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The St. Barnabas' Reporter May/June 2018 The St. Barnabas’ Reporter Now it is Our Turn The Rev. Canon Carol Cole Flanagan Interim Rector Christianity has sometimes been called counter-cultural, a description we em- brace. That seems a fair description in every culture, not only American culture. Perhaps that is because we, as Christians, have our own culture—our own atti- SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST tudes, customs, and beliefs that distinguish us from others. By virtue of our baptism, Christians have the duty and privilege of resisting Thanks from the Gibbs evil and advancing the reign of God. Reflections on the At the moment, we as American Christians are being seriously challenged by Gospel of Mark the gun violence that is increasingly pervading American society. Caring and Healing A picture is worth a thousand words. This picture, courtesy of the Washington with Food and Works Post, is from 2012. Artist James Eric Rich Chart: The U.S. has far more gun-related killings than any Region 8 Becomes other developed country South Fairfax Region By Max Fisher December 14, 2012 Congratulations to Our College Graduates Spring Stewardship News INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ACCA 4 Adult Forum 3 Beginnings Book 6 Group Data source: United Nations (Max Fisher -- The Washington Post) Placing Ourselves The United States has by far the highest per capita rate of all developed coun- in the Presence of 8 God tries. According to data compiled by the United Nations, the United States has four times as many gun-related homicides per capita as do Turkey and Switzerland, Thanks and More 13 which are tied for third. Thanks The U.S. gun murder rate is about 20 times the average for all other countries Vestry Highlights 2 on this chart. That means that Americans are 20 times as likely to be killed by a gun as is someone from another developed country. (Emphasis supplied.) WOSB 7 (continued) Page 2 May/June 2018 St. Barnabas’ Our Turn (continued from page 1) Episcopal Church I am not a pacifist. I hold open the possibility that in the face of terrorists, torturers 4801 Ravensworth Road Annandale, VA 22003 and tyrants, weapons may have a place. I do not worship the second amendment, however, 703-941-2922 let alone the NRA. None of the killings in our society in 2018 involve terrorists, torturers, Parish Staff and tyrants. None. The Rev. Canon Carol Cole Flanagan, Interim Rector The chart above tells us that most of the developed world has found strategies and Mr. Young Min Kwon mechanisms for dealing with this challenge. It is now time for us to get up off our bap- Interim Minister of Music tisms and do the work God has given us to do! Ms. Catherine Dubas Parish Administrator Our children are on the front lines giving leadership to the effort. Ms. Maria Bottlick Our bishops have their backs. Bookkeeper Now it is our turn. Mr. John Otwell Sexton Grace and Peace, Vestry and Carol+ Parish Officers Camille Mittelholtz Senior Warden Vestry Highlights - February through April, 2018 Jack Miller Junior Warden Much of the Vestry’s discussion in recent months has involved forming a search com- Alan Phillips mittee who will carry out the work leading to our next rector. In February, the Vestry ap- Asst. Junior Warden John Westerlund pointed PJ Kennedy as Chair of the Search Committee, and determined that the committee Treasurer should have seven members, including the chair. In March, the Vestry discussed potential PJ Kennedy members of the Search Committee, and asked P.J. to contact them. In April, Canon Flana- Assistant Treasurer gan reported that PJ is making progress, and the Vestry approved text for the charge that Maria Macfarlane Register will be given to the Search Committee upon their appointment. James Carroll Jeff Stevenson, St. Barnabas’ seminarian, attended the February meeting and described Dick Crutchely his path and process to be ordained. The vestry approved a resolution that he proceed for Sharon Jones Sarah Kiely ordination as a deacon. Jeff will be ordained on June 9. Kathleen Stark The Vestry affirmed appointment of St. Barnabas delegates to the 2018 Diocesan Con- ____ Catherine Dubas vention (November 1-3, 2018): Sharon Jones - Delegate; Katie Westerlund - Alternate. In Newsletter Editor September 2017 the Vestry appointed Sharon and Katie to these positions for 2-year terms. Schedule of Services To fill two vacancies on the Endowment Committee, the Vestry appointed Robin Er- Sundays skine to a four-year term, and Mark Patterson for a one-year term. At the end of Mark's term, he will be eligible to serve for a four-year term. 