephine Smith. This is a large parish affair that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute. Lunch is made and served by parishioners. Handmade items, baked goods and used articles for the white elephant sale are all donated. All funds raised go to outreach. The Harvest Fest is a more recent annual event. One parishioner, Barbara Taylor, inspired this event after seeing the lovely straw crosses that decorated the Anglican church she and her husband attended during a stay in England. During Harvest Fest, St. Barnabas is decorated in beautiful banners and straw crosses (all handmade by parishioners). A potluck dinner is held after the Saturday evening service. Funds are raised by auctioning off items made or donated by parishioners. The money has traditionally been divided between the Food Bank of Delaware and ERD. Renovated church lounge (Parishioners contributed sweat equity, including painting, for the 2009 expansion and renovation of the church addition.) Christmas Eve candlelight service 17

18 Where do we live? St. Barnabas Episcopal Church serves the southwest suburbs of Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware. This is a great place to live, work, play and raise a family. Wilmington is the county seat of New Castle County, and it is one of the major cities in the Delaware Valley metropolitan area. Our parishioners come from New Castle County, as well as nearby counties in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Delaware s beaches are two hours away. (Photo by Alan Vernon. on Flickr) Located midway between New York City and Washington, D.C., Wilmington is in the middle of it all. The Wilmington Train Station is Amtrak s 12 th busiest station, offering 70 station stops daily to points north and south. You can take Amtrak s Acela high-speed train and be in Philadelphia in 20 minutes, Washington, D.C. in 80 minutes and New York City in 90 minutes. There is also regional commuter service to Philadelphia with four stops in New Castle County. Many of the Northeast s largest highways are easily accessed from Wilmington, including I-95, I-495, I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. The lovely beach resort towns of Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey Beach are only 2 hours away, and the state capital, Dover, is less than an hour away. Arts & Culture The arts and culture scene in the Wilmington area is alive and growing, particularly in the downtown business district on Market Street. The Delaware Symphony Orchestra, OperaDelaware and the First State Ballet Theatre are all in residence at The Grand, an opulent and historic opera house. Labyrinth at the Delaware Art Museum (Photo by spike55151 on Flickr) A few blocks north of The Grand in the luxurious Hotel du Pont, is the DuPont Theatre, which presents a sixshow professional Broadway series as well as their acclaimed Children s Series. A few blocks south of The 18

19 Grand is The Queen, which was recently refurbished and reopened in 2011, offering live music to the area residents. Also located in Wilmington is the Delaware Art Museum which houses more than 12,000 works of art, including pieces from Winslow Homer, N.C. Wyeth, Edward Hopper and Howard Pyle. Education Wilmington has an excellent educational system, with abundant offerings that include public, private and charter schools. State and local support for education helped Delaware earn one of the first Race to the Top grants from the federal Department of Education. Schools have benefitted from increased focus on teacher effectiveness, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and partnerships with local businesses. Students may attend any public school in New Castle County through a school choice program, provided there is capacity. There are six public school districts within New Castle County with extensive program offerings. Brandywine Springs Elementary School sits across the parking lot from St. Barnabas. (Photo by Nancy Crawford on Red Clay School District website) St. Barnabas property is located in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, the second largest in Delaware. Brandywine Springs Elementary School is located next door to St Barnabas, and the only two schools from Delaware listed in the Newsweek s 2012 ranking of the Nation s Top High Schools (Cab Calloway School of the Arts and The Charter School of Wilmington) are operated or chartered by the Red Clay Consolidated School District. Broad opportunities for post-secondary education exist in New Castle County with five colleges and three universities to choose 19

20 from. The University of Delaware (UD) has a student population of 20,500. The main campus is located 10 minutes away from St. Barnabas and offers more than 100 academic majors. Other higher education opportunities include Delaware College of Art and Design, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical and Community College, Goldey-Beacom College, Wilmington University and Widener Law School. Health Care Some of the top health care institutions in the country are within a 15-minute drive of St. Barnabas. Christiana Care Health System (CCHS), headquartered in Wilmington, is a major teaching hospital with two campuses and more than 240 medical-dental residents and fellows. CCHS is known for their excellence in cardiology, cancer and women s health services. It is also home to Delaware s only Level I trauma center and Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit in the state. Also located not far from St. Barnabas is the Nemours/Alfred I. dupont Hospital for Children. The facility was named in the U.S. News & World Report edition of Best Children s Hospitals as a leader in Orthopedics, Gastroenterology and Urology. The facility provides more than 30 specialties of pediatric medicine, surgery and dentistry in a patient- and family-centered environment. Wilmington s St. Francis Hospital has been providing general medical services since 1924, including advanced surgical specialists, 24-hour emergency services with fast-track minor emergency care, wound care, a pain center, rehabilitation, imaging services and comprehensive women s services. Recreation and Sports New Castle County is a great place for people who love the outdoors. There are 10,000 acres of parkland where one can enjoy hiking, playing sports, swimming, fishing, camping or biking. Delcastle Recreation Area is a 400-acre park located adjacent to the church property, offering a 1.7 mile paved walking trail, tennis courts, ball fields and a fenced street hockey rink. Delcastle also includes an 18-20

