Wherever you see the name St. Barnabas or The Branches in print, it is typically paired with this line: Where ALL Are Welcome. Folks at St. Barnabas are a friendly group, an outgoing group, a group anxious to welcome the stranger into our midst.
Welcome one another, therefore,
just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
- Romans 15:7
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
- Hebrews 13:1-2
In November 2009, St. Barnabas' Vestry spoke out on behalf of the congregation and unanimously passed two resolutions. The first was the Oasis Statement of Affirmation as prepared by The Oasis Ministry of the Diocese of New Jersey.
But the Vestry felt that this resolution was too narrow, and also passed a broader resolution to say that any category that is used to exclude God's people is not reflective of the love and caring of Saint Barnabas. Everyone whom God loves is welcome here.
Where ALL Are Welcome Statement of Affirmation
Being mindful of the Commandments given us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Luke 10:27; Book of Common Prayer, p. 324)
The community of Saint Barnabas by the Bay Episcopal Church in Villas, New Jersey re-affirms that as a Christian Fellowship, we welcome any and all persons seeking to know and serve our Lord Jesus Christ in their spiritual journey. We welcome all into our midst, without any regard to: age, sex, race, sexual orientation, physical ability, mental ability, spiritual background, past sins and addictions, or financial resources.
The Oasis Statement of Affirmation
As a welcoming congregation, we at St. Barnabas by the Bay Episcopal Church (Villas, NJ) are committed to inviting, supporting and welcoming all people as full members of our church family and worship life, particularly our brothers and sisters who have experienced exclusion because of their sexual orientation or identity and are seeking a safe and affirming spiritual home.
Pictured (left to right): Mike Sullivan , Jr. Warden ('12); Maureen Kersch, (12); Barbara St. Clair ('12); Dick Webber , Senior Warden (13); Leslie Flick ('12); Fran Moore, (13)Earl Moore .
A Federal Privacy Act (HIPPA) prohibits hospitals from notifying non-family members (including clergy) about patients. If you know of any St. Barnabas parisioners who are hospitalized or if you know that you will be in the hospital, please call the church office at 886-5960 so that a visit can be scheduled.
