Why I Teach

by Theresa Merchant

Why do I teach Sunday School and Children’s Chapel? Of all the volunteer opportunities that are available at St. Barnabas, why would I pick this one? I could go on and on with many reason why I teach but I’ll try to narrow it down to a couple important ones.

Being an adult, we tend to see ourselves as being older and wiser than children and for the most part, we are. We’ve gone to school, traveled, made mistakes, and overcome many of life’s obstacles so we have a bigger knowledge base to draw from. When I’m teaching, I get to see that knowledge base building in each child and religion needs to be a big part of that. What they learn during these younger years is the foundation that will stay with them throughout their lives. This foundation, like any, needs to be strong and withstanding so that it will last through the trials and tribulations that they will ultimately encounter as they grow into adulthood. Teaching them the stories in the Bible and about the life of Jesus, helps strengthen that base and prepare them for their journey through life. It’s an honor for me to have the opportunity to be one of these teachers.

I suspect I look at teaching differently than most. For me, it’s an adventure every Sunday, into the Bible, with the children in Sunday School and Children’s Chapel. No matter what story I’m teaching, I always leave with a different perspective than I had going in. The children are amazing and their response to each story always makes me look at it in a different way. It can be challenging but it is always rewarding. Teaching and learning go hand in hand. I may be the teacher but I learn something new from the children every Sunday. 

This is why I teach.

Why We Serve - Voices on Stewardship

Gil Baldwin:

I thank God for the opportunity to serve, through contributions of time, talent, and treasure. Many times these opportunities have taken the form of someone calling on me to do something; occasionally something I didn’t really think I could do. There have been times when I heard about a need, and I just felt “Hey, I could do that!” By responding, I learned something new, both about myself and about my fellow parishioners, along the way strengthening my faith and forming new relationships. I feel like my talents include organization, diligence, and perseverance. As I’ve contributed my time and effort, I’ve given a lot of thought and prayers about how to lead others to show forth their talents.

Conscious efforts have been made to encourage people to get involved, and to develop new leaders in our church. Here at St. Barnabas’ we have an abundance of talent, but often we feel pressed for time. One way to deal with that is to commit yourself to a goal, and then persevere in devoting some time each day to reaching that goal. By the diligent application of our talents, great things will be accomplished.

Carolyn Lilienthal:

Stewardship has evolved for me over the years.  When my family and I arrived at St. Barnabas’, I was a stay-at-home-mom.  We learned about stewardship in the fall campaign.  We felt compelled to give to

support our church; but nowhere near what I would have liked to have given.  But there was another option: time and talent.  

So I joined Altar Guild, WOSB, the vestry, etc.  Now at an older age, I can give more monetarily as I “slow down” in talent and energy. I do think it is necessary to do all three as they complement each other.  It certainly gives me an immense pleasure.

How We Prophesy

How We Prophesy

Rob Perkins

When looking up the word "prophesy" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the first definition that appears is "to utter by or as if by divine inspiration."  There are a number of instances in the Bible when men and women have dreams that show them the future or visions from God telling them what they must do.  Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3), The Lord calling Samuel within a dream (1 Samuel 3), and Deborah prophesying about the death of Sisera (Judges 4) are just a few of the prophecies mentioned in the Old Testament.  There are even prophets who themselves fulfill prophecy.  For example, there was John the Baptist, who prophesized that "... one who is more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie" (Luke 3:16), was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, who said "A voice of one calling in the wilderness, Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." (Luke 3:4).

In our modern world, the gift of prophesy takes on a different, but no less important, meaning.  Delving further into the Merriam-Webster definitions for "prophesy," one finds the definition of "to give instruction in religious matters; preach."  It is the ability to teach others how to bring the Lord into their lives, to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to experience the blessings that come from sharing your soul with the Holy Spirit.

There are a number of ministries where persons with a gift of prophesy can build upon their gift and help our church.  The Education for Ministry (EFM) program integrates theological knowledge into a Christian's daily life of ministry.  The program delves into both the Old and New Testaments, as well as theology and church history.  The newly-formed Small Groups Ministry seeks to build upon the spirituality and community of the church by exploring religious topics within small discussion groups.  For those congregation members who know the joy that giving brings, the Stewardship Committee is always open for new members who are willing to promote the spiritual discipline of stewardship.   Helping others to learn the gift of giving and share their time and talents helps to grow a church and keep it spiritually flourishing.

You do not have to wear clothes made of camel's hair and eat locusts and wild honey to prophesy.  Instead, "(f)ollow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." (1 Corinthians 14:1) All you need is a willingness to learn, an interest in sharing and discussing, and a knack for giving.  If you have those traits, then please consider using your gifts to guide our church today.

Join Us: Parish Retreat at Shrine Mont - September 28 - 30

A Call to Care For the Other

What is caring for the other?  Discover the inherent riches in our differences – which generation does the other belong to, how they look, how they speak, where they live and work, who is their family. How does God want us to care for the other?  

Explore the answers to these questions in the tranquil setting of Shrine Mont (www.shrinemont.com). This is a great time to get away from the demands of our daily lives for a weekend of fun, food, fellowship and renewal.

Also:

• Separate sessions for children. 
• Scholarships available to help defray costs.
• Bracing mountain air.
• Great country food.

Upcoming Opportunities to Serve

ACCA Furniture Duty, Hunger Fight and 3K Walk

St. Barnabas' next turn to volunteer for the furniture ministry is Saturday September 29.  Our crew picks up furniture donations and delivers them to needy households.  We meet at the warehouse on the grounds of Annandale United Methodist    Church, at Columbia Pike and Gallows Road, at 8 am. St. Barnabas is also scheduled to serve on November 3.  For information please contact Ken Mittelholtz.

