SEPTEMBER 2019

For anyone involved in school or church work, September is as much the beginning of a new year as January 1. Programs that were dormant during the summer are starting up again and new opportunities are being offered.

Youth Sunday School begins on September 8, at 10 a.m. Service projects are also scheduled for September.

The St. Barnabas Bells will meet to practice on Wednesday, September 4, at 4:30 p.m. in the CEB

The Choir will resume practice in the Music Room on Wednesday, September 4, at 7 p.m.

Adult Sunday School classes will resume on September 8, except for the Seekers, who will begin on September 29. A new class on 1 Samuel will be led by Alison Acton.

The Tuesday Wisdom School studying the Gospel of Mary Magdalene will start up again on September 3, at 11:30 a.m. in the Library

The Circle of Care (made up of members of the Community of Hope) will hold its dinner meeting on September 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

Our Boy Scout troop 137 has hit the ground running with plans for fund raising and camping adventures.

Our diocese has numerous retreats at Camp Capers and Mustang Island scheduled for fall as well as a study of the Acts of the Apostles that you sign up for at the diocesan web site.

Details on these and other activities can be found inside this issue of the Encourager.

EFM IS MOVING

. . . across the hall in the CEB to the new multi-purpose conference room (formerly the Boy Scout room). EfM had outgrown its original space. Church funds and a generous donation to the EfM program made the renovation and furnishing of the room possible. This space is available for other church meetings as well as EfM.

The first meeting of the 2019-2020 year was held August 30. This year’s participants are Margaret Hawn and Tim Squires, who will be studying the Hebrew Bible as first-year students; Wendy Bush, Leslie Washburn, Lyda Slayton and Cay Meadows, who will study the New Testament as second- year students; and Beverly Carnes, Stephaney Burns and Carol Schreider, who will study church history as third-year students. Molly Martin and Tom Carnes are serving as mentors for the class.

On Sunday, September 22, from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the EfM members will hold an open house for church members to check the room out. It’s really amazing!

Happy New Year!

In honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi,

there will be a

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

on Sunday, October 6, at 4 p.m. in the Courtyard.

All humans are welcome with any and all animals

(on a leash or in a cage).

This has become an annual even full of blessings and fellowship.

We hope to see you here!

Almighty God,

you have called us to tend and keep the garden of your creation.

Give us wisdom and reverence for all your plants and animals

who share this planet with us and whose lives make possible our own.

Help us to remember that they too love the sweetness of life

and join with us in giving you praise.

THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF LIFE

On September 22, a representative from the Ultimate Gift of Life Foundation will give a presentation about this important program. The Foundation was founded in 2014, when 123,000 people in the U. S. including 11,000 Texans, were waiting for donated organs. The Foundation works with transplant recipients, donor families and living donors. Foundation volunteers include a 17-year-old liver recipient from Ingram that received a transplant when six months old and an 18-year-old Tivy senior that waited two years for a liver. Three heart transplant recipients, six kidney recipients, six kidney donors, two additional liver recipients and one double-lung recipient are all volunteers.

Data show that 95% of residents believe that organ donation is a good thing, yet only 52% of Texans have registered. There are over 50 individuals in Kerr and Gillespie Counties needing new kidneys. One organ donor can save up to eight lives with organ donation and over 75 others with tissue donation. Another person is added to the waiting list every ten minutes, with an average of 22 people dying every day while waiting for an organ. While almost 100 transplants are completed daily across the country, there are still over 10,000 Texans on the waiting list.

CIRCLE OF CARE DINNER MEETING

The Circle of Care is a group of Community of Care Lay Ministers who meet every

other month for a pot-luck dinner, program, fellowship and mutual support. This

month’s meeting will be held in the Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, September

9, with Johnny Gorden serving as host. Community of Care members have been

trained to serve others in need of ministry, whether the need is for a hot meal,

transportation, a comforting visit, someone to listen or pray with them.

