The Rev. Roberta "Bobbi" Kraft, Vicar of Saint Barnabas the Encourager Episcopal Church, Suamico, has announced acceptance of a call to serve as chaplain for the St. Francis House Episcopal Student Center on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She will also serve as Missioner for Young Adults for the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. This position begins mid-October 2021. Mthr. Bobbi has served at Suamico since June 2019. May God continue to bless Mthr. Bobbi in continuing to serve in ordained ministry. More here.

​The mission parish formerly known as St. Paul’s, Suamico is becoming Saint Barnabas the Encourager Episcopal Church! Some years ago it was proposed a name change be considered and then, in late 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, interest in discerning a name change came as a result of a new logo design.

The new logo image, designed by Madison, WI firm Marie Z Brown Creative LLC, is intended to reflect Joining Christ in Navigating Life’s Journey. The Brown agency explained the logo symbolism:

• The sail is an interpretation of the Episcopal Crest, modern and minimal, forging ahead and steering our course.
• The cross is created from negative space, implying both the security of a mast while bending up towards God/True North.
• Illustrating the ship traveling towards the right, gives a sense of movement in an inviting non-confrontational way.
• A singular wave wraps around the boat coveys the feeling of Christ navigating through tumultuous waters, while visually bringing the eye back to the Cross at full sail.

 
This new image led to discernment regarding the name. St. Brendan and St. Nicholas might be possible due to their nautical connections, but Saint Barnabas the Encourager was also intriguing. Barnabas encouraged the council at Jerusalem to hear of Saul/Paul’s conversion. Barnabas sailed with Paul and embarked on his own mission voyages. As the Suamico church property was given to the diocese for a church, so had Barnabas given land to the apostles  (Acts 4:36-37). After prayerful discernment, there was agreement. This came in response to a renewed commitment to worship, prayer, and formation along with the desire to encourage one another and the community to join Christ in navigating life’s journey.
 
There have been other congregations of the diocese that changed their name. Church canons give the bishop the authority to name a mission, so in January 2021 the Bishop’s Committee contacted Bishop Gunter. “In consideration of the positive reception & enthusiasm towards embracing a new identity of encouragement," they requested a name change to St. Barnabas the Encourager. In addition, they noted the determination to name a future chapel or other worship space for St. Paul’s to honor the previous name. Bishop Gunter agreed and during his annual visitation  June 13,  2021, being the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Barnabas, will declare the name changed. The change will then be officially recognized by the diocese when the Bishop report's it to the Diocesan Convention in October.

May God be praised in all things, and may we encourage each other through Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
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