21 hole public golf course and driving range. A series of bike paths through local parks and along roads create a bike-friendly community in northern Delaware. Sports fans can follow intercollegiate athletics at the University of Delaware s Bob Carpenter Center, Delaware Stadium and other athletics buildings and fields. UD offers 22 varsity sports, which compete in NCAA Division 1. Delaware is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association in all sports. Wilmingon s Frawley Stadium is home to a Carolina League baseball team, the Wilmington Blue Rocks, and the nearby PPL Park in Chester, PA, is home to the Philadelphia Union (soccer). South Philadelphia Sports Complex is home to Philadelphia s professional teams: the Eagles (football), the 76ers (basketball), the Wings (lacrosse), the Phillies (baseball) and the Flyers (hockey). For even more information: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church: Parish Profile photos: shutterfly.com/ Episcopal Diocese of Delaware: Visit WilmingtonDE: New Castle County, Delaware: Red Clay Consolidated School District: State of Delaware: Cost of Living Delaware is the home of tax-free shopping. The tax rates on personal income in Delaware range from 2.2% to 5.5% for incomes under $60,000. Incomes over $60,000 are taxed at 6.95%, but will be reduced to 5.95% by This area offers great quality of life with an affordable cost of living. Housing prices average $245,800, with the average household paying $503 in County taxes annually. School taxes depend on the district in which one resides, averaging around $1,000 countywide. There are no state-assessed property taxes. The median household income in New Castle County is $62,051. Business refers to Delaware as the corporate capital of the world with more than 60 percent of the nation s Fortune 500 companies incorporated here, including leading-edge pharmaceutical, biotechnology and financial services businesses. This area is the corporate home to the DuPont Co, W.L. Gore and Associates, Astra-Zeneca, Bank of America and Amazon.com. 21

22 Who do we want to become? St. Barnabas is a parish ready to write the next page in its history. After three years of transition and change, a strong core of dedicated parishioners has emerged with the desire to welcome a new rector. Together, as a congregation, we have worked to maintain our service to each other, reach out to the community and sustain our church. We are looking for a rector to join our walk and help us grow in the knowledge of our faith. In December 2012, a parish survey was completed concerning what attributes and characteristics are desired in our new rector. The results are consistent with the outcome of the Holy Conversations conducted earlier in the year. The three most valued attributes our new rector will have: Youth of the parish present an annual Christmas Eve pageant. 1. He will counsel parishioners through difficult times and share in fellowship. 2. She will support the youth of our parish in Christian Education and Youth Ministries. 3. He will preach sermons that create a desire to grow in the knowledge of the Gospels. In addition, we value a priest as a teacher to help us know and understand the Bible and Christian theology. She will join us in extending our warm welcome to all who enter St. Barnabas. We seek a leader who respects our lay ministry. We bring enthusiasm and a readiness to meet new challenges. We respect each other and honor our common journey in faith. Celebration of Baptism We have ideas and energy for ministry. Our next rector will lead us in reestablishing the very successful youth group program for the young members of the parish. Until about two years ago, the 22

23 youth group held weekly meetings, participated in service projects, was active in parish activities and served at work camp. Other areas for growth include adding a service during the week, addressing the needs of an aging parish, exploring a prison ministry and expanding our music offerings. St. Barnabas is located in a suburban area with easy access to downtown Wilmington. Our outreach programs have contributed financially and with volunteer service the Delaware Food Bank, Emmanuel Dining Room, homeless shelters and ERD. Yet, in our neighborhood, there is real need. Ideally, our new rector will help us seek out those in real need of Christian charity and draw them into our joyful fellowship. We seek a rector whose close relationship to God and guidance of the Holy Spirit inspires others. We seek a teacher who preaches based in scripture yet makes the Gospel relevant to our daily lives. We seek an educator for the youth of our parish to provide them with the needed tools to grow in Christian faith. We seek a leader to develop our congregation, hear our voices and help us grow into our mission. We are called by God to see Christ in all persons, grow in faith and live in joyful fellowship with one another. 23

24 St. Barnabas back patio The St. Barnabas Transition Team Jeff Bowersox Anne Dixon Dave Greenwood Lori Kramer Lynn McIntosh Mary Leslie Tise, Co-Leader Leslie Walker John Warrington, Co-Leader Vestry Liaisons: Terry Flanagan Marianne Pena Consultants: Rev. Bud Holland Rev. Elizabeth Masterson Standing Committee Representative: Rev. Ruth Kirk St. Barnabas Parish Profile, 24