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR SCOUT TROOP 137

Boy Scout Troop 137 is looking to the future, both how to pay for their future adventures and also how to increase their membership.

The troop will once again sell soft drinks and popcorn at Oktoberfest, October 4 – 6.

They will be selling Live Christmas Wreaths in early October. The wreaths will be delivered in early December.

The troop will begin actively recruiting boys from fifth, sixth, and seventh grades by word of

mouth, flyers distributed at local schools and Facebook ads in late August.

Two camping adventures are scheduled:

Camp out at LBJ State Park and Historic Site, September 13 – 15.

Winter Camp at Buffalo Trails Scout Ranch near Ft. Davis, Texas, December 27 – 31.

On December 10, Scouts will be awarded ranks and Merit Badges earned over the last few months during a special Court of Honor.

Visit us at troop137fbgtx.org, facebook.com/BSATroop137, or call 830-285-1011 for more details.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS ON 1 SAMUEL

Please join the women of St. Barnabas in the study of the Old Testament book, 1 Samuel. We’ll

be using the book, 1 Samuel: “At His Feet Studies” during the Sunday School hour, beginning

September 8th at 10:00 in the Christian Education Building.

Why study 1 Samuel? From the intro of the book,

“The geography, the year, and the cultures have changed, but our God who

sovereignly governs all creatures, nations, places, and events has not. His

intervention, His answer to prayers, His usage of the day-to-day life of ordinary

people to build His kingdom, we learn of Him. We learn of His character, His loving

kindness, His provision, His discipline, and His protection of His people, which

never fail. Our study of these foreign, faraway people and places is a study of our

God, and His care for us, of His never-changing character.”

For questions, contact Alison Acton (512) 695-4930, theactons@gmail.com. I hope you’ll join us!!

UPCOMING EVENTS

CONFIRMATION—Bishop Reed will officiate at Confirmation on Wednesday, October 2, at the 6 p.m. service

ALL SAINTS SERVICE—The Daughters of the King will provide this solemn service Saturday, November 2, at 10 a.m.

THANKSGIVING POTLUCK—This popular annual event will be held in the Parish Hall immediately following the 11 a.m. service on November 3.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN—Will begin on Sunday, November 3.

Youth Ministries

Lots of exciting and energizing activities are planned for St. Barnabas youth this fall.

BRAG BOARD

Each Sunday in the Parish Hall at the Sunday School hour (10—11 a.m.), a slide show will play showing our talented and accomplished young people. Help us share the news by sending your photos with captions to stbyouth78624@gmail.com. Also, plan to stop by to check out the things our youth are doing each week.

SERVICE PROJECTS

The middle and high school groups will jump right in with a community service project in September. The teens will design, and the experienced sewers in the church will stitch “fidget blankets” to give to residents in memory care facilities.

St. Barnabas youth will cook and serve the Sunday Supper on September 29 and every last Sunday this fall.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

All classes will begin on September 8 at 10 a.m.

Pre-K through 2nd grade will focus on lessons in the Godly Play curriculum along with seasonal activities. Teachers will serve on a rotating basis.

3rd through 5th graders will continue with last year’s curriculum and also participate in seasonal activities. Teachers will rotate.

Joe David Shearer will lead the middle schoolers through the history of the Episcopal Church using the Book of Common Prayer.

Parents and other leaders will share rotating lessons and activities with the teens. The calendar for teen activities is in progress.

COMMUNICATIONS

In order to facilitate communications about upcoming events, parents are asked to download the “Remind” app. This app will allow Karen Young to send messages to groups of youth and their parents as reminders, to inform about changes in plans and other pertinent information. To join a “Remind” group, follow these directions:

In your browser, type Remind, click on Sign Up

Fill out your email, first and last name, and enter a password

Select the youth group that you want to get information from by entering one of these codes:

Sunday School (Pre-K—5) @39kc6h

Middle School @77f8ha9

Encouragers (HS) @gkdg26

MOTHER DAUGHTER RETREAT Camp Capers, September 13 - 15 The Rev. Shanna Neff will lead this weekend retreat for daughters and their moms (or mother figures). Arrive Friday before dinner and enjoy a weekend filled with good food, Bible study and worship, singing, fellowship with women of all ages, and lots of fun activities! Return home on Sunday refreshed and filled with new memories, after the closing worship service. Cost for adults is $150, cost for children (ages 6 to 18) is $110. Scholarships are available.

