September 28, 2025 is Stewardship Sunday and we will be honoring our namesake, St. Michael the Archangel, with a picnic feast following the 10 am worship service. St. Michael the Archangel* is the protector and leader of the heavenly armies. We are grateful for everything we have accomplished in 2025 and what we look forward to accomplishing in 2026.
Stewardship is utilizing and managing God’s resources for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation. Being a good steward in this world is a way of expressing our gratitude and love for God. Giving not only helps our church community flourish, but it also brings blessings into our lives.
“Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will reap bountifully”. 2 Corinthians 9:7.
“God loves a cheerful giver, so give voluntarily and not reluctantly or under compulsion”. 2 Corinthians 9:8.
God also loves a generous giver, so give from the heart and give for the Glory of God. “You will be enriched in every way for great generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God”. 2 Corinthians 9:12.
Fun Facts about our Church and Saint Michael the Archangel*
A little history about our church and it’s name. On June 12, 1945, the Right Reverend Wallace E. Conkling, Bishop of Chicago, attended a meeting at a Barrington public school where he gave permission to form a parish in Barrington. There were approximately 50 people at the meeting and the name Saint Michael was chosen by popular vote. The name Michael means “who is like God”. Saint Michael the Archangel is the protector and leader of the heavenly armies.
The largest bell in the bell tower is named Michael. In 1955, the Bard family gave $25,000 to build the 30-foot bell tower which has become a landmark for the Village of Barrington. The bells are often played before the organ prelude. At funerals, a bell is tolled once for every year the person lived. The Bard memorial bells were handset in the Netherlands by the Petit and Fritsen Ltd. bell foundry and each bell bears an inscription with texts from Holy Scripture. The largest bell is named Michael and weighs 1,100 pounds. It is inscribed: “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mary Spear Bard. I praise the true God, I call the people, I gather the clergy, I mourn the dead, I summon the living, I rejoice with those that rejoice, my voice is the voice life, I summon you, come, pray.” The next two largest bells are named for archangels Gabriel and Raphael. The nine smaller bells are named: Katharine, Deborah, Jennifer, Janet, Mary, Karen, Laura, Grace and Helen for members of the Bard family who gave the memorial gift.
Our sacred life-size icon of Saint Michael the Archangel. In 1972, parishioner Georgia Collimore gifted the breath-taking painting of Saint Michael the Archangel in Thanksgiving to God for her children Robert, Christopher and Georgia, and her parents, Wilton and Jo Kuffel. The sacred painting awakens and nourishes are faith in the mystery of Christ. Saint Michael is depicted wearing armor and wielding a sword of justice, the ultimate symbol of protection against evil which represents his strength and courage to face any challenges that may come our way. He also holds a scroll which reads “I lead God’s angels. I carry the sword. I support those who live of God, but with this sword, I will execute those whose hearts are unclean.” A little known fact about the sacred painting is that it is mounted within a metal track and can be moved to one side to reveal a secret Alter Guild room.
*History researched and verified by Liz Gabis, Sr. Warden
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