ST. BARNABAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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Our Ministries

We all have a calling and we all have a ministry.  By being marked by the Holy Spirit in Baptism that means we have a ministry.  if you would like more information on how to find what's best for you or how you can get involved please reach out and let us know.
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Worship
Altar Guild
Every week, the Saint Barnabas Altar Guild assists the clergy and serves the parish community by maintaining the Altar, Sacristy, vestments, linens, vessels, candles, and supplies for all worship services and any other special events. The Altar Guild ensures that the proper colors are in place and that the Hymn Boards are current for each service according to the liturgical season and the service itself.
Serving on the Guild requires a commitment to be available when scheduled. While Altar Guilds in The Episcopal Church have traditionally been composed of women, here at Saint Barnabas, we welcome all parishioners to serve, regardless of gender or age. No special talents or knowledge of the church are required, only a willingness to serve when asked or needed. This is a wonderful way to be involved and learn more about the Episcopal Church. We welcome you to this quiet ministry dedicated to serving in the glory of God.
Contact:  Michele LeBlanc, Altar Guild Directress at michele@phillipsgoodsoncpa.com or at mitchl1221@bellsouth.net.
Acolytes
The Acolytes are the youth, age 10 through senior high, of Saint Barnabas who serve at the altar during worship on Sunday mornings. Responsibilities include carrying the cross and torches, tending our candles, and assisting the clergy in setting the table before the Holy Eucharist (Communion). During special services, an Acolyte may also serve as the “thurifer,” the person who carries incense in the procession.
All Youth of the parish are invited to participate in worship as Acolytes. Training and organizational sessions are held in the fall and spring, and can always be provided as personal instruction between plenary sessions.
Ushers
Ushers offer hospitality, service, and support before, during, and after the 10:30a worship on Sunday morning, and at all special services during the liturgical year. We hope to soon start smaller teams for the 8:30a service.Comprising men and women of all ages, Usher teams rotate through a regular schedule, not serving more than one Sunday per month. There are currently twenty Ushers serving at Saint Barnabas.
Arriving fifteen minutes prior to an assigned Church service, an Usher team of four individuals provides those entering our Church for a service with a friendly Saint Barnabas-style welcome and a copy of the service bulletin, offering old-timers as well as newcomers a greeting and a smile. Immediately before the service, one of the Ushers rings the Church bell.
During the service, the Ushers remain near the back of the Church to assist anyone needing help. We quietly open and close the rear Church doors to assist late-comers or those who must exit for emergencies. We also take a head-count of all attending so that the clergy know how many wafers to consecrate for the service. At the Offertory, Ushers bring the wine and bread wafers to the front of the Church and then take up the collection among the congregation. At the Communion, two of the Ushers provide from the center aisle an orderly procession of communicants to the Church altar rail. The remaining two Ushers send word to the Nursery staff and children so they, too, can come and receive Communion and blessings.
Near the end of the service, the Ushers open the rear doors for the exit of the congregation after which they check the pews for discarded bulletins and replace the prayer books and hymnals in the pew racks. Two of the Ushers go to the sanctuary where they count the collection offerings and tabulate them.
Contact: Jack Ferstel at jferstel@yahoo.com.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers administer the chalice during our 8:00a, 10:30a, and 6:00p Sunday worship, and at special services throughout the liturgical year. They serve in a regular rotation.
Eucharistic Ministers are expected to arrive early to worship, coordinate with other serving ministers, and to vest in an alb (white robe) and cincture (rope belt). In addition to regular Sunday attendance, Eucharistic Ministers meet semi-annually for worship, fellowship, and instruction of new members.
 Coordinator: Sharron Martin at sharonfalgout59@hotmail.com
Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders read at the 8:00a, 10:30a, and 6:00p Sunday worship services and at special services throughout the liturgical year.  Worship Leaders read on a regular rotation, and frequently serve as the Intercessor, leading the Prayers of the People. They are expected to arrive early to worship and to be prepared to read the appointed lessons and/or prayers. In addition to regular Sunday attendance, Worship Leaders meet semi-annually for worship, fellowship, and instruction of new members.
 Contact:  Sharon Martin at sharonfalgout59@hotmail.com
Pastoral Care Team
Following the command of Jesus to visit the sick and the imprisoned, the Pastoral Care Team brings church to those who can’t make it to church. Team members visit, bring Communion, and pray for the homebound, hospitalized, and imprisoned members of Saint Barnabas’ church family. The Team also supports and ministers to these members’ families. In addition to the regular rotation of the homebound and imprisoned membership, the team also visits those who, unexpectedly, find themselves in the hospital.
The Pastoral Care Team, along with all the parish clergy visit homebound parishioners every week, according to a regular rotation.
 Contact: T
Wedding Guild
If you are looking for a ministry at Saint Barnabas that has no fundraisers, needs no donations, provides a valuable and fun service, the Wedding Guild might be for you. Called upon when a wedding is scheduled at Saint Barnabas, one or two guild members are available for the rehearsal and on the day of the wedding. They assist the bride, groom, and the wedding party to make them feel at home while at the church. They also assist the clergy with starting the wedding on time and, if needed, direct the formal seating.
 Contact: Karin Marie Hebert at Karin.Marie.Hebert@gmail.com.
Adult Choir
The St. Barnabas Adult Choir is one of our most integral in-church ministries at St. Barnabas. This dedicated group of volunteers add so much value to our worship service by sharing their time and talent with the congregation as they lead us all in lifting our voices in praise. The Adult Choir practices on Wednesday evenings and sings each Sunday at the 10:30 service, in addition to special services throughout the year. If you are interested in joining this ministry contact Director of Music, Shawn Roy.
Engagement
Adult Christian Formation
Each Sunday morning during the months of  September through May, this class surveys a variety of topics pertinent to continued contemporary Christian formation. 
Contact:  Fr. Michael Bordelon, fathermichael@saintbarnabas.us or John Campbell johnmcamp@gmail.com.
Christan Formation: Messy CHurch
Messy church is about people – adults and kids – coming together in all their mess…with messy lives and messy families coming to church and to God just as they are to see what a Christian community is all about. We’re developing relationships not only with each other as adults, and each other as kids, but we’re making connections across age gaps! One of our main goals for Messy Church is to form a stronger sense of community for ALL of St. Barnabas – adults and kids alike. Through Messy Church we’re not only learning about God’s love, we’re learning about how we can better love each other and our community. We encourage you to join us at Messy Church. You don’t need to have kids to participate, and we welcome people of all ages!
 Messy Church Schedule
9:15 - Gather in EYC Building
9:30 - Scripture Lesson followed by crafts
10:20 - Snacks for kids
10:30 - Children’s Chapel