114TH SPIRITUAL RETREAT IN RECOVERY Mustang Island Conference Center, October 4 - 6 Led by the Rev. Philip May, this retreat will explore “family systems” and how people form groups. These systems can help us understand the sources of addiction and give us new tools to change patterns of the past and find healing. The cost is $195 per person (includes lodging and 5 delicious meals). A $75 day rate is available for commuters. Our mission is to provide a safe place to deepen one’s spiritual journey. We offer this to anyone recovering from alcoholism or addictions to other substances, and to the families and friends who have been affected by the disease.

ART AND SOUL RETREAT Camp Capers, October 11-13 Join us for a weekend retreat focused on feeding our souls through art! Art & Soul will create space for creativity and for spiritual, Christian learning in community with other artists from across the diocese. Bring your own Arts & Crafts supplies and work on your projects or sign up for an artist led workshop and learn a new skill. Cost is $310 for Lodge single room; $260 for Lodge double occupancy and $160 for cabins.

MOTHER/SON AND FATHER/DAUGHTER RETREAT Camp Capers November 15—17 This is a brand new retreat for parents and their children (ages 6—18) to experience Camp Capers together. Mothers with sons and fathers with daughters are invited to make memories that will last a lifetime. The cost is $150 per adult and $110 per child.

THE 4TH ANNUAL ABUNDANT LIVING RETREAT: EMBRACING THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE Mustang Island Conference Center October 14 - 16 Sign up for a weekend retreat designed for participants at least "60 years young”. Keynote sessions led by Dr. John Price will be paired with workshops on healthy living, finances, journaling, and dream analysis, as well as free time beach walks, yoga, and music. The cost is $320 for a single occupancy room; $260 per person for a double occupancy room, $90 for Commuters.

FOR INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, CONTACT:

Camp Capers at camp.capers@dwtx.org or (830) 995-3966. Mustang Island at lynn.corby@dwtx.org or (361) 749-1800 .

FROM THE DIOCESE OF WEST TEXAS

LIVING THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

The first apostles were filled with the Holy spirit at Pentecost, and then they remembered Jesus’ words: “Go to Judea, Samaria, and all the world, and tell them about the Kingdom of God” (Acts 1:8). We are commanded to do the same. In fact, the core purpose of the Diocese of West Texas is “Be Jesus’ witnesses.” In our diocesan-wide study of Acts this fall, we will focus on living the book of Acts, not just studying it.

Beginning September 3, the Rt. Rev. David Reed will launch the study of Acts with an audio series of reflections on the themes of Acts. Weekly episodes will be posted for streaming or download from the Adult Christian Formation site, at christianformation-dwtx.org. Following Bishop Reed's teachings, reflections from clergy and lay leaders will be shared on the website, continuing until we enter the Advent Season.

These resources will be appropriate for both group and individual study. A page of recommended Bible studies and commentaries, is available on the Adult Christian Formation website. Individuals can elect to receive notifications when each teaching is released by entering their email address at the bottom of the Adult Christian Formation site.

Father Jeff teaches the MMO kids about the Good Shepherd and leads them in the Lord’s Prayer

MOMS MORNING OFF

MMO is up and running with ten teachers and full enrollment of 40 children.

(l to r) Cynthia Prado,

Jo Ann Duecker

Amy Stehling

Dana Hudson

Deanne Moellering

(director)

Vanessa Prado

Laurie Wilson

Kirsten Whitworth

Barbara Salinas

Courtney Hudson

Elida Rivas.

