We meet at 7:30 PM in the Bolmer Room each month. Participants usually gather at Confectionately Yours at 5:30 PM for dinner and fellowship beforehand. All are most welcome to join us. Please contact Monica Devanas or Carolyn Hales with any questions.

Here is what the Book Group has planned for the next few months:

• 1/6/12: Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock by David Margolick
• 2/3/12: 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life by Don Piper
• 3/2/12: The Dovekeepers: A Novel by Alice Hoffman

Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life

The Dovekeepers: A Novel

If you or someone you know wants to be confirmed (i.e. take on personal responsibility for their baptismal covenant), that individual needs to write a letter to Rev. Valerie explaining why she or he wants to be confirmed. This letter should include a personal understanding of who Jesus is in his or her life, why she or he feels called to be confirmed at this point in her or his life, and what he or she would like to learn during the preparation classes. The letter should be received by Rev. Valerie by Sunday, February 12th. After she receives the letter, Rev. Valerie will review it and decide if the person is ready to participate in the Confirmation program.

Confirmation classes will begin during Lent and meet through May. Once the class is formed, the participants will work with Rev. Valerie to find convenient times to meet. There will be 10 sessions, with a retreat component on Good Friday into Holy Saturday (April 6 & 7, 2012). Participants may have 1 excused absence.

The Confirmation ceremony will be in June, either at Rahway or at the Cathedral in Trenton. Details for the specific time and place will be given as soon as they are established.

If you have any questions about this process, please talk with Rev. Valerie.

You are invited! Come celebrate with us as we formally welcome our 4th Rector, The Rev. Valerie L. Balling, on Saturday, December 17th at 11 AM. The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell, XI Bishop of New Jersey, will be presiding. The Rev. Dr. Patrick Close, Rector of Grace Church, Haddonfield, will be preaching. The reception after the Celebration of Ministry service will be hosted by the parish of St. Barnabas.

Please look for the sign-up sheet in Hubbard Hall – a menu will be planned for the event, please sign up for one of the items on the list and/or help with the Celebration reception.

If you would like to make a donation towards the reception, please contact Maria Flick. Donations will help cover the expense for items not provided by the parish members.

We are also in need of 9 card tables for the reception; if you have a card table that can be borrowed from December 16-17, please call or email Maria Flick.

We meet at 7:30 PM in the Bolmer Room each month. Participants usually gather at Confectionately Yours at 5:30 PM for dinner and fellowship beforehand. All are most welcome to join us. Please contact Monica Devanas or Carolyn Hales with any questions.

Here is what the Book Group has planned for the next few months:

• 12/2/11: The Red Tent: A Novel by Anita Diamant
• 1/6/12: Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock by David Margolick
• 2/3/12: 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story
  of Death and Life by Don Piper
• 3/2/12: The Dovekeepers: A Novel by Alice Hoffman

The items that the Food Bank is in need of are: snack foods, Jelly, canned pasta (i.e. Chef Boyardee), prepared noodles and rice mixes, boxes macaroni and cheese, chicken broth, canned green vegetables, canned beans (all kinds), cake mixes and icing, muffin and brownie mixes, cereal and oatmeal, dried soups, personal products such as shampoos/conditioners, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. 

Thank you for your support of this important and on-going ministry.

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

The Friday Book Study group meets once monthly on a Friday at 7:30 pm in the Bolmer Room. Please note that in July, we are meeting on the second Friday. We continue to meet for Fellowship at 5:30 pm at a local restaurant beforehand. Contact Carolyn Hales (carhales at aol dot com) or Monica Devanas (monica dot devanas at rutgers dot edu) with questions or suggestions.

Upcoming Books:

July 8th – Constantine’s Sword by James Carroll

August 5th – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Bible Study Group meets on Tuesdays from 10 am – 11 am in the Bolmer Room to look at the readings for the following Sunday. We use a lectionary-based study guide. Speak with Mother Sheelagh for more information.

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.

Ash Wednesday was graced by wonderful music from the combined choirs of Christ the King and St Barnabas and the talents of our gifted music directors. There were over 100 people present for the Imposition of Ashes and to welcome Pastor Kim Carlson, the new permanent pastor at Christ the King.  We offer them our good wishes and prayers for their new ministry.