Messy Church Contact Information
Etienna Wright
etienna@saintbarnabas.us
 *Adults can attend the adult class or stay with the children for crafts, games, etc.
Parish Life
The Parish Life Committee helps organize and host fellowship events in the life of the Saint Barnabas congregation, including our parish picnics and receptions held before and after church.
For more information:  
welcoming ministry
The Welcoming Ministry welcomes our visitors and newcomers to Saint Barnabas and offers them opportunities to become a part of our community, by providing them with an easy transition to of our parish. We do this by deliberately greeting and conversing with visitors and newcomers, offering a tangible sign of welcome from the lay people, and inviting them to planned social events.
Participants in the Welcoming Ministry identify and greet visitors and newcomers on Sunday and make themselves available to answer questions about Saint Barnabas. By coordinating efforts with our parish administrator, we deliver bread from Great Harvest bakery to individuals and families who fill out a visitor sheet or welcome card.
The Welcoming Ministry does not have an established meeting schedule, but gathers to train participants and to plan events. Our volunteers are comfortable meeting new people, and with being assertive enough to introduce themselves and initiate conversation. Individuals don’t have to be extreme extroverts, only interested in getting to know others. We also need individuals with time to deliver bread around town on a regular basis, typically once a month, and others who enjoy planning and carrying out social events.

This is a very gratifying ministry, placing participants on the forefront of our active parish. While incorporating others, we nurture a stronger sense of belonging by gaining familiarity with those around us.

