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 Saturday’s game night for all ages was fabulous! The competition was fierce! I hope we do it again!

On Sunday, September 13, we will begin a four-week observance of a Season of Creation that will end on October 4, the Feast of St. Francis. During this season, we will focus on God’s “call to grow in faith as we affirm that God in Christ loves, redeems, and sustains the whole of Creation, not only human beings.” We make this observance, also, “…because of the urgency of climate and ecological crisis and the need for a bold, prophetic response.” I offer this preview with a prayer for Labor Day from the church’s liturgical materials for the Season of Creation:

All-loving God, you have so linked our lives one with another that all we do affects, for good or ill, all other lives:  So guide us in our labor and leisure that it may be for the common good of all Creation; and, as we seek the proper share for all, make us supportive of the rightful needs of all creatures who live and love on this earth; through Jesus the Wisdom of Creation, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Please know that the office will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

For this coming Sunday, my sermon will build on last week’s message about recognizing the holy ground beneath our feet as we consider more challenging issues of difficult conversations and creative conflict. In the Zulu language, the word for “hi” is “sawubona!”…which literally means, “I see you, you are important to me, and I value you. I see you and allow myself to discover your needs, to see your fears, to identify your mistakes and to accept them. I accept you for what you are and you are part of me.” What a concept!

Blessings on your week,

Dianne+

Rev. Dianne Andrews

Interim

Homecoming Sunday!

Join us on Sunday, September 20 for Homecoming Sunday! We'll have our annual ministry fair and all-parish breakfast from 9-10:15 a.m. in Tierney Parish Hall. Come and learn all about what is happening and how YOU can get involved here at St. B!

Calling All Cooks!

Like to cook? Like breakfast? We've got just the thing for you! We're looking for a few friends to assist with cooking for the all-parish breakfast to be held on Sunday, September 20. We'll meet in the St. Barnabas kitchen on Saturday September 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to prep for Sunday.

In addition, extra hands would be appreciated the morning of September 20 to help with set-up, serving, and clean-up.

Interested in volunteering to cook or serve? Please contact Jannie Best, 425-301-9966 or Jannibest@aol.com.

Calling All Ministry Leaders!

St. B will host our annual Ministry Fair and all-parish breakfast on Sunday, September 20 in Tierney Parish Hall between morning services, during The Bridge. ALL ministries of St. Barnabas are invited to participate to help all members - long-time and brand new - stay informed about what we're doing to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Please complete the form linked below by next Sunday, September 13 to let us know about how the ministry you lead plans to participate in the Ministry Fair! 

All participating ministries will have space at half of a rectangular table in the hall. If you need more or different space, please contact Etienna in the church office, etienna@stbbi.org. 

Sunday, September 13, 9:30 a.m.

Annual Pledge Appeal

God calls us to think BIG. Join the Rev. Dianne, the Stewardship Committee, and Finance Chair Borgan Anderson in a reflective discussion about our attitudes and practices of giving abundantly. Let’s examine what happens when we share our gifts to support the vital work of our mission. Recognizing the impact our gifts, we can make real change.

How to Help Spokane Area Fire Victims

Your Outreach Committee would like to make you aware of two options for making a donation to help our neighbors in the Spokane area who are suffering from the devastating fires in their area. We will offer you more options as time goes on.

1. Diocese of Spokane: The Diocese of Spokane has set up a Disaster Relief Fund that will provide direct assistance to individuals, families, and congregations as the needs arise. As we know, the needs from this disaster will be long term and change as time goes on. You can make donations online through the Diocese of Spokane, or mail a check to:

Diocese of Spokane
245 E. 13th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99202

2. World Central Kitchen: The mission of the World Central Kitchen is to feed people who are working to control the disaster (in this case, firefighters) and the victims of the disaster. They have been on the ground in the Spokane area for several days now. World Central Kitchen provides relief on an international basis and is a recognized 501c3. You may donate directly to WCK's wildfire relief online, or mail a check to:

World Central Kitchen, Inc.

PO Box 96538

Washington, DC 20090

A Message from The MacKenzie Family

Dear St. Barnabas,

This Sunday, September 6, will be my last day as a regular attendee of our lovely church.

St. Barnabas has played an integral role in my mental health and recovery from a divorce and the loss of my sister. The love and support I have received has allowed me to pick myself back up and provide for my family. Both of my kids are doing very well and entering their senior year at Pacific Lutheran University all due to many of you, especially Rev. Karen and Barbara.

Shortly after I started attending St. Barnabas, Rev Karen reached out to see if I could assist her in finding a new Parish Administrator. I asked her if she would consider hiring me. I was in the position for a year before another amazing opportunity took me away from that role. The role of Parish Administrator was so instrumental in helping me integrate into the St. Barnabas community—a real blessing.

Special thanks to Angie who welcomed me on my first day, Rev Karen for helping me bring my spirit back to myself, Barbara Bolles, Kirk and Peggy Eichenberger, Tom and Karen Beierle, Christine Davis, Kathleen Jennings, Etienna and Rev. Dianne, and to all of you in supper club! Thank you for your friendship and support.

St. Barnabas has provided me many opportunities for spiritual growth. I was searching and I found love from the heart through the incredible scholarly congregation, liturgy, books, classes, and outreach. I enjoyed being an event assistant as we built back our church and community celebrations after COVID.

We are not moving far, we are moving over to Seattle. We will be renting a house that belongs to my brother-in-law on Beacon Hill. He is moving to Los Angeles to be closer to his friends. There are so many reason why this is the correct decision—but it was not made easily and I do feel sad to be leaving.

