This past Sunday in my sermon I leaned heavily on the wisdom of Anne Lamott as I explored the nature of mercy as it relates to the practices we immerse ourselves in during Holy Week. Here’s her definition of what mercy looks like: “Mercy is radical kindness. Mercy means offering or being offered aid in desperate […]
Back in the 50’s and 60’s, it was thought that 500-year-old church divisions could be healed if churches reached across denominational lines and got to know each other. This was an exciting time for the churches in Irvington, as all the fundamental theological issues between the Protestant, Catholic, and Anglican Churches were on the way […]
In my message last week, I wrote of an emerging sense of optimism shared by our church leadership that church life can once again take on the semblance of normality. This past week, Bishop Dietsche shared his own sense of optimism in a letter entitled, “Return of the Common Cup.” He wrote, “…with the waning […]
In this moment of significant recovery from the pandemic, many of us are sensing that we have an opportunity to defy the recent pattern of collective anxiety. There is an emerging optimism shared by the wardens, vestry and your rector alike. At the vestry meeting on Tuesday night, decisions were made to make the wearing […]
“I would like to see the church come to some better understanding of what it means to be an inclusive fellowship, how to more fully exhibit the love of Christ in the world.” – Bishop Barbara Harris In honor of Women’s History Month, we acknowledge the historic role of Bishop Barbara C. Harris in the Episcopal […]
In a communications committee meeting on Tuesday night, co-chair Peter Williams reminded us that one of our team goals was to give expression to being a “church without walls.” It was just what I needed to hear as I prepared for Ashes-To-Go at the Irvington train station the following morning. Having reached out to Channel […]
Last Sunday afternoon, I attended a Memorial Service for Archbishop Desmond Tutu at St. John the Divine. I felt a connection with “the Arch,” as he was affectionately known, having assisted him at the altar when he visited Harvard Divinity School in 2002. On Sunday, I felt like our Church was doing something it really knows how […]
Parishioner Chris Mitchell once said to me that institutions at their best “set expectations and guide behavior.” He went on to say that the Church is the one institution that values the whole person and takes the human condition seriously. I am grateful to belong to the Episcopal Church for holding, as it does, to the belief […]
Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring Ring with the harmonies of Liberty Let our rejoicing rise… When Bishop Mary Glasspool made her Visitation to St. Barnabas in December, she sat down with the vestry after church. We talked about a wide range of topics, including how we might become a more racially diverse congregation. It […]
Dear All, In ten days, we will gather as a community for our Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Sunday, January 23rd at 11:30AM. With pandemic challenges in mind, the meeting will be held virtually via ZOOM; and in time-honored tradition will be a special date to take stock, take care of matters that reflect good governance of our resources, and good ordering of our shared life […]
Along with the gifts that the Magi bring to the manger, we are invited to bring love and concern, and practical and financial support to those in need. We do so to articulate the inner reality of the manger scene – a reality that lies hidden from view in a world darkened by disruptive forces, […]
Dear Parishioners and Friends, What a wonderful Christmas celebration we were able to have, given all the restrictions we faced! Thank you, good people of St. Barnabas, for all you have done to prepare the way for the Birth of Christ this Christmastide. The buildings and grounds, of course, looked beautiful and the church was […]
Dear All, We find ourselves in the midst of a week marked by uncertainty and anxiety as the highly-contagious Omicron variant puts plans for Christmas gatherings into various states of disarray. It is in times like these that we can draw on the resources of our faith to make meaning of the continuing sense of […]
This Sunday, Bishop Mary will be with at St. B’s as part of a three-year cycle of Episcopal visitations. She will celebrate and preach at the 8AM service and do the same at the 10AM service, where she will also confirm ten of our young members. I encourage you to participate in Bishop Mary’s visit […]
Last Sunday, we had forty people in church, including a little clutch of Sunday school children gathering to make Advent Table wreaths, as well as viewers tuning in from home. We also had a warm church to worship in with filtered air. All in all, it felt like a solid move forward as we step […]
As our hearts and minds turn toward Thanksgiving with its generative rituals of gratitude and appreciation, I write this week about a few of the things I am deeply thankful for. Last week, the Clothing Sale took place in our parish hall with many people returning to St. Barnabas for the first time in a long time as either volunteers […]
