The St. Barnabas Encourager - St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

The St. Barnabas Encourager
Message from Rev. Valerie
Share the Prayer
One of the many sayings of our Rector Emeritus
that was shared with me was about the
importance of the church community to “multiply
our blessings and divide our sorrows.” I have
seen this truth many times in my vocation, and to
it I would add “share the prayer.” It has been an
extraordinary experience to have this community
join with my family, my father and sister’s
church in Tennessee and friends on Facebook in
prayer for my father’s surgery and healing. I felt
the peace in the midst of chaos and I knew I was
not alone.
Prayer is a fundamental part of our faith, and yet
it can remain a mystery to many of us. When I
am in a situation where a prayer is needed
(usually before a meal) and those gathered know
I am a priest, I am usually asked to offer a
prayer because “you know what you are
doing.” (Boy, do I have them fooled!). Our
Episcopal tradition of “Common Prayer” is a
blessing for the beautiful language it offers
to express our deepest thoughts and desires
to God, but it can also be a burden when we
want to pray yet our words seem so inadequate.
The Good News about prayer is that the words
are less important than the intent and our
recognition that we need to pray in order to
develop our relationship with God.
Perhaps the best kept secret about prayer is that it
is really a conversation. Indeed it is an on-going
dialog between God and you regardless of how
long it has been between sessions. God wants to
hear from us – the trick is we must also want to
hear from God. God can be heard through
Scripture, from sage advice, and in that “still,
small voice” like Elijah heard at the mouth of the
cave (1Kings 19:13) and we might think of as our
conscience. God is present to us – we need to be
present to God.
Prayer is especially important when we are in
need of direction or clarity of purpose. This is
called discernment. When we say in the Lord’s
Prayer, “thy will be done,” we are proclaiming an
understanding that God knows what is best for all
of creation. It is part of our job to enable that
vision to be enacted. How that gets accomplished
can be done in many ways. For example, we can
show love to our neighbors in many ways
depending on their needs, and what might work
in one place may be a complete failure
somewhere else.
This summer, I am calling upon all of you to
offer a specific prayer intention for the mission of
St. Barnabas in order for us a community to
discern where our gifts and talents in needed in
God’s creation. We are blessed with a wonderful
facility – how can that be used to share God’s
love? What can we do in this community? How
can our dedication to sharing the Anti-Racist
Gospel invite others into our midst?
God speaks to all of us, not just me or the Vestry.
We want to hear what God is saying to
you as well! Let us continue to support
each other by and “share the prayer.” No
specific words are needed, just an open
and willing heart.
Since it is summer and some of you may
not be at St. Barnabas every Sunday, I
encourage you, wherever your summer
plans take you to either 1) go to another church
(it doesn’t have to be Episcopal!) and see what
they do – notice what you like about their service
and if there are any good ideas we can borrow (I
am always glad to see bulletins from other
churches) or 2) make some time in the midst of
your vacation to offer prayer. And if you are in
the area, remember that St. Barnabas is open all
summer long! We’d love to see you!
I also offer the prayer that your summer is
blessed, restful and renewing physically, mentally
and spiritually. As I approach my 2 nd anniversary
as your Rector, I continue to give thanks to God
for this ministry. Thank you for allowing me the
joy of partaking in multiplied joys, divided
sorrows and shared prayer.
In Christ,
Rev. Valerie
Summer 2013 St Barnabas Episcopal Church Page 1 of 6

First Friday Book Club
The Book Club
usually meets for
dinner and fellowship
at Confectionately
Yours on the first
Friday of each month
at 5:30 pm and
proceeds to the Bolmer Room at St. Barnabas
for the discussion at 7:30. Future readings:
• July 5 - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
• August 2 - Unbroken: A World War II
Story of Survival, Resilience, and
Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
• September 6 - The Silver Linings
Playbook, by Matthew Quick
Please contact Monica Devanas with any
questions.
