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November 1, 2024

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Dear ones,


Each Thursday during our Healing Eucharist, we’re all invited to reflect on the day’s appointed scripture. No sermons on Thursdays, instead, all voices are invited. We ask questions, we puzzle things out together, we tell the stories of how the scripture speaks into our lives and into the life of our community. Yesterday, we read from the sixth chapter of Ephesians: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.


While most of us don’t take the notion of a devil literally, we did talk about the reality of evil, asked questions about the language of battle and connected what we heard in Ephesians, Psalm 144 and the gospel of Luke. The language of battle is startling, but when we see what St Paul is doing – redressing the Roman occupying soldier in the garments of the kingdom - truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and the presence of the Holy Spirit, “battle” takes on new meaning. More than one of us pointed to the upcoming election – we’ve all heard it talked about as a battle ground.


This election seems to have raised more anxiety and tension than any I’ve experienced. Many of you have told me about your own feelings and fears. It’s hard to get through the day without a roller coaster of emotions evoked by the headlines, the campaigning, the yelling, the lack of civility, the battle. So here is a gentle reminder for you. God is in all of this. God’s Holy Spirit is alive and well, wanting to live and breathe through you. So pause, take a time out, breathe deeply and remember the God who loves you is the God who has promised to be with us always, even, or maybe especially, in the midst of tension and anxiety. 

Whatever happens on Tuesday is not going to change the fundamental reality that we belong to the God of Love and that our job as Christians is to hold hope. And that is what we must do. We are resurrection people and it’s more important now than ever to proclaim God’s kingdom come among us by living lives of love, and acting for justice, mercy, dignity for all God’s people, and for peace. God is right here. I promise.


We’ll be holding a contemplative Evening Prayer Service on Monday, the eve of the election, at 5:30 in the sanctuary. Come and rest in the God who loves you and everybody else too. The church will be open until 8:30 on Monday and all day on Tuesday so that you can come and simply rest in God. I’ll hope to see you there.



Can't wait to see you in church on Sunday! Faithfully, Karen

Friday | November 1

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

 

Saturday | November 2

8 a.m. | Investiture of Bishop-elect Sean Rowe | Streaming (info below)

9:30 a.m.–Noon | Contemplative Ministries, Wisdom Day | Parish Hall

 

Sunday | November 3

8 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I | Sanctuary

Post–Service Coffee Hour | Parlor

9:45 a.m. | Godly Play, Grades PreK–5 | Youth Room

10 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite II | Sanctuary

Post-Service Coffee Hour | Parish Hall

2–4 p.m. | Youth Group, Grades 6–12 | Youth Room


Monday | November 4

2 p.m. | Stewards of Creation Meeting | Library

5:30 p.m. | Election Eve Prayer Vigil | Sanctuary

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

 

Tuesday | November 5 | Election Day

9 a.m. | Centering Prayer | Sanctuary

10 a.m.–4p.m. | Church Open for Prayer | Sanctuary

Noon | St. B Staff Meeting | Zoom

 

Wednesday | November 6

1:30 p.m. | Senior Ministry | Fieldstone

6:30 p.m. | Adult Faith Formation | Parish Hall

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

 

Thursday | November 7

9 a.m. | Healing Eucharist | Sanctuary

1:45 p.m. | Senior Ministry | The Madison

4:30 p.m. | Vestry First Thursday Meeting | Zoom

7 p.m. | Parish Choir Rehearsal | Choir Room

 

Friday | November 8

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

 

Sunday | November 10**

8 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite I | Sanctuary

Post–Service Coffee Hour | Parlor

10 a.m. | Holy Eucharist, Rite II | Sanctuary

Post-Service Coffee Hour | Parish Hall

 

*Email etienna@stbbi.org to be added to the Compline Zoom email list.  

**No children or youth ministry activities November 10.

Parish Events Calendar
Keypad Code Request Form

Fall Back One Hour

This Sunday, November 3!

Newsletter Announcement Reminder

There are so many ways to communicate information these days: phone, email, text, social media messages, and the old fashioned method of actually talking to one another in person! The church office has created an announcements form to collect information members want to share with our community. This allows us to keep announcements in a centralized location to prevent things from falling through the cracks. If you have an announcement for the Friday newsletter or Sunday bulletin, please click the button below (available in this newsletter each week), and use the form to get this important information to us. Thank you for your help!


—Etienna Wright

Parish Administrator

Submit Announcements and Events Here

Submission deadline is each Wednesday at 4 p.m.