In a recent Dean’s meeting with Bishop Shin, I was struck by something he said along the lines of, “I am worried for our lay leaders, and I am worried for our clergy, that burnout is coming.” He added, “There is so much unprocessed grief that we haven’t even begun to reckon with.” He certainly […]
We will celebrate All Saints’ Day this Sunday, even though it is not a movable feast. We are, however, permitted to transfer it to the following Sunday, which is a fine compromise given the pastoral dimension to worship on this occasion. All Saints’ in our tradition invites us to remember collectively family members, fellow communicants and friends, […]
This year’s campaign, “Christ our Bridge,” is inspired by a verse from John’s Gospel: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (12:32). Jesus Christ draws all people to himself through his death and resurrection and is our “bridge over troubled waters” during these challenging times; by […]
Just as churches find ways to honor the Christ Child in an increasingly secular Holiday Season, I believe we can communicate the Gospel at Halloween in a playful and prayerful way. Taken at face value, Halloween is great fun. In my own mind, it’s a chance for a wee bit of controlled mayhem and spookiness […]
I am delighted that members Ed Mielke and Scott Sykes are leading our Stewardship campaign this year. As you might well appreciate, they are stepping out in faith on behalf of all of us following another year of major disruption to parish life. Hence, I ask for your prayers for them as they get into touch every parish household […]
Futurists are paid by corporations to “look over the horizon” in order to position a company for long-term success in an environment marked by an accelerating sense of disruption, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. In contemplating the future of the Episcopal Church in thirty years (which is farther out that most of us think, in terms of the civic institutions we love […]
It’s hard to imagine the new normal of post-COVID church. As the devastating impact of the pandemic continues to work its way across the globe, I am certain that places where mutual care, reflection and deep connection happen will matter more. I believe that our church is a place that will matter more not less to […]
Gathering for worship during the pandemic has proved challenging for churches everywhere. It has led many churches to meet in whatever outdoor spaces are available to them. Many of us at St. B’s have come to terms with the trade-off of worshipping outdoors rather than indoors. Last Fall we gathered for worship on the front […]
I am thrilled to welcome all our members back to church for either indoor or outdoor worship this Sunday. I also extend a very warm welcome to newcomers and visitors – please be assured of a respectful approach to mutual care and safety. In line with the safety protocols of Episcopal Churches across the County, please […]
While Gareth enjoys an August vacation, this letter is being written by guest columnists from our parish. When the pandemic caused a shutdown of life as we know it, an odd silence settled around us. (Ok, to be fair, not for those with young children). Annual events we have come to expect and often have […]
While Gareth enjoys an August vacation, this letter is being written by guest columnists from our parish. In these “dog days” of summer when many of our fellow parishioners are elsewhere or perhaps disinclined, in light of the Delta variant, to attend any indoor event, the pews of St. Barnabas are more empty than usual. With Gareth and […]
In this episode, St. Barnabas Rector, Gareth Evans, and Communications Intern, Hope Durot, traveled to “Strawberry Fields” in New York City’s Central Park to immerse themselves in a profound sense of gratitude for the wisdom of John Lennon’s lyrics. In particular, they discuss John’s commitment to parenting and how children are such a blessed source […]
While Gareth enjoys an August vacation, this letter is being written by guest columnists from our parish. Headlines announcing results of the Gallup organization’s latest poll on the State of Religion in the U.S. this past Spring were quite distressing: “America is Losing Its Religion” was one example that typified many. And while it was true the […]
Like many of you, I’m looking forward to taking a vacation, which, in practical terms, means vacating the pulpit, the office, and the day-to-day concerns of parish leadership. Put another way and coining the British idiom, I’m about to go on holiday to take holy days for rest, recuperation, and play. At any rate, starting on Sunday after church, “Gareth is getting away,” as Fran […]
The Bishops recently released their visitation schedule for the upcoming year. I was delighted to discover that Bp. Mary Glasspool, Assisting Bishop, will visit our church on Sunday, December 12th which happens to be the Third Sunday of Advent. My most immediate question for Bp. Mary was whether she would be open to incorporating the Confirmation rite into the principal service […]
Imagine approaching St. Barnabas for an evening event and the church itself is lit-up by exterior lighting, in such a way that you wonder what you might discover inside. As we know from our various forays into grand buildings, the approach is all- important. This insight has long been held by Michael Bradley, our former lay leader responsible for property and grounds. His desire, and that of […]
