January 19, 2026

Who Is My Neighbor? A Documentary Screening at St. Barnabas

On February 8 at 1:00 pm, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will host a screening of Diminishing Returns, a 20-minute documentary followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Colin Whitman. The event is open to the community and will take place in the church sanctuary.


Event Details

  • Film: Diminishing Returns
  • Date: February 8
  • Time: 1:00 PM
  • Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church
  • Program: Screening followed by a Q&A
  • Afterward: Coffee and snacks available


Why are we doing this?


If you spend time in Borrego Springs, chances are that you like movies and that you may be in a book club. How often do you finish watching a movie and want to talk about it with someone else? We at St. Barnabas are providing you a chance to merge movies and discussion with a screening of a 20-minute documentary, Diminishing Returns, followed by a Q&A with the L.A.-based filmmaker, Colin Whitman.


We pride ourselves in promoting justice and kindness in our local neighborhood. But where do the boundaries of our neighborhood end? How far can we go to aid people who are holding onto their way of life by their fingernails? Do we even know who they are? This film touches on the question “who is my neighbor?” as well as themes of living alone, navigating two cultures, family ties, and others. It’s gotten a lot of interest in other film venues as a parable for navigating the perceived distance between “us” and “them.”


If you see Diminishing Returns at the film festival, you may get something new out of it the second time. The mark of a good film!


Colin Whitman met Ernesto, the subject of the film, while he was walking his dog in his own neighborhood. He took the initiative to strike up a conversation and uncovered a surprisingly sweet and suspenseful story of a perfect stranger and his family overseas. Ernesto is not so different from us as we might assume. Come and see to find out more about Ernesto and the effect the Colin’s film had on his life.


~ Jan Naragon


What to expect


The film will be shown at St. Barnabas in the Sanctuary at 1 pm on February 8. Admission is free (donations accepted). Well-behaved dogs welcome. Enjoy this 20-minute ‘thinky’ documentary in a more intimate setting than the film festival, then mingle afterward with the filmmaker in a Question and Answer session. Follow that with coffee and cookies and more time to ask questions that you forgot earlier in the beautiful courtyard at St. Barnabas. Head home feeling inspired.


Film Synopsis


Diminishing Returns follows Ernesto, who collects recyclables in Los Angeles to help pay for his daughter’s chemotherapy treatment in the Philippines. The short documentary offers a direct look at caregiving, sacrifice, and resilience across borders.


All are welcome to attend


Whether you come for the film, the conversation, or the community, we hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of insight, connection, and inspiration.

April 6, 2026
The annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs took place on Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church on Church Lane. Hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association, the outdoor service brought together local congregations, residents, and visitors for a shared Easter celebration at sunrise. Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service as part of the Borrego Ministers Association. Annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs The Easter Sunrise Service is a long-standing Borrego Springs tradition held each Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church and hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association. St. Barnabas Took Part in the Service Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service alongside others from the Borrego Ministers Association and the community. A Community Gathering at Sunrise Residents and visitors gathered early, bringing chairs and dressing for the cool desert morning. The annual service continues to reflect community participation and cooperation among local churches in Borrego Springs. Easter Message from St. Barnabas  “Christ is risen. Indeed he is risen. Happy Easter from the priests and people of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. May you experience the new life and joy of the Risen Lord.” Fathers David Madsen and Michael Plekon
April 4, 2026
A low-cost spay and neuter clinic will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  Animal Action League will provide low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs. Available services also include vaccinations and microchipping. These services help reduce unwanted litters while supporting the long-term health, safety, and identification of pets in the Borrego Springs area. To make an appointment, call the Animal Action League office at (760) 366-1100 for English or (760) 366-1105 for Spanish. Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
April 2, 2026
A community Fasola (shape-note) sing was held March 29 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. Singers gathered in the church, where the acoustics supported unaccompanied group singing. Shape-note singing, also known as Sacred Harp, is a participatory a cappella tradition. Singers sit or stand in a hollow square by vocal part, and songs are led one at a time by participants from the group. Music is sung first on the syllables fa, sol, la, mi, then with lyrics. The March 29 sing followed standard practice. Attendees brought tunebooks and called songs by page number. Leaders stood in the center to set tempo and conduct. No instruments were used. The group included both experienced singers and newcomers. The format allowed anyone present to join, regardless of musical background. Reach out if you are interested in attending the next event!
Show More
April 6, 2026
The annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs took place on Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church on Church Lane. Hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association, the outdoor service brought together local congregations, residents, and visitors for a shared Easter celebration at sunrise. Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service as part of the Borrego Ministers Association. Annual Easter Sunrise Service in Borrego Springs The Easter Sunrise Service is a long-standing Borrego Springs tradition held each Easter morning behind the United Methodist Church and hosted by the Borrego Ministers Association. St. Barnabas Took Part in the Service Members of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church participated in the service alongside others from the Borrego Ministers Association and the community. A Community Gathering at Sunrise Residents and visitors gathered early, bringing chairs and dressing for the cool desert morning. The annual service continues to reflect community participation and cooperation among local churches in Borrego Springs. Easter Message from St. Barnabas  “Christ is risen. Indeed he is risen. Happy Easter from the priests and people of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. May you experience the new life and joy of the Risen Lord.” Fathers David Madsen and Michael Plekon
April 4, 2026
A low-cost spay and neuter clinic will take place on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.  Animal Action League will provide low-cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs. Available services also include vaccinations and microchipping. These services help reduce unwanted litters while supporting the long-term health, safety, and identification of pets in the Borrego Springs area. To make an appointment, call the Animal Action League office at (760) 366-1100 for English or (760) 366-1105 for Spanish. Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
April 2, 2026
A community Fasola (shape-note) sing was held March 29 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. Singers gathered in the church, where the acoustics supported unaccompanied group singing. Shape-note singing, also known as Sacred Harp, is a participatory a cappella tradition. Singers sit or stand in a hollow square by vocal part, and songs are led one at a time by participants from the group. Music is sung first on the syllables fa, sol, la, mi, then with lyrics. The March 29 sing followed standard practice. Attendees brought tunebooks and called songs by page number. Leaders stood in the center to set tempo and conduct. No instruments were used. The group included both experienced singers and newcomers. The format allowed anyone present to join, regardless of musical background. Reach out if you are interested in attending the next event!
Show More

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