“Church, Faith & Life” Parish Survey – Open Through Sunday, May 3: Thanks to all who have already taking our simple survey! If you have not, please take a few moments to fill out the parish survey about how your faith is part of your daily life, and how your church connects with your faith. The survey will close after this coming Sunday. Click this link to get to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StDunstans2015

THIS WEEKEND… Makers’ Guild, Saturday, May 2, 2 -4pm: Bring your own current handwork – sewing, knitting, painting, beadwork, whatever! – or help out with creating “Pentecost boxes” for the kids of the parish, as we look towards the Feast of Pentecost on May 24.  All are welcome!

Episcopal 101: Anglican Prayer & Spirituality, Sunday, May 3, 9am: Join Rev. Miranda to explore the breadth of ways of prayer within Episcopal and Anglican Christianity.

Birthdays and anniversaries will be honored next Sunday, May 3, as is our custom on the first Sunday of every month. Come forward after the Announcements to receive a blessing and the community’s prayers.

Healing Prayer, Sunday, May 3: Next Sunday, one of our ministers will offer healing prayers for those who wish to receive prayers for themselves or on behalf of others.

MOM Special Offering, Sunday, May 3: Next Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Minister’s food pantry.  Groceries are welcome gifts too. Here are the top 10 needed items: canned meat (tuna/turkey/chicken), boxed pasta, boxed flavored potatoes (au gratin, etc.), toilet paper, sugar, oil, canned pineapple, canned fruit cocktail, saltine crackers, and dish soap. MOM is always in need of quality bedding items such as comforters, sheets, blankets and towels too. Thank you for all your support!

Spring Clean-Up Day, Sunday, May 3, 12 – 2pm (rain or shine!): Join us after the 10 am service to put some “sweat equity” into tending our beautiful buildings and grounds. Wear or bring your scruffy clothes and work gloves.  Lunch will be provided.

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, May 3, 6pm: A simple service before the week begins.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE… 

Backpacks for Homeless Youth: Summer can be a difficult season for homeless teens who are supported by school staff and resources during the school year. St. Dunstan’s Outreach Committee invites the people of St. Dunstan’s to fill five backpacks for homeless teens, to be distributed through the Transition Education Program, a program of the Madison school district to support homeless kids and youth. Helpful items include light blankets, flashlights, fast food cards, toiletries, and more. Take a card from the display in the Gathering Area and bring the item(s) back by May 24th.

Coffee Hour hosts needed in May and beyond!  Please consider being a coffee host. Sign-up sheets for upcoming months can be found in the Gathering Space. Thanks for lending a hand.

Join our Vacation Bible School Team! This year’s Vacation Bible School will run from Sunday, August 2, through Thursday, August 6, from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Whether you’d like to help with meals, tell a story or act in a drama, plan an art project or lead a game, or just be an extra big person to help manage little people, we need you. Talk with Rev. Miranda to learn more.

Hoops for Housing, Saturday, August 8: St. Dunstan’s is sponsoring a friendly community basketball tournament to raise funds for Briarpatch, which serves homeless youth in the Madison area. All ages and levels of skill are invited to participate. Each team is invited to raise $100 for Briarpatch through donations and pledges. If you’d like to help out with planning, publicity, or on the day itself, talk with Rev. Miranda or call 238-2781.

THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Racial Disparities in Dane County – Knowing, Caring, And Acting: Our conversations about racism continue on Wednesday, May 6, at 7:15pm. All interested participants are welcome. A selection of handouts from our first series of conversations is now available in the Gathering Area.

Hat and Tie Sunday, May 10: St. Dunstan’s has a long tradition of inviting folks to dress up for Mother’s Day, with a fancy hat and/or tie. If you’d like to participate, you can wear your own or borrow one from the collection at church. We will also take up a special collection for scholarships for the Diocese of Milwaukee’s camp program, Camp Webb. It’s our custom to take photos of the whole congregation after the 10am service that Sunday; we hope you’ll stay a few moments to participate.

Bible Study, “Dwelling in the Word”, Sunday, May 10, 9am: Adults and youth are invited to gather in the Meeting Room for an opportunity to engage in some of the holy stories of Scripture with our minds, hears and Imagination.

