Greetings from St. Barnabas! Read on for the latest news.

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

Advent II begins our pre-service meditation at 9:15. (Sorry, because of copyright laws, we are not able to broadcast.)
Worship begins at 9:30 a.m. for in-person participation and broadcast/recording.
Advent Outreach activity and soup brunch after worship.
Join us as you can!

Masks are now optional for in-person worship.

Table of Contents

Something new: Click on the article title that interests you; at the end of each article is the link to return to the Table of Contents.

The Holidays are HERE!
Getting out into the world
Thoughts to Ponder
Odds and Ends
Thank yous
This Week's Schedule
Out on the Web
Emergency Contact
The Vestry (Parish Leadership)
Parish Contact Information

The Holidays are here...and there are many ways to experience Advent at St. Barnabas. Please help us spread the word by telling AND inviting people to come and be with us during this holy season.

Beginning THIS SUNDAY, Advent II, (December 4), you are invited to come early to church and give yourself the gift of quiet meditation. Beginning at 9:15 a.m., we will have a presentation of Advent works of art accompanied by lovely liturgical musical recordings. The lights will be dimmed and all talking encouraged to take place outside the Nave, so that in this busy season of activity, we can pause and reflect on the true meaning of Advent. Please note: Because of copyright laws, we will not be able to broadcast this offering; our regular broadcast will begin at 9:27 as usual.

And we aren't done yet! On Sunday, December 4 and 11, everyone is invited to stay after church as long as they can, to help make "fleece, no tie" blankets to be given to those who just might need a warm cuddly wrap around at Henderson House. No experience is needed; no minimum or maximum age. We'll conclude out time together with some delicious hot soup. Plan now to give to others a symbol of the warmth of the season.

And yes, we are participating in the annual Salvation Army's drive for Christmas gifts. Check out the Christmas tree in the narthex and see which child's tag is calling you to make Christmas very special . DEADLINE: All gifts are to be at St. Barnabas no later than December 10!!

And it is still not too late to begin your Advent wreath worship at home. You can purchase a wreath and candles at church for $10 or just the wreath or candles for $5. All are available in the narthex (entry) of the church. An Advent booklet for home worship will also be available this Sunday.

NOT one but TWO holiday concerts at St. Barnabas! AND at present, both will be broadcast live and recorded, so tell your friends far and wide to tune in and join you!
- On Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. The 36th Annual Community Christmas Cantata Choir will present this year’s concert, “Born Is the King: It’s Christmas” created by Luke Gambill and Sue C. Smith. The choir supplements the story with the addition of songs from other sources. The program, music with narration in a blend of contemporary and traditional styles, is about one hour long. Our 60 participants (five-part choir, narrator, piano, synthesizer, guitar, electric bass, clarinet, flute and percussion) come from more than a dozen communities and a variety of faith traditions, several counties and two states! The performance will be interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) for the hard of hearing. There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be received to benefit YCAP (Yamhill Community Action Partnership) www.CantataChoir.org

- On Sunday, December 18 at 5 p.m., the St. Barnabas Choir will be joined by the Dayton Community Renaissance Choir for our annual Lessons and Carols. There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be received to benefit the Soup Kitchen at St. Barnabas.

Getting out into the world...

November 25 - December 18 Gallery Theater's holiday offering is the Charles Dickens's classic "Christmas Carol." Adapted and directed by John Hamilton, this production is a faithful rendition of the Dickens classic. Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghosts of Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come. Over the course of one night Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption. In this World Premiere adaptation, the world of Scrooge, Fezziwig and Tiny Tim comes alive, igniting the holiday spirit for young and old alike. Tickets are going FAST so don't delay! Get yours now at www.gallerytheater.org.

Yamhill County Heritage Museum: 12^th Annual Handmade Holiday Bazaar presents 35+ local artisans and vendors featuring handcrafted items, silent auction, food, music, and more!
Admission: Free with non-perishable food item for YCAP
Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, December 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Yamhill County Heritage, 11275 SW Durham Lane, at the intersection of Highway 18 and Durham Lane
https://yamhillcountyhistory.org

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Thoughts to Ponder...Welcome home!

