Borrego Springs, California May 2015 Volume 18 Issue 5

In this season of Easter we are reminded not only that we are resurrected in Christ, but also that we are instru-ments of resurrection. Through us, Jesus is raising people out of the depths of despair and loss to hope and new beginnings, out of death to new life. Just as we experience resurrection through people offering themselves to be Jesus’ hands and heart in life-giving care for us, so also, we are His living presence and help for others. If you think over your life, you will remember that even a word of encouragement and affirmation at the right time can change one’s life and its trajectory.

You may remember a time when you were hanging on by a thread, and someone offered the help you needed to get back on your feet and start afresh. There are so many “little deaths” that we experience in life, and so many times that Jesus breathes new life into us by means of other people allowing Him to work through them. We are those people who have died and been raised to new life, not only at our baptisms, but also along our life journeys. We are those people who are Jesus’ “disciples of resurrection” for others in circumstances that take them through the valley of the shadow of death or deprive them of hope.

The ones who need us are all around us, wherever we are; just look and see with your heart. When we do, it can feel overwhelming. We may wonder how we can be of real help with so much need, both near and far. But we do not need to feel overwhelmed or suffer from “compassion fatigue” because Jesus does not ask us to solve it all. Jesus directs us to help where our hearts lead us; he puts our name on something and it just draws us. It may be visiting and caring for a homebound friend; it may be going to take food and water to Slab City; it may be to correspond with or visit prisoners; it may be to send food and school supplies to impoverished children in Liberia. It may be to contribute to providing shelter for a family who has lost their home from the earthquake in Nepal. In our day, with the Internet and the ability to make financial contributions for relief any-where in the world with a few keystrokes, we can be instruments of resurrection anywhere and everywhere, even from home.

Resurrection is God’s gift to us. May we be Jesus’ disciples of resurrection for others.

Blessings, Laura+

Instruments of Resurrec�on

St Barnabas Prayer List

We pray especially for … Our Men and Women in uniform, Tootie Hatch, Richard & Nancy Bye, Kurt Lev-

ins, Paul Carroll, Jim Carroll, Jacob Thompson, Kay Sharkey, Ann Easley, Laureana Easley, Leila, Austin,

Suntii, Jean Smith, David Born, Verna Robinson, Wendy Christy, Michael, Barbara Scott, Judy Dehler, Kay

Sharkey, Marge Kerr, Ann White, Barbara Matson, Carol Sargent, Betty Patterson, Lyn Loerke, Elwood &

Doris Naragon, Jim Quinn, Larry Cusey, and Rosie.

REMEMBER MAMA

It’s impossible to forget Mother’s Day. We are bom-barded by the media starting immediately after Easter with ads for cards, gifts and meals. It’s important to remember, however, that despite the con-stant encouragement to spend money, we owe our mothers so much and should honor them for it. Over and above giving us life, most of us can also thank them for our education, mor-al values, practical skills and most of all love and nurturing. Mother's Day is a modern celebration honoring one's own mother, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. The celebration of Mother's Day began in the Unit-ed States in the early 20th century, when Anna Jar-vis held a memorial for her mother. Due to her campaign efforts, several states officially recog-nized Mother's Day; the first being in Jarvis’ home state of West Virginia. In 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation creating Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holi-

day to honor mothers.

Although Jarvis was successful in found-ing Mother's Day she soon became resent-ful of the commer-cialization, and by the early 1920s, she be-came so embittered by what she saw as misinterpretation and exploitation that she protested and even tried to rescind Moth-er's Day. Despite these efforts, Jarvis' holiday was adopted by other countries and it is now cele-brated all over the world. As we honor our mothers on May 10, or their memories, or are remembered by

our own children and grandchildren, let us remem-ber that the best gift we can give or receive is time spent together, help with the challenges of daily life, and the sharing of God’s love. Happy Moth-er’s Day to all!

Wendy Quinn

Carillon Page 3

DID YOU KNOW?

Do you have an Episcopal Church calendar? Have you ever noticed something called Rogation Days and wondered what that was? How about Ember Days, what are they? Let’s see if I can explain these curious, little known, church celebrations. The word Rogation comes from the Latin verb Rogare which means “to ask”. The Rogation days were first intro-duced in 470 CE by Mamer-tus, Bish-op of Vienne, and over time came to be observed throughout Christendom. The obser-vation of Rogation Days was first ordered by the Council of Orleans in 511 CE. This observation wasn’t included in the Roman Rite until the 7th cen-tury under Pope Leo III. Rogation days were a time of prayer and fasting. The purpose has been to pray for good crop growth throughout the summer and a good harvest in the fall. The Rogation days can be traced back to a Ro-man holiday called Robigalia when a dog was sac-rificed to the god of agricultural disease, Robigus. The people were asking the god to protect their wheat crops from a disease known as Wheat Rust. As this feast became Christianized, the faithful ob-served Rogation days through fasting and absti-nence in preparation for the Feast of the Ascension. During this time farmers often had their crops blessed by the local priest. A common feature of the observance of Rogation days in early times was a practice known as “Beating the Bounds”. This was a procession led by the local parish priest in which the parishioners would walk the boundaries of the parish and ask for protection of the grounds. In Great Britain it is also known as “Gang-day” which is old English for going or walking. Rogation Days celebrations changed over the course of the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Elizabeth I. In its various forms it was separated from the Roman rite, processions were ceased and reintroduced. It seems that some of the celebrations in the Church of England got so raucous that many bishops began to ask local parish priests to stop in-

