Borrego Springs, California January 2015 Volume 18 Issue 1

“An Unusual Epiphany”

OOOO n New Year’s Eve, early in the morning I went to the pool as I usually do to swim laps. It was very cold and steam was wafting off the water. As I approached, I no-ticed that the pool man was anxiously poised at pool edge as if he were stalking something. As I looked across the pool to see what he was staring at, I saw through the mist what I thought was a duckling gliding over the warm waters. A thrill instantly delighted my heart – what a treat! I didn’t want the man to disturb it. To my sur-prise, when I got into the water, my presence did not bother the darling little creature in the least. It swam all about and within reach of me and playfully dove deep into the pool to appear again on the other side. On closer inspection, I noticed its red eyes and the shape of its head: it was a downy baby grebe! I felt such a sense of awe to be so serenely sharing the lanes with this wild baby creature; I felt very protective of it.

After completing my laps, I left the pool, sad to leave my new feathered buddy; and got into the hot tub. Mo-ments later, to my utter amazement, the grebe got out of the lap pool and ran across the cold pool deck straight toward me with its baby wings flapping, as if trying to stay warm against the cold and not wanting to freeze its webbed feet. It looked like I did just moments before (except without the wings). Then it dove into the hot tub! There we were together luxuriating in the warm bubbly water; I never would have imagined it! As the time came for me to leave, I was concerned that the little grebe might not be able to get out of the hot tub because the drop to the water was so deep. So I gently lifted his body out of the water, but it immediately dove back in. I tried a couple of more times and the little one got frustrated with me, and ran in its webbed feet across the tub and got out, and ran back to the lap pool. This eased my concern for its safety, and I left with a joy in my soul at having shared this happy and harmonious time in intimate parallel play with another

of God’s beloved creatures. It was a feeling of Oneness with creation – a lovely and Unusual Epiphany.

Have a Blessed Epiphany Season and Happy New Year, Laura+

St Barnabas Prayer List O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly ask you for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of

peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any way afflicted or dis-tressed, in mind, body, or estate; especially those for whom our prayers are desired; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen BCP pg. #815

We pray especially for … Our Men and Women in uniform, Cpl Daniel Peterson, Tootie Hatch, Richard & Nancy Bye, Kurt Levins, Paul Carroll, Jim Carroll, Jacob Thompson, Kay Sharkey, Ann Easley, Laureana Easily, Leila Easley, Jean Smith, David Born, Rhoda Riddell, Verna Robinson, Wendy Christy, AnnMarie Tidwell, Michael, Barbara Scott, Judy Dehler, Eleasa, Kaye Bailey, Gary Westover, Bea Miller, Willy Johnson, Bob Keller, Marge Kerr, Ralph Dunlop, Ann White, Barbara Matson & Carol Sargent.

OPEN SKY DEVOTIONS

Want an earlier start to your Sunday so you can get out and hike?

We are now offering Morning Prayer service at Palm Canyon Trail Head - Pupfish Pond

Service Begins at 7:30 AM

DID YOU KNOW?

Vestry - A Vestry is our Board of Directors. Members of the Vestry are elected by you to serve a 3 year term to be your representatives in doing the business of the church. The Vestry meets monthly throughout the year. They oversee the financial affairs of the church and other business. Each member of the Vestry has an area of the church that they represent and report on. For example; Sue Salt has been overseeing and reporting on our outreach programs. Mac MacDonald has been your liaison for Pastoral Care and Kathleen Killman has been your liaison to the Worship Committee. In addition, there are two other very important members of the Vestry. One is our Senior Warden; this past year this has been filled by Sue Salt. The Sen-ior Warden is chosen by the Rector and is her Lay partner in overseeing the worship of the church and is there to carry on the worship of the church should the Rector leave or be incapacitated. The second is our Junior Warden, which has been filled by LLouise Jee this past year . The Junior Warden is elected by the Vestry and has in the past been in charge of overseeing the physical plant to ensure everything is working and kept up. This past year however, Tracey Alexander has continued to oversee the buildings and grounds. LLouise has participated with Sue in an advisory role to our Rector.

You may contact any member of the Vestry if you have questions or concerns about something happening or not happening in the church. They are always available to you. If you need a phone number or e-mail address for a Vestry member you can contact Trent in the office and he will be happy to assist you.

Trent C. Hoskins-Kleinkopf

Carillon Page 3

The Sunday, January 18, 2015 date on your calen-dar is an important date for various reasons here at St Barnabas.

Immediately following the 9:30 Eucharist, the Annual Meeting of St Barnabas will take place. Tradi-tionally it’s been a meet-ing of short duration but very important because it’s when the con-gregation receives a summation of the work that’s been done by the several entities which do the necessary things that keep the organizational church on a steady path. You will also be voting to accept the 2015 Budget!

It’s also the time when those three members of the Vestry who’ve completed their ser-

vice will be recognized for their dedication. Those going off this year will be Kathleen Killman, Sue Salt & Mac MacDonald. With these three leaving, you will then have the op-portunity to elect three new members to serve a three year term on the Vestry. Those who have accepted the call to the Vestry and await your

vote are Sherry Harapat, Diane Hydoski and Tracey Alexander.

