SUNDAY & THE WEEK AHEAD…
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.
Do you like kids? We are seeking a Sunday school teacher to work with our elementary school class (ages about 6 – 10), on just one Sunday a month, starting in September. You don’t have to be Biblically or theologically astute; we have a wonderful curriculum to help you be conversant with the Bible lessons. You don’t have to be creative; the kids are great at providing the creativity, and we have Lego, art supplies, costumes, games, and more, to give them something to work with. You just have to like kids and be open to spending time exploring God, faith, and the Biblical story with them. Talk with Rev. Miranda if you’d like to learn more and maybe get involved. Thanks!
Between Church, Sunday, July 26, 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 August 2 and August 9.
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.
Donate to our Hoops for Housing Teams! Hoops for Housing will take place on Saturday, August 8. It is a friendly community basketball tournament, sponsored by St. Dunstan’s, to raise funds for Briarpatch, which serves homeless youth in the Madison area. Team pledge envelopes are available in the Gathering Area. Please make a pledge to support your St. Dunstan’s Hoops teams! We are also still seeking some volunteers for that day; see the signup in the Gathering Area!
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!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Evening Eucharist Dates in August: Our Sunday Evening Eucharist will NOT take place on Aug. 2 or 19. We WILL have an Evening Eucharist on Sunday, August 23, at 6pm. Sorry for any inconvenience!
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored next Sunday, August 2, as is our custom on the first Sunday of every month. Come forward after Announcements to receive a blessing and the community’s prayers.
Healing Prayer, Sunday, August 2: 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, August 2: Next Sunday half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Groceries are welcome gifts too. Here are the top 10 needed items: sugar, cooking oil, cereal, meals in a box, jelly, toothpaste, toilet paper, paper towels, diapers (sizes 4, 5 and 6), and laundry detergent. MOM is always in need of quality bedding items such as comforters, sheets, blankets and towels, too. Thank you for your support!
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, August 12, 7:15 – 9:00pm, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church: We welcome everyone who is interested in learning more about contemplative spirituality in the Christian tradition. We meet monthly for contemplative prayer for twenty-five minutes, after which we discuss a reading from Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century English mystic who has been called “a theologian for our time.” These gatherings are supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich, a contemplative monastic order in the Episcopal Church. We would love to have you join us.
PARISH & COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES…
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.
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!
This year’s Parish Talent Show will be Sunday, October 25! What will you share? A poem, a song, a dramatic monologue, a dance? A sample of art, craft, tinkering, building, study or science? Group acts are encouraged. Chat with your friends this summer and begin to plan and practice