May 28, 2023 - 9:30 AM Pentecost

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church McMinnville,
Where your name is known and your soul is treasured.

Day of Pentecost with The Rev. Cathy Clark, Celebrant

Join us for worship on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Our new rector, Rev. Cathy Clark's first service with StBarnabas is Sunday! Remember to wear red, the coffee hour will be in the parish hall, cupcakes decorated by the St. Barnabas kids will be provided, and we’ll all get to welcome Cathy+ and hear her first thoughts about joining us at St. Barnabas.

The service will be broadcasted and recorded. See link below.

Livestream and recording here

To say we are made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for our existence, for God is love. ~Thomas a Kempis

I’ve had such wonderful experiences at St. Barnabas. The laughter and conversation at the informal vestry gathering. The story telling and hospitality at the Altar Guild luncheon. The loving energy and care for humanity at the Refugee Coalition gathering. St. Barnabas is filled with welcoming, loving, down to earth people. This is a foretaste of what is to come. I feel a deep connection to you and recognize the love you have for one another and for God. I’m so excited to get to know you all.

My movers pack up my Coquille house on Tuesday and unload at my townhome on Wednesday. I close on my townhome on Wednesday. I’ll spend the next couple days unpacking and getting settled. I look forward to seeing you and meeting you on Pentecost Sunday.
Yours in Christ,
Cathy

When we were getting ready to leave, Art smiled and said to me, “Well, Cathy has seen the real us. I hope she’s not disappointed.”

Cathy drove me back to St. Barnabas to get my car, and before she left, we talked for a bit. She told me she had really enjoyed the get-together and was thankful for the opportunity to get to know us on a more personal level. I told her what Art had said and that she truly had seen the real us—nothing fancy, nothing pretentious, just us, carrying on everyday conversations.

She looked at me and said in a voice that conveyed absolute wonder and thankfulness, “Real people. Real people. I get to work with real people.” Remembering Sunday’s service, the interactions at coffee hour, and the numerous “little” jobs so many people were completing, I had a “light bulb” moment: I understood what makes St. Barnabas so special. “Cathy,” I said, “you’ll love St. Barnabas; we’re all real people.”

Link to an interview between Senior Warden Susan Huffman and The Rev. Cathy Clark

From Susan, Our Senior Warden : The last few days were busy ones!

Last Tuesday, the fire inspector checked our compliance on all regulations; we had only 5 minor items to take care, and those have already been addressed.

On Thursday, A & E inspected all of the fire alarms, and all are in working order.

The Soup Kitchen has been busy with the number of guests fluctuating, but last Thursday we served 120 plates. We still need volunteers, so please consider giving some of your time to help those in need if you possibly can. See Linda O’Hara or me with questions.

Art Bradley continues to represent St. Barnabas and the Soup Kitchen at the Friday Morning Greeters. Cathy will be joining him next week.

Saturday morning, Budd Kass, Jan Fax, Paul Kyllo, Gene Menke, Cherry Haas, Johnny Edwards and Susan Huffman cleaned the Potter’s Field Cemetery. With the removal of several large tree limbs and one tree; weed-eating; and weeding, the area is much sunnier and more visible. We have committed to the continual care of the Potter’s Field, so stay tuned!

Sunday afternoon, twelve St. Barnabas members attended the Refugee Coalition meeting to receive information about sponsoring our refugee family from Ukraine. JacE and Wendy will continue to update us on the program and the various needs of the family. Thank you to Cathy Clark, John and Nan Cramer, Rose Kass, Linda O'Hara, Kellie and Gene Menke, Sharon Hunt, Peter Howland, Ann Teal, Sue Post, JacE Macy, Wendy Tibbetts, and Susan Huffman for representing St. Barnabas.

Char McCreight attended the the ECW spirituality Days in Grants Pass Saturday and Sunday. We’ll hear more from Char soon.

Cathy’s first service with us is Sunday! Remember to wear red, the coffee hour will be in the parish hall, cupcakes decorated by the St. Barnabas kids will be provided, and we’ll all get to welcome Cathy and hear her first thoughts about joining us at St. Barnabas. One last time: Please wear your name tags!

This will be my last newsletter blurb. Thanks to the many, many of you who have offered support and encouragement as I’ve stumbled through the last few weeks. As my older brother Benjamin used to say when we were in high school: “It’s been real, and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun.” 😜
Actually, it has been real(ly) fun! Thank you!