The Annual Meeting is indeed an important component of our church year, so we en-courage you to stay for that brief time after the last hymn and share your interest and support in the governance of St Barnabas.

Shirley Vialpando

ANNUAL MEETING

K~BBooksatStBarnabas–BorregoSprings Sunday, January 11, 2015

K~B Books will be with us after the service on Sunday, January 11th. Kathryn Bunch's trav-

eling book show is well known to most of you, but if not, be sure to stop by her tables in the

courtyard to acquaint yourselves with this special ministry. Kathryn has always specialized in

books for children from infants through sixth grade.

The inventory also includes topics to name a few: Spirituality, Health, Healing, Grief, Caregiving,

Contemplative prayer and many different editions of the Book of Common Prayer including the

BCP/Hymnal combination, Bibles upon request, CD’s, and selections of crosses, and a great as-

sortment of cards including an icon collection.

Special requests for books can be received up to and on the Sunday of Kathryn's visit. She does

not charge to ship and appreciates your business throughout the year.

Web site address is www.k-bbooks.com ; email k-bbooks@hotmail.com phone: 619.235.9465

Shirley Vialpando

January Holy Happy Hour Hosts

January 4 - Mary Bennett & Ann Nourse

January 11 - Mary Bennett & Chuck Bennett

January 18 - Sue Salt & Kathleen Killman

January 25 - Martha Mitchell & Carol Sargent

Lectors Schedule for January

January 4 - Jan Naragon & Chuck Bennett

January 11 - Ann Nourse & Haddon Salt

January 18 - Lyle Brecht & Joann McLean

January 25 - Wendy Quinn & Cal Hoskins-Kleinkopf

Ann Nourse was our gracious hostess for the last WOSB meeting, December 9. We gathered around her dining room table for a delicious pot-luck luncheon and lively con-versation. The discussion cen-tered on fundraising and out-reach. The WOSB treasury currently has nearly $900, and all agreed we need to augment our funds and support more causes. The English/Spanish translation sheet is on hold for now, pending an idea as to how it could be marketed since the majority agreed the Farmer’s Market craft and bake sale was not practicable. Kathleen Killman suggested a “virtual bake sale,” which would be advertised on a poster at the church with various homemade offerings and the name of the donor. What makes it “virtual” is the fact that no one actually bakes anything. “Buyers” would simply select, for ex-ample, Sue Salt’s plum pudding, and then donate

money to WOSB for one of our charitable projects. Stay tuned for more on this in early 2015. The Women of St. Barnabas chose to start their outreach for this fiscal year by donating $200 to the Sen-ior Center in support of their Meals for the Homebound, Medical Loan Closet, lunch-es and social programs. We’re also investigating the summer water deliveries to Slab City, something WOSB

sponsored in the past and would like to resume if there’s a need. The group is expanding slowly, and the new schedule (second Tuesday) seems to be work-ing well. Please join us at the St. Barnabas Parish Hall for our next potluck on January 13 at noon, and bring food, beverage and good ideas!

Wendy Quinn

Women of St Barnabas

On January 11 Laura+ and Lyle will host the annual Twelfth Night potluck, always one of the New Year’s high-lights. Please join fellow pa-rishioners and their friends and families for an evening of shar-ing, laughter, music and good food. Appetizers of all kinds are welcome, and bring your favorite beverage. Traditionally, Christmas was celebrated for twelve days, and the last day came to be known as "Twelfth night," a night of merrymaking which also marked the eve of Epipha-

ny. Observed on January 6, Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revela-tion of God the Son as a hu-man being in Jesus Christ. In the western world it usually commemorates the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus. So don’t forget to save

the date and be part of this

joyous celebration.

You won’t be sorry!

Wendy Quinn

Mark Your Calendars

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 2014

Expected Pledges $81,670.00

Expected Open Plate $9,500.00

Total Expected Income $91,170.00

Total Budgeted Expenditures $116,433.00

Expected Shortfall for FY14 -$25,263.00

Actuals through November

Pledges Received $78,595.00

Open Plate Received 14,031.30

Current Total Income $92,626.30

Current Position for FY14

Total Expenditures $116,433.00

Current Total Income $92,626.30

Current Position for FY14 $ 23,806.70

St. Barnabas Monthly Income FY 14 vs. FY 13

NOVEMBER 2014 FINANCIAL UPDATE

The other half of the Tidwell mar-riage, Brad, is so well known in Borrego that one would think that there isn’t really much to add to the article I wrote on his wife, Ann-

Marie. However, one would be wrong.

Brad is one of those still sort of rare beings; an actual native-born Californian. He was born in San Diego and spent his entire boyhood in the Fletcher Hills area near La Mesa. He was an only child and when he reached high school age, he moved with his mother to Pt Loma. He’s a graduate of Pt Loma High School. His mom supported the two of them by working various jobs as a PBX Opera-tor. She and his grandmother were staunch Baptists and saw that Brad was baptized at a very early age. Growing up he joined the Boy Scouts and through his activities with Troop 365 he first became aware of Borrego Springs. They make several camping trips out here and espe-cially enjoyed hiking in Coyote Canyon.

