Congregation works and prays together
By: Audrey Levine
The organ sounded and congregants began to sing as the children walked down the aisle, followed by the Rev. Francis Hubbard and his colleagues.
Congregants stood with their families and friends, participating in prayers and readings, and listening to the sermon and bell choir during a Nov. 26 service at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on Sand Hills Road.
Several children sat with the adults at the front of the church, ringing their handbells and staring intently at the sheet music in front of them.
"My family and I first came to this church when a friend of ours was being baptized (nine years ago)," said Noel Ilogu, a Belle Mead resident who attended the service with his wife, Sandra; three children, 9-year-old Chudi, 7-year-old Chisom and 5-year-old Toby; and Sandra’s uncle, Obi Madueke. "We love the church. It is very friendly and children-oriented."
The church’s children were also extended a warm welcome by the congregation when they returned to the service to join their families after their Sunday School lessons. Ms. Ilogu, who teaches the second and third grades, said she enjoys working with the kids because she is able to hear their opinions on different aspects of the religion.
"They have a lot of interesting questions," she said. "At the church, there is also the opportunity for them to learn and be involved with youth activities and the Christmas pageant."
According to Father Hubbard, the church also takes the opportunity to work with those who are studying to teach religion or be ordained. He said Brent Bates, a church intern who gave the day’s sermon, is a seminary graduate who is working toward a doctorate in liturgy from Drew University in Madison.
"He is in the early stage of seeking ordination," Father Hubbard said.
The original church, which was located on Major Road, near where the Burger King is, was built in 1872. The current building, on Sand Hills Road, opened in 1970 and was expanded in 2002.
Evan Schneider, a student at the Princeton Theological Seminary, is also an intern at St. Barnabas, where he will serve for one year. Since coming to the church in September, he said he has been working with the social justice program, which serves meals at soup kitchens and sponsors speakers, among other activities.
"I wanted to intern at a family-style church," he said. "The people here are loving and there are so many diverse backgrounds."
Father Hubbard, who has been at St. Barnabas since 1984, said he is proud of the church’s diversity.
"This church is so real, so candid," he said. "The people listen to each other and are open to new things."
Father Hubbard said there are 26 nationalities represented at the church, which also has its own African Praise Worship Chorus in addition to the Sunday services choir that performs in different languages and features members from Nigeria, Kenya and Sierra Leone.
"The church is culturally diverse, that’s the key," Mr. Ilogu said.
Bobbi Gorman, a resident of Somerset and church member for the past five years, said she too is proud of the diversity of St. Barnabas. She is a member of The Ministry of Racial Diversity, whose mission it is to make people of different races more aware of each other’s customs.
"We identify areas of racial harmony," she said. "There is multiculturalism, a variety of nationalities here."
According to Father Hubbard, in addition to embracing the diversity of the church, members of St. Barnabas embrace a mission and outreach goal to work against addiction, domestic violence, hunger/homelessness and racism.
"There is a give and take of the community and it’s inspiring to people," he said. "We promote a love of God and loving neighbors as yourself."
In addition, according to Deacon Barbara Jensen, after services she and other members bring flowers and communion to those who are hospitalized or cannot leave their homes.
Ms. Jensen also said food that was donated at the Nov. 26 service was to be brought to the Elijah’s Promise soup kitchen in New Brunswick.
Ms. Gorman also said she is part of a group at the church that creates a prayer chain in which people can request prayers for loved ones or anyone else.
"Life is a team sport and faith is a team sport," Father Hubbard said. "We want to encourage people to see these opportunities to help others."
At the conclusion of the service, members of the congregation gathered together for cake and cookies, and an opportunity to share stories with other members.
"There is something about the genuineness of the people here," Ms. Gorman said. "They are interested in each other’s welfare."
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church holds services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. For more information, call (732) 297-4607 or visit their Web site at www.stbarnabas-sbnj.org