The summer vintage clothing sale happened at church this week. Over two rather hot days, sales were brisk, netting $6000 on the first day and just over $4000 on the second, for a grand total of $10,314.00. Enormous thanks to Barbara Mahoney and Cathy Hansen who, “got the word out” through ads, mailings, sign postings […]
Dear All, You might well be familiar with the axiom: each new generation has to lay claim to the Christian tradition for themselves. This complicated task involves becoming deeply familiar with the religious, spiritual and ethical dimensions of faith. Familiarity with the religious dimension is developed over a lifetime of attending church where one learns […]
In a recent conversation with a member of our congregation about the nature of institutions, he said, “they guide expectations and behavior.” Churches certainly seek to do so with a unique institutional focus on the whole person as imago Dei. As a caring clergy person ministering to a concerned and connected congregation, this naturally leads us to be a place of acceptance and inclusion […]
The bill to make Juneteenth a national holiday is a salve for a wounded nation and a balm for the national soul. It seeks to codify into law what has already come to pass in many places, including Irvington, where Juneteenth celebrations have recently been embraced. Juneteenth, a celebration of African American Arts and Culture, was brand […]
It is with great pleasure that I welcome back beloved former rector, Charlie Colwell, to preach at the one combined 10am service on St. Barnabas Day this weekend. During his time at St. Barnabas, he founded the Center for Jewish-Christian-Muslim Understanding, a non-profit group based in Dobbs Ferry, to expose to the general public the commonalities among the three faith traditions through interfaith discussion and the Arts. At a time of great tension in our nation, he felt it was vitally […]
A parishioner recently remarked that they were confused as to how exactly St. Barnabas is regarded in the overall context of his life and ministry. As we approach St. Barnabas Day on June 13, I thought it would be an ideal time to respond to that question. In order to satisfy my own immediate sense of curiosity, I took […]
As Memorial Day approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to recreation and the languid days of summer. I pray that, wherever you find yourself on Monday, take a moment to reflect on the liberties and freedoms we enjoy; acknowledge the debt owed to our heroic armed forces for defending our democratic way of life; and offer a prayer of thanks for their service to our nation. […]
Dear Parishioners and Friends, SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR SERVICESCOVID-19 Policy – Revised 10/12/2021 All are welcome to worship at St. Barnabas, whether vaccinated and unvaccinated.• When indoors, please wear a mask.• When outdoors, masks are recommended when social distancing is not possible. Pews are marked for social distancing. Extra masks and hand sanitizer will be located […]
The commonly held view is that restoration is all about reinstating things to their original form. But when you think about it, this is both impossible and not necessarily the best outcome. Having binge-watched a lot of restoration-themed car shows, I’m of the opinion that a good restoration is one that both repairs and enhances the original. As we seek to restore […]
There is an emerging semblance of normality as members make their way back to church. It has been a true tonic to see people’s smiling faces, share a wave from afar or engage in a bit of banter. It has also been brilliant to welcome people in person back into the sanctuary and onto the […]
To the constant stream of motorists rolling along N. Broadway, our idyllic village church might look like a place of relative slumber. However, within these granite walls there is a growing sense of momentum and excitement at the prospect of fully welcoming everyone back post-pandemic, of new beginnings for St. Barnabas in terms of spiritual and parish growth. We’ve reported many times […]
This has been a very tough year for mothers everywhere, regardless of class or race, in traditional or non-traditional family settings. It’s been a year in which regular routines, schedules and reliable “go-to” solutions simply disappeared. When stay-at-home orders were imposed in March last year, COVID-19 was already raging in our home, and would eventually […]
Your insights are vital to the process of imagining the best programs we can create for children and youth at this pivotal moment in the life cycle of our church. Please help us by participating in two ways:Take this Survey LINK HERE Sign up for a Zoom Listening Group LINK HERE I believe that a rich and […]
Dear Friends, It’s been another momentous week in the life of our nation defined by the news that former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd. I believe this is a victory for the rule of law; and, therefore, a victory for law enforcement officers who desire to work within […]
In my last parish, the choir sang, “Here Comes the Sun” by George Harrison on Easter Day. They knew it would make me and others smile as the Communion table was cleared. This nod to my favorite pop group got me wondering about other Beatles songs that have “crossover” potential for use in church, for […]