Brad’s great interest was in the construction in-dustry and after graduation he became an ap-prentice in masonry. After a couple of years, he got his contractor’s license and became a jour-neyman. He worked for various companies in San Diego and started his own company in 1990.

He married for the first time during his appren-ticeship and in due time became the father of two boys, Kenny and Allen. Following in his dad’s footsteps, the eldest son, Kenny, also be-came a brick mason and has worked with his dad on many projects, both in San Diego and here in Borrego.

Brad and his family lived in La Mesa during his 16 year marriage and it was there that he began coaching Little League teams, first with his own sons and then continuing on for a total of 12 years. As we reported in Ann Marie’s story, it was while coaching her son in Little League that they met. In another of those “isn’t it a small world” ironies, as they were sharing family his-tories they discovered that Ann-Marie’s dad and

Brad’s mom had once worked for the same company.

They took their time getting to know each other, about four years, actually, until in 1988 they finally knew that Cupid, or Fate or whatever, was not to be denied and they were married in a festive ceremony in Ann-Marie’s home, by a co-worker of hers who was also a Minister.

Thus began 30 years of wedded bliss and anyone who knows them will testify that their love was definitely meant to be. They seem as much in love now, if not more, than they were back then.

The Tidwells moved to Borrego in 1990 and each in his own way has become a valuable asset to the community. Never one to be comfortable with too much time on his hands, Brad has served on the Fire Board, the Chamber of Com-merce Board and the Board of the Kiwanis Club, of which he is currently President. All this in addition to his willingness to serve St Barna-bas in whatever capacity he’s asked. His sup-port of the Food Bank is very much appreciated by this writer.

The Tidwells are dedicated animal lovers, their house at one time being home to 3 pit bull dogs and one dominant cat. The animal population has diminished now down to one boxer/pointer mix.

Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren have now taken the place of the animals, there being at present 6 of the former and 4 of the latter. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, come to think of it, they very seldom manage to get eve-ryone together all at once.

With all this, I had the temerity to ask Brad about his hobbies. What I got was several sec-onds of silence. He finally did admit that when-ever they can find the time, he and Ann-Marie still enjoy going camping.

Shirley Vialpando

Parishioner Profile

Brad Tidwell

The Vestry met on December 23rd. They approved minutes from the November meeting. Next they con-sidered the proposal to modify Laura’s+ Letter of agreement to include a $2,000.00 increase in her annual wage. The Vestry approved this proposal.

They next reviewed the financial reports for November and approved them. Trent pre-sented the proposed 2015 budget. The Vestry ap-proved the proposed budget that was prepared by the Finance Committee. It will now be presented at the Annual meeting in January for approval by the con-gregation.

Trent also presented the pledge update. At the time of the meeting there were 28 pledges for a total of $50,390.00. The Budget is $109,049.00. We still have 54% of the budget to cover.

The nominating committee reported on potential new Vestry members. We have a yes from Sherry Harapat and Diane Hydoski. Still waiting on a confirmation from Tracey Alexander.

LLouise reported an update on the new sound system. Fred Jee and Richard Gray recommend using the same speaker system that Fred has allowed us to use over the past few months. The cost is reasonable and there is really no need to make modifications to the church structure. A pedestal to hold the speaker has been sug-

gested with a fastener to the wall to make it stable. All present agreed this was a good solution.

Tina Davis was unable to attend the meeting but provided a report on the Mutual Ministry Review. This is a review of the functions of the church, Laura+ and the Vestry. There has been very limited partici-pation on the online survey. The

responses so far indicate that things are going well and parishioners are happy but it would be nice to have more input. The Vestry has decided to revisit this is-sue after the first of the year and find a way to make it a shorter survey, more relevant to our needs and more user friendly. If you haven’t had a chance to make your voice heard the link to the survey is http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/1853266/881d5f001062 Please take the time to let us know how we are doing.

Sue and Antoinette reported on our outreach. The Backpack Lunches are going well. There were 5 days provided for 25 children over Christmas. The Food Bank is working very well. Many families are being served and many volunteers are providing their time to continue this ministry. If you have the time to volun-teer the next Food Bank will be held on Friday, Janu-ary 16th.

The next Vestry meeting will be the annual Vestry Re-treat at the Rectory on January 24th from 9am to 3pm.

Trent C. Hoskins-Kleinkopf

December Vestry Report

Pledges in dollars for 2015

$53,190.00

Budget for 2015

$109.049.00

Number of People Pledging for 2015

30

Deficit for 2015 as of 1-5-15

51%

You may make a pledge at anytime during the year.

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

January 16th @ NOON

Volunteers are always needed

so come early to help with

food distribution!

THIS MONTH THE FOOD BANK IS ON A FRIDAY DUE TO A HOLIDAY!

THANKS, YOU ARE AWESOME!

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

JANUARY

OPEN SKY DEVOTIONS @ 7:30AM

Palm Canyon Trail Head

SUNDAY HOLY EUCHARIST @ 9:30AM