No matter how many times it happens to me, it is always a nice...and a very welcomed surprise and gift. It happens each time I return to the USA from a trip to another country. Tired and exhausted by the travel, it warms my heart that when the Customs officer looks at my passport and sees where I am from, he or she says, and always with a smile, "Welcome home." Though I am not yet in my actual home, I realize I am home. I give thanks for the training of the Customs officers throughout this country who utter these wonderful two words to this wearied traveler.

Advent is about coming home; coming home to that place where God has chosen to reside; within the human body and heart. From before time, God has had a home; we call it "heaven" or the "heavenly realm." We are invited to come home to this place at the end of our earthly journey.

However, God in that holy wisdom, deigned that the experience of the divine and human at home, is to start right here on earth. We need not wait until "someday."

God makes the effort to approach a young woman named Mary and ask permission to make a home within her body for a very special child. Thankfully, Mary's hospitality (and courage!) says "yes."

Then in the mystery and beauty of a starlit night, a baby is born. In that baby, is "home" for God and humanity. All that child's life, we are shown the possibility of what "home" can look like and be like. Through the life of the Bethlehem baby, we are shown what "home" is to be, right here and now, regardless of physical address.

I invite each of you to "come home" this Advent season. I encourage each of you to find a time, space and practice to

make your way home. There are many things being offered at St. Barnabas to help you in your journey. There are other things being offered by others to do the same. Seek out your path home, then take that first step...and another...and another. And listen, listen for that holy, loving voice who says to each and everyone of us "Welcome home."

A blessed Advent to you and yours. Let's stay in touch,
Betty+

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Odds and Ends:

TODAY! ... 10 a.m., Wednesday, November 30. We will have our quarterly "Stuffing Party" for our Soup Kitchen newsletter. Come when you can, leave when you need to. Many hands will get the work done.

Did you know that all of our various meetings are open meetings? Check out the schedule each week and see if there is a ministry God is calling you to consider. Check the weekly calendar and come and see!

Enjoy the photos on our Instagram account. Follow us and stay up to date with St. Barnabas!

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Thank you's to...

- Dorothy Brown and all the "team" who made things run so smoothly while the Interim Rector and the Parish Administrator were away.
- all those who brought in toilet paper for our monthly contribution to the Gospel Rescue Mission. Here is Budd Kass loading up his car for the November delivery.
- Robin, the Soup Kitchen Volunteers and all those who donated turkeys for our Thanksgiving meal at the Soup Kitchen. We served 86 guests a total of 107 meals!
- "Three Amigos" (Gene, Pete and Bob) for putting up the "Bethlehem" triptych out front.

Schedule for November 30 - December 7
Soup Kitchen serves dine-in, sit down meals Monday through Friday, 4-6 p.m.

Wednesday, November 30: Office hours, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 10 a.m. "Stuffing Party" for Soup Kitchen newsletter

Thursday, December 1: Office hours, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 10 a.m. Contemplative Prayer
- 1:00 p.m. Altar Guild

Friday, December 2: Office hours, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 3:
Sunday, December 4: Advent II
- 9:15 a.m. Quiet Meditation with art and music (No broadcast available)
- 9:30 a.m. Worship and broadcast
- Coffee Hour
- Outreach Project: "Making Fleece no tie blankets" for Henderson House. Hot Soup brunch to follow!
- Choir rehearsal
- AA, 7 p.m. (Parish Hall)
Monday, December 5: Office closed
- 7 p.m. NA (Parish Hall)
Tuesday, December 6:: Office hours, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- 5:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, December 7: Office hours, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Here are some links that you might find interesting:
- Join the St. Barnabas "Parish Talk" group here
- Follow us on Instagram here.
- Join our Soup Kitchen at St. Barnabas Facebook page here.
- Join our Friends of the Soup Kitchen Facebook page here.
- Stay informed of what is taking place by checking in here at the Episcopal News Service...or joining their email list.
- The Episcopal Cafe here offers timely and interesting articles about our church. Join their email list and enjoy.
- The St. Barnabas website is up...and "bare bones. Please review and send your thoughts/ideas/comments to Laurie.
- The Episcopal Diocese of Oregon
- The Episcopal Church in the USA

Contact Information:

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
822 SW Second Street
PO Box 539
McMinnville OR 97128
503 472 5831
admin@stbmac.org

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