Announcements, December 23

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services:

Family Service with Pageant, Thursday, December 24, 3pm

Festal Eucharist, Thursday, December 24, 9pm

Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, 10am

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27…

First Sunday of Christmas and Hymn Sing, Sunday, December 27, 10am: Father John Rasmus will preside. All are welcome!

Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, December 27, 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.

THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Backpack Snack Pack Prep, Sunday, January 3, 12 noon: The kids and families of St. Dunstan’s are invited to join our Foundry 414 church neighbors in preparing Backpack Snack Packs, to help local school children from low-income households to have nutritious snacks available over the weekend. We’ll work in the Chapel Meeting Room following the 10am service.

Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored next Sunday, January 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, January 3: Next Sunday, one of our ministers will offer healing prayers for those who wish to receive prayers for themselves or on behalf of other.

MOM Special Offering, Sunday, January 3: 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 ten items needed at this time: macaroni and cheese, pater, canned meat (tuna/turkey/chicken), meals in a box, canned soup (no tomato, healthier varieties), mandarin oranges, canned pineapple, sugar, flour, diapers (sizes 4,5 and 6). There is always a need for quality bedding items such as comforters, sheets, blankets and towels too. Thank you for all your support!

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, January 3, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins.

Epiphany Service of Light, Thursday, January 7, 5:30pm: Join us as we share the story of the Wise Men who came to honor the infant Jesus, and of how the light of Christ has spread through time and space all the way to here & now! All are welcome. Talk to Rev. Miranda or Sharon Henes if you’d like to be a reader for this service.

Men’s Book Club, Saturday, January 9, 10am: “Crossing to Safety” by Wallace Stegner is the book this month. Tracing the lives, loves and aspiration of two couples who move between Vermont and Wisconsin, it is a work of quiet majesty, deep compassion, and powerful insights into the alchemy of friendship and marriage.

Due to the fact that the 2nd Wednesday in February will fall on Ash Wednesday, the Madison Area Julian Gathering will not meet in January or February. We will resume on March 9, 2016, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., Madison, WI, beginning at 7:15 P.M. All are welcome to join us for Still Prayer and conversation about Julian of Norwich, her life and writings.

Sunday School, Sunday, January 10, 10am: This week, our 3-6 year old class will be learning about the story of the Epiphany, while our 7-11 year old class will hear about the baptism of Jesus.

Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, January 10, 11:45am: 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.

Annual Parish Meeting, Sunday, January 24, 9am: Come to hear parish updates, including the 2016 budget, and help elect our parish leaders. All are welcome to attend!

IN THE WIDER CHURCH & COMMUNITY…

Madison-Area Confirmation Class, Winter/Spring 2016: Confirmation is a rite of the church by which a young person (ages 12 and up) affirms their commitment to the vows made for them in baptism, or in which an adult who has joined the Episcopal Church formally affirms their belonging. The Madison-area Episcopal parishes will host a six-week Confirmation preparation, starting February 6, for a Confirmation service to be held on April 30. The class will meet first and third Saturdays at 10am, rotating among the area churches. Talk to Rev. Miranda if you’d like to learn more or get involved!

Camp Webb 2016 (June 19 – 25) is accepting applications now! Camp Webb is an outdoor ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, for children and youth grades 2 through senior high. It is held at a camp outside Elkhorn, WI. Camp tuition is $375 if you register before January 15, with a deposit of $75 due at the time of registration. St. Dunstan’s offers $150 in aid to all our campers, with additional assistance possible. Visit http://www.diomil.org/ministries/christian-formation/camp-webb/ for registration forms. Camp Webb IS EXPECTED TO FILL this year, so apply soon!