Want to join in the VBS excitement? Become a volunteer! We have a few positions still available, some of which do not require being present during the actual week of VBS. We particularly need help getting all our VBS areas ready for action on Sun. July 31st at  5:30pm. Do you have a flair for themed decor? We would love some help in transforming our sanctuary into a beach getaway! We would also welcome a few more hands to help out any or all days August 1-5 9am-12:30pm. If you are available, please contact Namita Ipe namita.ipe @ gmail.com. Please visit our VBS webpage at www.stbarnabas-sbnj.org/vbs for more information and to register or volunteer online!

Join the Vacation Bible School campers and staff as we learn about how to share God’s love in collecting school supplies that will go to children in local Battered Women’s Shelters. These children are in great need; some have left violent homes with only the clothes on their backs. The children are in need of school supplies, and YOU can help (please bring NEW school supplies only): Backpacks, Notebooks, Erasers, Pens, Pencils, Crayons, Washable Markers, Writing Paper, Pencil Cases, Calculators, Lunch Boxes, Highlighters, Folders, Glue Sticks, Scissors, & Rulers. Bring the items to church Sun. July 31 and Sun. August 7 or between 9AM – 12 Noon August 1 – August 5.

If you haven’t registered for VBS yet, don’t miss your chance! Registration is open to preschoolers (age 4) to those who have just completed 8th grade. (High school students are welcome to volunteer!) This year, we are headed to the beach! VBS is August 1-5th at St. Barnabas from 9:30am-12:30pm. The fee is $20 (scholarships are available — please contact the church office). We also have an after care program available until 5:30pm, so don’t let anything stop you from joining in the fun! To get a sneak peek at this year’s songs and fun and to register or volunteer, please visit www.stbarnabas-sbnj.org/vbs.

Come and relax and enjoy the fellowship of everyone’s company. This year we will be celebrating a new school year with a special RALLY DAY service and picnic all at the church. After the 10:30 service there will be activities for the kids and a BBQ lunch for all – join us inside or out. Watch for sign ups for contributions to the picnic as well as volunteering to help out before, during and after the picnic. See Maria Flick with any questions.

Update by Bryan Botsch

Our trip to Rutland, VT was awesome. We worked with youth and adult leaders from three other churches (a Presbyterian church from Pitman, NJ, a Presbyterian church from Rochester, NY, and a Lutheran church from Baltimore, MD). We served the community by clearing trails in a local park, conducting Kid’s Camp (similar to Vacation Bible School), assisting at a local shelter and soup kitchen, and visiting a local assisted living facility and nursing home. The kids really worked hard and never complained. They truly made a different in the lives of Rutland residents of all ages. In addition to their service, they also spent a few hours each day learning the Bible and worshipping the Lord. They even got a chance to do some rock climbing and visit a marble museum.

Thanks again to all who prayed for us and supported our fundraisers. The kids will put together a presentation to be given to the parish, probably in the fall. Many youth are anxious to go next year, but we will need adult leaders to make it happen. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Mtr. Sheelagh, Jonathan Hill, Lillian Ashie, or myself. Please pray about it and let me know if you are interested. I promise you it will be a rewarding experience. Once we have two adult leaders (one serving as the trip leader for the church), we can choose next year’s site and place our deposits with YouthWorks. If we register by August 12, the deposit will be half off.

The First Friday Book Club meets at 7:30 in the Bolmer Room each month. They usually gather at a local restaurant for dinner and fellowship beforehand. All are most welcome to join us. Please contact Monica Devanas with any questions. Here is what the Book Group has planned for the remainder of 2011:

• 8/5/11 The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot
• 9/2/11: Here If You Need Me, Kate Braestrup
• 10/7/11: Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, Todd Burpo
• 11/4/11: Water for Elephants, Sarah Gruen
• 12/2/11: The Red Tent: A Novel, Anita Diamant

As Mother Sheelagh’s time here comes to a close, let’s thank her in St. Barnabas International Sunday style. Celebrate her interim ministry here by bringing a favorite dish from your birth country or country of heritage on Sunday July 31, after the 10:30 service. This is our opportunity to thank her for how much she has given, taught, led, and cared for us over the past two years!

Sign up on the bulletin board in Hubbard Hall.

The International Benefit Dinner is coming soon.  The Ad Book Committee need your help – please take copies of the ad letter and form to get a business card/ad from your auto mechanic, hairdresser, chiropractor, doctor, dentist, etc.  If everyone gets 3 we will make tremendous progress towards our fundraising goal of $8,000.

The July & August  2011 combined edition of the St. Barnabas Encourager is now available.