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I was thinking about that experience of coming home after a long trip. When we walk through the door, put our things down and sigh. Ideally, home is the place where we find comfort, belonging, and safety.
Home is the place from which we measure everything from – it is a place where we form our identity, our sense of community, and our values. When we meet a new person, one of the first questions we often ask is where they are from. This question for all of us has layers of meaning – it could be about where we were born or grew up or where we live now or perhaps the place that shaped us into the people we are now. I have also learned through travel and friends that different cultures have different understandings of home. Home could mean the land or a physical place, or our ancestral home, or a state of being.
One of the things that I have often heard from people is how St. Barnabas feels like home from the first time they walked through the red doors. I hope St. B. is a place of comfort, belonging, and community for all of you. Our stewardship campaign, “We Will with God’s Help,” has been an invitation to reflect on the ways our baptismal covenant shapes our identity as children of God who strive to live into shared values and a common purpose. This Sunday is our Ingathering Sunday – an opportunity to make a pledge to support our community, our church home. I hope you might consider making a commitment to supporting our life together in the coming year and helping us live into our mission to share God’s love with all people.
That is the thing about home, we don’t stay there all the time. It is also the place, from which we are sent out into the world – to work, to learn, to serve others, and to practice what we have learned at home. St. Barnabas doesn’t just exist inside our building, it is the community of encouragement that holds us wherever we go. It is a gift to serve among you and continue to co-create this beautiful home.
Blessings,
Jane +
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We Will, With God's Help:
Stewardship 2027
Join us this Sunday, October 25, for our In-Gathering Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. as we come together to celebrate God’s abundance and bless all the pledges we have received.
Each pledge represents an offering of love—an act of faith that helps us continue the good work God is doing through St. Barnabas.
Pledges can be brought to the service, mailed to the church office, or submitted online.
| | This Week at St. Barnabas | | |
Sunday, October 25
Reflection Group: African Americans and the Bible | 9 a.m. | Great Hall
Pumpkins and Pizza | 5 - 7 p.m. | Undercroft
Youth Group | 5 p.m. | Undercroft
Monday, October 26
Your Light Has Come Book Study | 11 a.m. | Chapel of the Rose
Tuesday, October 27
Tuesday Morning Bible Study | 10 a.m. | Great Hall
Becoming Beloved Community | 6:30 p.m. | Great Hall
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday Morning Prayer | 8 a.m. | Chapel of the Rose
Thursday, October 29
Choir Rehearsal | 7:30 p.m. | Choir Room
Saturday, October 31
Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting | 10 a.m. | Great Hall
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Stephen Ministry
at St. Barnabas
Did you know St. Barnabas has trained Stephen Ministers available to help you walk through difficult times? Life has a way of bringing seasons we don’t expect. Sometimes we experience a major loss or a difficult transition. Sometimes we are dealing with illness, loneliness, family concerns, stress, or uncertainty. And sometimes, even when everything may look fine on the outside, we simply need someone to talk to—someone who will listen without judgment and walk alongside us. Learn more about Stephen Ministry on our blog.
Please join us at coffee hour on Sunday, October 25th – there will be Stephen Ministers there to answer questions.
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All Saints' Necrology
Sunday, November 1 during services
On All Saints’ Day, we remember and give thanks for those in our church family who have died since last All Saints’ Sunday. Their names will be read during the Necrology at the All Saints’ service. If you would like to add someone who has died in the past year, please let us know by October 23 using the form here.
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African Americans
and the Bible
9 a.m. Reflection Group
Sundays September 20, 27, October 4, 11,18, 25
9 a.m. | Great Hall
For generations, the Bible has been more than a sacred text in African American communities—it has been a source of hope, resistance, identity, spiritual wrestling, and spiritual power. Together, we will cultivate a richer appreciation for Scripture as it has been read and lived through the cultural lens of African Americans, as we deepen our own engagement with the Word of God.
Grounded in The Talking Book by Allen Dwight Callahan, we will reflect on how African Americans encountered, interpreted, proclaimed, and embodied the Bible in the midst of enslavement and the ongoing struggle for freedom and dignity.
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Pumpkins and Pizza
Sunday, October 25 | 5 - 7 p.m. | Undercroft
Our St. B family favorite is back! Join us for an evening of pumpkin decorating and carving, pizza and sides, a costume parade, and a movie! Young Children can decorate a wild polka dot or monster pumpkin, while Older Children and Youth can bring a pumpkin and their favorite carving supplies. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. Youth parents are welcome but not required to attend with their teen. Come enjoy a fun fall evening together! Let us know if your coming so we can plan for food and supplies by registering.
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Prayer Shawl Ministry Meeting
Saturday, October 31 | 10 a.m. | Great Hall
All fiber artists (knitters, crocheters, quilters, stitchers, weavers, …) are warmly invited to join us for fellowship and inspiration. Beginners are welcome. Bring your current project to work on. Light refreshments will be served.For more details, please contact Ali Main or Kathy Kennedy in your Realm Member Directory.
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St. B @ 3 Concert Series: Wayside Winds
Sunday, November 1 | 3 p.m. | Sanctuary
St. B @ 3 welcomes Wayside Winds, a woodwind quintet and chamber group of Cincinnati-based professional musicians who have come together for the past 10 years to have fun playing a diverse range of traditional and contemporary woodwind quintet music. Bring a friend and join us at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary for this free concert!
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Kick-off Your Holiday
Shopping at Village Junction
Thursday, November 19 | 6 - 8 p.m.
Village Junction Boutique - 10827 Montgomery Road
Please join your St. Barnabas friends at an private holiday kick off shopping event! Village Junction, a unique gift, decor and apparel boutique, has agreed to open its doors from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on November 19 exclusively for St. B members to shop, mingle and enjoy a glass of wine and cookie. And if that is not enough, the entire store will be 20% off! Learn more and register.
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Youth Fall Retreat
Friday, November 13 - Sunday, November 15 | Procter Center | Learn More.
Youth Group Ice Skating
Sunday, November 22 | 11:30 a.m. | Summit Park | Learn More.
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Matthew 25 Volunteer Day
Saturday, November 7 | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Join us for a meaningful and enjoyable two hours of service at Matthew 25 Ministries! Our volunteer tasks usually involve simple sorting or packaging—no experience needed, just a willingness to lend a hand. It’s a wonderful way to support a valued community organization while sharing time and conversation with fellow parishioners. All ages are welcome to participate. We hope you’ll be part of this rewarding outreach opportunity! Please register before November 1.
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Upcoming Communications Deadline
Do you have an event, ministry update, or announcement to share with the St. Barnabas community during the Advent and Epiphany season? We’d love to include it!
To help us plan ahead, please submit your events and announcements for December through January 31, 2027, by November 10.
If you have any questions or need help, reach out to Mariah Rowland, Director of Communications.
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