JANUARY 2019

The Work of Christmas In his Christmas message for 2017, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

directs our attention to the “story behind the Christmas story”. We all

know the Christmas story told in the Bible: We know about Mary and

Joseph, and Jesus’ birth in the manger; the angels and the shepherds;

the animals in the stable; the star and the Wise Men bringing gifts to

honor the “newborn king”. But as wonderful as this story is, the

meaning behind the story is even more wonderful.

For as Bishop Curry says, with Jesus’ birth, “God was reconciling the

world to himself by becoming one of us. The divine became human.

God entered history. Eternity became part of time. God was reconciling

the world to himself by actually living it himself. In Jesus, God came

among us to show us the way to be reconciled with the God who has

created us all and everything that is. And God has likewise come in the

person of Jesus, to show us how to be reconciled with each other, as

children of the one God who is the Creator of us all. That's the story

behind Christmas.”

Bishop Curry closed with this poem by Howard Thurman, one of his

favorite writers, to remind us that after the celebration of Christmas, we

have work to do if we are to live “the story behind the story”.

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and the princes are home

When the shepherds are back with their flocks,

Then the work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace to others,

To make music in the heart.

Greetings! My name is Alison Acton, jubilantly married to the

infamous Chris Acton. We live just North of town and together are

raising five beautiful children, two dogs, seven chickens and a

rooster named Bruce. I serve as the K-4 through 5th grade Spanish

teacher at Ambleside School of Fredericksburg and absolutely am filled with joy in my work!

My family and I moved here from Austin and so enjoy living in this town.

I was born and raised in Austin, Texas and attended Good Shepherd Episcopal Church as a

youngster. What a surprise and joy to arrive here years later in Fredericksburg and find my

Alison Acton

The annual meeting this year on January 13th will conclude my term on the St Barnabas

Vestry and as Senior Warden. Serving on the Vestry has been a terrific experience these

past three years. St Barnabas has felt like home since Christi and I moved to

Fredericksburg; however, I was not prepared for how much closer serving on the Vestry

would bring me to the Episcopal church and our parish. It has been an experience that I

would not trade for anything. Fr. Jeff and Fr. Bur are both incredible people, and they have

really been great to work with. The 25 or 30 parishioners who have served either on the

Vestry or on various committees with me these past three years are all fantastic people

whom I now feel comfortable calling friends. The folks at the Diocese of West Texas and

Bishop Reed have also been a pleasure to interface with when I have needed to. By far,

the best part of serving on the Vestry has been working with and getting to know so many

great people in our parish. I continue to be surprised at the generosity and commitment so

many of you have to our church family. You make this a home and a big family. I am so

thankful and proud to be a part of this. Fr. Jeff and Fr. Bur have said many times that

giving and serving feels a little selfish because you end up getting so much more out of it

than you give. I certainly feel that way about the last three years, and I would like to thank

all of you who give your time, talent, and resources to make St Barnabas what it is.

From the Senior Warden

Annual Parish Meeting On Sunday, January 13, there will be two services: 7:45 a.m. (in the church) and 10:30 a.m.

(in the Parish Hall). After worship, a light lunch will be served, followed by the Annual Parish

Meeting. Annual reports will be presented and the outgoing Vestry members (Frances

Money, Julie Alvarez and John Sumners) will be honored.

Four new Vestry members will be elected.

Youth leader now leading St. Barnabas as rector. I studied Special Education at the

University of Texas and pursued my love and passion for music as well. I have continued to

sing with Conspirare Symphonic Choir, work off and on part-time in educational roles while

pursuing writing music of my own during my most important roles as mother and wife.

Being out of doors, being with others, recharging alone and pursuing music are my

passions when time allows…whether you find me kayaking, attempting gardening, sitting in

a hammock with my kids, walking with a friend, playing music with friends in my living

room, listening to God whisper to me in nature or simply sleeping under the stars…these

bring the best of me to others.

