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October 25, 2024

Jesus Healing the Blind Man

Brian Jekel (b. 1951)

We are a community of faith that welcomes and values all people.

We commit to follow Christ, serve others, grow in faith and

transform the world by sharing God’s love. 

Dear friends,

My first Sunday at St. Barnabas was Oct 29, 2023—it’s been almost a year! During this time I’ve had a lot of flashbacks to my previous position at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore. Both parishes have terrific rectors, warm congregations, and a real love of music. There is one significant difference in terms of my job: at Redeemer the choir sings from the back, and there is so much space that I could store my entire organ music library right there. In the chancel area at St. Barnabas, I have to make sure to push in the piano bench after playing so the choir’s pathway isn’t blocked. So, working on space issues is a priority for me, while I also figure things out like what hymns the congregation likes to sing, what time of year the choir seems to go out of town, and all other the practical details that go into music planning. It’s a long–term commitment, but I’m deeply grateful for energized support from choir members, staff—and you.

Onwards to Year Two!

Sheila Bristow

Friday | October 25

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

Friday, October 25–Saturday, October 26

The 114th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia | Tacoma Convention Center

Sunday | October 27

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 | Annual Campaign Kick–Off | Parish Hall

No Youth Group This Week

Monday | October 28

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

Tuesday | October 29

9 a.m. | Centering Prayer | Sanctuary

Noon | St. B Staff Meeting | Zoom

Wednesday | October 30

6:30 p.m. | Adult Faith Formation: Episcopal Way of Christianity | Parish Hall

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

Thursday | October 31

9 a.m. | Healing Eucharist | Sanctuary

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

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

Friday | November 1

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom*

Saturday | November 2

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

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

Submission deadline is each Wednesday at 4 p.m.

St. Barnabas Day School Annual Wreath & Garland Fundraiser

The Day School’s wreath and garland sale has been a St. Barnabas tradition for over 20 years, and is our primary fundraiser for our scholarship program. The wreaths and garland are made locally, last through the season and smell wonderful! Click here to view wreath and garland selections and pricing. Orders can be placed through this form, or you may also order in-person via the sheet in the church lobby. The sheet will be available near the sample display between now and October 28, including on Sundays. Orders and payments are due no later than Monday, October 28. Orders will be available for pick–up beginning November 20. Check payments can be submitted into the collection envelope with the sheet, or cash payments can be put in a clearly marked envelope in the lock box outside the main entrance. Thank you for your support!

2025 Annual Giving Campaign Kick Off

Sunday, October 27

Join us at Coffee Hour for a presentation from the Finance and Stewardship Committees, along with Rev. Karen, our Rector. 

St. Barnabas Financial Update–Q3 2024

The Finance Committee will give brief update of St. Barnabas’s 2024 third quarter finances at Coffee Hour after the 10 a.m. service this Sunday, October 27. A link to the presentation will be available in the weekly newsletter next week!

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. 

Thank You!

After last week’s Vespers service, I was reflecting on the tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes volunteer support offered. This included everything from candle lighting to furniture moving to ushering....and thank you! It is wonderful working together to create a contemplative, choir–led service. As I mentioned in the announcements last Sunday, about half of the attendees are not from St. Barnabas, and the same is true for the singers. Schola Nova is now part of the St. Barnabas music ministry, but it is an offering to and from the wider community. Next month’s Vespers service is November 17 at 6 p.m. If you are interested in being involved, you could:

•Sing! (Soprano or alto)

•Volunteer day of—please email me for information

•Attend—possibly invite friends If those friends have some church–related allergies, please let them know there is no sermon or communion—but there is 5 minutes of silent meditation...something we can all use!

–Sheila Bristow

Godly Play This Week

Wear Your Halloween Costume to Church!

Join us for Godly Play this Sunday, when kids are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes to church! You don't have to be saintly like the little guy pictured here, but isn't that just too cute!?

Get to church a little early and meet in the Youth Room. After checking your little people in, parents can go to church and enjoy worship on your own. Children will be brought back into church during announcements in order to celebrate Holy Communion with their family and their St. Barnabas community.

Sunday | 9:45 a.m. | Grades PreK–5

Youth Group at St. B

Check Out Our Time Change!

There will be no youth group this Sunday, October 27.

With sparce attendance for high school and no attendance yet for the middle school group, we are combining our age groups for Sunday Youth Group! Grades 6–12 will meet from 2–4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Don't forget—we have snacks and foosball! Youth take turns being the DJ for free-time. See y'all on Sunday, November 3!

Sunday | 2–4 p.m. | Grades 6–12

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

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!

Spookarist Eucharist

Due to lack of engagement and volunteers, we have decided to cancel the Spookarist Eucharist scheduled for this Sunday. We had high hopes for this family ministries event, but it seems that families are spread pretty thin this time of year! Questions Contact Family Ministries Coordinator, Etienna Wright, at etienna@stbbi.org.

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 October 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall for another session of our fall Wednesday evening series “The Episcopal Way of Christianity.” Next week’s session will be led by The Rev. Dr. Judith McDaniel who will present an Overview of the Bible: Reading Scripture in the Anglican Tradition. Do we take the Bible literally? Do Episcopalians read the Bible differently than Baptists or Roman Catholics? Why are there so many different translations, and what’s the difference between them? If I’m interested in reading the Bible, where should I start? Believe it or not, we’ll finish by 8 pm.