2025 Annual Giving Campaign

Our 2025 Annual Campaign kicked-off last Sunday! If you missed it or would like to view the campaign presentation and third quarter financial update in more detail, click the button below. You can also click the Pledge Online button to read Rev. Karen’s message for the 2025 Annual Campaign, and to submit your pledge online.

Annual Campaign &Q3 Presentation
Pledge Online

Investiture of Presiding Bishop–elect Sean Rowe

Saturday | November 2, 2024

In this historic and joyful season, we invite you to pray for guidance for our church and our new presiding bishop as he leads us in envisioning the reign of God in our midst. May our celebration unite us as a sacramental community, and may we be filled with new energy to bear witness to God’s work of redemption.


Who: Everyone is invited! 

What: The Episcopal Church will officially welcome the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as its 28th presiding bishop with a smaller, simpler investiture service aimed at reducing carbon footprint and increasing churchwide virtual participation.   

When: Saturday, November 2, with a prelude featuring a “roll call” of dioceses starting at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PST. The service itself starts at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PST. 

Where: The service will be livestreamed on the investiture event page and on The Episcopal Church’s Facebook page. A recording will be posted and distributed after the service. 

How can I participate? Churches, dioceses, small groups, seminaries, and other Episcopal communities are encouraged to organize watch parties to participate in real time with Episcopalians around the world.

Election Eve Prayer Vigil

Join us on Monday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m. for a service of Evening Prayer with intentional prayers and quiet reflection as our country embarks on local, state, and national elections. The church will remain open until 8:30 p.m. on the eve of the election, and will be open for quiet meditation and prayer from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Election Day. All are welcome.

Sound the Trumpet

Organ Recital

Join us on Sunday, November 24 at 2 p.m. for Sound the Trumpet: Organ Recital. Whether you are a classical music enthusiast or simply looking for something new to do on a Sunday afternoon, this event promises to be an enriching musical experience for all. Our very own Music Director & Organist, Sheila Bristow, will perform solo organ music of Bach, Buxtehude, and Mendelssohn. Soprano Emily Neer and mezzo–soprano Rae Hyra join for vocal duets by Cozzolani and Purcell. Join us for a musical celebration of the end of the church year! A small reception in the parlor will follow.


Please visit the Eventbrite link to reserve your tickets. This is a free recital, however your donation will help the St. Barnabas Music Ministry continue to provide quality music programs such as this recital, Vespers with Schola Nova, and other special programming throughout the year. Thank you for your generosity and support. 

Reserve Tickets

From Music Director & Organist, Sheila Bristow

One of the interesting conundrums of working as a worship leader at a church is—when do you actually get to worship? There’s a saying that the clergy worship during the music, but that is a harder proposition when you are the church musician! While I’m able to grab moments of peace or inspiration on a Sunday morning, it’s important to get to other spaces where I am a “civilian.” In the last month, I’ve managed to attend three evening services: Choral Evensong at Epiphany in Seattle, where I had a great time catching up with colleagues; Choral Vespers at Queen Anne Lutheran, which was fancied up for Reformation Sunday; and here on the island, Compline at St. Cecilia Catholic Parish. This contemplative service is offered monthly by an a cappella men’s ensemble, directed by Emily Neer, and it is a lovely quiet end to the day. The liturgy is also very Episcopal—some of the prayers were quite familiar! The next compline service at St. Cecilia located (1310 Madison Ave N) is this coming Sunday, Nov 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.


—Sheila Bristow

Godly Play This Week

Getting to church on Sunday mornings can be a challenge for our littlest EpiscoPals. Getting up and dressed on a day off is a tall order. The good news is, Godly Play is casual. Kids don’t want to get dressed? Bring them in their pajamas! Feeling some kind of way about their messy hair? We don’t care! Come as you are and we’ll welcome you with open arms.


Meet up in the Youth Room, and after checking your little people in, parents can go to church and enjoy worship on your own. Kiddos will be brought back into church during announcements in order to celebrate Holy Communion with their family and their St. Barnabas community. See you Sunday!


Sunday | 9:45 a.m. | Grades PreK–5

Fall 2024 Godly Play Schedule

Youth Group at St. B

Join us on Sunday afternoon for Youth Group! Grades 6–12 will meet from 2–4 p.m. Snacks, foosball, a short lesson, and hanging out together. Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!


Sunday | 2–4 p.m. | Grades 6–12


Please click the button below to access our Fall 2024 Youth Group schedule through November.

Fall 2024 Youth Group Schedule

Youth Group Movie Night

As you can see from these pics, October movie night was a blast! On November 16, we'll watch Addams Family Values, which has a hilarious Thanksgiving sub-plot. I also have a fun version of Thanksgiving Family Feud that we'll break into teams to play. Prizes for the winners!


