Join us for another awesome VBS at St. Barnabas! This year, we are headed to the beach for a SonSurf Beach Bash!

I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me. — John 14:6

VBS is open to all children age 4 (as of August 5, 2011) through students who have finished 8th grade. VBS will start at 9:30am and end at 12:30pm from August 1st – August 5th. After care will be available until 5:30pm. Pass these dates on to your friends and family!

CALLING ALL 6th, 7th, & 8th graders – You are invited to join us for a special CIT (Counselors In Training) Day on Saturday, July 30th from 9am-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 craft 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! We will have a VBS volunteers meeting on Wed. June 15th at 7pm upstairs.

If you have any questions, please contact Namita Ipe or Susan LeDonne. Please visit our 2011 VBS webpage at for more information and to register or volunteer online!

Plans are underway for the 2011 International Benefit Dinner, Saturday October 22nd at the Franklin Senior Center. The Ministry of Racial Diversity is again graciously organizing the international dinner part of the evening, so it promises to be a truly mouth-watering experience! This event is a wonderful Fundraiser and FUNdraiser, and we need your help to make it a success! We are in need of volunteers for a variety of different tasks starting now! We are also looking for a co-chair to learn the ropes this year and chair next year’s event.

Please see the attached list of descriptions and sign up online through the following link to complete descriptions and an online sign-up sheet. Please contact Namita Ipe with any questions.

St. Barnabas International Benefit Dinner Volunteer Opportunities

On behalf of the team, I would like to thank all who supported the Mother’s Day plant sale, which resulted in over $750 being donated towards our trip (with a significant portion coming from people driving by the church on Sunday morning!) Our final fundraiser will be a carwash on June 4 from 10am-2pm. Our final team meeting will be June 12 and will be mandatory for both youth and their parents. We will be commissioned at the 8:30am service on June 26 and leave for Rutland right afterwards. Please continue to pray for us and the people we will be serving.

– Bryan Botsch

At present the Altar Guild is made up of eight women consisting of two teams of four serving alternating months. Many hands make light work and new members, both male and female, are welcome and invited to join. Please speak with Stephanie Carr or Carolyn Hales to learn more about the duties involved and see if you have a call to this ministry.

Transition Task Force – The photo board in Hubbard Hall needs your new or updated photo! You can have your photo taken after the 8:30 service by Leon Merriweather or after the 10:30 service by Joel Ipe. As previously stated, our goal is to have the board filled to capacity for our new Rector and this is only possible with your cooperation. If it is more convenient for you to mail or email a current photo to the church, please do so.

Contact Stephanie Carr [Transition Task Force Chair] for additional details or questions.

On the third Tuesday evening of each month you can find a group of St. Barnabas parishioners and friends volunteering at Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick. We help with the prep work for the meal when we arrive, then serve the clients dinner between 6-7 pm and clean up the work area afterward. In April and May we served over 200 meals and also prepared fifteen portions to go to the Ozanam Men’s Shelter each time.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy doing and you’re available any third Tuesday, please consider participating in this rewarding ministry. Contact Stephanie Carr for additional details.

Our fifth resettlement of 2011 was completed the end of April for a young mother and her two year old son. She was so very appreciative when we delivered a complete set of den furniture and table lamps; an area rug; maple kitchen table and four chairs; silverware and kitchen utensils; and queen-size bedding and matching curtains. All these donations were made by friends of parishioners.

If you are interested in assisting with this outreach ministry but your time is limited, you can also help by contributing toward the $8 monthly insurance fee we pay to Lackland Self Storage for the storage unit they provide. Please contact Stephanie Carr for more information.

Want to help get the word out about St.Barnabas? Here’s your chance! Get your very own St. Barnabas bumper magnet! These magnets will not damage the paint on your car and are transportable if you get a new car! They are $5 each and will be available after services starting on St. Barnabas Sunday (June 12th.) Please contact Namita Ipe with any questions.

SonSurf Beach Bash is coming to St. Barnabas August 1-5!  Please visit our VBS webpage for all the details, and to register and volunteer online!