Join us for the Growing a Beloved Community Summer Challenge!

Our faith flourishes when we open our hearts to the vast tapestry of God’s creation, recognizing that the Holy Spirit speaks through a magnificent diversity of voices, traditions, and lived experiences. This summer, we invite all ages to join us in a season of intentional growth—a journey of deeper reflection and empathy that transcends our own cultural boundaries.

How the Challenge Works

We will provide you with a Guidebook of options and a Passport to track your journey. Click the links below to preview the Guidebook and Passport, and pick up a printed copy at St. Barnabas.

• The Guidebook: Choose from a curated list of books, podcasts, museums, memorial sites, and non-profit agencies. Printed copies will be available on Sunday. See below for annotated copy from the BI branch of the library detailing what books are available!

• The Passport: Use this tool to track your activities and record your reflections along the way. Printed copies will be available on Sunday.

• Lean into the Journey: Some concepts or experiences may be troubling, heartbreaking, or uncomfortable. We grow and learn by challenging our thinking and considering perspectives and experiences that differ from our own.

• The Celebratory Meal: At the end of the two-month journey, we will gather for a special meal to reflect and share what we experienced and discovered about ourselves and others.

Important Dates

• June 28 and onward: Digital Guidebooks and Passports are available by clicking the links above, or you can pick up a printed copy at St. Barnabas. Click here to access slides and notes from the presentation given about the program at The Bridge on Sunday, June 28.

• July 1: The Summer Challenge officially begins!

• September 12: The celebratory meal (11 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at St. Barnabas.

Get Involved

Take the Challenge! More information will be shared on June 28 at services and during The Bridge. If you have questions or would like to suggest a resource to add to our evolving guidebook, please connect with a member of our committees:

• Summer Challenge Committee: Phil Fergusson, Jeanne Powell, Linda Maier.

• Adult Faith Formation Committee: Linda Maxson, Mary Anne Smith, Peggy Eichenberger, Rev. Dianne, Andrews, Steve Best,
  Michael Fitzpatrick.

Click here for annotated copy of the Guidebook from the BI Library. Notes from the library: Any yellow highlight is a book we have physically, in addition to any other formats (a hold may be required as a few of these have waitlists). Any blue highlight is only available online as an eBook or eAudio, and any green highlight is a reference item that can only be read in-branch, so it cannot be loaned out to patrons.