viting everyone and only invite pious men! These processions were brought to America with the first colonies and are still held in some places. The Ro-gation Days are the Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-day before the Ascension which is on May 14 this year. Ember Days are four separate sets of three days

within the same week, specifi-cally, Wednes-day, Fri-day and Saturday. The Em-ber Days are

known in Latin as quattuor anni tempora, or the four seasons of the year. The four quarterly periods during which the Ember Days fall are known as embertides. Ember Days come between the third and fourth Sundays of Advent, between the first and second Sundays of Lent, between Pentecost Sunday and Trinity Sunday and the week after Ho-ly Cross Day. The exact origins of these feasts are not known but some suggest that they were to take the place of pagan holidays which focused on the four seasons of the year and were a time of fasting and prayer for bountiful crops, rich harvest and good seeding. These days were observed as Pope Leo the great said, “so that the law of abstinence might apply to every season of the year”. From Rome the observa-tion of these days spread unevenly throughout the Christian church. The observance of Ember Days was made optional in the churches of the Anglican Communion in 1976. So, there is much more opportunity for fasting and abstinence throughout the year than you might have imagined. The next Ember Days are May 27, 29 and 30. Even though many in the church today do not observe Rogation Days and Ember Days it is often interesting to know a little about the church we belong to, I hope!

Trent C. Hoskins-Kleinkopf

The Women of St. Bar-nabas didn’t have a great amount of business to discuss at their April 14 meeting, so we concentrated on eating and socializing. Not bad! We gathered in the Parish Hall for the traditional potluck lunch, this time starring Ann Nourse’s homemade lasagna. Thanks again, Ann. The group finally ad-dressed an item that has been discussed at the last several meetings, Slab City summer water, and agreed to provide three months’ worth for June, July and August at a cost of $330. Dona-tions are welcome and may be put in the collection plate on April 26 or May 3, payable to St. Barna-

bas with “WOSB” or “Slab City water” in the memo space. The next meeting of the WOSB will be May 12, noon, at Wendy Quinn’s home, 762 San Pablo Road. Please bring a dish to share and your favorite beverage. This may be our last meeting of the season, as many of our participants have left for the summer or will do so soon. Hopefully we will have a good turnout and can

discuss whether to go “dark” this year or if there is interest in continuing through the summer.

Wendy Quinn

Women of St Barnabas

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS It was probably a warm Spring day there on the Mount of Olives. It had been 40 days since the Crucifixion of Jesus, He had ris-en from the tomb and all the Dis-ciples, except one, had seen the living Christ for him or herself at least one time.

As instructed by the Master, they were all gathered once again, alt-hough they weren’t sure why. Then He appeared just as they had seen Him previously, with His wounds still achingly appar-ent, but otherwise looking just as He had when he first called each of them to their eternal mission.

That day has been celebrated down through history as “Ascension Day” and is considered of such im-portance that it is mentioned in both the Nicene and the Apostles Creeds. It was Christ’s last day on Earth in human form, and the beginning of His reign over all Creation.

A small octagonal monument sits on the spot which Emperor Con-stantine’s mother, Saint Helena, designated in the 4th Century as the place where Christ ascended to sit at the right hand of God. There is even a stone inside which has been venerated through the centuries as containing a footprint of His left foot, which was the last part of Him to leave Earth.

The little building has gone through many incarnations over the years. The site itself is now con-trolled by the Muslims according to Wikipedia, and was used as a mosque for a period of time. How-ever, so many Christian pilgrims kept coming to worship at the monument that the Muslims decid-

ed to build a mosque some distance away, and left St Helena’s discovery for Christian worship.

Shirley Vialpando

CENTERING PRAYER The Bible quotes Jesus as saying, “Whenever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I will be also.” Taking Him at His word, the Rector and yours truly, plus one or two others, have been meeting Him in the Memori-al Garden every Thursday morning at precisely 11:30 am. I emphasize “precisely” because if we make it even five minutes later we run the risk of having our visit interrupted by our lovely, but very loud, noontime bells.

The Savior joins us there as promised and provides twenty minutes of peaceful concentration which serves to take us through the stresses and concerns presented by our everyday lives.

