The Cause of this Fire.

Thanks for all who commented in the previous Blog. Good thoughts, all. I shall let you know what happens in the next few weeks.

But in the meantime, I know that some here in the US were asking about the Barnies building that I wrote about in “My Faith was Nurtured in this Building” and “To whom, then, should I return this Bulletin”.

It would appear that arson was not the reason it burnt down. Just electrics.

You can read about it in the Sydney Morning Herald HERE.

I turned those old lights on and off a few times. But , for the record, I wasn’t in Australia at the time of the incident….

Praying for Barnies.

See more of the Photos HERE.

Love, Justin.

PS Go the Socceroos…

To whom, then, should I return this Bulletin?

First, read this post below, and if you have any memories of St Barnabas, please comment.
But I couldn't resist posting this.


OK. Confession re the bulletin below:

In 1990, I found in the "Weekly Notices" Archives deep in the office at St Barnabas' Broadway the bulletin from 13th September 1970. I was good friends with Michael Jensen from school and university, and that particular bulletin was the notice that announced his safe birth.

The note says: "Michael Jensen joined the Rectory Staff last Monday, expected home from hospital with his mother shortly. Both are well."

His father preached that evening. Barry Newman preached the following Sunday.

So I "borrowed" the Bulletin to show Michael. And then I never returned it. That is my confession. I’ve been meaning to return it for 15 years.

One of the things that you lose in a fire like this is old bulletins and notices and archives.
This is one of the tragedies.

But one thing is not lost: The Bulletin from 13 September 1970.

Now, here is my question: Who should I return this bulletin to?

A. Ian Powell and St Barnabas?
B. Michael Jensen and family?
C. The Archbishop and family?

Your vote?

Love, Justin.

My faith was nurtured in this building.

Vale St Barnabas' Broadway [The building, not the church]. A great place goes up in flames.

My faith was nurtured in this building. My faith, as well as the faith of thousands of others.

I was a member there from 1990-1991. I was part of the start-up of BAD [Barneys After Dark youth ministry]. St Barnabas sent me to be an MTS trainee to Newcastle Uni. When I came back to Sydney to go to Moore Theological College, I served and was served at Barneys from 1995-1996. I then took the ministry position at St Ives. Among many, Rob Forsyth taught us well.

I'll miss that space.

Hebrews 13:7

Anyone got any good memories from St Barnabas? Good sermons? Events? Any present or past member of Barneys wishes to speak up, you'd be most welcome...

And, of course, if you have never been to St Barnabas, but wish to say something, feel free.

So... the next chapter is up.

Love, Justin.