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9:15 a.m. Christian Maria Macfarlane has agreed to serve as the Clerk of the Vestry/Register. The Vestry Formation for All Ages thanked Sarah Kiely for her service in this position. 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist & At the meetings, the Junior Wardens have reported on plans for work days March 3 Children’s Chapel (Nursery available and April 22. The Vestry also learned about progress toward improving storage and dis- at 9:00 a.m.) posing of unneeded materials, an initiative of the Men’s Group. Wednesday Morning St. Barnabas’ Day will be celebrated on June 10 with a combined service at 10:15 a.m. The Vestry appointed a committee to coordinate planning for the celebration. 10:00 a.m. Worship (Holy Eucharist and Healing on the first Wednesday St. Barnabas’ Mission: Serving our community, the world, and each other of each month) through the love of Jesus Christ. The St. Barnabas’ Reporter Page 3 Adult Forum May/June 2018 Baptisms The Adult Forum meets Sundays at 9:15 a.m. in the Richardson Room. The schedule is subject to change. Please check the weekly e-mail and bulletin for the latest schedule. May 6 - Money & Information Technology Q&A Session This week will be an op- portunity to ask questions about information technology and/or St. Barnabas’ finances. Speaker: John Westerlund, St. Barnabas’ Treasurer and “IT guy.” May 13 - Rector Search Process: An Update Speaker: Senior Warden Camille Mit- telholtz Quinn Lee Miller May 20 - Liturgical Music for Pentecost Speaker: Stephen Ackert. Elliot Lee Miller May 27 - “Our Great Morning in Christ” This session will be the last of a four-part Sons of discussion as we walk with Jesus in the gospel readings. Speaker: Ed Ing Stephen Miller June 3 - Grace Inside, Virginia’s Prison Chaplain Service Speaker: Lynn Litchfield & June 10 - St. Barnabas’ Day—No Forum; Combined Service at 10:15 a.m. Siaw Ching Lee June 17 - Looking Back, Looking Forward An informal group discussion reflecting and on the year’s Adult Forum sessions and suggestions for upcoming Forum sessions. This is Grandsons of the final Adult Forum session for the program year. The Adult Forum will return in Sep- Barbara & Jack Miller tember. Have a good summer! Easter Eve March 31, 2018 A Note of Thanks from the Gibbs’ We send our thanks to the loving, caring community of St. Barnabas! Your cards and notes gave us hope. We appre- ciated all of your individual calls of concern as well as the In Memoriam group calls on speakerphone from the Forum and the Wednesday morning service. Visits from the rector and church friends made us feel loved and connected. It was amazing how you found us as we journeyed between hospitals and skilled nursing facili- Jean Truitt ties! The altar flowers brought light into our rooms. We April 18, 2018 made each arrangement last a full week by removing only the wilted flowers each day. Bringing communion infused our days with the gift of the Holy Spirit and the power Rest eternal grant to of Christian love. On days when we just couldn’t pray, you were our Christian army her, O Lord; standing and praying behind us! We thank you with all of our heart for being with us dur- and let light perpetual ing this difficult time! shine upon her. Our love to each of you, May her souls, and the Joan and Lee souls of all the departed, through the Prayers for healing are offered every Sunday at the 8:00 am worship service. If mercy of God, rest in you desire prayers for yourself or others, you are invited to return to the altar rail peace. Amen. following the dismissal. You will be met by persons who will pray with you and for you. In addition, a service of healing is included with Holy Eucharist on the first Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Library. Page 4 May/June 2018 ACCA News – Annandale Christian Community for Action Rebuilding Together By the time you receive this newsletter, we will have enjoyed another successful Rebuilding Together event. Thanks to all who volunteered with us on April 28, repairing a house operated as a group home for men with mental disabilities. We completed outdoor repairs to the entryway and the deck. We also completed a number of inside repairs to make the house safer for the residents. ACCA Refugee Sponsorship The ACCA board voted in April to sponsor a refugee family, working with Lu- theran Social Services of the National Capital Area. This is a new program that will involve financial and volunteer sup- port over a one-year period. ACCA will make a commitment to provide financial assistance to the family to help with rent for at least three months, plus help with utilities and with transportation to jobs, ESL training, and other services. ACCA will also help furnish and supply the family’s apartment.
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