Financial Update
Summary
May 2013 YTD
Income $16,431 $81,381
Expenses $13,258 $75,877
Net Income $3,178 $5,504
Diocesan Pledge
2013
Balance
Owed
Paid $2,500 $5,000
# of Months 4 8
Diocesan Mortgage
Paid $1,659 $8,295 $11,613
# of Months 1 5 7
Bill Armstrong
VBS
Join us for another awesome VBS at St.
Barnabas! This year, we are headed to God's
Backyard Bible Camp: Under the Stars
VBS is open to all children age 4 (as of July 19,
2013) through students who have finished 8th
grade. VBS will start at 9:15am and end at
12:30pm from July 15-19th. After care will be
available until 5:30pm. Pass these dates on to
your friends and family! Donation is $20/child for
VBS and includes a t-shirt and music CD! After
Care is $50 for the week for St. Barnabas, Christ
the King, and Six Mile Run Reformed Church
members, $75 for non-members.
We will be collecting items
throughout the week for Heart of
the Home, an organization that
helps those in need. We are
collecting garden items such as
trowels, small hand rakes, bulb
dibbles, small garden buckets, clippers, gloves,
kneelers and garden decorations to give to those
who may have lost theirs during hurricane Sandy.
All are welcome on Sunday, July 21 st for a VBS
Celebration Sunday at our 10:30 am worship
service.
CALLING ALL 6th, 7th, & 8th graders – You are
invited to join us for a special CIT (Counselors In
Training) Day on Saturday, July 13th from 10am-
12pm at St Barnabas. We will preview the
Vacation Bible School bible stories and learn
about the importance of being a CIT at VBS. All
students attending VBS who have finished 6th,
7th and 8th grades will help guide the younger
students during the week of VBS. This has
become an important role at VBS!
VOLUNTEERS are needed for the week or just a
day to help with teaching, crafts, games, music,
snacks, child care, and taking pictures during that
week. Volunteers are also needed prior to VBS to
provide or prepare materials and set up. All are
welcome! High school students are encouraged to
volunteer for any position. WE NEED YOUR
HELP IN ORDER TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL
VBS! If you have any questions, please contact
Namita Ipe or Rev. Valerie.
To register a child or volunteer, please visit:
www.vacationbibleschool.com/stbarnabas
Summer 2013 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Page 2 of 6

Briefly Stated
Altar Flowers
JULY 21 & 28 are still
open for dedicating altar
flowers in honor/celebration
of any joyous occasion, or in
loving memory of a departed
family member or friend. .Please see any
member of the Altar Guild to sign up on the
Flower Chart in the sacristy. Flowers are $35,
so please make the notation 'altar flowers' on
the memo line of your check and include the
date of your dedication.
Sandy Recovery Mission
Trip
When: August 25-30, 2013
Begins: Sunday, August 25, 2013 (4:00 pm)
Ends: Friday, August 30, 2013 (11:00 am)
Who: Youth grades 9th through newly
graduated 12th
Cost: $300 per person
To register go to newjerseyyouth.org and
click on the link
Participants will learn about the challenges
facing local
residents and
community
agencies by
working to
help home
owners, pack
food,
or support general
cleanup efforts. We will meet and work with
residents and community organizers
committed to supporting the ongoing
recovery and sustainability work. Missioners
will be housed at Ocean Grove Retreat Center
in Ocean Grove NJ and will work, play, and
pray with diverse youth from parishes in New
Jersey and New York.
Youth Mission Trip
Ten youth (Kotei Ashie, Brandon Botsch,
Casey Dombrowski, Vittoria Flick, Chisom
Ilogu, Toby Ilogu, Melissa LeDonne, Megan
Martinez, Brandon Tagoe, and Jean-Adelle
Tagoe) led by Rev. Valerie Balling, Maureen
Beebe, and Jeff Flick are leaving for Niagra
Falls in New York before the 8:30 service on
Sunday, June 30. They will be helping the
community in many ways. Please keep them,
their leaders and the people they will serve in
your prayers.