This is a great opportunity to hang out together and build community with nothing but fun on the agenda! As always, dinner and sweet treats will be provided—with November being Thanksgiving themed! Please RSVP so that we have enough food for everyone. Friends are welcome—the more the merrier!

Movie Night RSVP

The Episcopal Way of Christianity:

An Exploration of Episcopal Theology, Spirituality, and the Church

Wednesday Evenings thru Nov. 20

6:30–8pm


Please join us on November 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall for another session of our fall Wednesday evening series “The Episcopal Way of Christianity.” We’re scheduled to engage The Book of Common Prayer with Rev. Karen next Wednesday, which happens to be the night following the election! We will gather in prayer for conversation, either about The BCP, or about the election, whichever is needed! Please do join us!  

 

You are welcome to bring food or beverages for yourself, and if you need a ride, we can help. If you need a ride from Poulsbo, please contact Michael Fitzpatrick, 530/588-0954. If you need a ride on Bainbridge, please contact Linda Maxson, 206/300-1636. Join us for what is sure to be rich and rewarding conversation!


Coming up:

November 13: Sacraments & Liturgy

November 20: Spiritual Practices & Finding Your Own

St. Barnabas Spotlight:

An Order for Compline on Zoom

“The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning ‘completion’ (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness and reflection before rest at the end of the day.” (from ChurchOfEngland.org)


Compline is a very short service (about 10 minutes), beginning with confession (a time of silence to privately review the day), continuing with a Psalm and time for prayers (including everyone on the parish prayer list), ending with ‘The Song of Simeon’ also known as the Nunc Dimittis—a beautiful poem from Luke’s gospel.


At St. Barnabas, Compline happens three nights a week on Zoom (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 9:00 p.m.). Because Compline is traditionally the last office of the day, we do not chat after the service (other than a quick “good night” and “thanks!”). We do, however, have (optional) time for catching up on news and chatting before the service—starting around 8:45.


To be added to the Compline Zoom email list—which goes out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—email Etienna, etienna@stbbi.org.


Questions about Compline? Contact one of the dedicated Compline officiants:

Peggy Eichenberger, peichenbee@gmail.com; Kirk Eichenberger, keichenbee@gmail.com; Brian Andvik and Laura Carroll, bkandvik@aol.com.

Advent Art Project

Calling all poets, writers, painters, photographers, storytellers, and observers to participate in our Advent Art Project! Each day during the Advent, we will send out a seasonal reflection of watching, waiting, longing, hoping, expecting, listening, and maybe even silence, in whatever artforms we receive - poem, painting, story, music (recorded links, please!), photo, etc. We hope this provides a way for us all to reflect on the Advent season and the coming of Christ into our world.


If you'd like to contribute to our project, (and we hope you will!), please email etienna@stbbi.org. Please feel free to share with fellow artists! Submissions are due by Sunday, November 24.


Artwork by Kate Forbush (2022): Lucia of Syracuse, also known as Saint Lucy, or Saint Lucia; Christian martyr; The Feast of Saint Lucy is celebrated during Advent on December 13.

Welcome Table Team Needs Extra Hands

The Welcome Table still needs two or three substitutes to be part of a back-up crew that might get called once or twice in a year. To use the World Series analogy, the bull pen. Think about when you first came here. Did you stop there for information, ideas, conversation? Did that help you make the decision to be part of this loving congregation? To volunteer (and couples are great for this), contact Kathleen Jennings, jennings@bainbridge.net or text 206/909-2151.

Outreach Ministry Hurricane Relief Update

From Sue Thompkins, Outreach Committee Chair

I wanted to update you on the hurricane relief efforts going on in the southeastern part of the US. Thankfully some people’s lives have returned to normal. For others adapting to the devastation continues. Many people now have power and access to cellphone service. Large numbers of people do not have potable water in their homes but can now flush toilets. Many people no longer have homes or they have homes that are uninhabitable. Then there are those who have lost loved ones and are facing long term grief. Throughout all of this misery and destruction, people from outside the area have come together to show love and support for the residents who have been impacted by the storm.


Episcopal Relief and Development is one of the agencies that is providing help in these areas. ERD will continue to be on the ground particularly in FL and NC working with local parishes to help people rebuild their lives. At this stage in the recovery process, monetary donations are appropriate. Your Outreach Committee invites you to join us and your fellow parishioners in making a donation to Episcopal Relief and Development. You may donate online at www.epsicopalrelief.org. Donations should go to their Hurricane Relief Fund. If you prefer, you may donate through St. Barnabas. Make a check out to St. Barnabas and write Hurricane Relief Fund on the memo line.


