Weekly News — 17 May 2026

This Sunday we welcome ten young people and their families and friends as they are admitted to Holy Communion, and also the family of William as he is baptised. It is also the Sunday on which we hold our Annual Parochial Church Meeting.

It can be tempting to see these as two separate types of things: one about families and relationships and spirituality and the other about administration, rules and committees.

It so happens I love both - and that may be because to me they are different versions of the same thing: signs of energies, of love and of the workings of God. I am fond of the phrase “holy admin” and taunt my fellow clergy with it, perhaps very naughtily, when they are rolling their eyes about meetings, diaries and emails.

The same care that goes into making the commitment to venture into receiving the sacrament of the eucharist is the care that shows up, week after week to make sure things are still on the road and others are supported.

In all of this I feel we are shaped - formed, if you like - as followers of Christ and as people. The energies of the Holy Spirit are particularly vibrant at Ascensiontide and Pentecost, which makes it a fine time to be doing both these sets of thing.  Let’s see how they combine in the Mass, APCM and Choral Evensong that Sunday will usher in!

Mother Sarah

I am reading: Lonely Planet Sri Lanka; Theo of Golden, Allen Levi

image: Ascension, Jorge Cocco Santángelo (b.1936)

Church Finances - what does St Barnabas mean to you? Please do look at the St Barnabas church finance posters on the display boards. Three key points:

1. Expected deficit in 2026 £19,501.

2. Please join the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) with regular monthly donations.

3. If already donating monthly, please increase your donation by 3.5% if you can.

“A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put in your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Luke 6:38

Celebrate Ascension Day with vicarage garden sparkling drinks, and Mass for 30 mins beforehand.

Thursday 14 May, mass at 7pm in the church, drinks follow straight after at 7.30.

Please note, this will be drinks only, so do eat before you set out!

APCM - this Sunday at 12.15 in the Large Hall

PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN!

Read the St Barnabas annual report to the APCM.

Also the financial report and accounts for 2025.

Download from these separate links - or pick up a hard copy in church.

Next Choral Evensong is on Sunday 17 May, at 6pm.

Join us.

Candle wax recycling

Richard from recycledwax.co.uk came on Sunday to collect our old paschal candles!

Old candles from homes, restaurants and churches are collected by Recycled Wax and remade by hand into new candles, keeping wax out of landfill.

Browse their collection online, and buy back the wax we have donated!

Pray as you Go

For those of you who find picking up content on the move helpful in the middle of the busyness of life, do check it out here: the App link is on this page.

Giving to St Barnabas - we need your help!

What does St Barnabas give you, that nothing else can?

WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL HELP. 

Being part of something is a fabulous thing. Belonging includes helping in practical ways

- just like any valued relationship.

It takes 5 minutes to set up regular giving - and the benefit is limitless to this community. 

To get set up, or to review your regular giving, our easy form can be filled in HERE

Thank you!

You can find out more about our finances HERE

Notices

Summer Fayre volunteers wanted! Please can you consider offering some time before or on the day to make our Summer Fayre a huge success.  Please contact Janet Robinson on jrobinson611@aol.com

Ascension Day - 7pm Thursday 14 May - a short (30mins) Said Mass, with a hymn, followed by drinks in the Vicarage garden. All are welcome

Sunday 17 May - admissions to Holy Communion in the 10.30 Mass

APCM Sunday 17 May, 12.15pm - in the Large Hall

Newcomers Vicarage garden party - Saturday 20 June, 2-5pm.  All those who are new in the past year, or missed last year, or are not so new but feel it - WELCOME!

Ealing Half Marathon This year on Sunday 29 Sept - volunteers sought as stewards, register at 

https://www.ealinghalfmarathon.com/volunteer/

If anyone would like to run in aid of St Barnabas this year (thanks again Rich and John in 2025) please do let me know and the organiser will send us some codes.

Donations for Food Pantry

Please consider donating items from the list in church. Donations may be left after church on Sundays or during Food Pantry hours on Wednesdays. If you would like to give a monetary donation specifically to the food pantry, please mark your green envelope ‘Food Pantry’, or use this link.

Small amounts of fresh produce can be accepted ONLY when the Pantry is open on Wednesdays.

Worship and Activities this Week

Sunday 

Sung Mass at 10:30 in person and online.  Noisy Mass; and meeting of Youth Group + Chatty Church and Children’s Church.

Choral Evensong at 6pm

Monday

Morning Prayer at 9:30 on Zoom.

Tuesday 

Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel.

Wednesday

Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel.

Midweek Mass at 12.30 in the Lady Chapel

Food Pantry is open from 1-3pm.

Thursday

Morning Prayer at 9:30 in the Lady Chapel. 

Memory Cafe open 10.30-12

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Sung Mass at 10.30; Noisy Mass and Youth Groups; Children’s Church

Forward Look - coming dates

14 June SUMMER FAYRE - 12-4pm

16-18 July FLOWER FESTIVAL with Ealing Flower Club (revised dates)

26 Sept QUIZ NIGHT