IF THEY ASK JUST SAY THE LORD NEEDS IT

Every year on June 11, Christians across the world — Anglican, Episcopal, Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran — celebrate St. Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement.” In the Episcopal Church, his feast is a moveable celebration , and here in Borrego Springs we keep it on the Sunday closest to that date. It is more than a remembrance. It is a mirror. His story looks remarkably like ours. A Saint Who Loved the Church — And Reached Beyond It St. Barnabas was deeply rooted in the life of the early church. Scripture shows him as a man who loved the community of believers, supported its leaders, and strengthened its foundations. Yet he was never content to stay inside the walls. He traveled with Paul and later with Mark, planting and nurturing new Christian communities. He built bridges between Jewish Christians and those outside the Jewish world. He encouraged newcomers, defended the misunderstood, and carried the Gospel into places the church had not yet imagined going. Barnabas held two commitments at once: to care for the church he loved, and to carry that love outward into the world. A Church That Lives the Same Calling St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs shares that same spirit. We are committed to building up our local church family — praying together, caring for one another, and strengthening our life in Christ. But our mission does not end at our doors. Like our patron saint, we believe that the church is community, and the community is church. Our ministry stretches into Borrego Springs, into the desert neighborhoods, and outward toward the Salton Sea region. We form partnerships, build friendships, and show up where people are living their real lives. We encourage people on their journeys, whatever those journeys look like. And we remind them — gently, persistently — that God loves them right now, not because they have been “good” or “bad,” not because they have earned anything, but because love is God’s nature. A Message Worth Carrying Our mission echoes the heart of St. Barnabas himself: Encouragement over judgment Welcome over boundaries Relationship over rules Love offered freely, today, as you are We tell our neighbors: God is already here. God is already with you. God is already loving you. And we invite them — as Barnabas once did — to let God walk with them on the road ahead. Why This Feast Matters to Us When we celebrate St. Barnabas each year, we are not only honoring a saint of the early church. We are recognizing the shape of our own calling. His life is a pattern for our life. His courage is an encouragement to our courage. His outward-facing love is the same love we are trying to live in Borrego Springs and beyond. St. Barnabas once helped the early church grow into the world. St. Barnabas Episcopal Church is doing the same — right here, right now.

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church expands its ongoing collaboration with Rostros y Corazón For the first time, Fr. David Madsen and Jan Naragon of St. Barnabas (Borrego Springs) are leading a regular Eucharist service at Rostros y Corazón in Salton City. The gathering will take place the first and third Wednesday of every month, creating a new opportunity for worship, fellowship, and community connection. The service builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations and reflects the many connections already shared between Borrego Springs and Salton City. Many West Shores residents work in Borrego Springs, attend school here, shop here, receive services here, or have family and friends in the Borrego Valley. The two communities are neighbors in many ways. The new service reflects St. Barnabas's commitment to extending ministry beyond its church walls while continuing to support relationships throughout the desert region. By gathering regularly at Rostros y Corazón, organizers hope to create a welcoming space for prayer, conversation, encouragement, and connection. Rostros y Corazón , led by Graciela Mendivil Ramos, is a nonprofit community center serving Salton City and the surrounding West Shores area. The organization is known for supporting families and connecting residents with needed resources. For upcoming service dates or questions, contact Graciela Mendivil Ramos at gracielamramos@gmail.com .

Every year on June 11, Christians across the world — Anglican, Episcopal, Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran — celebrate St. Barnabas, the “Son of Encouragement.” In the Episcopal Church, his feast is a moveable celebration , and here in Borrego Springs we keep it on the Sunday closest to that date. It is more than a remembrance. It is a mirror. His story looks remarkably like ours. A Saint Who Loved the Church — And Reached Beyond It St. Barnabas was deeply rooted in the life of the early church. Scripture shows him as a man who loved the community of believers, supported its leaders, and strengthened its foundations. Yet he was never content to stay inside the walls. He traveled with Paul and later with Mark, planting and nurturing new Christian communities. He built bridges between Jewish Christians and those outside the Jewish world. He encouraged newcomers, defended the misunderstood, and carried the Gospel into places the church had not yet imagined going. Barnabas held two commitments at once: to care for the church he loved, and to carry that love outward into the world. A Church That Lives the Same Calling St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs shares that same spirit. We are committed to building up our local church family — praying together, caring for one another, and strengthening our life in Christ. But our mission does not end at our doors. Like our patron saint, we believe that the church is community, and the community is church. Our ministry stretches into Borrego Springs, into the desert neighborhoods, and outward toward the Salton Sea region. We form partnerships, build friendships, and show up where people are living their real lives. We encourage people on their journeys, whatever those journeys look like. And we remind them — gently, persistently — that God loves them right now, not because they have been “good” or “bad,” not because they have earned anything, but because love is God’s nature. A Message Worth Carrying Our mission echoes the heart of St. Barnabas himself: Encouragement over judgment Welcome over boundaries Relationship over rules Love offered freely, today, as you are We tell our neighbors: God is already here. God is already with you. God is already loving you. And we invite them — as Barnabas once did — to let God walk with them on the road ahead. Why This Feast Matters to Us When we celebrate St. Barnabas each year, we are not only honoring a saint of the early church. We are recognizing the shape of our own calling. His life is a pattern for our life. His courage is an encouragement to our courage. His outward-facing love is the same love we are trying to live in Borrego Springs and beyond. St. Barnabas once helped the early church grow into the world. St. Barnabas Episcopal Church is doing the same — right here, right now.

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church expands its ongoing collaboration with Rostros y Corazón For the first time, Fr. David Madsen and Jan Naragon of St. Barnabas (Borrego Springs) are leading a regular Eucharist service at Rostros y Corazón in Salton City. The gathering will take place the first and third Wednesday of every month, creating a new opportunity for worship, fellowship, and community connection. The service builds on an existing relationship between the two organizations and reflects the many connections already shared between Borrego Springs and Salton City. Many West Shores residents work in Borrego Springs, attend school here, shop here, receive services here, or have family and friends in the Borrego Valley. The two communities are neighbors in many ways. The new service reflects St. Barnabas's commitment to extending ministry beyond its church walls while continuing to support relationships throughout the desert region. By gathering regularly at Rostros y Corazón, organizers hope to create a welcoming space for prayer, conversation, encouragement, and connection. Rostros y Corazón , led by Graciela Mendivil Ramos, is a nonprofit community center serving Salton City and the surrounding West Shores area. The organization is known for supporting families and connecting residents with needed resources. For upcoming service dates or questions, contact Graciela Mendivil Ramos at gracielamramos@gmail.com .