United Thank Offering (UTO) Ingathering and Blessing of “Little Blue Boxes,” Sunday, May 10:  If you took home a UTO box and put in some coins in thanksgiving for the blessings in your life, please bring it back on Sunday, May 10, for the boxes to be blessed and sent on their way.

Sunday School, May 10, 10am: Our Sunday school classes will meet next Sunday during the 10am service. All children ages 3 to 11 are welcome.

Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, May 10, 12noon: All who seek meaning in the journey of parenthood (at any age or stage) are welcome to come for food and conversation.  Child Care and a simple meal provided.

Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, May 13, 7:15 – 9:00 pm at St. Dunstan’s: Thomas Merton called Lady Julian “the greatest theologian for our time.” Come to one of our monthly meetings and find out why — and learn about contemplative prayer. We meet the second Wednesday of each month. We’d love to see you.

St. Dunstan’s Day Celebration and Bishop’s Visitation, Sunday, May 17: We will celebrate the feast day of our patron saint, the tenth-century English bishop and reformer Dunstan. Our diocesan bishop, Bishop Steven Miller, will lead us in worship on this special day. At the 9am hour between services, there will be time to meet with the Bishop to share any questions, hopes, or concerns about the diocese and larger church.  

Men’s Book Club, Saturday, May 23, 10:00 am, at St Dunstan’s: The book is “A Rule against Murder” by Louise Penny. The story begins in summer at an isolated luxury inn where the main characters are celebrating their wedding anniversary. Enter the wealthy Finney family and other surprising guests. When a terrible summer storm leaves behind a dead body, it is up to Chief Inspector Gamache to unearth secrets long buried and hatreds hidden behind polite smiles. As the waiters on the east coast say “ENJOY”.

Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, May 29, 6pm: Join our monthly get-together as we dine at area restaurants and enjoy good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s.  This month we will meet at Biaggi’s, 601 Junction Road, Madison.

Parish Picnic, Sunday, June 7, 12:00pm: Come for good food and good conversation at our annual June parish picnic.  We’ll have good food and fun activities for all ages. The picnic will happen rain or shine. Mark your calendar and watch for more details!  

Vacation Bible School, August 2 – 6, 5:30 – 7:30pm (with a 7pm pickup option for younger kids): We had a lot of fun with Vacation Bible School last summer, and plan to do the same this year! Our theme will be “Message Received: Hearing God’s Call.” Using drama, art, and games, we’ll explore the stories of five people called by God, from the Old and New Testaments, and how we hear God’s call today. Dinner is included. Mark your calendar and spread the word – and if you’d like to help out, talk with Rev. Miranda!

PARISH & COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES… Community Teach-In: Young, Gifted & Black, Saturday, May 16, 1pm, hosted by St. Dunstan’s: The Young, Gifted & Black (YGB) coalition has gained attention locally over the past year by speaking out strongly on issues of racism and racial disparities, policing and incarceration. Several area churches are hosting “Teach-In” events with YGB, as an opportunity for them to share their perspective and concerns, and for attending church and community members to listen and ask questions. If you cannot attend the May 16 event, but would like to hear more, ask Rev. Miranda about other dates and locations.

Healing the Heart of Democracy: An Evening of Music & Reflections by Parker Palmer and Carrie Newcomer, Saturday, June 6, 7:30pm, at the Monroe Arts Center in Monroe, WI: This is a remarkable event that invites us to reflect together on seeking the common good across all that divides us, as our nation moves into another highly-charged political season. Rev. Miranda plans to attend and would love for some other St. Dunstanites to join her. Carpooling is possible (Monroe is about an hour away). Tickets to the event are $10 adults, $5 for 18 & under, and assistance is possible if the cost is prohibitive. Talk with Rev. Miranda to learn more, or read about the event here: https://www.monroeartscenter.com/eventdetails?eid=121

Calling all Church Women! Women’s Mini Week 2015, August 13 to August 16, at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma, Wisconsin: You are invited to the 39th Annual Women’s Mini Week. This year’s theme is “Surprised by Joy!” For registration materials and to answer questions, visit the website: www.womensminiweek.org or email us for an invitation at . More information and registration forms are in the Gathering Area.