On behalf of the Outreach Committee, I would like to thank you for your concern and caring for those individuals impacted by these two storms and for joining us in making a monetary donation to relief efforts.

Climate Corner

In Praise of Rags

When there’s a spill in the house, most of us will reach for a paper towel. It’s cheap, works well to absorb most liquids and is easily disposed of.  But there are environmental consequences of that choice. Most of us think of the trees that are destroyed to make the towels, but trees are a renewable resource. There are many more damaging impacts that result from our reliance on paper towels.

 

I think it is in the preparation, transportation, and disposal that the greatest damage is done. Most paper towels are treated with chemicals, including dioxins, to give them the hygienic look we adore. The runoff from production areas can affect the surrounding waters. The towels are wrapped in plastic and transported long distances before they reach our super market shelves, using vast amounts of fuel (and that dreaded plastic!). Finally, the amount of methane given off in the decomposition of the paper towels contributes greatly to global warming. 

 

So I would like to encourage the use of rags….and by rags I do NOT mean those specially designed cloth replacements for paper towels. I mean our own old garments, sheets, any old fabric that can no longer be used for its original purpose. I love my rags. The memories they bring back each time I use them help lighten the load of housework. I have two I specially love: the first is the last of the diapers we used for our three children (youngest is 43 years old) and the second is bits from a lappa (African wrap-around skirt) I wore on a river-boat trip on the Niger River from Bamako to Timbuktu more than 50 years ago. So embrace those rags and help save the planet!


—Peggy Eichenberger

Stewardship Corner

Our Building and Grounds

St. Barnabas has been blessed with a beautiful campus. The quiet serenity of our grounds enriches our lives as well as the lives of our neighbors and helps us to enter a sacred space. The Sanctuary lifts our hearts and our souls to God and embraces us in the warmth of communal worship. The parish hall, library, and classrooms provide opportunities to nourish our minds and build our community life. The bell tower at the head of the bay is an iconic Bainbridge Island image. We are so fortunate to worship, reflect and learn in this environment.


The buildings and grounds have a long history of parishioners’ stewardship from the very outset of St. Barnabas parish. You may be aware of a new committee, Campus Stewards, that is currently looking at the long-term stewardship of our buildings and grounds. We have been digging into the construction history and have rediscovered some amazing stories that I would like to share.


St. Barnabas was founded in 1946 by a small group of truly dedicated individuals who raised the Sanctuary and parlor building through the gifts of time, talent, and financial support. The Sanctuary was designed pro bono by Seattle architect John Graham, locally famous as the designer of the Space Needle. The inspiration for the design, championed by founding parishioner Jim Hodges, was the English country church. Efforts to secure the site where St. Cecelia’s now stands failed, so the backup plan was to build on our current site, property donated by Sam Clarke and added to by Leo Black.


The construction of the Sanctuary was funded by parish and community donations for the sum of about $45,000! Construction began in March of 1946 and the first services were held in November of 1946! Can you imagine a building of St. Barnabas’ stature constructed in 8 months today? This was no rush job, though. Every effort was made to ensure high quality materials and techniques were used and the outstanding shape the building is in today is a testament to the success of those efforts. The parlor building was creatively acquired by purchasing the former WWII USO building in Winslow for $1.00, moving it to the site, and modifying it to adjoin the Sanctuary. This structure served as the parish hall for many years.


Jim Hodges had the incredible foresight to create an endowment fund for the continued support and maintenance of the facilities. This fund is still in existence today and has grown through investment and the legacy gifts of many parishioners. The sexton position at St. Barnabas was first instituted in 2007 to deal with many of the less glamorous details of maintenance, including aging heating, irrigation and electrical systems, to name a few. This has been so important to our collective stewardship efforts, as the campus approaches 80 years of operation.


There have been many additions and to our campus, both large and small, that enrich our experience. Here are a few fun facts:


· The parish hall was built in stages beginning in the 1960s. The second story was added in the early ‘80s, with much of the work done by parishioner volunteer labor.

· The stained-glass windows in the Sanctuary, part of the original construction, were designed by one of the pre-eminent stained-glass artists of the early twentieth century, Connick Studio in Boston.

· The statue of the Madonna and child in the center of the Close was sculpted by Ebba Rapp McLauchlan, a nationally recognized sculptor and one of very few women sculptors in the Seattle area in the 1930’s and 40’s. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Portland Art Museum, and the Frye Museum.

· The carillon bells we have today replaced the original autoplaying chimes in the bell tower in 2003. Before this time there were no bells to ring after service.

· The original organ was replaced in 2005 with a Bond organ, designed and built in Portland, Oregon, using seed money from a parishioner and fully funded through many parishioner gifts.