For more information, contact Mary Catherine Hager (marychager@gmail.com; 337-962-8035).
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community)
St. Barnabas has a dynamic EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) program for middle and senior high school students.  The program is designed to build genuine community among our young people that will foster in them well-grounded relationships with God in Christ, one another, and the world around them. EYC is open to anyone from 6th grade through the 12th grade. EYC meets weekly for activities designed to foster team building, leadership skills, communication, fun, and faith.  In addition, we have retreats on the local and diocesan level, and we take several trips throughout the year, some of which are purely fun and others that seek to encourage and enable a mission minded youth community.
For 6th to 12th graders, EYC is held on Sunday evenings in the EYC Building. 
4:00pm - 5:20pm - Fellowship, Games, and Christian Formation.
5:20pm - 5:50pm - Dinner in Ramsay Hall
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Holy Eucharist, Rite II (Contemporary Service on the second Sunday of each month)
Contact: etienna@saintbarnabas.us
ECW (Episcopal Church Women)
The ECW supports and inspires all women in the church as they strive to express in word and deed their love of God, family, and neighbor. Worship is the inspiration of all of our missions. Our goals will not be accomplished unless we remember to keep Christ at the center of all that we do. Through service to our parish we reflect our love of God.
We develop projects which will benefit our parish, our ECW, our neighborhood, and our community. We aim to nurture all women of the church who are welcome as members of the ECW. Our meetings are a place where relationships are developed; where women’s roles in the church are not only recognized, but honored; where each woman’s talents and gifts are affirmed, whatever they may be; and where women can grow individually and collectively. Every woman of Saint Barnabas is a member of ECW.
We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from September through May at 6:00p. Childcare is provided.
Contact: Sharon Falgout at sharonfalgout59@hotmail.com.
Gay Folk and Friends
You are invited to Gay Folk and Friends, a St. Barnabas small group for gay folk and their friends of all kinds! Gay Folk & Friends will meet in the EYC Building each Second and Fourth Monday at 6pm from mid September to mid May. Parents and guardians are more than welcome to bring or escort their children. We ask that parents don’t just drop off a minor - you must attend the meeting with your child/children. The meetings will end with Compline to give us all a chance to center ourselves and pray for a safe and joyous night. GFF is a safe and confidential space! Join us and feel free to invite others. As with the Episcopal Church in general, all are welcome. For more information, contact Keith Dorwick at (337) 962-1991 or kdorwick@gmail.com.
Men's Group
All men are invited to join in fellowship on 4th Tuesday at 6:00p in Ramsay Hall.  Bring something to throw on the grill. Sides and beverages will be provided.  Don’t miss it!  Get more involved at St. Barnabas, meet some new guys, and eat a really good meal!  For more information contact Paul Morton at morton@louisiana.edu.
Tuesday morning Bible Study
The Tuesday Morning Prayer Group and Bible Study is a small group that nurtures the knowledge and love of God through prayer and Bible study. Our mission is to offer prayer support to our group members and to those in need, as well as to carefully examine Scripture, in order to become mature disciples of Christ Jesus in both word and deed.More than a dozen individuals offer their diverse gifts and talents to the group, but the most useful gift is each individual’s time: time to pray, time to listen, and time to learn how the Spirit of God is guiding each person into serving the Body of Christ. Participants are also active in other ministries within Saint Barnabas and the Lafayette community.
The Tuesday Morning Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 10:00a in the Christian Education Room 12 at Saint Barnabas.
Contact: Leslie Alwell at dlalwell@bellsouth.net
Outreach
Outreach
Following Christ’s admonition, ‘inasmuch as you have done to the least of these, you have done it to me,’ the Outreach Committee is charged with discerning the parish’s call in the community and providing the people of Saint Barnabas the opportunity to contribute their time, talent, and treasure inside and outside the parish.”

Outreach Committee Mission Statement, 2007 
Outreach ministers to many communities and organizations as “an outward and visible sign” of the parish’s faithful Stewardship. The Outreach Committee invites everyone new to our community to join with us as we seek to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.
Monthly Outreach Event: Bingo at Lady of the Oaks Nursing Home
For additional current Outreach Projects, please see the menu NEWS.
For more information, contact Earl Lege, Director of Outreach, at earl@saintbarnabas.us
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Meals on Wheels
From the Meals on Wheels of America website:
Volunteers are the backbone of Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Not only do they prepare and deliver meals to homebound seniors in their local communities, they also provide the seniors with companionship and a warm, friendly smile when they arrive at the door.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities at Meals on Wheels programs, though specific openings will vary from one location to another. People of varied interests and abilities can help  – whether they want to be hands-on or behind the scenes. Timing is also flexible, but most programs deliver meals before noon.
For specifics about the St. Barnabas program, contact Emile Lege at emile.lege@cox.net
Kairos Prison Ministry
The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen. "Kairos"  is a New Testament Greek term that means "God's Special Time" and is often expressed in Scripture as "the fullness of time."Contact:  Jim Lambert at jim@jimlambert.com.

Get In Touch.

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For more information about our church, please feel free to contact us directly at the information listed below.
Address: 
400 Camellia Boulevard 
Lafayette, LA 70503
Phone:337-984-3848
E-mail: contact@saintbarnabas.us
Little Lambs Mother's Day Out:
Phone: 337-984-3887
Email: littlelambsMDO@saintbarnabas.us
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  • Home
  • About us
    • Our Staff
    • What to Expect
    • Ministry
    • Become a member
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Mothers Day Out
  • Pumpkin Patch
  • Give