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 People of St. Barnabas,

Last fall, your Vestry approved a Sunday morning schedule that shifted service times from 8 & 10 a.m. to 8 & 10:30 a.m. This 30-minute shift opened up a bridge between services, during which time classes, discussions, and presentations could take place. This trial change in the Sunday morning schedule came with the promise that the schedule would be revisited at the Annual Meeting with a final decision to be made by Pentecost which, this year, is Sunday, May 24. 

During the Annual Meeting, we had a brief check-in about the trial schedule. It is now time for an all-parish conversation to discuss the framework of our worship and learning on Sunday mornings. To that end, we will have an All-Parish Conversation following the second service on Sunday, May 3. 

In preparation for that conversation, a survey has been created to get your feedback regarding Sunday morning activities. All who attend worship at St. Barnabas are invited to submit a survey that can be found here. The deadline for survey submissions is next Tuesday, April 28. The All-Parish Conversation and surveys will provide feedback to the Vestry who will make a final decision about the Sunday morning schedule during their May meeting. When making their decision, the Vestry will focus on the question: “Which Sunday morning schedule best aligns with the St. Barnabas Mission Statement?” Our statement reads:

“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.”

It is important to remember the reality of this busy congregation which means that no one Sunday morning schedule will work for everyone. It is equally important, however, that we have a schedule that offers the best ease of access to faith formation events, presentations from our Finance team, and events to support the ongoing vitality of St. Barnabas. 

As you prepare your feedback on this topic, please consider the following:

• The impetus for the trial schedule change was a request from the Faith Formation team to provide a time between services for classes, presentations, etc. Since the schedule change, the Bridge schedule has become fully occupied with a variety of presentations.
• The suggestion for the schedule change was made because of identified drawbacks to having educational/presentation time after the second service. This impacted both fellowship during coffee hour, and 8 a.m. attendees' presence at such events.
• With the change, there was hope that folks from both Sunday morning services would have a chance to mingle during The Bridge. 

I hope that you will offer your time and prayerful consideration in preparing your survey responses, especially if you are unable to attend the all-parish conversation. Your time and thoughts regarding this important parish issue are deeply appreciated.

Finally, except for the service of Healing and Holy Eucharist on Thursday, April 30, I will be out of the office next week. Sunday evening through Wednesday, I will be in Blaine, WA for a clergy conference. Such events are a wonderful time to relax and be with our bishop, members of diocesan staff, and clergy colleagues. This year’s clergy conference invites "space to breathe, to reconnect and be re-energized.” Ahh…

Easter season blessings to you,

Dianne+

The Reverend Dianne Andrews, Interim

revdianne@stbbi.org

Join us for the Bridge at 9:30 a.m. next Sunday, April 26, for a presentation surrounding Earth Day, including an update from George Robertson on the St. Barnabas solar panel project and announcement of the ribbon cutting and solar energy workshop coming up at St. B. Don't miss it!

God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy: Open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious Name. Amen. 
New Zealand Prayer Book

April 2026

Parish Profile Update

The Parish Profile Committee’s final version of the parish profile was presented and approved by the vestry and sent to the Diocese of Olympia for its review on March 24. The Profile Committee received recommended changes from the diocese on April 20 and is meeting to review and make the suggested changes where applicable. When finished, and after review by the committee, the profile will return to the diocese for their final approval. Once that process is complete, the profile will be made public to the congregation.

Like you, we are looking forward to that day!

—Your Parish Profile Committee: Cathy Davies, Rebecca Ditmore, Peggy Eichenberger, Steve Holland, Pat Todd, Roger Vielbig, Lauren Walsh

Cathedral Day

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Join the “family reunion” for Episcopalians from across The Episcopal Church in Western Washington at Cathedral Day next Saturday! Three members from St. Barnabas are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation: Amanda Davies, Cathy Davies, and Evan Lenz. ALL are invited to attend and support our fellow St. Barnabans! For the full Cathedral Day schedule, click here.    

A liturgy of Holy Eucharist with the rites of Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation for candidates from parishes near and far begins at 10:30 a.m., opening with a grand, colorful procession of parish banners.

Following the service, all are invited to enjoy lunch from food trucks and participate in activities for all ages. (Food truck lunch is free with advance registration.)

Afternoon activities include face painting, demonstration of the Mighty Flentrop (St. Mark's organ), paper airplane launch from the organ loft, docent-led tour including the crypt, a walk through the Greenbelt, and more!

Day School Art Installation

Stop by the parlor over the next few weeks to view the new art installation—we have some budding Picassos walking the halls of our very own St. Barnabas Day School! The current works of art will be up for a couple of weeks, then will be traded out for brand new masterpieces created by St. Barnabas Day School students. Take them in while you can!

What Worship Times Best Support

the Mission and Ministry of St. Barnabas?

In preparation for our all-parish conversation to be held on May 3 at 12:15 in the Parish Hall, a survey has been created to get your feedback regarding Sunday morning worship and activities. All who attend Sunday worship at St. Barnabas are invited to submit a survey response, found by clicking the button below.

The deadline for survey submissions is next Tuesday, April 28. The All-Parish Conversation and surveys will provide feedback to the Vestry who will make a final decision about the Sunday morning schedule during their May meeting. When making their decision, the Vestry will focus on the question: “Which Sunday morning schedule best aligns with the St. Barnabas mission statement?” Our mission statement reads:

“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.”

