Newsletter - St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
Newsletter
February 2015
Parish and Vestry News
Started thinking about your Lenten discipline yet? Are you ready for some
madness? Who’s your pick for the Golden Halo? This year, St. B’s will make a foray
into Lent Madness – a competition of 32 great saints of the church in a knockdown, drag
out fight to the death. Okay, it is not quite that dramatic (most of them are dead anyway),
but it is a great way to learn about the saints of the church in a new and interesting way.
In homage to the NCAA Basketball Tournament (March Madness), the whole world, via
online voting, will winnow the group of 32 saints down to one champion, the “Golden Halo” winner.
There is one face-off per day, beginning Thursday, February 19 (the day after Ash Wednesday) and
finishing with the Golden Halo match-up on Wednesday, April 1. We will discuss the saintly match-ups
for the coming week during coffee hour (impassioned endorsements are always welcome) and track the
process on the official tournament bracket found on the bulletin board in Grafe Hall.
This is a fun way to learn together about the saints and to “influence” our friends to vote with us. Kids
(with parental permission) and adults with computers or devices can vote once per day. If you are not
online, come to coffee hour on Sunday anyway for some saint and church history education. Thank you
to Sandy Hunnicutt for getting the ball rolling by purchasing the poster bracket and two Saintly
Scorecards (the booklet with biographies for all the saints). The church has purchased 25 more Saintly
Scorecards ($1.00 each) and they are also available for your electronic device of choice. For more
information or to order a Saintly Scorecard please visit www.lentmadness.org. The accompanying
book, the Saintly Scorecard, is available for purchase on iTunes, and for Amazon Kindle and BN Nook.
Paper booklets are available at the Lentorium, the Lent Madness online store. (Prices range from $35.) Contact Fr. Sean or Sandy Hunnicutt for more information. Our first meeting will be Sunday,
February 15th at coffee hour.
SW HOPE: Feed the Hungry Campaign Kick-off February 15
Father Sean’s sermon on Feb. 1, Super Bowl Sunday, mentioned the gluttonous
amounts of food Americans will consume on this Football “Holy” Day. According to
the Washington Post, Americans purchase more groceries in the two weeks before
the Super Bowl than any other time of the year, including Thanksgiving. And
Americans will also eat more than 1.2 billion chicken wings, 11 million slices of
Domino's pizza, 11.2 million potato chips, 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips, and all
sorts of other delicious, but caloric fare. And it is reported that we eat even more if
our team loses! The article did not mention how much beer or soda is consumed to
wash it all down, or Tums to address the post-game indigestion!
So, while you were licking the Buffalo sauce from your fingers and polishing off the last of the
guacamole, hopefully you took just a moment to remember people in our community who don’t have
enough to eat, and made a pledge to double-down on donations to SW HOPE this year. St. Barnabas
has been a supporter of our local food pantry at Neighborhood House for many years. They are located
in Multnomah Village and the biggest service they offer is distribution of emergency food boxes. Every
Sunday we have a cart available in the back of the church for food donations that are delivered on a
weekly basis. After the holidays, food pantries face many bare shelves. This campaign is an effort
supported by local faith communities, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to meet the
needs of hungry people in Southwest Portland. The goal of this year’s SW HOPE campaign is to gather
175,000 pounds of food, or the cash equivalent ($1=4 lbs.). We have set our goal at St. Barnabas of
gathering 3500 pounds of food.
The focus this year is to raise awareness that most poor families in Oregon are working families. In 7 out
of 10 Oregon families living in poverty, at least one parent is employed. But even with full-time
employment poor families struggle because their earnings do not cover basic living expenses. For
working poor families supplemental supports like emergency food assistance continue to be essential.
According to 2013 Census statistics, Oregon's poverty rate went up more than 15 percent - the highest
on the West Coast.
Neighborhood House operates the largest food bank in Oregon. They supply emergency food boxes to
approximately 500-600 families (or 1,200-1,500 individuals) each month. Something they recently
added is the ability for families to come back for a second box each month if needed. Approximately
1/3 of all people served take advantage of that additional food.
