St Barnabas Episcopal Church in Garland, Texas
I thought this church was closed due to a nearly defunct website, but it’s the nearest Episcopal parish to me and very close to a neighborhood where my wife and I are considering moving. But they recently made a few changes to their website, albeit it still seems like a half step up from a placeholder. So I went to their Mass service yesterday.
For context, I was raised JW (fourth generation, even served as an elder for a time), left about 15 years ago, became a grumpy Internet atheist, and recently came back to faith while eschewing literalism and extremism. Right now that consists of meditation, prayer (including the Daily Office), visiting some local churches (Episcopal and Methodist so far), and a 12 Step group.
Previously I visited Ascension in Dallas, which is very nice and I love the people there, but it’s a far drive. (I have also visited St James in Springfield, Missouri when traveling.) I also attended a local United Methodist church for a bit because it’s close to home and affirming.
St Barnabas was pretty different. At the English language service, almost the entire crowd was elderly, except a few young men in their early twenties. The priest (recently ordained) didn’t speak a lot of English, and I think she was previously associated with another nearby Spanish language parish. In fact, I strongly suspect this parish is mostly focused on the Spanish language mass held around midday. I was in Spanish language congregations for over a decade and am bilingual, but at this point in my life and faith that’s not where I need to be for now.
Regardless, the sermon was given by a deacon from the diocese. There was no choir or organ, but they played recorded music (including some singing in the recording) and the folks around me seemed to have varying levels of enthusiasm for it. But I really prefer the Episcopal liturgy, and the Methodist churches around me seem to focus a little more on contemporary worship music or a soloist leading the congregation. (Theologically and practically, both denominations are basically equal for my needs.)
I will probably visit there again. The environment was really contemplative, the congregation clearly has a lot of love (and, importantly to me, was ethnically diverse), and despite or maybe even because of the general lack of polish, I felt like I was worshipping rather than just observing.
Mostly I am posting this in case somebody else searches the Internet for information on this parish because they seem not to have much of an online footprint. Who knows where the Spirit will lead me on my faith journey, but certainly they gave me peace in a time when I really need it. And if we move over there this summer, maybe I will go more regularly.