See Rev. Dianne's message above for more information and guidance. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback to the clergy and vestry at St. Barnabas. Your input is greatly valued!

First Quarter Financial Update

The first quarter financial update presentation is available for your review. It was not presented at The Bridge due to scheduling constraints, but is available for all to view. Questions? Contact Finance Committee Chair Borgan Anderson, borgander47@gmail.com.

Centering Prayer

Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

Centering Prayer: body prayer, chanting, twenty minutes of silence, followed by contemplation of reflections from Meister Eckhart.

Explore Exotic Lands!

The St Barnabas Book Club will be traveling to Albania via the novel Chronicle in Stone by Ismail Kadare. Set during World War II, it is a story of innocence and resilience. We will meet next on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Please join us!!!!

You have been asking for ways that you can help others with your physical presence and caring. Your Outreach Committee has two opportunities available for us all to live into our Baptismal Covenant to "seek Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself..." (BCP, p. 293)

1. Kitsap Homes of Compassion is looking for volunteers in several areas to help support both their residents, staff, and the organization. Can you provide handyman services or lawn care at one of their homes? Are you talented with event planning or fundraising? Can you assist with setting up a house for new residents or closing down a house that they will no longer be using? If any of these areas of service appeal to you, please contact Scott Willard, scott.willard@kitsaphoc.org. Be sure and list "St. Barnabas volunteer" in the subject line.

2. Fresh Start Mondays at Faith Episcopal in Poulsbo is looking for help with its shower, laundry, and food program for neighbors experiencing houselessness. There are many "jobs" available with this weekly program, from serving meals to kitchen clean up, helping with laundry to wiping down the showers. But the most important "job" is to greet and interact with the guests. Meeting them through the call of our Baptismal Covenant to "respect the dignity of every human being" (BCP, p.294), you come to realize that your neighbors in need will teach you about gratitude, respect, and caring for what seems—to you—to be a small thing. You may volunteer as frequently as you like—weekly, monthly, or however your schedule permits. If you are interested, please talk with one of our team (some members are Pat Speidel, Pat Todd, Joan Collins, Chris Davis, Mary Ann Smith) or contact Outreach Ministry Chairperson Sue Thompkins, susan.thompkins@gmail.com.

You have been asking for ways to support Kitsap Homes of Compassion. Your Outreach Committee is happy to give you the opportunity with a Personal Hygiene Supply Drive! From April 12-25 we will collect the following personal hygiene items to take to KHOC, which are always needed by the residents:

toothbrushes

toothpaste

dental floss

body wash or soap

mouthwash

shampoo & conditioner

tissues

combs & hairbrushes

razors

feminine hygiene supplies

hand lotion

You might place the items in a small bedroom trash can or a gift box of some kind. We will collect the items in the church parlor. Let's see how many of these items we can collect—can we fill a truck bed again like we did with our last diapers drive?!?

Godly Play at St. B

Sunday Mornings

Grades PreK-4 thru 5 | 10:15 a.m.

Youth Group at St. B

Sunday Mornings

Grades 6-12 | After 10:30 Service

Vestry Meeting Highlights

I’d like to share a few highlights from April’s positive and productive vestry meeting. We gave thanks for Michael Killion’s service as he stepped down from his role on the Vestry. We are deeply grateful for the time he devoted to St Barnabas. In Michael’s place to finish his term, we welcomed Stu Case. It’s such a blessing to have him join the vestry; he brings a wealth of knowledge and a love of our church. In an effort to have an update from a representative of one of the many ministries, we welcomed Sheila Bristow who shared news on the thriving music program as well as hopes and dreams for it moving forward. Another highlight was an update on our parish profile. It was submitted to the diocese a few weeks ago. Right now, we patiently wait to hear how it was received and pray for as few suggested changes as possible.

—Lynn Eggers, Vestry Member

The St. Barnabas Prayer Chain consists of a group of pray-ers who believe in the power of prayer and who devotedly pray for others. If you would like to add someone to the prayer list, or if you would like to join those who receive information about those for whom we pray, email Prayer Chain Coordinator, Drucy Burnet Hodge, drucy15@msn.com. Parishioners remain on the prayer list for one month, non-parishioners for two weeks. The long-term prayer list is periodically reviewed and revised. 

*St. Barnabas Members

Deacon Dan Fowler and other volunteers from St. Barnabas lead devotion services at area senior living centers on Bainbridge Island. All are welcome join us!

The Madison House

New Time! Senior Ministry at Madison House will now begin at 11 a.m. every Thursday. This move of the ministry to before lunchtime will hopefully benefit all with interest in attending!

Fieldstone—Corrected Dates: April 15, 29

Memory Care 1:30 p.m.

Assisted Living 2 p.m.

Friday, May 8, 8 PM | Our very own Sheila Bristow will be at the organ at Benaroya Hall in Seattle for a neat program with Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus—psalm settings by Lili Boulanger + Holst’s The Planets.

Office Hours: Monday–Thursday | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Outside of office hours, contact the office at info@stbbi.org or 206/842-5601.

For pastoral care emergencies please contact Reverend Dianne Andrews, Interim, 206/817-6530, revdianne@stbbi.org.