The FDA guidelines have become "better" and the pantry has reduced the amount of high-calorie and
processed foods. FDA guidelines state that every meal should include: 1/2 fruits and vegetables, 1/4
grains, 1/4 protein. The most needed food items are fresh and canned fruits and vegetables, rice
and bulk dried beans, whole grain cereals, and canned tuna.
St. Barnabas has put together a booklet of suggested theme Sundays. Please pick one up in the back
of the church. It is fun and challenging to look at the theme and see what you can bring for a donation
that fits into those needs. We will kick off our campaign on Sunday, February 15 with "Soup Bowl
Sunday". The WoSB will be serving soup at coffee hour and ask that food donations that day be soup,
chili, stew, crackers, juice (no glass please), and paper towels and napkins. Cash donations will also
gladly be accepted. If you wish to write a check please make it out to St. Barnabas with "SW Hope"
written in the memo line. More info? Contact Lisa Begley, SW Hope Coordinator for St B’s
Benefit Concert for SW Hope Feb 21:
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church will be
hosting a benefit concert for SW Hope
featuring "Kendalin." They are a
Portland-based, folk-fusion band and are
very excited to share their music with the community. The ensemble’s unique sound draws on a wide
variety of folk traditions, including Celtic, Nordic, Middle Eastern and more, inviting the audience to
connect to a sound that is both new and familiar. The concert is Saturday, February 21 at 7 pm. A good
will offering will be taken at the concert. Please think about enjoying a night out to support a great
cause. Location is St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 3228 Southwest Sunset Boulevard, Portland, OR
97239.
Parish Annual Meeting: There was great attendance at the parish annual meeting on January 25 th.
Carolyn Nelson and Robbie Jessen were elected to the Vestry, filling positions vacated by Jim
Anderson and Jennie Armstrong. Father Sean presented Jim and Jennie with very stylish St. Barnabas
shirts in appreciation for their service. Betty Woerner was appointed as the new Senior Warden,
replacing Eva Calcagno, who will continue on the Vestry. Treasurer Ken Ross noted that our finances
are in much better shape than they have been for the last few years, and that with the completion of the
Barnabas House sale we will be able to replenish some of the investment funds we have used to cover
costs for preparing the property for sale. The Vestry will hold a Retreat on February 28 to set goals for
the coming year and make commission assignments.
Memorial Donation from Family of Guy Nowels: In December, just before the New Year, the church
received a generous memorial donation from the family of Guy Nowels, who died one year ago. Fr.
Sean and Cathie wanted to share the lovely note from Guy’s daughter, Lynn, with the whole parish.
This news was shared at the Annual Meeting and funds will go into the Endowment investment fund.
Dear St. Barnabas Community,
Wishing you the quiet beauty of a peaceful holiday season.
As I have finished up my father’s business, I would like to send along a
contribution in his memory. The church was an important part of our family’s
life, symbolized by my brother Kent’s baptism and memorial services there, my
mother’s involvement with the women’s activities and many a potluck and my
father’s countless Sundays of ushering, during which he discovered that F. D.
(Jim) Hill was a distant cousin and ended up as his guardian for Jim’s
protracted end of life.
Church was the thing Guy missed most as he became less able and less mobile.
Many thanks to the whole community, and all best wishes, Lynn Nowels
Praise be!! The Barnabas House property sale is almost over! I
know we have said that before, but papers have been filed and
accepted by the city. The final step is to remediate possible run-off on
the edge of the playground. We will cover this with landscaping plastic
and bark dust and that should be the final hurdle. Keep your fingers
crossed! Is there a patron saint of real estate transactions? May I
nominate him/her for the Golden Halo? Have faith! Eva Calcagno
Knitting Nights: Interested in gathering to knit with fellow needlers? On Mondays, February
2, 9, and 16 come to Room 1 (lower level of church building, just off the lovely, newly striped
parking lot!) at 7pm with your knitting projects and share some fellowship and knitting tips
and tricks with fellow knitters. Questions can be directed to Cathie in the office.
