TIDINGS
SEPTEMBER 2020
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
Even in the midst of many things in our lives being uprooted in the past six months, marking time, that of months, weeks, days, hours, has continued without a hiccup. I admit though it has been often challenging to keep track of time during the past months, as it has been for us all. However, the seasonal cycles of time are evident as we enter into fall and winter. Whether it is noticing the shorter days of light or the appearance of the abundance of squashes, we are at least aware of entering into the season of fall, regardless of if we can name the exact day or date at this time.
The season of fall, in a very long history of western civilization, is the time of gathering the fruits of the earth and storing the fruits for the winter ahead. The Church, particularly the agrarian parables, sayings, and ministry of Jesus, adopted the season of fall as the time for gathering the gifts to further the ministry. This time of harvest is a time for giving thanks to God and offering to God our gifts. It is commonly called Stewardship. However, the season of fall is not the only time for offering our gifts in giving thanks to God in our life in Christ. This is the essence of Eucharist, which translates ‘to give thanks.’ Our time of gift giving and receiving is simply sacramental and lived out each and every day. Paul is credited for developing even further our theological understandings of ‘giving thanks’ through koinonia, a rich word in Greek. Let me explain.
Koinonia articulates a business relationship; it suggested deep communion, association, and partnership; it meant the entire human society; it included the giving of alms and provision for others; and it suggested a charitable disposition. Koinonia always describes a deep and solid relationship of people with each other. Paul uses this ancient concept in developing the ministry model of his evangelism, which we often hear as ‘fellowship’ and ‘communion.’
Communion was, as Paul uses the term, a deep connection, a partnership, an association with God. Koinonia described the relationship of creation to the Creator. But koinonia also described the relationship of created beings to one another. The communion we have with God and with one another (and with all created beings including plants, animals, stars, the heavens) resides in the divine presence and energies in which we all participate. Even though our communion has been altered during this time, the receiving of the bread and wine on an extended fast, the reality is that we are still very active in our koinonia.
As we enter into the season of giving thanks in the work of stewardship, fundraising and pledging toward furthering our ministries at St. Barnabas in the coming months, I want to take a moment as your priest-in-charge to give thanks to you all from the Bleyle family.
We give thanks,
for the koinonia with the people of St. Barnabas, and the wider community of Cortez,
for the fellowship of Grace’s Kitchen and the focus on inclusivity in God’s diversity,
for the emerging new ministry opportunities in fiscal management, record management and the preparing for the future ministries for years to come for St. Barnabas,
for the beauty of God’s goodness in creation in the four corners,
for the wider Church of the Episcopal Church in Colorado and the relationships in shared ministry,
for the privilege to serve and share in supporting all of your baptized ministries both individually and corporately, in worship and prayer, in times of grief and joy, in the
sharing of gifts and graces, and the willingness to ‘restore all people (and creation) to unity with God’ seeking to lovingly serve Christ in all of our diverse relationships.
Thank you, God, for the people of St. Barnabas. Amen.
SERVICES IN THE PARK!
This Sunday, September 6th, will be another service in Montezuma Park! Feedback so far has been great, and Father Doug hopes to schedule more this month. Be on the lookout for future information! The Zoom option will also be offered for those who would like to participate from home.
Where: Montezuma Park
When: Sunday, September 6th at 9:00am
Bring: Your lawnchair/s & masks!
Remember: To care for each others' health by practicing physical distancing during the service
Zoom? Yes! Same link, call-in number, and password as usual.
OTHER WORSHIP OFFERINGS DURING COVID
While we are apart due to COVID, worship in separation can certainly feel challenging. We hope that you are finding some sense of connection and ritual in the Zoom offerings, and are exciting to have added a couple more worship opportunities (somehow now we have more than we did even before COVID! Life doesn’t always flow in only one direction).
Daily gospel readings and meditation continue to be posted on the website, so we encourage you to partake. They are posted each week. Father Doug and Paxton are now also now offering Compline, evening prayer, via the website.
You’ll find a couple of new additions: The Great Litany, which is often times used during times of crisis and conflict, locally and nationally, and the Litany of Remembrance and Lament. The Great Litany includes a space for remembrance by name of those who have died. If you would like to include the names of Black and Indigenous victims of police violence in your prayers, you can find non-comprehensive lists on the “Worship” page as well.
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY DURING COVID
After almost six months since Colorado first responded to COVID-19, many people in our community are still without jobs or missing hours at work, having trouble catching up on past bills, or finding themselves without a place to live. If you’d like to share your resources to support those who are struggling, here are some great ways:
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The Rector’s Ministry Fund helps people in the community pay bills, get temporary motel rooms, and afford gas, groceries, medications, or other necessities. Donate via St. B’s website or check (memo: “Rector’s Ministry Fund”)
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Grace’s Kitchen continues to feed our neighbors three days per week and can use your help towards increased costs to run the curbside program. Donate via St. B’s website or check (memo: “Grace’s Kitchen”)
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The 4 Corners Mutual Aid Network is helping people in Montezuma County pay for rent, bills, gas, school, medical, and other needs, with a particular focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, disabled, undocumented, and LGBTQ+ people in our communities. Donate at: www.paypal.me/4cornersmutualaid or check (made out to “4 Corners Mutual Aid Network”)
COVID-19 UPDATES
We have created a special page on our website specifically about COVID-19, so please visit there or contact the office for more information: www.stbarnabascortez.org/COVID-19.
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
2020 Year-To-Date
Good Samaritan Food Pantry: $800
The Bridge Emergency Shelter: $800
Cathedral Ridge Camp: $800
Montezuma Youth Pride: $815**
Grace’s Kitchen: $11,326*
Sanctuary at Mancos United Methodist Church: $365*
Rector’s Ministry to Community: $5,595
*Ministry is funded solely by donation
**Ministry funded solely by donation and grant income
GRACE’S PATRONS
July 2020: 662 Meals Served
Jan-July 2020: 6,229
Total Meals Served Since 1998: 220,371
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
I support you;
You support me.
I am in the world to offer you peace;
You are in the world to bring me joy.
~ Thich Nhat Hanh in “Call Me By My True Names”
THANK YOU
We would like to express great appreciation to the following people:
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All those who are looking out for each other – checking in on those without email, those who live alone, or those who are dealing with medical needs
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Kristen and Chuck, for helping with our annual audit!
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All of the anonymous donors who are continuing to drop off bottled water for Grace’s, and all who donated to the school supply drive, including Sylvia, Chris, Brandon, and Sue
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Our Grace’s coordinators, whose creativity, flexibility, and determination has allowed us to continue serving our community during this time. Especially Rhoda, Sally, Victoria, Dot, and Sylvia!
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ALL of our Grace’s volunteers, for their dedication and caring, especially those who are new or who are filling in to help us continue operating
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Thank you for the support from the congregation with gift giving in time, talent, and treasure to the Church in its ministries.