Announcements, July 16

SUNDAY and the WEEK AHEAD…

Between Church, Sunday, July 19, 9:15am: Come try out simple outdoor worship between our two regular services. We gather at the stone altar to sing, discuss a short piece of Scripture, and share blessings and concerns in prayer. We will also meet July 26, August 2 and August 9.

Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering: Half the cash in our collection plate, and any designated checks, will go towards the Rector’s Discretionary Fund this Sunday and on every third Sunday. This fund is a way to quietly help people with direct financial needs, in the parish and the wider community. Please give generously.

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, July 19, 6pm: A simple service before the week begins.

Younger Adults Meet-up at the Vintage, Sunday, July 19, 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.

MOM School Supply Drive: Although it may seem that summer has just begun, it’s never too early to start thinking about “back to school!” Once again, we will be collecting donations of school supplies to contribute to the more than 800 backpacks that Middleton Outreach will distribute in August. More information and lists of Most Urgently Need Items are available in the Gathering Space. Please plan to bring your donations by August 13. Thank you so much for your continued support of this very worthwhile community project!

Black Raspberry Picking Time! The black raspberry bushes at St. Dunstan’s, along the east edge of the property (behind the church), are full of ripe berries. Wear jeans, long sleeves, and bug spray, and come pick a pint or a quart! Friends welcome. Bathrooms/water are only available when the church is otherwise open.

HELP NEEDED…

Cat-Sitter Needed: A member of our parish will be in nursing home care for several weeks and is seeking a temporary home for her playful, sweet gray kitty, Greta. Greta is young, healthy, and social. She has not lived with other cats since being adopted, so that might or might not work well. She would prefer not to live with dogs. Food, litter, toys would be provided, and any pet deposit costs could be covered. Please contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781 or if you could help out.

Seeking Craft Project Preppers! Would you like to help support our Evening Church Camp in early August, but can’t attend? We are looking for two people to help gather materials and prepare simple craft projects for the kids (Paper Beads and Sunbutter Birdseed Pinecones). The projects are already planned and instructions are available; any expenses can be reimbursed. If you’d like to help, talk to Rev. Miranda at church, by phone at 238-2781.

Pledges welcome for St. Dunstan’s Hoops for Housing Team! Hoops for Housing is a friendly community basketball tournament, sponsored by St. Dunstan’s, to raise funds for Briarpatch, which serves homeless youth in the Madison area. Our team hopes to raise at least $100 through pledges and donations for Briarpatch Youth Services. Hoops for Housing will take place on Saturday, August 8. Please plan to attend and enjoy a fun day at the park! Questions? Talk with  Rev. Miranda.

Books Needed for Little Library! With warmer weather many more people are stopping by for a new “read” and we in need of books to supply the library. If you have books to donate, please bring them to St. Dunstan’s and put in the labelled box in the Gathering Area. Thanks!

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

THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, July 24, 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 the Nile at 6119 Odana Road in Madison.

Last Sunday All-Ages Worship, Sunday, July 26, 10am: Our Last Sunday worship is intended especially to help kids (and grownups who are new to our pattern of worship) to engage and participate fully. This Sunday we’ll take up our Gospel story of the miraculous feeding of a crowd of 5000 people. NOTE: Our 8am service always follows our regular order of worship.

Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, July 26, 7pm: Every fourth Sunday, a loyal group of St. Dunstan’s folk provides dinner for residents at the Grace Church shelter, and breakfast the next morning. See the signup sheet in the gathering area to help out.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES…

Summer Evening Worship, Thursdays at 5:30pm: Our Thursday evening “Sandbox Worship” will take place outdoors whenever the weather permits. Come at 5:30pm for a shared meal (provided), simple evening worship, and then hanging out around a fire for conversation and s’mores. “Summer Sandbox” will begin on June 18. All ages are welcome.

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.

Women’s Mini Week 2015: 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. More information and registration forms are in the Gathering Area