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transform the world by sharing God’s love.

Dear ones,

It’s after 10 on Thursday night and Jim and I just returned home after seeing the film Kintsukuroi. Kintsukuroi can be translated as “golden joinery,” which is the art of repairing broken pottery with resin and gold so that the repaired piece is both stronger and more beautiful than before it was broken. Filmmaker Kerwin Burke chose the perfect name for his perfectly wonderful film about Japanese Americans and their lives leading up to, through, and after the war. Following young men who fought in the war as well as families who were interred, Kintsukuroi makes stories I thought I knew, come brilliantly to life. From the moment I heard of this film’s existence, I knew we needed to bring it to Bainbridge Island. And that’s exactly what happened tonight.

 I’ve lived only minutes away from the Historic Lynwood Theater for nearly 40 years, and while I’ve been there so many times (for films, fundraisers and even church services way back when), I’ve never seen it so full (lots of Episcopalians)! The theater sold out and the community loved it!  The evening opened with Lynwood’s Kevin Lynch speaking of the importance of the film for our times, and ended with a wonderful Q&A with the filmmaker, one of the actors, and the amazing host, our own beloved Barbara Bolles! 

The film is wonderful, beautiful, heartbreaking and heartening. And as our City Councilperson Clarence Moriwaki commented, “a very important film.”  Premiering the film in the Pacific Northwest (it is also showing in Seattle this weekend) has been such an honor. A whole lot of not-church people sat in that theater tonight, hearing that St Barnabas Episcopal Church brought this film to Bainbridge Island because we know that telling the stories of people who were, or are, wrongfully treated, oppressed and dehumanized is essential, hearing that we stand with our neighbors saying, “Nidoto Nai Yoni — Let It Not Happen Again.”

Special thanks to Barbara and Etienna for all they did to make this happen. Tonight felt like the very best of being the church in the world… standing for justice, standing for mercy, standing for our neighbors, standing for the dignity of all people, standing for love. I am so grateful to have been a part of this – and it inspires me to be and to do more. This is, I think, what we were made for, especially in these difficult and tender times. We did a good thing tonight, and I wonder, what’s next?

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

Friday | March 28

9 a.m. | Stations of the Cross | Sanctuary

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom

Saturday | March 29

 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Vestry Retreat | Library

Sunday | March 30

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

No Youth Group | Wright Family is Moving to BI!

Monday | March 31

9 a.m.| Lenten Morning Prayer | Sanctuary

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom

Tuesday | April 1

9 a.m. | Centering Prayer | Sanctuary

Noon | Staff Meeting | Zoom

Wednesday | April 2

9 a.m.| Lenten Morning Prayer | Sanctuary

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

6 p.m. | Lenten Soup Supper | Parish Hall

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom

Thursday | April 3

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 | April 4

9 a.m. | Stations of the Cross | Sanctuary

9 p.m. | Compline | Zoom

Saturday | April 5

 9 a.m.-Noon | Contemplative Wisdom Day | Parish Hall

Sunday | April 6

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

Post–Service Coffee Hour | Parlor

No Godly Play | Spring Break

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

Post-Service Coffee Hour | Faith Formation Invitation to Holy Week | Parish Hall

No Youth Group | Spring Break

Dear Church Family,

In our haste to get ready for our move, we neglected to say thank you, thank you, thank you for the gracious send off you gave us on Sunday, 16 March. It was kind of Karen to schedule it in Lent and kind of you both to celebrate our 25 years together and to wish us well in our leaving. God willing, we will be back to visit, and in the meantime we hope we will stay in touch. We will keep you in our prayers as we hope you will pray for us.

With gratitude,

Jan and Linda

Our Rector Karen Haig recently announced her retirement, effective after Pentecost on June 8. The following graph is provided to help frame the transition process to a new Rector:

Several key points are important to emphasize:

• Rev. Karen has provided much more lead time to prepare for the transition than is common (Thank You!)
• The Diocese of Olympia (DOO) guides the process and provides resources to the Vestry that manages the transition. Your Vestry has already been working closely with the DOO to initiate the next steps, as they become appropriate.
• Prior to Rev. Karen’s departure in June, it is important for us to celebrate her wonderful and effective leadership—both spiritually and administratively. This, along with grieving the loss of her time with us, is our first priority as we approach the transition period.

