What does it mean to be a member of St. Barnabas?

Presence

  • Members of St. Barnabas commit to be present for regular worship.

Participation

  • Members commit to participate in the wider life of the congregation in ways that range from building relationships at coffee hour to volunteering with outreach projects.

Prayer

  • Members commit to maintaining a life of prayer which includes praying for the mission of Christ’s Church and specifically for our congregation.  

Pledge

  • Members commit to supporting the mission of St. Barnabas by pledging portions of their time, talent, and treasure to the work God calls us to do.

 

Joining the Church

Confirmation or Reception: Baptized Christians coming from another tradition officially join the Episcopal Church through confirmation or reception, which is an opportunity to affirm the baptismal vows made on your behalf if you were baptized as a child.

Adults and mature teens wishing to be confirmed should plan to attend a series of confirmation classes at the church. These classes are scheduled prior to a visit by our bishop who performs the confirmation.  

What’s the difference between confirmation and reception? Those who have already been confirmed in another Christian tradition with bishops in apostolic succession (Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, some Lutherans) may choose to be received into the Episcopal Church at the time of confirmations. The rite and requirements are nearly identical. Click here to learn more.

Biannual welcoming of new members: Unfortunately, the bishop is only able to visit once every two or three years for confirmation. Still, making a commitment is important for new parishioners as they become part of the community. Therefore, we acknowledge and welcome new members twice a year – around St. Barnabas Day (June 11) and on Christ the King Sunday (last Sunday before Advent). We will announce a gathering or two leading up to those dates.

If you are coming from another Episcopal Church: You can ask your previous congregation to send a letter of transfer.

Next Steps

Sign up for the newsletter: Use this link to sign up for our weekly Thursday newsletter. It’s always the best way to keep track of what God is doing at St. Barnabas.

Attend on a Sunday: We’d love to welcome you on a Sunday morning for worship and coffee hour. This link tells you what to expect. If you’d like someone to sit with you to help relieve anxiety about navigating something new, just let us know.

Reach out: Contact us if you’d like to chat, ask questions, or learn about upcoming opportunities for baptism, confirmation, reception, or welcoming new members.

Get Involved: Please take home a Getting Involved brochure. Try something new! You never have to sign up for a long-term commitment.

Directory: If you’re not already listed, we’d love to include you. Just send your contact info and a photo to the parish office. Once your email address is listed in the directory, you’ll be able to access the online version.

Ongoing formation: The Christian faith and life requires ongoing, lifelong formation as we continue deepening our exploration of the mysteries of God.