TIDINGS
APRIL 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
Greetings my friends in God,
There has been significant change in our lives as we attend to the ‘best practices’ of caring for ourselves and others during COVID-19. Theologically we are doing our best to follow the Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, mind, and spirit, while practicing the love of neighbor and ourselves while maintaining distance. The love in caring for all of us is to find new ways of connecting while at a distance. It is new to all of us, to learn how to use technology to connect while also using phone calls, letter writing and greeting each other from windows and porches. Yet it is happening more often than not, and it is beautiful to witness the human capacity to adapt to change and connect with each other.
We are preparing in the life of St. Barnabas for the long haul in COVID-19. Our Bishop, as of a letter sent out late night to clergy and lay leaders on Thursday March 26, reminds us to really practice intentional ‘social distancing,’ by not offering or inviting people to prayer in the Church, but connect with technology for ways to pray, worship and teach from now until May 10, 2020.
I am still sorting out a few things for us to consider as we walk through COVID-19 during this time in our life, especially in regard to Holy Week and Easter. So more to come.
We will continue to offer Morning Prayer Rite II at 9 am. We had 32 people join us last Sunday!
Grace’s Kitchen has been the focal point in our life at this time. We have had to make significant adaptations to our feeding ministry. However, we in full sharing partnership with Hope’s Kitchen are still providing meals to any and all in need without distinction. We are currently serving as take-out curbside only. We have set up tables in our courtyard and have people enter and exit at opposite ends as we do our due diligence in ‘social distancing’ in offering a meal. We are working at creating limiting volunteer numbers in kitchen at all times, by looking at shifts for meal preparation, packing take-outs, and servers at safe distances. We have increased our sanitizing of all surfaces before and after meal service, as well as making sure all volunteers practice all the CDC guidelines. Our meal planning had to change at this time as it needed to ensure care for all of us during COVID-19. We are doing a great job at this time! Gratitude for all who are making this ministry as safe, secure and hospitable to all who need a meal. Good work!
Lastly, please keep in mind the needs of our life in Christ in being the Body of Christ called the Church in gift giving.
1. Monetary support to Grace’s Kitchen.
2. Monetary support to Rector’s Ministry Fund.
3. Continue to fulfill your pledges to the Church.
Please send checks in the mail or use St. Barnabas PayPal in your gift giving and stewardship. To use the PayPal option in gift giving go to: https://www.stbarnabascortez.org and scroll down home page to bottom. The link is on the right side.
PayPal does have a fee for non-profit. So, for a $100.00 donation St. Barnabas receives $96.80 and for $25.00 St. Barnabas receives $23.97. This is just for you to keep in mind as you consider your preferences in gift giving to St. Barnabas.
Gratitude for all that you are doing in the life of St. Barnabas!
Peace
Doug
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
Specific information for Holy Week and Easter services will be sent out separately! Additionally, please be on the lookout for an updated calendar as we begin to move in-person groups online. We will mail out hard copies to those without email.
COVID-19 UPDATES
· The office is currently closed to in-person visitors and we are working from home as much as possible. But we are responsive to phone and emails during regular hours (9-12 M-F) so please reach out!
· Sunday services are being held via Zoom! More information is below.
· All in-person activities and meetings are on hold until further notice.
· Grace’s Kitchen is serving meals curbside at its regular hours.
· Father Doug is refraining from pastoral visitation at this time. If you need pastoral support please reach out by email, phone, or text.
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.
NEED HELP? OFFERING HELP?
We know that COVID-19 is changing all of our lives. Some of us, our friends, or neighbors may be experiencing changing needs due to losses of work, the need to self-isolate for personal health or quarantine reasons, or changing hours and accessibility of Cortez businesses, offices, and public spaces. We have an incredible network here at St. Barnabas of caring community members who would love to help make sure that you have what you need during this time. Please do not hesitate to call or email Annie at the office if there is a way we can assist you or share a request with the congregation.
Additionally, the 4 Corners Mutual Aid form is a place where people can request assistance and others can sign up to meet their needs (person to person help). Check in out if you need help or if you’d like to offer help to others. You can visit it at: tiny.cc/4CornersMutualAid or call 970-560-0119 to sign up! Please let others know about it or help them to sign up if they need help.
SUNDAY SERVICES
During this time we are offering Sunday Morning Prayer each week at 9:00am via Zoom! You can join us on your computer by following this link: https://zoom.us/j/732749635
If you’ve never used Zoom before, we recommend you create a free account the day before and practice following the link.
You can also call on your phone and listen in that way. The number to call is: +1 346 248 7799. Enter Meeting ID: 732 749 635.
This information will be the same week to week, so you can save the information, or just open the website for the link.
Morning Prayer: Rite II is found on page 75 of the Book of Common Prayer, which you can access here: https://www.churchpublishing.org/siteassets/pdf/book-of-common-prayer/book-of-common-prayer-2006.pdf?utm_campaign=test&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Book+of+Common+Prayer&utm_term=Free+Resources+-+COVID+19
We hope you can join us! Stay tuned for other ways to connect and worship remotely.
A TREE GROWS AT ST. BARNABAS!
We have a tree! Thanks to Judith and her commitment through these past few seasons, we are now home to a young Eastern Redbud! You may be excited but we are encouraging you not to rush to St. Barnabas as coming to view the tree is not considered an essential activity at this time. We will post a picture on Facebook for everyone to see!
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: $300
The Bridge Emergency Shelter: $300
Cathedral Ridge Camp: $300
Montezuma Youth Pride: $464**
Grace’s Kitchen: $3,761*
Sanctuary at Mancos United Methodist Church: $225*
Rector’s Ministry to Community: $611
*Ministry is funded solely by donation
**Ministry funded solely by donation and grant income
GRACE’S PATRONS
February 2020: 1,116 Meals Served
2020 Year-To-Date: 2,393
Total Meals Served Since 1998: 216,535
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.
Dorothy Day
THANK YOU
We would like to express great appreciation to the following people:
· Linda, Judy Schuenemeyer, Rhoda, Cindy Bradley, Maya, Sandy, Ann, and Judith, for making calls to check on congregation-members
· Our Grace’s coordinators, whose creativity, flexibility, and determination has allowed us to continue serving our community during this time. Especially Rhoda, Sally, Victoria, Chris, and Dot!
· 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.
· Maya, Evan, and Annika for helping out at Grace’s and around St. Barnabas while school is closed
· Cindy S, for monitoring and cleaning the churchyard
· Judith for bringing our new courtyard tree to fruition!