THE WEEK AHEAD… 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. 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. This Sunday we will also take up a special collection for scholarships for the Diocese of Milwaukee’s camp program, Camp Webb. These scholarships help kids from around the diocese to enjoy camp regardless of their financial circumstances. To contribute, write “camp” on the memo line of your check.
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. You can also make a gift to UTO by placing a check in the offering place with “UTO” on the memo line, as an expression of your gratitude for all God’s gifts and blessings.
Sunday School, May 10, 10am: Our Sunday school classes will meet this Sunday during the 10am service. Our “Godly Play” class (ages 3 – 6) will learn about Saint Julian of Norwich. The older class will explore part of Jesus’ farewell speech in John’s Gospel.
Ascension Eucharist, Thursday, May 14, 5:30pm: Celebrate a festive service on the Feast of the Ascension, with our Thursday evening “Sandbox Worship” community. A simple meal will follow.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE… Tools for Tanzania Update: St Dunstan’s has raised $1100 towards this project of getting improved agricultural tools to the Diocese of Newala, our companion diocese in rural southern Tanzania. The Companion Diocese Committee will continue to work on a plan to get the tools and the training to their destination. Thanks for all your gifts to this very successful fundraiser!
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; you can place them in the donation box in the Gathering Area, or put them directly in the backpacks, which are hanging outside the Rector’s office downstairs. Thanks!
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. For more information, contact Janet Bybee at (608) 836-9755. We are especially looking for contributions towards our festive coffee hour with hosting Bishop Miller on May 17. 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, Sharon Henes, or Evy Gildrie-Voyles 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 Evy Gildrie-Voyles.
THE WEEKS AHEAD… Women’s Mini Week 2015 – Early Bird Registration Discount Ends May 15! Mini Week will be August 13 to August 16, at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma, Wisconsin. This year’s theme is “Surprised by Joy!” For registration materials and to answer questions, visit the website: www.womensminiweek.org.
Racial Disparities in Dane County – Knowing, Caring, And Acting: Our conversations about racism continue on Wednesday, May 13, 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.
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.
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.
Sunday School, May 17, 10am: Our Sunday school classes will meet next Sunday during the 10am service. Our “Godly Play” class (ages 3 – 6) will learn about the Mystery of Pentecost, while our “Seasons of the Spirit” class (ages 7 – 11) will hear about the calling of Matthias. All children are welcome to participate.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, May 17, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins.
Younger Adults Meet-up at the Vintage, Sunday, May 17, 7pm: The younger adults of St. Dunstan’s are invited to join us for conversation and the beverage of your choice, at the Vintage Brewpub on South Whitney Way. Friends and partners welcome too.
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. For more information or to arrange a ride, please contact Kathy Whitt at or call Debra Martinez at (608) 772-6043 by May 25.
General Convention Information Session, Monday, June 1, 6:30pm, St. Dunstan’s: The Milwaukee Deputation to General Convention 78 and Bishop Miller will conduct two information sessions in the Diocese in June to present topics, potential legislation and events scheduled for the convention. Come to meet some of the deputies (including our own Rev. Miranda) and to learn what they and the Bishop will be working on this summer in Salt Lake City.
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!