Monthly prayer shawl knitting and brown bag lunch Tuesday, February 3. Knitting begins at 10:00,
lunch kicks off at noon. Everyone is welcome! If you can’t make Knitting Nights, here’s another chance.
Need a ride to church? St. Barnabas is initiating a ride program for members who cannot drive
themselves to church. Our plan is to offer rides once a month, on the third Sunday so that the riders
can share in the monthly breakfast before attending the 10:00 AM service. If you are interested in either
driving or riding, please e-mail Fr. Sean or call the church office.
Stump the Priest Question from Eva: The church calendar has a three year cycle (years A, B, and C).
Why is that and how did they decide which lessons to include in each year?
In order to maximize our exposure to Holy Scripture during Sunday worship services, the Episcopal
Church began using a three-year lectionary cycle beginning with the 1979 Book of Common Prayer
(BCP). Prior to the 1979 BCP, we employed a one-year lectionary cycle, which, by its nature, limited
the exposure of Episcopal worshipers of Holy Scripture. At the 2006 General Convention, the Church
adopted use of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) with a complete transition completed by the First
Sunday in Advent of 2010. Several denominations, including the Lutherans, Methodists, and
Presbyterians, also use the RCL, and, while the Roman Catholic Church does not use it, their lectionary
closely tracks ours.
The lectionary year begins on the First Sunday of Advent and ends on the Last Sunday of Pentecost.
The RCL provides us with the Collect of the Day, Old Testament, Psalm, New Testament and Gospel
lessons every week. Year A focuses on the Gospel of Matthew, Year B focuses on Mark and Year C
focuses on Luke. The Gospel of John is used in all three years, primarily around Christmas, Lent and
Easter. There is a common theme that ties the readings together, although that theme is easier to
recognize on some Sundays than others.
Fun fact: Year A begins in any year that is evenly divisible by three. For instance, we started Year A on
the First Sunday in Advent in 2013 and 2013/3=671.
The Episcopal version of the RCL is available at http://www.lectionarypage.net/.
On an unrelated note:
Although I promised 1 Samuel for our Lenten Study, by popular demand, we are going to focus on Lent
Madness this year. We will discuss the match-ups each week following the Healing Service on
Thursday Mornings and after the 10:00 service on Sunday Mornings. Get ready to pick your favorite
saints this year and we will get to Samuel another time. Just in case you missed it, more info on Lent
Madness can be found at www.lentmadness.org.
Help St. Barnabas by using your Fred Meyer Rewards Card: Do you have a Rewards card? If so
you can help the St. Barnabas budget just by using your card. Free money for St. Barnabas! Rewards
card members can link their cards to the community organization of their choice (i.e. St. Barnabas).
Then every time you use your card, Fred Meyer will make a donation to the church. In the third quarter
of this year we received $81.97 making the total donations received to date from this program $203.13.
You pay nothing extra and you do not lose your Rewards points – it’s free to you! Go to the Fred Meyer
Rewards website and link your card to St. Barnabas. Our community rewards number is 85160. Here is
the link:
http://www.fredmeyer.com/company_information/FM_Community/Pages/community_rewards.aspx
Church now Accepts Credit Cards: We have finally moved into the late 20th century and the church
office is now equipped to accept credit card payments for pledges, donations, fund-raising events, and
so forth. The church website will soon be set up so you can even make online payments. So, if you
would like to earn airline miles or get cash back for your church donations, please contact the church
office. The Vestry
Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendars:
St. Barnabas Choir practices are held on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the church. No experience
necessary; will train. Bring your enthusiasm!
First Tuesday Knitting Group and Brown Bag lunch starting at 10:00 a.m. in Room 1.
St. B’s Team at Loaves & Fishes at Multnomah Center each 2nd Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Second Sunday Singers meet on the Second Sunday of the Month! No experience required, just
show up at 9:15 a.m. and join the Second Sunday singers. You’ll learn and perform a song that day.
