TIDINGS
NOVEMBER 2019
If you would like a full copy of the tidings for this month, please email or visit Annie in the office.
FROM THE PRIEST-IN-CHARGE
Peace be with you
Numbers always are fun to contemplate. Not just in a mathematical sense, but in all areas where numbers reside. Couple numbers with time for example. This is where I have been contemplating the past several days of October. It is something that I find myself often contemplating every year in October. Let me explain.
There are two things that make me contemplate numbers and time in October. The first is celebrating my birthday, which adding another candle to the pie. Not a typo here, cake happens to be not one of my things, but I digress. I am simply reminded in October that I move through time marking the number of years of being a human being. Secondly, October always ends with All Hallow’s Eve, which is bringing to mind all the ancestors who preceded me. So October sends me into contemplating time and numbers.
In general this time of the year also draws our attention to accounting of our resources in preparation for the year (and years) ahead. It has been a long-standing tradition of gathering the harvest to store up the resources to make it through to the next growing season. In the Church we have called it Stewardship as we prayerful discern our gift giving in time, talent and treasure for the year ahead, in setting things like budgets and managing our resources in order that our mission and ministries have the necessary resources from money to people to further the work.
As you continue to prayerful discern your gifts, particularly the monetary gifts in pledging, we give thanks for your participation. Paul, as in St. Paul, was absolutely correct in choosing the Greek word Koinonia to articulate the practices of the emerging Church. Koinonia is a rich word that describes the practices we continue to practice in the Church. It is where we get communion from where we offer our gifts to God to be transformed toward the mission and ministries focused on ‘restoring all people (and creation) to unity with God and each other in Christ’ as the Church ‘prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.’ (BCP, 855) Koinonia includes how we participate through our contributions, the giving of money, the giving of ourselves in service, uniting to God more fully.
And in this way of life, over the centuries, we unite equally to many others who have done the same. Amen!
Peace
Rev. Doug
THANKSGIVING
This year Thanksgiving lands on Thursday, November 28th. You may have already seen notices about our annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, which will be served starting at 12pm on Thanksgiving Day. Each year we serve over 300 community members, from those who don’t have food at home, to those who are just looking for some company on this holiday.
We are accepting donations (food and monetary) in preparation, and volunteer sign-ups are posted in the narthex. If you’re here, we hope you’ll consider helping out – and if you know others who are looking for a way to give back to the community on this day of gratitude, let them know about the opportunity to be part of making sure that our community is fed and loved on Thanksgiving.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Annie in the office.
2020 PLEDGES
A big, heartfelt thank you to all who have filled out their pledge cards or taken cards home with the intention of discerning a pledge for 2020.
I was going to say “we are so grateful for your support,” but that didn’t seem right. Because it’s not me or Doug exactly who you’re supporting (although you do help pay our salaries). What we’re truly doing is creating a web, connecting each church-goer, staff, and volunteer, that upholds the worship, ministries, and mission of St. Barnabas. We are grateful that each and every one of you is a part of it.
We will be gathering pledge cards at the service on Sunday, November 24th to bless them at the altar. (And we’ll enjoy a Fellowship Potluck after the service!) If you’d like to turn in your card before that you are welcome to mail or bring it to the office and I will keep them until that Sunday. Please give me a call or email if you need a replacement card or would like to pledge by email!
--Annie
4A: FOR OUR KIDS
By Jack Schuenemeyer
The Montezuma Cortez School District has proposed ballot measure 4a to increase teacher and non-administration staff salaries and improve school safety.
There is a teacher shortage and salaries in the District are among the lowest in the area, which makes it hard to attract and keep good teachers.
School safety would be improved by having a professional law enforcement officer responsible for safety assessment, planning and actions for all District schools.
Funds would also be available for improved security at after school events.
4a proposes a 5-mill levy increase in property tax to pay for these new expenses.
Ballots need to be returned on Tuesday, November 5th by 7:00pm.
For more information contact Jack Schuenemeyer, jackswsc@q.com
CALL FOR TREATS!
Halloween is over, but we could really use some treats! Each week, treats for coffee hour are provided by congregation members, but some weeks we don’t have any sign-ups. Even if you’re not able to help in person with coffee hour, consider dropping a package or two of non-perishable treats by the church. This will help us create a little stockpile for when we have those weeks without an official Coffee Hour Provider! Thanks in advance!
ART RECEPTION: JAN HEYL
Please join us for an Art Reception and Open House for Jan Heyl’s paintings, which are currently displayed upstairs in Mary Blake Hall! The reception will be on Friday, November 15 from 3:30-6:00pm.
Featured art includes Pastel, Monotype and Mixed Media Paintings by Jan Heyl. She has several amusing stories of painting Plein Aire in National Parks and other sites.
Limited edition giclee prints and unframed original paintings will be available for viewing.
Light refreshments will be served.
WOMEN’S LUNCH
The next Women’s Lunch will be on Wednesday, November 20th at 1:00pm. This month it will be at J. Fargo’s. There will be no gathering in December!
ARTICLES OR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE TIDINGS
If you would like to submit an article or announcement for the Tidings, please send it to office@stbarnabascortez.org by 10:00am on the last Thursday of the month!
MINISTRY & OUTREACH SUPPORT
2019 Year-To-Date
Good Samaritan Food Pantry: $1,000
The Bridge Emergency Shelter: $1,000
Cathedral Ridge Camp: $1,000
Montezuma Youth Pride: $872**
Grace’s Kitchen: $6,347*
Sanctuary at Mancos United Methodist Church: $352*
Rector’s Ministry to Community: $1,659
*Ministry is funded solely by donation
**Ministry funded solely by donation and grant income
GRACE’S PATRONS
September 2019: 910 Meals Served
2019 Year-To-Date: 9,620
Total Meals Served Since 1998: 210,485
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
THANK YOU
We would like to express great appreciation to the following people:
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Bob Waggoner, for fixing the storeroom door upstairs
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Ann, Sylvia, Chris, and all who have helped in our Tuesday Grace’s transition
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Stan, Janice, Rhoda, Jeanette, Patrick, Doug, and Don for their help at the Fall Clean-Up in October