Brandon Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker who recently moved

to Fredericksburg with his family to serve for two years as the Director

of Laity Lodge Retreat. He’s written and directed four feature films, all

of which have been showcased at our very own Fritztown Theater

(where you may recognize Brandon encouraging you to silence your

phone before a film.)

Before moving to Fred, Brandon lived “tiny” in vintage trailers on land outside of Austin

with wife Kirsten, son Mason, and daughter Mei Li. They called the land ”Green Acres”

and welcomed folks to go “glamping” in nearby Yurts. Brandon wrote about his adventures

of owning a miniature donkey in his blog (www.stories about my ass.com) and ended up

filming Amanda and Jack Go Glamping at their homestead.

Soon after settling into town two years ago, and just after the local police handcuffed him

for a mistaken robbery, his family fell in love with St. Barnabas the first Sunday they

visited. It was not only the mid-century beauty of the space and the welcome of the

community, but also finding a shared love of film in Father Jeff that made St. B’s quickly

become home. The Dickersons became members last year.

Brandon has a ministry background as the founding lead Pastor of Ecclesia Hollywood and

hopes to serve the Vestry with a fresh and encouraging perspective.

Vestry Nominees continued

Brandon Dickerson

According to the Bylaws of St. Barnabas, the Vestry shall be agents and legal representatives of the

Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the parish to its clergy. Vestry

members have the duty to attend the Vestry meetings regularly The Rector appoints the Senior Warden

and the Vestry elects the Junior Warden and Treasurer. The Vestry elects the Rector and is responsible to

support him or her. As constituted agents of the Parish they transact all temporal business.

I'm Clayton Drescher and my wife Christy and I met when we were ten years old

growing up in Midland, Texas. It took us until Senior year to start dating and

we dated all through college when she was in Southern California and I was at

UT Austin and then San Francisco. We both finished school, got married in

Midland and started our married life in California, quickly settling in Long

Beach for the next ten years. I'm a history nerd, love reading, and I have a pilot's license that I

try to exercise as frequently as possible.

While in California I worked in the museum and non-profit association fields as a volunteer

manager, public programs director, board liaison, and meeting facilitator. As our family grew –

Nicholas is six and Cyrus is three—.we decided we wanted to change location and careers and

returned to Texas to be nearer to our family. We've been the owner/operators of the Cabins at

Red Rock northeast of town for nearly three years since we moved here and are expanding to

provide a venue for meetings, conferences, celebrations, etc.

Christy and I both come from strong Christian families and were deeply involved in our church

in Long Beach. Both of our boys attended St. Barnabas MMO before we began attending.

church. We realized we had made lots of friends in town who are members. When we finally

attended one Sunday with Shelly Kothman, St. Barnabas felt like such a comfortable

community to us. I get a lot of fulfillment through practical service in the church (setting up

for functions, property upkeep, flipping pancakes) and look forward to becoming more deeply

involved in the work and ministry of St. Barnabas.

Clayton Drescher

Ginny Thomason I am a native Houstonian, a founding member of St. Martin’s Episcopal

Church. I graduated from S.M.U. with a BBA in quantitative analysis. My

first job was with Texaco in their credit card division. Later, my husband

Robert and I started our own business in the Clear Lake Area near

NASA. We were blessed with two daughters, Ellen and Laura.

We retired in 2004 and moved here. I have belonged to the Episcopal Church my entire life

and we joined St. Barnabas shortly after moving here. We really enjoy the beauty of the Hill

Country and the friendliness of the people here.

I have been a mentor for over 12 years. I currently mentor two students who are in the ninth

grad. It has been a joy to see them develop into fine young women.

At church, I am a member of the Altar Guild, the Daughters of the King and serve as an usher.

It would be a pleasure to serve the members of St. Barnabas as a Vestry member.

New Wisdom School Class Starts January 8

The St. Barnabas Wisdom School is offering a new study on the

Gospel of Mary Magdalene, beginning Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

The class will meet in the Church Library each Tuesday from

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The number of the participants will be

limited. The cost for the entire class is $10. Gwynne Juett and

Debbie Gorden will facilitate the discussions. Register for this

class by calling the church office at (830 997-5762). Please call

Debbie Gorden at 285-7668 for more information.