St B News For 6/30
Ponder God’s Word- Our Readings for
this Sunday:
2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20,
Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62
Serving on Sunday:
Acolyte: 8:30 Jonathan Louison
10:30: Dylan Romine & Rachel Beathea
Gospel Bearer: Tom Carr
Altar Guild: Carolyn Hales, Alison Lynch,
Pam Rieger, Joan Saccenti, Anne Tambascia
Chalicer: Sue LeDonne & Jonathan Pitt
Greeter: Gwyneth Hanyes-Rodman
Grocery Cards: Lara & Joe Dombrowski
Lector: Jonathan Hill
Offering Counters: Monica Devanas & Bill
Eldred
Refreshments: Sandy Johnson
Ushers: Brandon Tagoe & Harriet Tagoe
Have questions, contact The Rev. Canon
Debi Clarke, Deacon 609-394-5281 ext. 36 or
dclarke@newjersey.anglican.org
Summer 2013 St. Barnabas Encourager Page 3 of 6

Youth Group News
We are in the midst of several initiatives that
will revive our Youth Group Program. Our
hope is to get the youth and parents involved in
these various projects.
Over the summer, we will be turning the church
library into a shared space with a Youth Room.
We need to clean up and reorganize the space.
This effort will start on Saturday, July 13 th from
1 – 3 PM. We will have another session on
Wednesday, July 17 th
from 1-4 PM, which
might involve some
painting (The youth
can pick the color!
Submit suggestions
now!). If needed, we will complete the
makeover on Sunday, July 28 th . IF YOU
HAVE A COUCH OR OTHER COMFY
FURNITURE THAT NEEDS A NEW HOME,
PLEASE LET US KNOW!
The Youth will be using this room for meetings
at least once a month after church for Christian
Education and from time to time for worship
(they will join the rest of the community for
Eucharist). In connection with the final
mission trip of the year, the youth will be
taking about hunger and homelessness, and
how, as Christians, we should respond
We will be joining the Youth Groups from
Christ the King Lutheran Christ and Six Mile
Reformed from some social activities. Most of
these events are on the second or third
Sundays of the month. A full calendar will be
included in the September Encourager.
The final trip of the year will be to serve the
hunger and homeless in Washington, D.C. from
June 29 – July 4 2014
(or 5 th , we might stay in
town to see the
fireworks!). Ages 12 and
up can participate. We
will be going in
conjunction with All
Saints Episcopal Church
in Morristown, TN,
where Rev. Valerie’s
family attends church. Their youth group is
really excited about this! We would like the
youth groups to work on getting to know each
other over the year, sharing information about
our churches and our communities, with
specific emphasis on hunger and homelessness
issues.
We look forward to working with you all on
these ideas and projects. Your feedback and
participation is needed! Please talk with Gerry
Welch, Tony Thompson and/or Rev. Valerie at
any time!
Rock The Flags festival will be at Great
Adventure August 31 st . Bands include: Casting
Crowns, Jamie Grace, For King & Country,
Tom Richter as Speaker and KJ-52 emcee. See
Gerry Welch if interested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please see the attached letter on the following
page regarding Grace Community Church.
Summer 2013 St. Barnabas Encourager Page 4 of 6

June 25 th , 2013
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
142 Sand Hill Road
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852-3103
732-297-4607
The Rev. Valerie L. Balling, Rector
Rr
Dear St. Barnabas Family,
Grace Community Chapel (GCC), the group that has been using our facilities Saturday evenings and
Sunday afternoons since June 2005, has informed us that they have outgrown our facility and be
moving in early September. This does not impact St. Barnabas SPIRITUALLY but does financially as
we received $1200/month from them, which accounts for about 7% of our yearly income and is
factored into our annual budget. Both GCC and the Assembly of God (which preceded Grace) came to
us with requests to use our worship space. We did not solicit them. The Vestry has discussed the matter
and are very open to suggestions anyone may have about obtaining another ministry we can partner
with, such as a church or outreach project.
Please pray for guidance for this matter, seeking to know how best to use the blessing of our physical
plant to continue God’s work in South Brunswick.
