Call Accepted for New Curate!

Starting in January, our Personnel Committee worked with the Rector to think through the staffing needs of our parish in a considered manner. As part of this process, position descriptions were created or updated for parish staff positions. One staffing need identified and confirmed was for an additional clergy person to assist the Rector.

A position was posted in the early spring. After receiving a number of resumes and names, a committee helped the Rector with the interviews of five wonderful candidates. In the Episcopal Church, hiring isn't just picking someone to fill a job. There is a seeking of discernment through prayer and reflection, on the part of the parish and by the applicants. This is why we 'issue a call' to a candidate to come join our parish. And, if God's voice speaks to the candidate that this is the next step of his/her journey, then they 'accept the call.'

Our Rector announced the following at services last Sunday:


I am thrilled to be able to announce that I have hired Kate Stebinger to be the new Curate at St. Barnabas. We have gotten to know Kate through her work with our Youth Group and her serving as a deacon at Sunday Worship. However, Kate brings with her gifts which will have an impact on all aspects of our parish life together. Kate will be starting work with us July 1 - after she has returned to her sponsoring diocese of South Dakota to help train camp staff leaders there. Kate's ordination to the priesthood date and place has not yet been set. Please keep her in your prayers as she prepares for joining our staff and being a part of Saint Barnabas in her new capacity.

Baroque Fest & Feast

The St. Barnabas Music Series is presenting the Loretta James Memorial Concert this weekend. The music is all Baroque featuring Rebecca Grimes, soprano soloist, with chamber orchestra and chorus as well as organ works. (Our flyer...)

As if this isn't enough enticement for the musical portion of the event, two of our high school seniors will have solos in a piece by Martini. Come support them!

And after we feast our souls on beautiful music, we will enjoy a lovely reception in the tradition of the St. Barnabas Music Series. These events have been so popular that we have moved the location of the reception from the Parish House to the Parish Hall to provide more space for serving and eating.

The suggested donation for the event is to support future concerts in our ongoing music series at St. Barnbas.

We hope we will see you there!

Strategic Planning

We have been working hard to articulate our hopes and dreams for our parish.

From beginnings at parish dessert gatherings, to two different iterations of a Strategic Planning Committee, to the Vestry, we have created a Strategic Plan for St. Barnabas.

Creating this blueprint for our future is a milestone to celebrate.

Now the challenge is to transform the plan into reality. The only way we can truly make this work is with your direct involvement.

All the ideas, all the pages, all the words can be condensed into two key objectives:

1. To reenergize our parish through the enhancement of our worship services, timely communication, and the expanded use of our most important resource - our parishioners.
2. To achieve financial stability through the implementation of internal control systems, reenergized stewardship efforts & support, and prudent fiscal management.
   

We have taken these goals and sorted them into six areas:

1. Worship & Congregational Needs
2. Congregational Involvement
3. Communication & Accountability
4. Reaching Out from St. Barnabas
5. Achieving Financial Stability
6. Management Systems & Controls

Each Sunday, May 7-21, we are sharing the summary with all parishioners. Two areas are being introduced during announcement time each week and then talking together over coffee after services.

A summary of the plan is available in the narthex. Take one. Read it. Which areas do you feel strongly about? Which areas would you be able to help with?