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,

Earlier this week, I spent time with clergy colleagues, Bishop Phil, and members of diocesan staff at our annual clergy conference that was held Blaine, WA. It was a delightfully refreshing time away.

I want to thank all of you who took time to complete the survey regarding the trial Sunday morning schedule. This coming Sunday, following the second service, there will be a presentation of the results of the survey as well as an open parish discussion about how the Sunday morning schedule best serves St. Barnabas. Feedback will be included in the Vestry’s decision-making processes regarding a final decision of whether to continue an 8 and 10:30 a.m. schedule that allows for a Bridge time for presentations, classes, etc., or whether to return to a schedule of 8 and 10 a.m. services with presentation and class time available following the second service/fellowship time.

I would also like to offer a reminder that during The Bridge this coming Sunday (9:30 a.m.) Trip Duncan will lead us in the conclusion of our three-part Invite, Welcome, Connect series.

Easter season blessings to you,

Dianne+

The Reverend Dianne Andrews, Interim

revdianne@stbbi.org

Please join in for the conclusion of our three-part Invite, Welcome, Connect series. Following sessions on evangelism (Invite) and hospitality (Welcome) we now devote our attention to the ultimate goal of belonging (Connect). It is most appropriate in our time of transition at St. Barnabas for all of us to participate in even small ways in this ministry.

All are welcome! Bring experiences, ideas, enthusiasm, and passionate energy to promote parishioner and newcomer belonging at St. Barnabas.

For any questions, please contact Trip Duncan, tripd74@yahoo.com.

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

What Worship Times Best Support

the Mission and Ministry of St. Barnabas?

Please join us for an all-parish conversation this Sunday, May 3 after the second service in the parish hall as we discuss “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.”

The All-Parish Conversation and survey results will provide feedback to the Vestry, who will make a final decision about the Sunday morning schedule during their May meeting. 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.

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!

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.

The Outreach Committee has decided to extend the personal hygiene item drive for Kitsap Homes of Compassion until this Sunday, May 3. We are continuing to collect items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant, razors, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, feminine hygiene products, and hand lotion. Any item that you might need would be appreciated by a person leaving homelessness to enter one of Kitsap Homes of Compassion's houses. Please bring your donation to church and leave it in the church parlor next to the office. You will see the growing stack of items we will take to KHOC. The LAST DAY for donations is Sunday, May 3. Your Outreach Committee would like to thank you for your support of this project.

"Can I do stuff in church, too?" Kids asked, and we answered! In May, we will kick-off Kids Serve Sundays! On months when we see five Sundays, children and youth will have the opportunity to be in on all of the action of worship and service. In the weeks leading up to our first Kids Serve Sunday on May 31, children and youth will have the opportunity to visualize and sign-up for roles they are interested in exploring at church, such as: greeters, acolytes, ushers, readers, writing/reading prayers, or helping the volunteers with coffee hour, the welcome table, or even altar guild!

If your young EpiscoPals have already expressed interest in a certain aspect of worship or service, please let me know and I'll get them on our list! We can't wait to work with the younger members of our church to give them a sense of participation, belonging, and ownership of our church community. Questions? contact Etienna, etienna@stbbi.org.

All middle and high school youth are invited to join us on Saturday, May 9 for our MAY MYSTERY MOVIE NIGHT! Meet in the Parish Hall at 6 p.m. to discover what this month's movie is—which is sure to be a crowd pleaser and a brain teaser! We'll have some clues when you arrive, and if you can guess what the mystery movie is you get an Island Cool gift card!

Popcorn, pizza, and sweet treats will be provided. See you on Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m.!

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—May 6, 20

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.