The Meaning of Mary Magdalene: Discovering the Woman at the

Heart of Christianity by Cynthia Bourgeaut is an excellent text,

though participants may choose other books on this subject.

According to Bourgeaut, the Gospel of Mary Magdalene “first came to light in 1896,

though an English version was not available until nearly half a century later, about the

same time as the immensely important discovery of over 50 early Christian texts at Nag

Hammadi. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene gives us a firsthand glimpse of the diversity and

ferment at the heart of early Christianity. This gospel is dated to the first half of the

second century, not long after the canonical gospels. While Mary Magdalene is

undoubtedly an honorary rather than the actual author, the text received her name

because it is about her. The designation clearly indicates that there were communities of

early Christians who revered her memory and had absorbed their Christianity through her

stream of apostolic teaching.”

Mary Magdalene is one of the most influential symbols in the history of Christianity—yet, if

you look in the Bible, you’ll find only a handful of verses that speak of her. As one of Jesus’

devout followers, she was a witness to his crucifixion and burial, saw the empty tomb and

announced his resurrection to the disciples. She has often been considered Jesus’

favorite among the women who followed him. Wisdom teacher Cynthia Bourgeault has

examined the Bible, church tradition, art, legend, and newly discovered texts to give a

richer depiction of this mysterious, yet important, woman. While church fathers sought to

minimize the role of women in the church, Bourgeaut believes that a fuller examination of

Mary Magdalene can bring fresh insights about Jesus’ teachings to contemporary

The purpose of the Wisdom School is to open our hearts

and awaken our minds toward the growth of the soul.

I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in

darkness but will have the light of life.

John 8:12

Kairos Prison Ministry

Kairos # 32 at the Connally Unit will be held April 3—6, 2019.

The team meetings are scheduled for January 19, February 2

and 16, March 2 and 16th at the University United Methodist

Church in San Antonio. If you are interested in being on our

team, contact Kevin Maxwell (817-542-9881), Ralph Greenlee

(214-695-2727) or Bud Parrish (830-456-2972).

On Saturday, January 12, the Daughters of the King (DOK) will

hold their annual membership meeting in the Parish Hall. The

church will be open for silent prayer at 9:30 a.m. and the

meeting will begin at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

DOK is an order of Episcopal women who desire a closer walk

with the Lord. We make a commitment to a Rule of Life that

includes daily prayer, service to the rector, church and

community and evangelism. Members are expected to offer

prayers every day for a list of prayer requests, attend monthly

meetings and participate in service projects.

DOK members benefit from mutual support, Christian fellowship

and educational programs that help them grow in knowledge

and faith. Prospective new members attend classes that

introduce them to the order, its requirements and benefits.

All St. Barnabas women are eligible for membership in DOK. If

you would like to attend the meeting on January 12, please call

Carol Schreider (830-9975762 or 830-992-7728) or Nancy

Grimes (830-456-7938). The Daughters will be so happy to

welcome you.

Daughters of the King

Annual Membership Meeting

Save These Dates for VBS

This year’s Vacation Bible School is

scheduled for July 22—26, 2019. The

theme is “Shipwrecked: Saved by Jesus”.

SUNDAY WORSHIP

7:45 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite I

9 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite II

11 AM—Holy Eucharist Rite II

WEEKDAY WORSHIP

6 PM WEDNESDAY—Holy Eucharist Rite II

12 PM THURSDAY—Holy Eucharist /

Healing Service (Chapel)