· The interrium is a surprisingly recent addition, originally dedicated in 1980 and expanded in 1999.

· The large Celtic cross that hangs in the parish hall, also used for adoration of the cross on Good Friday, was made by my husband in 2009. It is solid red oak, made without any nails. I know that he was honored to be asked to make such a contribution and so grateful that he had the ability to do it.


There are innumerable changes, additions and repairs that have occurred since the founding of St. Barnabas that make our campus the spiritually nurturing place that it is today. I feel so grateful to be a recipient of the gifts of past generations and feel their presence still among us today. The foresight, creativity, hard work, and financial support of previous generations is truly inspirational and serves as a model for “paying it forward” so that future generations may continue to be inspired and transformed by the enduring love of God.


Mary Anne Smith

Campus Stewards Committee

Praying For Each Other:

The St. Barnabas Prayer Chain

Is there someone you would like us to pray for? Would you like to pray for others in our community? The St. Barnabas Prayer Chain consists of a group of volunteers who believe in the power of prayer and who willingly and regularly pray for others. Drucy Burnet Hodge (drucy15@msn.com or 206/780-2904) coordinates our chain, receiving requests for prayers, and sends those prayers out to the ones who pray. If you would like us to pray for you or someone you love, please contact Drucy. Prayer requests can be as simple as giving a first name and asking for prayers or more detailed, if you’d like. Parishioners remain on the prayer list for a month, non–parishioners for two weeks. The long-term prayer list is periodically reviewed and revised. If you would like to join us in praying for the people on our Prayer Chain, please email Drucy at drucy15@msn.com, and ask to be added to the list.  

Our Prayer List This Week:

 *St. Barnabas parishioners 

Prayers for healing, comfort and peace:

*Kathy

*Sally

*Sue

Maggie

Danny

Olga



Prayers for those who have died:

Francis

Gordy

Long term prayers:

*Kathleen

*Ken, Stephanie, & Jeff

*Mike

*Rebecca

*John

*Marnie and Rob

*Kathy and Michael

Cramer

Paul and Jerry

Jeff

Mollie & Cyrus

Christopher & Melissa

Vince & Sean

Harry, Marisa & Margaret

Deacon Dan Fowler and other volunteers from St. Barnabas lead devotion services at area senior living centers on Bainbridge Island.


All are welcome to come and join us!

 

The Madison House

Every Thursday at 1:45 p.m.


Fieldstone—November 6 & 20

Memory Care 1:30 p.m.

Assisted Living 2 p.m.

What’s the buzz? Tell me what’s a–happenin’! Know about a community event? Submit the info in the announcements form so that we can let the St. B community know what's happening on Bainbridge Island and beyond!

Día de Los Muertos at BIMA

On Saturday, November 2, BIMA will host community celebrations of Dia de los Muertos that are memorable, beautiful, and rich with Mexican cultural significance. Click here to learn more.

Election Night Prayer Service

JustFaith Ministries

Tuesday, November 5 | 4 p.m. PST


Make some time for self-care and join JustFaith Ministries via Zoom on election night to pray together as results roll in. Turn off the news for a few minutes to take a deep breath, meditate with music, and be encouraged by scripture and wisdom. Join in a guided liturgy, taking comfort in each other’s presence, and discerning God’s guidance for the road ahead.


Get the Zoom link.

Homecoming Conference 2024 Celebrating Life, Planning for Death

Saturday, November 16 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.


End of Life planning can be daunting, particularly if it isn’t taken care of before the end of life! Come hear experts from various areas of end of life planning answer the questions “What should I do?” and “Where do I start?”


Join us at St. Antony Episcopal Church in Silverdale to hear from attorney Bryan Wichert, Funeral Director Tim Dinan, Church Musician Chris Eisenberg, and Kitsap County Episcopal Clergy for a half-day workshop that will include introductory talks on financial and legal planning, medical planning, logistical planning, and resources for creating your own funeral service. Discussions of wills, hospice/palliative care, post-mortem care logistics, and funerals will provide you with good advice, great resources, and plenty of time for questions and answers.


We will celebrate a brief Eucharist following the presentations and close with lunch. Registration required: 15$, payable online or by cash/check on the day of the event. Click here to register.

Read the Diocesan Newsletter

Election Resources, Services, and Events

In this divisive election season, the Diocese of Olympia has compiled a list of election resources, services, and events from congregations across the diocese. Click here to find out more!

Submit Announcements and Events Here

Submission deadline is Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Normal office hours are from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday–Friday. Please be in touch via email or phone 206/842-5601 and we’ll get back to you as soon as we’re able!
For general inquiries please email info@stbbi.org
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