Please pray for an uneventful move and for continued health and success for Rorie, Alex, and myself. I will be praying for you all in return. I will also drop by and will let you know what Episcopal church I end up at in the next few months.

All the best,

Lisa-Marie MacKenzie

Godly Play Returns September 13!

Join us in the Youth Room on Sunday, September 13, for the return of Godly Play! This summer has seen a reorganization of the Godly Play room, and the story shelves are almost begging to be visited. We can't wait to get started!

We ask that parents join us in the Godly Play room at 10 a.m. on Sunday, September 13 for a brief orientation session. At this time, we will show you around the classroom and provide you with a schedule for the program year. See you there!

Godly Play is for children in grades PreK-4 through six.

Over the past two years, we have tried youth group meetings at a couple of different times, on Sundays none of which seemed to work for many families. We are now asking for feedback from youth and parents on how best to move forward. We have created a survey to get some info from tweens/teens about what you really want in a youth group. Please fill it out so that we can better meet youth and families where you are, providing a youth group experience that is valuable and, most importantly, accessible.

Parents, please take this survey with your middle/high schoolers rather than speaking for them. We really want to know what they want!

Youth Group is for youth in grades seven through twelve.

Centering Prayer

Tuesdays at 9 a.m.

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

Contemplative Wisdom Gatherings Resume

Our world is full of busy-ness as we are inundated each day with more stimuli than we can process with any kind of understanding and meaning, leaving us all depleted and unable to be present to the abiding love of God.

The prayer of the contemplative is, essentially, an attention to the omnipresence of the God who is Love. God/Love is omnipresent not as a theological doctrine, but as the great silence that is present in every moment—but from which we are usually distracted by an overactive mind that refuses to wait in a humble unknowing for a pure wisdom from above.

You are invited to discover this Contemplation which yields to Wisdom as we gather to read, mark and inwardly digest, Silence by Robert Sardello.

This fall, our gatherings continue monthly on Saturday mornings, beginning on October 10, 9:30 a.m. to noon in Tierney Parish Hall. All gatherings include intentional body practice, chant, silence for meditation, small group and whole group discussion.

For dates and planned readings for each gathering, please register with The Rev. Patricia Robertson, revprome@hotmail.com. Inquiries and questions are welcome.

Please join us, even if you have never done so before. You can jump in where we are in the book and savor the earlier study at your own pace. Discover the gift of wisdom and love that emerges in silence, and expand loving Presence in the world.

Save the Date!

It is not too late to join the Summer Challenge. Read a book, listen to a podcast, visit a site, explore an agency and then come and share at our gathering.

Saturday, September 12 from *9–10:30 a.m. in Tierney Parish Hall. Coffee, tea and pastries will be provided.

Questions to ponder between now and the 12th:

• What was the most surprising thing you learned this season? Did a book or speaker challenge something you previously thought was "just the way things are"?
• The "Window" Moment: Think of a specific story, book, fact, visit, or conversation you encountered that acted like a "window" into a life very different from your own. How did seeing through that window change your perspective?
• The "Mirror" Moment: As you learned about diverse cultures and histories, what did you learn about yourself? Did you discover any hidden biases, or perhaps a new way that your own faith can grow?
• A Shift in Spirit: If you participated in an action (like a protest, donation, or service), how did that physical act of solidarity feel compared to just reading or thinking about it?
• Moving Forward: What is one small, specific habit or commitment you want to carry forward to keep your heart "expanded" throughout the rest of the year? How can we, as a church, continue to be better neighbors to diverse communities? Would you like to be part of the planning group for 2027?
• 
  

We look forward to hearing about your experiences and sharing our reflections together!

If you are unable to join us, please feel free to email your thoughts and your interest in being part of the planning group for 2027. Send them to Phil Ferguson, philfergusson@hotmail.com.

*Please note the change in time from previous announcements: our gathering will begin at 9 a.m.

The St. Barnabas Book Club continues to offer opportunities to explore other places and times while diving deep into what it all means in the context of our journeys of faith. Join us in OCTOBER (we are skipping September) on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:30 p.m. in Tierney Parish Hall when we discuss Safe Passage - The Untold Story of Diplomatic Intrigue, Betrayal, and the Exchange of American and Japanese Civilians by Sea During World War II by Evelyn Iritani.

Described as 'an amazing story....pulsing with life, unknown historical details and characters who leap from the page'. Reading this book together will be a fitting tribute to our Bainbridge Island history and the Fall opening of the new visitor center at the Japanese Exclusion Memorial. Join us!!

Vestry Meeting Highlights

August 16, 2026

Vestry met August 16 under the leadership of Senior Warden Elaine Percival. Items of note which we discussed included:

The Barnabas Library committee reported they have completed automation of the church library, consisting of nearly 2,000 books and audiovisual materials. The library catalogue is now completely online at www.librarycat.or/lib/gowenlibrary. Members can check out, place holds and return books online. There is also a paper ledger for those who cannot use an online system.

Barnabas Kitchen Manager Tim Shelly reported on changes coming to his operation. He currently prepares about 2,500 meals per month to be distributed through community organizations to people in need. He is creating a non-profit which will be able to obtain grants, and increase the number of meals prepared.

The fall stewardship campaign is in the works. Kathy Anderson, the campaign head, reported it will begin in October. Watch for news in upcoming church news bulletins.

Respectfully submitted,

David Powell, 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

Our very own Senior Warden, Elaine Percival, has a cozy waterfront apartment for rent, available September 1. Please help spread the word to folks you know who may be seeking a rental, or contact Elaine if you are interested in this delightful Suquamish abode. epercival001@gmail.com, 360/440.4651

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.