SUNDAY…
The Poetry of Advent, Sunday, December 6, 9am: Bring a favorite Advent poem to share, or simply come to listen and reflect.
Sunday School, Sunday, December 6, 10am: This week, our 3 – 6 year old class will be learning about the story of Advent, while our 7 – 10 year old class will explore the story of the birth of John the Baptist.
Backpack Snack Pack Prep, Sunday, December 6, 12noon: The kids and grownups of St. Dunstan’s are invited to help prepare “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 Meeting Room following the 10am service.
MOM Special Offering: This Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated check will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministries’ food pantry. Thanks for all your generous support!
Healing Prayer: One of our ministers will offer Healing prayers for those who wish to receive prayers for themselves or on behalf of others. Also, Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored. Come forward after the Announcements to receive a blessing and the community’s prayers.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, December 6, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins.
Put your Sharing Christmas gifts under the Tree by Sunday, December 13! If you took a gift tag, please bring the gift back to church by next Sunday. Attach the ornament to the gift when you return it. You can wrap the gift or we can wrap it for you.
Kids for Kids: The children of St. Dunstan’s would like to raise enough money to buy a pair of goats for people in need around the world – a total of $160. Put your donation in the bank in the Gathering Area to support their endeavor! Read more about Episcopal Relief & Development’s Gifts for Life program here: http://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/gifts-for-life.
Vestry nominations are open! Would you be interested in serving on our vestry, our church’s governing body? Is there someone else you think would be a great candidate? Job descriptions and a box for nominations are in the Gathering Area. Open nominations will run throughout December. We will be electing two new vestry members in January 2015. Wardens and Diocesan Convention deputies must be elected every year, so candidates for Junior and Senior Warden may also be nominated.
Church, Faith and Life Study Summary: A document summarizing the outcomes of our early summer survey and focus groups, and pointing towards next steps, is available in the Gathering Area. Take and read!
Bring Christmas Cheer to St. Dunstan’s! Celebrate what’s important to you with a gift that helps us decorate for Christmas and honors a loved one or a special event. Sign-up on the red Christmas Flowers sheet in the Gathering Area. Write “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line of your check or on the envelope containing cash. Suggested donation is $25.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
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
MOM Tribute Cards: Would someone on your gift list prefer a gift to charity? This season we are offering Tribute Cards. Make a donation of $10 or more, and take a card to give to someone you care about. All proceeds will go to MOM (Middleton Outreach Ministry) to support their work preventing homelessness and feeding the hungry. Make checks out to St. Dunstan’s, with “MOM Card” on the memo line.
Help Make Christmas Eve Special! If you plan to attend either of our Christmas Eve services (our 3pm family pageant service or our 9pm festive Eucharist), please consider helping with hospitality for the many visitors who will attend. We need Greeters for both services, people to help set up and serve cookies and cocoa after the afternoon service, and, weather permitting, people to help set up our outdoor creche. Contact the office if you’d like to help out (238-2781, ).
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, December 9, 7:15-9pm: All are welcome to join in contemplative prayer and to learn more about St. Julian of Norwich.
Advent Quiet Day, Saturday, December 12, 1 – 4:30pm: Come spend some time in intentional silence. You may color, read, participate in Advent prayer stations, walk the grounds, sit in silence, or converse quietly in a designated area. We’ll begin and end in prayer. You’re welcome to invite a friend.
The Art of Advent, Sunday, December 13, 9am: Bring a favorite Advent image, or simply come to look, reflect, and share.
Service of Lessons and Music, Sunday, December 13, 10am: Our special Lessons & Music service this Advent will focus on the life of John the Baptist. A signup sheet for our festive Coffee Hour is available in the Gathering Area.
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, December 18, 6pm: This month we will meet at Oliva at 751 N. High Point Road in Madison.
The Longest Night: A Liturgy of Light in the Midst of Darkness, Sunday, Dec. 20, 6pm. On December 20th, we will gather together out of the darkness of the season for a quiet, meditative worship service. Feel free to invite friends who might appreciate this time set apart to name the darkness in the world and in our lives, and prepare our hearts for the coming of the light of Christ. Contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781 with any questions.