Vision
Our vision and our mission is ministry of all – for all, based on our calling to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbours as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and respecting the dignity of every human being. Grounded in the ancient catholic understanding of a parish as a geographic designation, Saint Barnabas practices ministry integrated and rooted in the life of the neighbourhood. Our goal is to be a centre where people can both be fed, and feed others – in body, mind, and soul.
History
St. Barnabas Anglican Church has been a presence in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood of New Westminster since 1891, started as a mission of Holy Trinity (Cathedral) New Westminster. At that time, St. Barnabas was located where the country and the scrubby wilderness met the expanding suburbs of the city. Over the years, St. Barnabas remained a small parish church – seeking to meet the needs of a growing, working class neighbourhood.
Although the neighbourhood has changed a great deal, it still contains a diversity of people – many of whom are on the margins, new Canadians and refugees, individuals on fixed incomes, and people in transition. This was recognized in a profound way over twenty years ago when our former pastor, The Reverend Elizabeth Beale, had the vision to transform the parish from a typical Sunday morning congregation into a centre for outreach into the neighbourhood. That tradition continues today through our different ministries, which have earned our parish appreciation and respect from the community.
The Reverend Emilie Smith – Parish Priest (Rector)
The Reverend Emilie Teresa Smith is the Parish Priest at St. Barnabas. She was born in Argentina, raised in Canada, and spent 30 years working with the people of Guatemala. She has a radical commitment to the practice of Christian love in community, and to challenging systematic injustices that destroy the Earth, and the Earth’s creatures.
Follow Emilie’s pilgrimages, and her writing.
The Rev. Martha Cameron – Deacon
The Rev. Neil Seedhouse – Deacon
Maureen Shirley – People’s Warden
Bruce Alexander – Rector’s Warden
Shannon Payne – Assistant Warden