Weekly News
Weekly News — 30 August 2026
30th August 2026
Your weekly St Barnabas Ealing newsletter
Greetings to you all,
This week we learn once more to put our trust in Christ utterly, as we hear the gospel words “those who lose their life for my sake will find it”.
As we think ahead to this Gospel passage for Sunday we might each think of something we are holding tight to, to our detriment, which we might hand over to Christ, to our own benefit.
In a week which publicly has seen the much-mourned death of Dolly Parton - herself a remarkable and unexpected witness to the love of God - as well as what we each face, we can see these gestures don’t have to be huge, but “merely” habitual!
We are pleased to report that we have received a very healthy number of applicants for our Office Manager role and will interview shortlisted candidates next week. For my part, Christ has delivered far more in this field than I had expected personally…
Please keep this recruitment process in your prayers - as we can see, prayer is surprisingly effective!!
REMINDER Sunday 6 September: as well as baptisms, we have the annual Blessing of Backpacks for all school term-starters after communion in the 10.30 Mass. Bring your bags and be blessed in the start of the school year.
Prayers and best wishes until I next see you,
Mother Sarah
This week I have been reading: Reflections on the Psalms, Church House Publishing
Image: Lamb and Flag, Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire
On about 16 September we say a fond farewell to Sanjit Sil, our Office Manager of the last 3 and a half years. Sanjit is a highly sought-after teacher of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and has worked at St Barnabas alongside his career in that field. He has been invited to expand his work with Ealing Council and West London College - we wish him very well in this enhanced role.
Sanjit arrived in post here just as Fr Justin was leaving, and held the fort over the vacancy in a way which speaks volumes about his values of service and loyalty. He is seen here at the Summer Fayre - again getting involved. We will miss him.
You can donate for Sanjit’s leaving gift here and a card will be in church for messages.
It is effortless to donate money to St Barnabas! In fact, it is free!
By a quick download of the right gadget, each time you shop online most large retailers will send money our way.
A free advert for Uniqlo here, and a snapshot of Mthr Sarah’s online shopping…
Some of you will be doing this for schools, groups, and clubs. If so - ok! But if you’re not elsewhere, then please sign up. Sarah has raised £120 in the last 18 months ;)
Website overhaul - could you be our second guardian angel?
Our website (left) is in much need of a glow-up, and we have engaged an expert to do this over the summer holidays.
Soon we will have a smart new presence, better suited to our needs and that of the online visitor.
This is a £500 investment - one anonymous person is putting £250 in - are you the person to match fund it?
Get in touch with Mthr Sarah or Felicity if you’d like to make this transformation a reality.
Sunday 6 September - Blessing of Backpacks in the 10.30 Mass, after communion. Bring your school kit and be blessed for the start of the school year. Adults welcome to bring their work items, similarly.
Giving to St Barnabas - £600 a day…
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!
It costs over £600 a day to keep St Barnabas going - what can you do to help?
Notices
We are seeking new Welcomers to join our team. The role offers a chance to be the warm and welcoming face of St Barnabas. You can serve as often or as little as you like - training is provided. Be at the heart of things on a Sunday! Chat to Felicity if you’d like to find out more.
Wedding of Mother Sarah and Julian The St Barnabas community is warmly welcomed to Sarah and Julian’s wedding mass on 19 September, at 12 midday. All those attending are invited to join afterwards for drinks and a light buffet in the Hall from 1-3pm.
No Noisy Mass on 30 August - but come to our main service which will be for all ages and all-comers.
Coffee rota - extra volunteers sought. Please let Valerie know if you can help, even if only occasionally.
Ealing Half Marathon This year on Sunday 27 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
Mass with hymns at 10:30 for all ages including the Noisy Mass community - in person and online. Summer break for CC and Youth Groups
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
Sunday
Sung Mass with baptism at 10.30 - with Blessing of Backpacks. Noisy Mass at 10.30. Youth Groups return. CC come to the Mass and bring your backpacks!
Forward Look - coming dates
26 Sept QUIZ NIGHT - keep any eye out for the booking details coming shortly
4 Oct HARVEST SUNDAY SERVICE
17 Oct PET SERVICE 2pm