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Let It Snow
Yesterday, many of our parish children received an early Christmas present: a day to play in the snow, and take in the cold crisp air. As a parent, I was heartened to witness the unbridled joy of my little brood as they "wiggle-woggled" out the kitchen door as if on an expedition to the North Pole. After all the stresses and strains of the school semester, they needed the kind of cure that only Mother Nature provides: a screen-free, outdoor experience that left them ruddy-cheeked and happily tired-out. What a blessing this "wallopingly-good" snowstorm has been in all its raw power and volume. Personally, I appreciated the deeper sense of quiet and peace that yesterday delivered. It gave me a bit more of a sense that Christmas is almost upon us, albeit a Christmas like none that we have experienced before. I will miss greeting so many of you at the door on Christmas Eve; I also lament not being able to make Christmas Home Communion visits, and so the list goes on. However, I am grateful for your presence online, knowing that so many of you tune in faithfully each week and find ways to stay engaged with parish life in its current form. I am also grateful for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that we have successfully completed this year's "Every Piece Counts" pledge drive. It has been a whopping success; and so I thank campaign co-chairs, Jane Gunnison and David Oakes for their leadership and all of you for helping us exceed our original goal.
So friends, I hope that you'll join me online this Sunday, as we round off Advent and head into the Christmas season.
Affectionately,
Gareth
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STEWARDSHIP 2021
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"Every Piece Counts" Stewardship Campaign
We have now received 93 pledges totaling $463,710 for the 2021 campaign. We are so grateful to everyone who has participated. Thank you!
Faithfully,
Jane and David
Co-Chairs of the Stewardship Campaign
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Staff Christmas Gift
If you would like to give a Christmas gift to our staff members, who helped carry us through this year, please write a check to St. Barnabas and note "staff gift" in the memo line. Thank you!
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Christmas Flowers
If you would like to give flowers at Christmas in memory of loved ones, email [email protected] the names of your loved ones, then send a check, for whatever amount you wish to give, made out to "St. Barnabas Altar Guild" with "Christmas Flowers" written in the memo section. Send names by Tuesday, December 22 in order for them to be reflected on the memorial list.
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WORSHIP
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SERVICE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Worship Online
Please join us for a virtual service at
In-person services are suspended.
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Following 10AM worship, we gather by Zoom for
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686
Passcode: 10533
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CHILDREN'S FORMATION
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Outdoor Nativity Pageant Production
Our pre-recorded pageant is starting to come together thanks to the amazing Byfields, Kathy and Tim. As part of the production, we would like to include a video of as many Sunday School children as possible singing Joy to the World. To do that, we're asking that you record and send in a video of your child singing along to the track in the link at the bottom of this message. If all the children sing to the same track, Kathy and Tim will be able to splice the videos together so it appears they're singing in unison. The track is an instrumental version but the words are onscreen so no need to look those up separately. Siblings can be recorded together or separately, depending on their preference.
Please email your videos in original or full resolution to Kathy or Tim by Friday, December 18. (Today!!)
If you have questions or anything is unclear, please reach out to Kathy, Tim or Gabrielle.
Thanks to all of you for helping to make this extra special!
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YOUTH FORMATION
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Youth Group - This Sunday
Bundle up for a fun festive time with Kelli and Jamer on Sunday, December 20, at 3:00PM at the rectory.
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ADULT FORMATION
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After-Dinner at the Rectory
Advent Program of Readings and Reflection via Zoom
For Advent this year, I invite you to join me on Monday evenings to enjoy a little wine or non-alcoholic beverage after dinner . The formal program, starting at 7:30PM, will involve an Advent scripture reading and a poem by Maya Angelou, with reflection time. Here is a link to program materials. Then, for those who would like, we will have time to linger awhile for catch-up and conversation. We will wrap things up at 8:30PM, sharp.
To add to the sense of occasion, church member Judy Brazong (proprietor of My Sherry &more on Main Street in Irvington) helped me pick out a boldly purple red wine called Eruption, harvested from the slopes of an extinct volcano. All proceeds from this purchase will go to the Community Food Pantry in Tarrytown as part of St. B's on-going desire to respond to the huge up-tick in need that people in our Rivertown neighborhoods are experiencing at this time.
-Gareth
Monday, December 21, 7:30PM-8:30PM
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686 / Passcode: 10533
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The Bible Project
Morning Bible Study - Gareth leads Bible Study sessions three mornings a week using The Bible Project materials. You're welcome to join the meeting anytime.
Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, 9:30AM - 10:00AM
How to Read the Bible - Gareth leads Wednesday evening meetings about how the Bible's many different literary styles are used to convey the overall story of Scripture.
Wednesday Evenings, 7:30PM - 8:30PM
Meeting ID: 336 690 2686 Passcode: 10533
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St. Barnabas Book Group
The Saint Barnabas Book Group will meet by Zoom at 7:30 on Tuesday, January 12, to discuss American Pastoral, by Philip Roth. Good to get an early start, as the book has 400+ pages.
All are welcome. If you'd like to get the Zoom link, or if you have any questions, please contact Lea Carmichael Richardson at [email protected].
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The Community Food Pantry for Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow
This local food pantry had 250 families coming on a regular basis prior to Covid. Recently, they had 700 families. If you'd like to help, you may make a contribution online here. Or send a check to:
The Community Food Pantry, 43 South Broadway, Tarrytown NY 10591
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We hope you will keep St. Barnabas strong and resilient financially, as we navigate the ongoing challenges of the current environment. Please continue to make your pledges or contributions. Online payments may be made by clicking here, on our website under the "Give" section, or by mailing your check to St. Barnabas Church, 15 N Broadway, Irvington, NY 10533.
How to Fulfill Your Pledge with Securities or Wire Transfer
Please contact Cynthia Ferguson at 914-631-7188 or [email protected] if you would like to pledge stock as your financial contribution to this year's stewardship campaign. Cynthia is also able to guide you through the process of wiring funds.
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CONNECT & COMMUNICATE
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To schedule a meeting with the rector, call the Parish Office at (914) 591-8194.
Office hours are Wednesdays, 1:00pm-3:30pm.
The rector's Sabbath (day off) is Friday.
For pastoral emergencies, call Gareth directly, at (617) 930-3728.
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If you have announcements to include in the InCommon weekly newsletter, please email the information by noon on Tuesdays.
Sue Stanley
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