"Growing To Share" Campaign

Dear Members and Friends of St. Barnabas,

St. Barnabas has a history of being a place where the Holy Spirit deeply impacts people’s lives. As a community of worship, witness, and service we have the privilege to participate in God’s mission of reconciling the world in Jesus Christ. Those of us who are here, and many who have passed through or moved on, have experienced that reconciliation.

Participating in God’s mission is no small goal. But, we are not given small goals by God. The goals we have in front of us, as a congregation, are beyond our ability to reach on our own. They require us to look beyond what we can see and envision by ourselves. They compel us to step out in ways that will make sense only as they are Spirit-led. Our building – the original space and now the new building – has been a significant means through which we participate in God’s mission. We believe we were led by the Spirit to build the new building. The Spirit will lead us in the completing of the project.

The three-year Building Fund Commitment covers the costs of our mortgage obligations and pays down principal to save future interest payments. The Building Fund will also provide a tithe (10%) to support our mission in the Sudan. This brochure is designed to invite you to grow in your giving and to help you understand how you can share in supporting the work entrusted to us by Christ.

This Campaign is about raising money. But, it is also about much more. It is about raising faith. It is about providing for the future. It is about living into the dreams, prayers and grace that inspired us to build the new building so we would have space where people worship God and welcome each other in Christ for years to come.

We encourage you to spend time in prayer, seeking how God would have you become involved with this Campaign and its vision. You are invited to respond to God’s call by making sacrificial commitments to our shared work; yes, even in a turbulent economic environment.

We thank you for your partnership in the gospel, praying that what we do together in the name of Christ will have a deep and lasting impact as we participate in God’s mission of reconciliation in the Glen Ellyn area and throughout the world.

Grace and peace,

Father Matt

The purpose of the Growing to Share Campaign is to enable St. Barnabas Episcopal Church to participate more fully in God’s mission by growing in faith and generosity. It is our hearts’ desire to minister more effectively to our members, our community and the world. As we consider God’s future for our parish, we are asking everyone to pray:

• “God, please help me to step out in faith.”

• “God, help me to commit myself to prayer, service and generosity.”

• “God, I step out to do all these things through your grace and with a joyful, thankful heart.”