A Community Concert Marking 60 Years of a Holiday Classic
By Fr. Michael Plekon
Fr. George Keith, a retired Episcopal priest who served St. Barnabas and worked closely with the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, continues to be held in prayer by the parish and wider community. He is remembered by name at every Sunday service, reflecting the lasting impact of his ministry and presence in Borrego Springs. Fr. George receives regular visits from the priests and people of St. Barnabas, as well as from Archdeacon Cindy Campos and local San Diego priest Fr. Richard Vevia. Recently, Jan Naragon and Fr. Michael Plekon spent time visiting Fr. George, offering prayer and companionship on behalf of the parish. The photos below capture moments from that visit and the continued care that surrounds him.
We are leaving the last week of Advent and drawing near to Christmas, with Epiphany just ahead on the following Sunday. So what have we noticed about these past few weeks of waiting, watching, and, if we’re honest, trying not to lose track of which candle we’re supposed to light? Advent has been walking us through the wilderness with John the Baptist, who didn’t choose a comfortable pulpit. He chose the erēmos , the desert of Judea. A rugged, barren stretch east of Jerusalem all the way down toward the Dead Sea. A place you don’t pass through on your way to anywhere else. The desert is honest like that. It doesn’t flatter. It doesn’t distract. It simply says, “All right, what’s really going on in your soul?” That’s where John appears, calling people to prepare the way of the Lord anywhere. Which, depending on who you ask, sounds a lot like Borrego Springs. Anyone who has driven east of town toward the Salton Sea knows that feeling: the land opens up, the noise falls away, and suddenly the desert asks you questions you didn’t plan. Not with guilt, but with clarity. Repentance, in his voice, is not a scolding; it’s a spiritual housecleaning. A chance to sweep out the dust of fear, resentment, and spiritual clutter so the light of Christ can get in without tripping over anything. And the desert is a good teacher for this. Out here, nothing grows without intention. Life survives because water is shared, shade is offered, and roots learn to reach deep. Borrego Springs reminds us that transformation is possible even in harsh places, especially when compassion flows like a hidden spring. Advent work begins inside us—softening the heart, forgiving ourselves, forgiving others—but it doesn’t stay there. It moves outward into the dry places of the world, where justice, mercy, and peace are desperately needed. Christ calls us to be streams of kindness in thirsty landscapes. As we move toward Christmas and then into Epiphany, the season of revealing, we remember that John’s voice was only the beginning. As Martin Luther said, with John “a new voice is in town,” pointing toward the One to come who brings light into every shadow. And here in our own desert, we know something about light. We know how it rises over the mountains and floods the valley. We know how it reveals everything, beautiful or otherwise. And we know how it can warm even on the coldest morning. So as Advent gives way to Christmas, and Christmas leads us toward Epiphany, may we carry that desert clarity with us. May we make room for joy. May we welcome Christ’s peace. And may we become signs of hope in this rugged, beautiful place we call home.
Baptism Celebrated During Advent at St. Barnabas On Sunday, December 14 , St. Barnabas Episcopal Church celebrated the baptism of four family members , officiated by Fr. Michael Plekon . During the baptism, Fr. Plekon reminded the newly baptized that they are now family within the St. Barnabas church , emphasizing the shared commitment and sense of belonging that baptism represents. Following the service, the celebration continued with cake and a gathering . A traditional money toss (la lluvia de dinero) —a celebratory custom in Mexican culture—added a joyful moment to the occasion. The baptism brought together faith, cultural tradition, and community life at St. Barnabas in Borrego Springs.