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

10 AM SUNDAY—Adult Classes

Living the Question

Seekers

Lost and Found

10 AM SUNDAY—YOUTH CLASSES

Confirmation

Middle School Sunday School

Grades 3—5 Sunday School

Ages 4 –7 yrs. Sunday School

Worship and Christian Education Schedules

2nd Sandy & Mike Wuest

3rd Cindy & Rusty Eberle

Judie & Fred Moonie

7th Kathryn & Ron Hamby

8th Jim & Pam Spruiell

9th Robin & Ed Cowsar

20th Alison & Chris Acton

23rd Shalmir & Wolf Benner

27th Jane & Bruce Good

27th Dennis & Ann Rea

January Anniversaries

January Birthdays

1st Jon Hamilton

Austin Spruiell

2nd Ron Hamby

3rd David Herbig

4th David Plesko

5th Glenda Hibler

6th Suzanne

Brockmeier

8th Ruby Cottle

Hazel Hanson

10th Mary Lee Marschall

11th Jolie Peavy

12th Eleanor Loggie

13th Rex Hill

14th Marcia Manhart

Idell Looney

17th Sandra Esterling

18th Elizabeth Coe

19th Pat Sadd

19th David Tuttle

20th Walt Biddle

Linda Bryant

Dylan Eggleston

21st Johnny Gorden

Robert Welch

22nd Gail Eager

Lil Ellison

Kathy Parrish

23rd Debbie Agnew

Linda Wilson

Linda Zehnder

24th Jimmy Davis

25th Katie Day

Sue Thompson

Melody Yuhn

26th Shirley Crooks

Coy Early

26th Stacy Rodgers

Ray Smith

27th Austin Campbell

Neil Klenk

Mollie Lastovica

Joan Puryear

28th Barclay Hammond

Tim Squyres

29th Carl Luckenbach

Emma Stewart

30th Chris Acton

Angie Cross

Saeng Keow

Pornphet

Joe David Shearer

Susan Sumners

31st Linda Kemp

January 21 Deadline to submit articles for February Encourager

January 31 Pre-Council Meeting held at St. Barnabas

February 3, 11 a.m. Confirmation officiated by Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson

February 21-23 DWTX Council at the McAllen Convention Center

March 5, 5:30—6:30 p.m. Pancake Supper hosted by our youth

March 6 Ash Wednesday, services at 7 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.

CHURCH CLERGY AND STAFF:

Rector: The Rev. Jeff Hammond

Assistant Rector: The Rev. Bur Dobbins

Lay Pastoral Minister: Morey Weldon

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Dr. Dyana Orrin

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Anne Finn

Clergy Associate: The Rev. Tom Luck

Parish Administrator: Rachael Cole

Office Assistant: Carol Schreider

Youth Ministry Coordinator: Karen Young

Director of Music: Hazel Hanson

Lay Ministry Coordinator: Steve Neale

Mom’s Morning Off Director: Deanne Moellering

Nursery Director: Kathleen Meurer

Housekeeper: Patty Ramirez

Return Service Requested

Meetings & Ministries ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Sun Mon Tues Wed Fri Sat 8 p.m. in the CEB

6:30 p.m. on Monday and Friday

Thurs. Women’s Meeting, 7 p.m. in the CEB

AL-ANON

Monday & Friday—6:30 p.m. in the CEB

BELL CHOIR

Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.—CEB

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY

Monday—7 a.m. in the Library

BOY SCOUT TROOP 137

Tuesday—6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall

COMMUNITY DINNER

Sunday—5:30 to 6:30 p.m.in the Parish Hall

CHOIR

Wednesday—7:00 p.m.

DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

2nd Saturday, 9:30 a.m.

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY

Friday—1–4 p.m.

KITCHEN TABLE BIBLE STUDY

Thursday—10-11:45 a.m.

KNIT-WITS (KNITTING GROUP)

Wednesday—3 p.m. in the CEB

LADIES’ LUNCH

3rd Thursday—11:45 a.m. at the Herb Farm

LIBRARY GUILD3RD

1st Thursday — 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.—Library

MEN’S BREAKFAST

Thursday—7 a.m. in the Parish Hall

MMO (MOM’S MORNING OFF)

Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.—2 p.m.

VESTRY MEETING

3rd Monday of the month at 5 p.m.

WISDOM SCHOOL

Tuesday—11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. in the Library