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 6: Book of Common Prayer

November 13: Sacraments & Liturgy

November 20: Spiritual Practices & Finding Your Own

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. The service itself starts at 11 a.m. ET. 

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.

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

Our fabulous Welcome Table Team needs some backup! We are looking for 2-3 individuals (or couples) to be substitutes for team members when needed. You get to meet visitors and newcomers first, share all about the engaging community we have here at St. Barnabas, and help them to connect with what fits for them. Easy, fun, occasional job. And you can sit while doing this if you want! Contact Kathleen Jennings at jennings@bainbridge.net or text her at 206/909-2151 to volunteer.

Parish Hall HVAC Work

Next week, Jack Frost Inc. will replace the indoor and outdoor units that heat and cool the Parish Hall. The work will be completed by Friday EOD or sooner. 

To remove and replace the indoor unit all chair and table caddies will be moved into the Parish Hall proper for the duration. The access for the work will be through the exterior double doors facing south so these doors will remain unlocked as needed. Thank you in advance for your patience.

George Cole

Sexton

Climate Corner

Sometimes it is hard not to feel discouraged, disconnected, or anxious in the face of all the information we take in about the perils of climate change. We are told that staying hopeful leads to action, or is it that taking action leads us to feel more hopeful? Awareness of the connectedness of all of God’s creation helps us feel empathy for all living things, which can lead to compassion, which can help us to see ourselves as part of the solution. 

Positive actions don’t have to be complicated or difficult. A recent article in the At Home section of the Seattle Times encourages those of us who care for home gardens to build a “critter hotel”. Many beneficial insects and pollinators, as well as a variety of birds and small mammals like to overwinter in our area. While most of us try to tidy everything up in the garden as fall approaches, instead why not try this? Leave the dead leaves, grasses and stems where they are for the winter. This becomes habitat for native bees and other insects to live in. The hollow stalks of plants like sunflowers and elderberry become perfect winter living quarters for others. Leaving seed pods or fruits in place creates a ready food supply in the months when food may be scarce. A pile of wood, branches or rocks tucked away in the corner of the yard can provide shelter. Remember to include a water source! This can be as easy as putting water in a shallow dish lined with small stones and placing it in a sunny place, to avoid freezing. 

All of this is a win/win: much less work for the gardener (what gardener doesn’t welcome that?) and the critters that remain over the winter have a protected place to live! Something as simple as this benefits the environment, but perhaps more importantly, demonstrates to us that there are things that we each can do to be good environmental stewards and to not feel so powerless. One small act may lead us to another, and another, and…

Elaine Percival

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



Prayers for those who have died:

Francis

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!

Hometown Halloween

Thursday, October 31 | 4–6 p.m.

Bainbridge Island Downtown Association presents Hometown Halloween 2024!

Downtown merchants welcome all ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks to ramble Winslow Way in search of tasty treats, spooky tunes and more! Activities will include:

• Complimentary hot apple cider sponsored by Town & Country
• Chili and hot dogs at Eagle Harbor Church for a UNICEF donation
• Look for your favorite teacher scooping at Island Cool (previously Mora)
• DJ will be spinning tunes near Winslow Mall
• Hometown Halloween Photo booth on Madrone Lane
• And of course, trick-or-treating at our downtown businesses!

Winslow Way between Ericksen and Madison will be closed to through traffic from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. BOO!

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!

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

• Pastoral Care, The Rev. Karen Haig, revkaren@stbbi.org or 206/755-2168, Deacon Dan Fowler, danf2828@gmail.com or 206/724-8951, or The Rev. Nancy Tiederman, nancytiederman10@gmail.com, or 206/948-3333.
• Contemplative Ministry, The Rev. Patricia Robertson, revprome@hotmail.com
• Director of Music & Organist, Sheila Bristow, sheila@stbbi.org
• Parish Administrator, Etienna Wright, etienna@stbbi.org
• Family Ministries Coordinator, Etienna Wright, etienna@stbbi.org
• Articles for the weekly e-news, ministry materials, or supplies, reserving rooms, or Zoom time, etienna@stbbi.org
• Financial Issues, Jessica Edmonds, bookkeeper, jessica@stbbi.org
• Buildings and Grounds, George Cole, sexton, gcconsult23@gmail.com
• Suggestions or comments, People’s Warden Steve Schmitz, esallen1zero5@gmail.com 
• Policy Issues, Rector’s Warden Gigi Norwine, gigi.norwine@yahoo.com
• Prayer Chain, Drucy Burnet Hodge, drucy15@msn.com
• Outreach, Sue Thompkins, susan.thompkins@gmail.com
• Community Life, Lisa-Marie MacKenzie, mackenzie.lm@gmail.com
• Community Liaison, Barbara Bolles, bainbridgebarb@gmail.com
• Stewards of Creation, Sue Ellen Case, secase007@gmail.com
• Social Justice, Carrie Beyer, beyer.carrie@gmail.com
• Campus Stewards, Mary Ann Smith, ruahatu01@gmail.com
• Caring Community Network, Dan Fowler, danf2828@gmail.com
• Reiki, Ric Cederwall, ric@stanfordalumni.org