There were shepherds out in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord, and this will be a sign for you. You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger, and this will be a sign for you." In Luke's telling of the Christmas story, startled shepherds are the first to hear the good news of great joy that will be for all the people. In the sign that a new order is at hand, this astounding announcement comes from angelic beings to rural, earthly guardians of sheep. A savior born that day in nearby Bethlehem? What? How? And who are we to be told in such a remarkable way? This good news is almost too good to be true. "And this will be a sign for you." God knows we struggle to see, to believe. The angels offer the shepherds a trio of things tangible: a baby, swaddling cloths, a manger. A sign that the shepherds are not dreaming, that generations of prayers have been answered that night, that God has penetrated the veil and come to all people. In this incredible arrival of a human baby laid in a feeding trough, not in a plush crib, God signals a new way for us to see ourselves and one another. "And this will be a sign for you." This Christmas, where are you looking for a sign? Is your heart too wounded, too jaded to even hope for evidence of God's presence? "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for everyone." Radical inclusion, great joy despite the hatred, violence, and division that rake our neighborhoods. In coming to us in human form, God upends our understanding and invites us into a life-altering story. God as helpless infant, born in dirt and straw to show us all things are possible, all people are welcome in and through God's love. Like the shepherds, will we open our eyes and ears to see and hear the signs? God comes where we least expect it and exactly where we need to be found. This Advent, this Christmas, and always, the Episcopal Church welcomes you.
[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe preached Dec. 7 at New York’s Trinity Church , describing the Gospel story of John the Baptist as a surprisingly appropriate set-up for the seasonal anticipation of the coming of Christ. “No [better] way to get into that Christmas spirit than hearing about broods of vipers and chaff and unquenchable fire,” Rowe said with a smile, eliciting chuckles from the congregation. John the Baptist is “like the one relative” who is willing to tell “inconvenient truth” at the family’s dinner over his “locust casserole.” But John the Baptist also was following his ministry in the wilderness and calling for repentance at “a good time to be a prophet,” Rowe said, when there was much for the people to complain about. “The kingdom of God was appealing in a way that the world was not,” Rowe said, drawing connections to today’s troubled times. “The wheat and the chaff grow together. None of us are entirely good or entirely bad,” Rowe said. “But the love of God — and this is the gift of judgment — the love of God is so bright, the love of God burns so strong, that when judgment comes it is about the chaff in all of us that will burn away, and all that will be left of us is what is of the kingdom, what is of God what is of love.”
Community Members Gather For A Shape Note Sing
A Season of Reflection and Community As the holiday season begins, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church invites everyone to gather for the four Sundays of Advent. These weekly services offer a peaceful space to reflect, reconnect, and prepare for the coming season with hope and intention. Each service begins at 9:30 AM and is open to all—residents, visitors, families, and anyone looking for a meaningful way to mark this time of year. Service Dates Sunday, November 30 Sunday, December 7 Sunday, December 14 Sunday, December 21 Worship takes place at: 2680 Country Club Drive, Borrego Springs Whether you attend every year or are stepping in for the first time, Advent at St. Barnabas is a thoughtful tradition that brings people together during a special time of year.
A Community Gathering in Gratitude The 2025 Thanksgiving Eve Service brought churches, neighbors, and visitors together at Borrego Springs Community UMC for an evening centered on gratitude and connection. The gathering reflected the shared ministry of local faith leaders and the ongoing work of the Borrego Ministers Association, which supports residents throughout the year. Pastor Mateo Mamea of Borrego Springs Community United Methodist Church opened the service with an invitation to enter the evening in a spirit of thankfulness, followed by an opening prayer from Rev. Michael Plekon. Scripture readings were offered by Cmdr. Dale Jones and Rev. David Madsen, with additional participation from Ellen Fitzpatrick and Diane Johnson . Pastor Mamea later shared the homily, encouraging gratitude as a daily practice. Music played an important role throughout the service. Jennie and Gary Edwards performed “For the Beauty of the Earth,” and the combined choir—directed by Jinny Perrin —sang a beautifully unified anthem that added warmth to the evening. Martha Deichler also spoke, sharing stories about the Borrego Ministers Association and its role in supporting local residents in times of need. Her message highlighted the shared compassion and cooperation among the community’s churches. An offering was received to support the BMA’s year-round assistance programs, which provide help with emergency needs for individuals and families across Borrego Springs. The service concluded with a final hymn and blessing, leaving those gathered with a renewed sense of gratitude and community. The evening reflected the strength of Borrego Springs’ faith community and the shared commitment to caring for neighbors.