2nd Melanie Nesbit

Aviya York

3rd Maggie Gillespie

4th Linda Bates

5th Lorri Kendrick

8th Norma Shepard

Phil Giglio, Jr.

9th Luke Mullen

Elizabeth Loggie

Ann Rea

10th Jessica Davis

Barbara Johnson

Helen McDonald

11th Gina Seracen

13th Ann Shult

13th Corbin Yonke

Jim Yuhn

14th Will Cross

15th Diane Matthews

16th Robin Cowsar

Pat Hammond

Molly Martin

17th Denese Gibson

Dick Welch

18th Kelly Albrecht

Karen Brune

Amanda Marschall

Pat McCormick

19th Jeff Smith

21st Doug Kimbrell

23rd Sam Cowsar

Louis Roos

24th Tom Luck

25th Fred Crooks

Jim Hatchett

26th Ella Money

27th Ralph Greenlee

29th Vicki Arnold

Terry Henderson

Atlas Hopkins

Marti Spruiell

September Birthdays

September Anniversaries 3rd Julie & Chuck Alvarez

4th Sandie & Bill Smallwood

7th Jana & Steve Neale

8th Sue & Jack Thompson

9th Laura & David Mullen

11th Clair & David Pasahow

15th Nickolaus & Kimberly Hopkins

19th Shirley & Fred Crooks

19th Mary & Jim Hatchett

21st Maggie & Mike Gillespie

24th Vicki & Bud Arnold

27th Stirling & Ralph Greenlee

30th Mary & Lloyd Easterling

SUNDAY WORSHIP

7:45 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite 1

9 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite II

11 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite II

WEEKDAY WORSHIP

6 PM WEDNESDAY—Holy Eucharist

Rite II 12 PM THURSDAY—Holy Eucharist/

Healing Service (Chapel)

Worship and Christian Education

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

10 AM SUNDAY—Adult Classes

Living the Question

Seekers

Lost and Found

1 Samuel—New Class

10 AM SUNDAY—YOUTH CLASSES

Grades Pre K—2

Grades 3—5

Middle School

High School

CHURCH CLERGY AND STAFF:

Rector: The Rev. Jeff Hammond

Assistant Rector: The Rev. Bur Dobbins

Lay Pastoral Minister: Morey Weldon

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Dr. Dyana Orrin

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Anne Finn

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Tom Luck

Parish Administrator: Rachael Cole

Office Assistant: Carol Schreider

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Karen Young

Director of Music: Hazel Hanson

Lay Ministry Coordinator: Steve Neale

Mom’s Morning Off Director: Deanne Moellering

Nursery Director: Kathleen Meurer

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Sun Mon Tues Wed Fri Sat 8 p.m. in the CEB 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Friday Thurs. Women’s Meeting, 7 p.m. in the CEB

AL-ANON Monday & Friday—6:30 p.m. in the CEB

BELL CHOIR Practice resumes Wed., Sept. 4, at 4:30 p.m.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Monday—7 a.m. in the Library

BOY SCOUT TROOP 137 Tuesday—6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall

COMMUNITY DINNER Sunday—5:30 to 6:30 p.m.in the Parish Hall

CHOIR Practice resumes Wed., Sept 4, at 7 p.m.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING 2nd Saturday, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY EfM starts Aug. 30, 1 to 4 p.m.

KITCHEN TABLE BIBLE STUDY Resumes Thurs., Oct. 10, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

KNIT-WITS (KNITTING GROUP) Wednesday—3 p.m. in the CEB

LADIES’ LUNCH 3rd Thursday—11:45 a.m. at the Herb Farm

LIBRARY GUILD

1st Thursday — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.—Library

MEN’S BREAKFAST Thursday—7 a.m. in the Parish Hall

MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF) Mon. & Wed., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

VESTRY MEETING 3rd Monday of the month at 5 p.m.

WISDOM SCHOOL

Meetings and Ministries

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