For those that seek more details about the Rector Transition process you are welcome to talk with any member of the Vestry or read the detailed Rector Transition Process.

Phil Fergusson, People’s Warden, will be at both the 8 and 10 a.m. services coffee hours, Sunday, March 30, to help address questions. We are currently planning on providing monthly updates, beginning the first week in May to keep the parish informed.

Phil Fergusson

People’s Warden

At the Annual Meeting of the parish at the end of January, those present were asked to reflect on three questions: what to keep, what to change, and what draws us to worship at St. Barnabas. Each idea has been noted; summarizing answers will no doubt feel incomplete. Every paragraph could be expanded into an entire essay. Participants turned in a total of 46 surveys! Click here to read the summary of results...

Lenten Learning, Lenten Practice, Lenten Suppers

Join us Wednesday in Lent through April 9| 6 p.m.

Please join us in the parish hall at 6 p.m. for a simple supper, rich teaching, and lively conversation. In this Lenten Series, Cultivating a Meaningful Life by Discovering What Matters Most, we are exploring some essentials of the Christian Life, discovering how they can help us deepen our lives in Christ and help us to navigate the changes in our community and in the wider world. Next Wednesday’s conversation will center around scripture.

Join us for what is sure to be an evening of exploration, growth, healing, and hope (and Rev. Karen's last teaching series with us). Questions? Email Rev. Karen, revkaren@stbbi.org.

Spiritual Growth Opportunities

Adult Formation learning opportunities are regularly offered at St. Barnabas to encourage and nurture our continued spiritual growth in the life of Christ. All are welcome at any upcoming events. We welcome suggestions for future events and volunteers to facilitate or lead classes and discussions on topics you are familiar with.

Wednesdays in Lent

6 p.m. Soup Supper: Cultivating a Meaningful Life by Discovering What Matters Most

Led by The Rev. Karen Haig

April 2

Inauguration of ZimZum Discipleship by our Bishop Phil LaBelle.

Video Introduction to the program for small groups

More information on release of video to come. . .

April 6 (after 10 a.m. worship)

Sunday Forum: Why Holy Week? Presented by The Rev. Jim Friedrich

Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

Centering Prayer: Body Prayer, Chanting, 20 minutes of silence, followed by contemplation of The Gospel of Thomas

Godly Play

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

Join us this Sunday as we begin our Lenten journey toward the mystery of Easter! Entering into this most precious time of mystery and wonder together is so special. We can’t wait to see you there!

Youth Group

Youth Group | 2–4 p.m. | Grades 6–12

During the Lenten season, we will continue in our Holy Troublemakers and Unconventional Saints book, learning about African and African-American people of faith and how their beliefs impacted them, their communities, and the world around them. We will learn about individuals like Fr. Broderick Greer, Rev. Wil Gafney, and Wangari Maathai. Hope to see you there!

Please note: No children or youth ministry on Sunday, April 6 due to Spring Break.

Help for Diocesan Refugee Resettlement Office

Our Diocese is calling for our support for its Refuge Resettlement Office to assist refugees here in the U.S., helping them to find places to live and to get settled here. For the next few weeks, their emphasis is on raising money to help with rent. The Diocese is trying to raise $20,000 before May 1. Your Outreach Committee is .asking you to prayerfully consider how YOU can help. For more information on things you can do to help, please visit the diocesan website. In order to make a donation, please visit the the link below.

If you would like to donate by check, please take an addressed envelope which contains mailing instructions. You can find the envelopes in the church parlor or at the Welcome Table during coffee hour. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of these refugees! Thank you for considering this ministry.

Music Director and Organist, Sheila Bristow, and the Schola Nova ensemble had a great response to Robert Eller-Isaacs’ A Litany of Atonement, which was read at Lenten Vespers earlier this month. The St. Barnabas Music Ministry hopes you hold these words close to your heart this Lenten season.

For remaining silent when a single voice would have made a difference

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For each time that our fears have made us rigid and inaccessible

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For each time that we have struck out in anger without just cause

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For each time that our greed has blinded us to the needs of others

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For the selfishness which sets us apart and alone

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For falling short of the admonitions of the spirit

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For losing sight of our unity

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

For those and for so many acts both evident and subtle which have fueled the illusion of separateness

We forgive ourselves and each other; we begin again in love.