In faith,
Nicholas Hrinkevich
Administrative Warden
Summer 2013 St. Barnabas Encourager Page 5 of 6

Celebrations
July Birthdays:
Cy Collins 7/2
Martha Hayden 7/3
Mary Dashiell 7/5
Eugene Thompson 7/7
Nancy Armstrong 7/9
Marjorie Post 7/9
Amy Pospiech 7/10
Robert Royce 7/10
Victoria Royce 7/10
Ericka Suchomel 7/10
David Fildes 7/11
James Hill 7/11
Joseph Dombrowski 7/14
Kevin Lynch 7/14
Lauriana McLeod 7/15
Brandon Botsch 7/16
Annis Laird 7/16
Brian Moore, Jr. 7/16
Judy Stevenson 7/17
Jenna Thompson 7/17
Linda Hampton 7/18
Kiara Tierney 7/18
Millicent Barksdale 7/19
Theresa Bemiss 7/20
Bradley Barnhard 7/21
Dennis Hermann 7/22
Gregg Soriano 7/22
Jeffrey Flick 7/23
Nicholas Martinez 7/23
Zackary Baskin 7/24
Chukwudi (Chudi) Ilogu 7/24
Nicholas Straughn 7/25
Christopher Garrin 7/29
Brian Keith 7/29
Chloe Salles-Acevedo 7/29
Jean-Adelle Tagoe 7/30
Alexandra Royce 7/31
July Wedding Anniversaries:
Noel & Sandra Ilogu 7/15
Annis & Roland Laird 7/27
July Baptismal Anniversaries:
Victoria Stanger 7/1
Kim Wallace 7/1
Angel Lee 7/2
Minnie Lee 7/2
Julie Royce 7/10
George Carroll 7/11
Paul Devonish 7/11
Abigail Lynch 7/14
Marissa Botsch 7/16
Robert Royce 7/21
Richard Loehr 7/22
Evan Thompson 7/27
Brian Keith 7/29
Joy Epting 7/31
August Baptismal
Anniversaries:
Joseph Dombrowski 8/1
Judy Stevenson 8/1
William Atherton 8/2
Lily Ipe 8/3
Linda Hampton 8/7
Brandon Wildemuth 8/7
Stan Michael Lysenko 8/9
Jennifer Atherton 8/13
Joshua Ipe 8/13
Andrew Herbach 8/17
Jennifer Herbach 8/17
Stefanie Herbach 8/17
Janine Braude 8/19
Lisa Gibbons 8/23
Erin Carroll 8/24
Cara Merris 8/24
Jean Lusk 8/28
Millicent Barksdale 8/29
August
Wedding
Anniversaries:
Ken & Lisa Gibbons 8/2
Bill & Elizabeth Breedlove 8/17
Romelle & Stan Lysenko 8/22
Bill & Margy Eldred 8/23
Jonathan & Patricia Pitt 8/29
August Birthdays:
Steve Cochrane 8/1
Nile Dwyer 8/1
Benjamin Lubbers 8/1
Maria Flick 8/2
Jill Hague 8/2
Megan Martinez 8/3
Kate Dashiell 8/4
Lisa Gibbons 8/7
Alison Hennessy 8/7
Arnold Herbach 8/8
Jean Lusk 8/9
Sean Merriweather 8/9
Carl Eby 8/11
Kellie Ahiarakwe 8/12
Jason Louison 8/12
David Rodman 8/12
Joan Saccenti 8/15
Judd Tierney 8/15
Maureen Beebe 8/16
Kayla McLeod 8/16
Laura Pospiech 8/16
William Armstrong 8/18
Donald VonHerbert 8/20
Sheila Daley 8/22
Kotei Ashie 8/23
Toby Ilogu 8/29
Delores Merriweather 8/29
Ruth Blue 8/30
Lily Soriano 8/31
If your special day is missing
from this list please contact
Melody at
melody@stbarnabas-sbnj.org
or 732-297-4607
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
142 Sand Hill Road,
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
732-297-4607
The Rev. Valerie L. Balling, Rector
revballing@stbarnabas-sbnj.org
www.stbarnabas-sbnj.org
Summer 2013 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Page 6 of 6