The fall has been a busy one for Bishop Greg Brewer, but he always takes time out for the children.

Brewer on Sept. 26 traveled to St. Barnabas Episcopal School in DeLand to reinforce the message of the Parable of the Good Samaritan: always be a good neighbor, as Jesus commanded. Brewer spoke at a 10 a.m. chapel service at St. Barnabas Church, marking the first time that the Diocese of Central Florida and St. Barnabas School were able to coordinate schedules for the bishop to visit during an all-school chapel service, according to Paul J. Garcia, the head of school and CEO.

Every month, the school focuses on the ‘Fruits of the Spirit’ and September was the month for focusing on love.

“We also assign a scripture verse for each month and 1 John 4:16a, ‘For know and rely upon the love God has for us. God is love,’” Garcia said. “The bishop recruited seven middle school students to act out the Parable of the Good Samaritan while he told the story in an object lesson format, which proved to be very effective.

“After sharing the parable, Bishop Brewer explained that we are all called to be the Good Samaritan, especially to people who are different from us,” Garcia said.

Brewer’s attendance drew a huge turnout, with 375 people (335 Kindergarten through eighth-grade students, plus 40 teachers, administrators, clergy, and parishioners) present at the service, Garcia said.

“The students reacted extremely well to the sermon and many have written their responses, which we will be sending to Bishop Brewer. Here is a sample of the responses from a few of our fourth-graders:

‘I learned that love is a choice and that you should take that choice.’ – Alestor

‘I learned that the people you think will help a person in distress will not always help out, and it can be anyone.’ – Evie

‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem.’” – Olivia

Located in West Volusia County, St. Barnabas is a private school for Pre-K through eighth-grade students, with an enrollment of 359. According to the school’s website, St. Barnabas School is the only Volusia school to be presented with and retain accreditation from the Florida Council of Independent Schools for the last 45 years, and the Florida Kindergarten Council.

St. Barnabas also has earned the distinction of being a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and belongs to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

For more information, call the school at 386-734-3005.