SUNDAY, January 31
Taste and See, An Introduction to the Eucharist for Young Children, 9am: This simple little class is geared for kids ages 3 – 7, and your child is welcome, whatever their level of participation or understanding! Parents welcome too. :-)
Candlemas Last Sunday Worship, 10am: We will celebrate Candlemas with a brief story and candle-lighting prayers at the end of our liturgy. Bring your flashlights and emergency candles from home to be blessed!
Poetry at St. Dunstan’s: After the 10am service this Sunday, some members will share poems with themes of Epiphany and winter. If you would like to participate, bring a poem to read aloud – one of your own, or a favorite by somebody else. There is an optional rehearsal on Saturday morning at 10:30am at St. Dunstan’s.
Recovery Eucharist, 6pm: The Recovery Eucharist, celebrated in many churches, is designed for those recovering from any addiction and for those who support them in their recovery. Elements of the service are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer and the 12 Step readings. Our first Recovery Eucharist falls on the feast day of Samuel Shoemaker (1893-1963), who contributed to the growth of the Twelve Step movement. The Eucharist will be celebrated with grape juice instead of wine. All are welcome; feel free to invite a friend.
Survival Kits for Homeless Teens: We are stocking three backpacks with essentials for teenagers who are living on the streets. Thanks to all who have already helped out; please return all items by Sunday, February 7. Financial contributions are also welcome.
Do you love getting books into the hands of readers? Our St. Dunstan’s Little Free Library is seeking a new co-Librarian or two. The Library sits on the southeast corner of our property, and can be reached by car or on foot through our woods. The Library needs to be checked and restocked (every few weeks in winter, perhaps weekly in nice weather), and this task can easily be shared by a small team of helpers. Members and friends of St. Dunstan’s donate used books to put in our Library. Please talk to Rev. Miranda or email at to get involved!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Game Night, Friday, February 5, 5:30 – 8:30pm: Join us for an evening of games for all ages. Friends, partners, kids all welcome. Bring a snack to share, or come as you are!
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored Sunday, February 7, 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 Prayers, Sunday, February 7: 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, February 7: Next Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are the top ten items needed at this time: cooking oil, canned soup (no tomato), meals in a can, canned meats (tuna/chicken/turkey/salmon), meals in a box (helpers, etc.), laundry detergent, sugar, toothbrushes/toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, and Kleenex/facial tissue. Quality bedding items, such as comforters, sheets, blankets and towels are always needed too. Thank you for all your support!
Backpack Snack Pack Prep, Sunday, February 7, 12noon: The kids and families of St. Dunstan’s are invited to prepare Backpack Snack Packs, to help local school children from low-income households to have nutritious snacks for the weekend. Come to the Meeting Room at St. Dunstan’s following the 10am service.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, February 7, 6pm: A simple service before the week begins.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 9, 5-6:30pm: Great food and fellowship! Join us and bring a friend for a tasty meal. Suggested donation of $5 per adult, $10 per household, kids eat free. If you’d like to help or contribute, see the signup sheets in the Gathering Area.
LOOKING TOWARDS LENT…
Have you been baptized? The Prayer Book tells us, “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” From the earliest years of Christianity, the season of Lent (which begins February 10) was when new Christians studied the faith and prepared for baptism at Easter. If you have never been baptized, or aren’t sure, and would like to learn more about this rite, please contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781.
Ash Wednesday services will be at noon, 4pm, and 7pm on Wednesday, February 10. The 4pm service is especially intended for kids and families.
Ashes To Go, Wednesday, February 10, 8 – 9am and 2 – 3pm: Our drop-in “Ashes To Go” station will be at Old Middleton Road & St Dunstan Drive, besides our signboard and Little Free Library. Pull over on St. Dunstan Drive or park across the street on Stonefield Rd. Imposition of ashes, prayer, and warm beverages will be available.
Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God, Friday, February 19, or Saturday, February 20. This two-hour event is both a crafting session and retreat for theological reflection on the themes of Lent. We will make crosses out of found objects. All skill levels are heartily welcomed. The event will be offered twice: Friday, February 19, 1 – 3pm, for adults only; and Saturday, February 20, 9 – 11am, all ages welcome. (Children 7 and up may participate. Younger kids will have their own program in another room.)
Seeking Found Objects! Do you have some interesting bits and bobs that have no practical use, and yet you’re somehow reluctant to simply throw them away? Check your junk drawer, your workshop shelf, the dusty corner of your crafting area, and see what’s hiding there. Whether you plan to participate in “Making Crosses” or not, you’re invited to gather and contribute a few items to the found-object crosses that we will create. All items should be clean, safe to handle, and no bigger than a standard desktop stapler; other than that, it’s wide open. Please bring items to the labeled box in the Gathering Area by Friday, February 19.
Lenten 9am Study Group – Growing a Rule of Life: In this series, offered by the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an order of Episcopal monks, we focus on God as the Chief Gardener of our souls, and we seek out ways to grow into the fullness he desires. This series uses a tool from monastic spirituality called a ‘Rule of Life’ to explore and cultivate our relationships with God, Self, Others, and Creation. To participate, sign up at ssje.org/ssje/growrule/ to receive the daily email prompts, and come to the Meeting Room on Sundays at 9am, starting February 14, for group discussion about our individual work. You’re also free to participate in this series as an individual, without attending the group gatherings.
Lenten Virtual Book Group: Unapologetic, by Francis Spufford. Rev. Miranda invites members and friends to a “virtual book group” this Lent, beginning the third week in February. We’ll read along together during Lent and share reactions and reflections on a Facebook group. We may also plan one or more in-person book discussion sessions as well, if there is interest. If you’d like to participate, please sign up in the Gathering Area, so we can get an idea of how many books to order. Books will be ordered the week following Sunday, February 7. A $10 donation to defray the cost of the books is welcome, but not required. You can also check the libraries for the book or buy it for your e-reader.