Pillars of Lent

Recently Rev. Karen in her homily allowed each of us to wonder what makes our lives rich and fulfilling. It caused me to recall a piece written by an author in one of our past Forward Day by Day magazines. The author was recalling a wonderful cartoon that depicted two guys sitting by a pond, reflecting on life and the world. One guy says, “I wonder why God doesn’t do something about all the bad things in the world?” His friend replies, “Well, why don’t you ask God?” The first guy answers: “I’m afraid God might ask me why I’m not doing more to solve the hunger, doing more for the poor and even our Mother Earth.”

It seems to me that remembering the time Jesus spent in the desert fasting and praying lends the scriptural basis for what we call Lent. It has helped me to view Lent as having three pillars. There are the traditional practices of Lent, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (works of charity) all of which are seen as ways to deepen our spiritual lives and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. This view provides us with at least three options for a fulfilling Lent. For me personally, my life is enriched and fulfilled by contributing time/talent/resources to the poor as a way to address needs of our community and the world. Perhaps our two guys sitting by the pond might consider doing something tangible and concrete to help solve some of the shortcomings in our world.

—Steve Schmitz

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

Every Thursday at 1:45 p.m.

Fieldstone—April 2, 16, 30

Memory Care 1:30 p.m.

Assisted Living 2 p.m.

BINK IFC Spring Music Festival

Bainbridge Island North Kitsap Interfaith Council is presenting a Spring Music Festival on Sunday, March 30 from 3-4 p.m. at Bainbridge Island’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The theme is “Our diversity makes us stronger,” and there will be musical offerings from area worship communities. You are cordially invited to attend, and St. Barnabas will be represented by Schola Nova!

March 30 is a day for celebration, reflection, and rededication at the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial.

In March 1942, the United States was at war with Germany and Japan. Capitalizing on public hysteria and racist tropes, lobbyists representing nativist groups and competing business interests convinced the federal government to remove all people of Japanese descent from the west coast for the duration of the war.

Succumbing to public pressure, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on February 19. On March 30, the first 227 Japanese Americans, all from Bainbridge Island, were taken from their homes and placed in concentration camps for the duration of World War II. 

Responding to years of advocacy by the Japanese American community, in 1988 Congress passed the Civil Liberties Act, which acknowledged the legal and moral wrong done to that community by its incarceration during WWII. The Act provided for reparations and funds for education with the professed intent of preventing such a violation of civil liberties from recurring. President Reagan signed the Act into law, and President George H.W. Bush signed a formal apology to the Japanese American community when he presented the first reparation checks to survivors in 1990. 

The sentiment that led to the 1988 Act was the seed that a decade later blossomed when the idea for a Bainbridge Island Exclusion Memorial took hold. For more than 10 years, hundreds have gathered on March 30 to remember these events, to celebrate our community, and to publicly resolve to speak out when similar threats to civil society are looming.

This coming March 30, hundreds will gather at the Memorial in community, speaking out by their presence. The Memorial’s motto, Nidoto Nai Yoni (Let It Not Happen Again), has once again been betrayed by a federal administration which at this moment has chosen to disregard the freedoms and rights guaranteed by our Constitution. This Memorial stands as a constant reminder that such lapses by our government will not go unnoticed and unchallenged.

Lent, Holy Week, & Easter

Join our churches and worshiping communities from across the Diocese of Olympia this Lent, Holy Week, and Easter! More services will be added throughout the season, so click here to check for regular updates!

St. Luke’s, Seattle Is Raising the Roof

St. Luke's, Seattle reached an important milestone in their building project! Read more about the January 30 Topping Off Ceremony, their new affordable family housing units, and learn how you can be part of Building a Place Where Love Dwells!

Cathedral Day

2025

Cathedral Day is a “family reunion” for Episcopalians from across western Washington. It’s a time for connecting across congregations and experiencing all your cathedral has to offer. Cathedral Day celebrates the idea of pilgrimage, with Saint Mark’s serving as your sacred destination. We can’t wait to welcome you to YOUR cathedral! Click here to register.

Lenten Office Hours: Monday–Thursday | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Regular Office Hours: Monday–Thursday | 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

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

For pastoral care emergencies, please contact Rev. Karen at revkaren@stbbi.org.