Fr. Michael Plekon • April 30, 2024

Bishop Susan Brown Snook Celebrates Fr. David Madsen's Ministry at St. Barnabas, Borrego Springs

Bishop Susan Brown Snook celebrates the new ministry of Fr David and Naomi Madsen at St. Barnabas

On February 25, 2024, Bishop Susan Brown Snook of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego made her annual visitation to St. Barnabas parish. She preached and presided at the Eucharist and in the course of the service celebrated the new ministry of Fr. David Madsen as rector of the parish. Fr. David and Naomi began service at St. Barnabas on May 1, 2023. Fr. David previously was rector of St. Alban Episcopal Church in El Cajon. There he inaugurated Welcome Ministry, an outreach to migrants from the Middle East living in El Cajon. This ministry was ecumenical, involving the Presbyterian, Lutheran and other churches there. It provided food, housing support, employment counseling and regular Arabic-English liturgies. Naomi previous with the social ministries of the United Methodist Church. Since arriving in Borrego, Fr David and Naomi have been intensely dedicated to community service. They have trucked firewood to the asylum seekers' encampments in Jacumba. He has continued, with her, to be involved with the El Cajon Welcome Ministry, while at the same time joining the Borrego Ministers Association, Rotary, the St. Barnabas food bank, among other activities supporting those in need in greater Borrego. Both the congregation community of St. Barnabas and the larger Borrego community welcome the wonderful service of Fr. David and Naomi Madsen and wish them many years of joy and good work here.

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The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD
Professor Emeritus: Sociology, Religion & Culture The City University of New York - Baruch College

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Every spring, the calendar of the Christian churches comes round to the Forty Days of Lent, a time of self examination and reflection, very much like the season of Ramadan in Islam. These weeks culminate in Holy Weeks, the time from Palm Sunday, this year April 13, till Easter Sunday, April 20. Easter, coming from an Old English word for spring, is the celebration of Jesus being raised from death. But the Resurrection is preceded by several other special days. Called Maundy Thursday from the Latin mandatum or commandment, Thursday in Holy Week commemorates the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. At this meal he gave them bread and wine to share, this becoming the central sacrament of the church, holy communion or the Eucharist. Thursday also recalls Jesus' washing the feet of his friends as an act of love, a commandment he urged them to continue--their love for each other and all the world. Good Friday seems wrongly named for it is the day of Jesus' death on the cross. Yet this self giving is for Christians the ultimate sign of God's love for all humankind and the world. On the next day, Holy Saturday, towards evening, a vigil service of readings, the proclamation of the resurrection and holy communion begin the Easter celebration. Finally on Easter Sunday services of song, prayer, readings and communion feast the rising of the Lord from death, a promise to all of new life with God and each other forever.

Holy Week Schedule at St. Barnabas Episcopal

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Celebrate Easter in Borrego Springs Experience the deep meaning of Holy Week at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Borrego Springs. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, the community is invited to participate in meaningful traditions that prepare the heart for Easter. Services include a blend of scripture, sacred music, and ancient rituals like the washing of feet and sunrise communion. Whether you’re visiting Borrego Springs or live nearby, these services are open to all.