The “two chick priests” at St. Barnabas Church are having a birthday bash – and you’re invited.
Reverend Emilie Smith, who is marking her 10th year as priest of St. Barnabas this summer, is turning 60 this month. The venerable Mavis Brownlee, who was the priest at St. Barnabas from 2006 to 2009 and a current honorary assistant, is also having a birthday this month.
A poster for the event said the “two chick priests” at the local church are celebrating their birthdays by hosting a fundraiser for St. Barnabas. It’s on Saturday, April 22 from 7 to 10 p.m.
“Mostly it is an excuse to celebrate. We made it through the winter, through this long season of the not-quite-over pandemic,” Smith said. “We just want to dance, and enjoy one another.”
Smith said the event will have a family-friendly, fun vibe. The evening’s fun includes performances, a 50/50 draw, a silent auction, games, a funny hat photo booth, and more.
“No alcohol will be served, but there will be snacks and drinks, a silent auction,” she said. “We are featuring Cosmo the Clown (known and loved in New West) and the marvellous Colombian DJ, La Salsomana! Lots and lots of fun.”
Organizers are suggesting a $20 donation be made at the door (free for folks aged 16 and under), but it’s open to everyone.
“We are raising money for the transformation of the St. Barnabas Hall,” Smith said. “We are working with a number of groups to convert the hall into a full-on neighbourhood house. There are none in New Westminster, and we are hoping to transform this already well-used hall into an even more busy community space.”
Located at 1010 Fifth Ave. in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood, St. Barnabas provides a variety of programs to the community, including food hamper programs and a community choir.
“We are doing really well at St. Barnabas these days. The congregation is steady and full of hope and love, and our work in the neighbourhood is as busy as ever,” Smith said. “We have hosted everything from four COVID vaccine clinics, a weekly food hamper program (with more than 125 folks coming every week for a bit of extra groceries). Our community choir just wrapped up its season, and will start again in September, and we have a wonderful program of singing and music with pre-schoolers and their caregivers, on Thursdays at 10 a.m. We are delighted to welcome new families to this, and are especially happy to host new English speakers. Baby Shark anyone?”
If you want to donate or attend, email [email protected]. RSVP is requested so they know you’re coming.