ACCA is also joining other northern Virginia organizations to respond to Virginia Governor McDonnell's call to designate September 29 as a statewide Day to Serve to fight hunger. Volunteers will collect food outside Giant supermarkets. Volunteers are needed between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on September 29 at the Bradlick Giant. 

If you can help, please contact Ken or Camille Mittelholtz. There will also be a 3K Walk at Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. Walkers are asked to donate non-perishable food items which will go to local food pantries. Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m.; the walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Walkers can also register online.   

Annandale CROP Walk

The Annandale CROP Walk will be held on Saturday, October 13 at Lake Accotink Park.  Registration begins at 8 am.  This 10K walk raises funds for Church World Service to fight hunger and poverty worldwide.  Part of the funds raised support ACCA programs.   If you would like to donate, walk or help the morning of the walk, please contact Camille Mittelholtz.

A New Sign for a Not-So-Old Church

by Ed Ing

A street sign for a church signifies different things.  And replacing an old sign can become an issue.  Beyond the issue, beyond the aesthetics, beyond the paint and lettering, what does the sign mean?

My church St. Barnabas’ was started in 1962.  In the eighties a metal street sign was designed and installed for the church.  The sign’s low profile blended with the roadside landscape.  It showed the church’s name and the times for Holy Eucharist services on Sundays.  The sign worked best at night when the fluorescent bulbs inside the sign shined through the stenciling.  Over the years, the sign weathered, the metal corroded, and the paint faded.  Neighborhood demographics have changed as well.

The church, under a new rector, planned to replace the sign ten years ago.  A committee recommended a carved sign in 2006.  But the committee recommendation was never implemented, because some in the church did not want a replacement.  A coat of paint on the old sign and the addition of a sandwich board sign on the sidewalk, they said, would serve.  And the money given for the improvement would be better spent elsewhere.  Nothing was done until a new assistant bishop on his first visit drove right by the church without seeing it.  The church sits well back from the road behind a berm.   If the church was not visible to the bishop, many others did not see it either.

So the process to replace the sign started up again.  The county granted the permits, the sign maker delivered the replacement, the sign was erected, and new lighting installed.  The sign was dedicated this spring on Pentecost, the Sunday commemorating God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to all peoples who would receive Christ.  A new sign now stands in front of the church.  Some still think that it is too bold and brash.

The experience of replacing the old sign shows that my church is a group of people like any other group.  But unlike other groups, this little parish church and the bigger Church continually remind us of God -- who as the Father created us, who as the Son redeemed us, and who as the Holy Spirit sanctifies us.  And we are also continually reminded to feed the hungry, help the needy, and welcome the stranger.  For Christ tells us that insofar as do this to one of the least, we also do it to Him, and that insofar as we neglect to do this to one of the least, we neglect to do it to Him also.  Matthew 25:26 – 46.

The new church sign can mean all this and more.  It also can mean all this and less.  The sign reflects aspirations and it also reflects shortcomings.  For me the sign identifies a community that is repeatedly asked to be mindful of God’s presence and God’s love for us even though we in our striving fall short of the love He asks of us.

Take a look at the picture of the new church sign.  See what the sign means.  And consider this ancient prayer from a time of great turmoil in the sixth century.  In the liturgical cycle of prayer, the Episcopal Church designates this prayer to open worship on the 20^th Sunday after Pentecost.  The theme of the prayer comes from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae -- Let your thoughts be on heavenly things, not on the things that are on earth.

“Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly, and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.”

J2A Pilgrimage to Rome - Part 6 of 6

We started Friday by visiting the National Museum of Rome.  The museum focuses on the archeological history of Rome, with displays of many of the statuaries that have been uncovered within the city and the surrounding areas.  This display greets visitors at the entrance of the museum, as it shows what the area around the Baths of Diocletian looked like back at the height of Rome’s power.

The special exhibit at the museum concentrated on the written language of Rome.  There were videos that showed how they put together what Rome looked like long ago from the fragments of maps and writings.  Another video showed how the carving of Roman letters was done.  There were a number of writing exhibits, including how different social classes used writing and how Romans wrote in cursive.  This photograph has nothing to do with writing, however.  It is a Balbi wall and wood oil painting of the father of Pope Clemente IV, himself a Carthusian monk.  It resides in the Michelangelo cluster of the museum.

We then headed next door to the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli.  This was the church that Michelangelo helped design once Pope Pius IV consecrated the Baths of Diocletian to the angels and Christian martyrs that built the baths.  Many of the exhibits within the church were showing that Galileo Galilei was a religious man, not an atheist.

This is a statue found outside the old sacristy of Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli, entitled “Galileo Galilei Divine Man.”

We stopped at a small restaurant near the Piazza Barberini called La Fontanella Sistina.  Kinsey ordered a calzone.  That was the football-sized calzone that was delivered to her.  Yikes!

Our final visit was to the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, a church that was described as “a wonderful primer on Roman art and architecture.”  Unfortunately, it was closed by the time we got there, but that did not stop me from posing in front of the church for a photograph.  To finish off the “Angels and Demons” theme, this was the church that Dan Brown used as the Earth-based Altar of Science.

We spent the rest of the afternoon gift shopping, drinking tea at Babington’s Tea Room, and visiting the Spanish Steps.  Our pilgrimage ends tomorrow as we head home from Rome.  We hope that these pictures have given you a taste of the pilgrimage that we have experienced.  Thanks again to all of you who helped make our pilgrimage possible!