We want to pass on His invitation to an-yone and everyone who can spare a few moments of their busy week to join us in sharing His pres-ence. It’s simply a matter of sitting qui-etly for a brief 20 minutes and listen-ing for His voice.

With patience and practice you will find yourself spiritually refreshed and even empowered to carry on with whatever surprises, good or bad, that life may present.

Please mark your calendar, or check the one that accompanies this Carillon, and make plans to come meet Jesus, Thursday morning, 11:30 am, in the Memorial Garden at St Barnabas.

Shirley Vialpando

Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Mon-day in May, falls on the 25th this year. It originat-ed after the Civil War to remember those who gave their lives serving in the armed forces on both sides of the con-flict, and was called Decoration Day at the time. Traditionally, graves are decorated with flags or flowers, and flags are flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. In the ear-ly 20th century, the name was changed to Memorial Day and the occasion was expanded to honor all American veterans who died and other departed family and friends. Here in Borrego Springs, in addition to the

traditional picnics and barbecues ushering in the summer season (or in our case, fleeing from it), our American Legion Post 853 holds a moving cere-

mony at 11:00am at Christmas Circle to remember those who made the ultimate sac-rifice for their country and other loved ones who have completed their earthly journeys. Regardless of how you commemo-rate the day this year, please pray for our military heroes and departed loved ones. Enjoy your long weekend, eat well, and

remember why we are celebrating.

Wendy Quinn

MEMORIAL DAY

MARCH FINANCIAL UPDATE

Parishioners have asked to be kept better informed as to the finances of the church. In an attempt to do that The Finance Committee will be including each month in the Carillon the latest numbers that will give you an idea of how the church finances are doing over the course of the year.

Budget for FY 2015 Expected Pledges $76,200.00

Expected Open Plate $9,500.00

Total Expected Income $85,700.00

Total Budgeted Expenditures $109,049.00

Expected Shortfall for FY15 -$23,349.00 Actuals through March Pledges Received $23,100.00

Open Plate Received 3,378.59 Interest from Growth Fund __________

Current Total Income $26,478.59

Current Position for FY14 Projected Expenditures $109,049.00

Current Total Income $26,478.59

Current Position for FY14 $ 82,570.41

St. Barnabas Monthly Income FY 14 vs. FY 15

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Sunday, May 24th, is Pente-cost Sunday this year. It’s been a favorite Feast Day of this writer since her confir-mation some 34 years ago. It’s kind of fascinating to imagine the bewilderment of the followers of Christ as they sat around the luncheon table, chattering away, when suddenly in comes this great big gust of wind. To their surprise they begin talking in several languages, depending on the language of the person to whom they’re speaking. Not only that, but here comes these bright colorful tongues of fire, settling above each one’s head, but without burning anyone.

It’s now 50 days after the Crucifixion and they’ve already experienced so many things that have no rational explanation. I wonder if they were taken by surprise, or had they come to the point where they were ready to accept whatever happened with-out question?

Some accounts say this all took place in the same Upper Room where the Last Supper was held. Others say that wouldn’t be possible be-cause, for whatever reason, women weren’t allowed in the Upper Room, and it’s pretty well accepted that women were present at this Holy Luncheon. In fact, Christ’s Mother, Mary, was an honored guest.

Anyway, wherever and how-ever it happened, those present were gifted with all the tools they would need to go out into the world and spread the Good News. And, as we all know, the rest is History!

So, remember to wear something red on the 24th and celebrate this day when Christianity was born, according to the beliefs of our ancestors.

Shirley Vialpando

May Altar Schedule

May 10 Trent HK & Brad T

May 17 Trent HK & Sherry H

May 24 Kathleen K

May 31 Kathleen K

May Lector’s Schedule

May 10 Martha M & Joanne M

May 17 Chuck B & Jan N

May 24 Lyle B & Fred J

May 31 Haddon S & Joe D

May Coffee Hour Schedule

May 10 Lynnis W & Jan N

May 17 Kathleen K

May 24 Sue S

May 31 Sherry H & Diane H

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

2680 Country Club Road

P.O. Box 691

Borrego Springs, CA 92004-0691

Church office: 760-767-4038

Website: http://www.stbarnabasborrego.org

FOOD BANK

May 18th @ NOON

Volunteers are always needed so come early to help with

food distribution!

St. Barnabas Carillon Editing and Design: Trent Hoskins-Kleinkopf stbarnabasborrego@gmail.com

(760) 767-4038

Production:

Carol Sargent & Trent Hoskins-Kleinkopf

Newsletter Committee: Trent Hoskins-Kleinkopf, Wendy Quinn & Shirley Vialpando

Editor Emeritus: Lynnis Wilderson

MAY

OPEN SKY DEVOTIONS @ 7:30AM Palm Canyon Trail Head

SUNDAY HOLY EUCHARIST @ 9:30AM