Free Community Dinner, Saturday, February 14, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Make it a Valentine Evening!
Volunteers always welcome, the cooking starts at 2pm. Signup sheet is on the bulletin board in Grafe
Hall. Dinner is each 2nd Saturday, so if you are busy this month, mark your calendar for next month!
Men’s Breakfast 3rd Sunday, February 15: Come to church a little early – or stay late after the 8:00
a.m. service - and enjoy a meal and fellowship. This is a great Sunday for food, as mentioned on page
one (1) following the 10:00 a.m. service please stay for Souper Bowl Sunday Kick-off for SW HOPE:
Feed the Hungry Campaign.
Vestry Retreat, Saturday, February 28, Noon to 5pm, Room 1.
Every Sunday, 2pm: Ss. Brendan & Brigid Catholic Mission holds Mass in our church.
Church Office Hours: Office Administrator, Cathie Dainton Piacente’s hours, are Mon-Thurs, 9:00
a.m.-1:00 p.m. Father Sean’s Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. or by appointment.
The office will generally be closed on Fridays, but Father Sean is available by phone for emergencies.
Please note: While office hours are maintained, it is always good to call ahead to be sure that the
individual you want to see is in the office, 503-246-1949.
Father Sean Wall’s email is: [email protected] and his cell phone is 503-679-0634.
Senior Warden Betty Woerner’s email: [email protected], telephone 503-244-1593
Junior Warden Chris Battista’s email: [email protected], telephone 503-342-0031
Treasurer: Ken Ross: 503-245-6016
Other Vestry Members and Key Contacts:
Pastoral Care: Scot MacLean
503-245-4985
Parish Life: Elizabeth Martin
503-756-9295
Finance/Stewardship: Betty Woerner 503-244-1593
Communications: Eva Calcagno
503-452-8360
Carolyn Nelson
503-246-6763
Robbie Jessen
503-246-4035
Altar Guild President: Anita Galloway 503-807-8047
Organist: Lewis Needham
503-628-2430
Music Director: Glenn Bjorkquist
503-245-9024
Education Coordinator: Susan Mahon 503-502-4863
Men’s Group: Keith Enos
503-244-6195
Women of St. Barnabas: Lisa Begley 503-245-2378
Do you OECN? Oregon Episcopal Church News is available online. Keep up with Diocesan events
and issues, at http://www.oecnonline.org/ .
About this newsletter: Got news? Submit items (electronically is best, but we also accept paper or
even phone calls) to Cathie in the church office by the 30th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s
Newsletter. Or send them directly to Eva Calcagno, [email protected], Newsletter Editor.
www.saintbarnabaspdx.org
(503) 246-1949
[email protected]
Did you know St. Barnabas has a Facebook page? Check it out at www.facebook.com/StBarnabasPDX
St. Barnabas Vocation Statement: As followers of Jesus Christ, the people of St. Barnabas Episcopal
Church are called to learn, serve, welcome, and celebrate.
Believe Out Loud Welcoming Statement: At St. Barnabas Episcopal Church we believe there is a
place for everyone around God’s table. With love and respect, we welcome all people into our
community. Whatever your beliefs or background, your sexual orientation or gender identity, your race
or ethnicity, your age or family structure, abilities or disabilities; wherever you are on life’s journey, your
presence is a blessing. We cherish the diversity you bring to us.
Ash Wednesday through Easter Calendar quick glance:
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:00 p.m. The dinner is hosted by the Vestry.
Ash Wednesday, shared services with St. Barnabas Episcopal and Sts. Brendan & Brigid
Wednesday, Feb. 18, Services are at 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Sean Wall, will preside and Fr. Chuck Copper, Sts. Brendan & Brigid will preach.
Palm Sunday, Sunday, March 29: 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, Agape Service & Supper, Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.
Good Friday, Friday, April 3, Services are at 12:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Easter Vigil with Baptism, Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 5: 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. services. Special Easter music & Trumpeter Lewis Livermore will be
at both services. The Easter egg hunt will follow the 10:00 a.m. service, more details on the hunt later.

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