St. Paul, in his wisdom, called the early Christians, “The Body of Christ.” It was a genius, metaphorical move incorporating the actual body of Christ, the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the worshipping community. He says in his first letter to the church at Corinth that our individual selves make up the whole […]
Sixty-eight worshippers gathered for Easter Day Eucharist outdoors. This felt like a “breakthrough” moment given that we haven’t gathered as a worshipping community in such numbers since the lockdown began in March last year. Although numbers aren’t everything, they do tell their own story. This Sunday, resurrection hope was the binding story; and those gathered […]
“Blackbird” and “Here Comes the Sun” from Good Friday to Easter If you have yet to watch our video, this episode brings home just how timeless and continuously relevant Beatles lyrics remain decades after the height of their popularity. In this discussion, Gareth and communications intern, Hope Durot, link two songs to recent movements and challenges in […]
Gun violence, attacks on Asian-Americans, and coronavirus deaths speak to the suffering that is real in America today. Deeply personal and yet, at the same time, universal suffering. In this moment, we have every right to ask the question, “Where is God in all of this?” How could God “let this happen?” In St. Mark’s Gospel, […]
One year ago this week, I had the terrible realization that not only had the coronavirus arrived in the US and into New York, but it had arrived at St. Barnabas, and I was the host. This most unwelcome of guests arrived on the heels of a large charitable event held at the church, and […]
I was surprised this week by the announcement that six Dr. Seuss titles are being withdrawn from publication, chief among them, And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street. As a good liberal, albeit with an antiquarian bent, I felt upset given that my children are being raised on a literary diet consisting […]
By now, you should all have received the Lenten devotions for 2021 entitled, A Story to Tell. I chose it because it focuses intelligently on texts from the Gospel of Mark that show Jesus’ journey from his baptism to the cross. This is also the gospel that we are focused on in our Sunday worship […]
The “no” list during the pandemic has included: no hugs, no school, no visits, no church, and no choir. For each of us, there’s the ongoing pandemic “no list” that feels like a global Lent and a prolonged slowing down of time itself in which we work harder and longer. So, after all the pandemic sacrifices, what does it mean to give up chocolate or coffee for Lent (my usual spiritual speed)? In my […]
The Church’s Communication Management Intern, Hope, with the Rector discussing “Ash Wednesday” programs. This year the Episcopal Clergy of the Diocese of New York will not be distributing ashes, based on a ruling by Bishop Andrew Dietsche intended to eliminate the possibility of spreading the coronavirus due to the proximity of priest and penitient. I […]
These days, Valentine’s Day can be quite the production. This is certainly true in our household, where the children (three of them; 10 and under) make individual cards for Mommy and Daddy, and we return the favor. They also get Valentine’s Day cards from Grandma and Grandpa. I always present my wife, Fran, with the same “kitschy” fake rose in a vase every year (you press a button, and […]
For those of you able to attend the Annual Meeting last Sunday, thank you so much! For those of you who could not make it, never fear; you can find the very well-produced recording below with all the information you need “baked into” the meeting. Again, I wish to thank the Communications Team who, with […]
In a sermon entitled, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” poet-priest John Donne asserts that we are all connected to one another because we all live together in community. He summed up his point of view in the immortal phrase, “No man is an island.” He drives the point home by saying that the church bell rings […]
Dear All, On this first day of the new year, I give thanks to God for all that we accomplished in 2020, a devastating year like no other. Here are a few highlights, in no particular order, that give me joy in the midst of an ongoing feeling of loss: At heart, we are people who desire […]
Yesterday, many of our parish children received an early Christmas present: a day to play in the snow, and take in the cold crisp air. As a parent, I was heartened to witness the unbridled joy of my little brood as they “wiggle-woggled” out the kitchen door as if on an expedition to the North Pole. After all the […]
Dear Parishioners and Friends, This coming Sunday, the third of Advent, is celebrated with a splash of pink! Hence, it is referred to as Rose Sunday or Gaudete Sunday (from the Latin, “Rejoice”). We will rejoice this Sunday in humble confidence that God is good, and the light of Christ continues to overcome the darkness. […]
Like many of you, I have felt sick and betrayed over the events transpiring in Washington. But, unlike most of you, I have a different perspective on what we might think of as patriotism or nationalism. I grew up in 1970s-80s Britain, where hyper-nationalism was the preserve of the skinheads, racist thugs who readily used […]