"St Barnabas is a part of the Borrego Community We are Not Apart from the Borrego Community"
St Barnabas exists as a part of the larger community of Borrego Springs. We are NOT apart FROM the Community. Borrego Springs is a vital community located on the edge of the largest desert state park in the country - The Anza - Borrego State Park. Borrego Springs is identified with the State Park. But the desert - while it is a defining feature of Borrego Springs - and in some ways imposes ecological limitations - does NOT temper the vitality of the Borrego Springs Community.
For a relatively geographically isolated location from the rest of San Diego and seasonably variable population Borrego Springs is a thriving community hosting a desert park, weekend recreation, renowned outdoor sculptures, an Art Institute, a Performing Arts Center, a Film Festival, an active ecumenical Borrego Ministers Association, and much more.
The people of St. Barnabas have their hands in almost everything that goes on in the valley—hosting and supporting a monthly food bank, volunteering in the schools in science and the arts, teaching Englishas a Second Language, mentoring students on their way to college, and participating in the performing arts center productions. Members are deeply involved with the Performing Arts Center, music and theater productions, art exhibitions and support for the artistic community, as well as the yearly film festival. Still others are on town committees interacting with the county supervisors for the area and with local health care providers. All of this is done simply as being a part of the greater community.
As described by one parishioner in our recent Congregational Survey "The responsibility to serve the church and the great community where we live are intertwined for me. The opportunity to serve doesn't stop at the closing of the church doors once the Mass is over. Jesus taught us to go out into the community and be examples of His love for his people. When we serve the whole community, we are doing His bidding."
