Announcements, March 3

SUNDAY,  MARCH 6…

Healing Prayers will be offered for those who wish to receive prayers for themselves or others.

Birthday and Anniversary will be honored today, 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.

MOM Special Offering: Today, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are the current top-ten, most needed items: pouch/canned meats, variety of cereal, fresh produce, cooking oil, meals in a can, soup, newborn and size 6 diapers, laundry detergent, toothpaste, ketchup/mayonnaise. MOM is always in need of quality bedding and household items, as well. Thank you for all your support!

Backpack Snack Pack Prep, 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 available over the weekend. We’ll work in the Meeting Room at St. Dunstan’s following the 10am service. A meeting of the BPSP team will follow.

Evening Eucharist, 6pm: A simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.

Easter Flower Sign-Up: If you would like to sign-up to sponsor and dedicate flowers for the Easter services, please see the yellow sheet in the Gathering Area. The deadline for dedications is Sunday, March 20. Thanks for your dedications and gifts!

Coffee Hosts needed for Special Easter Coffee, March 27! Please see the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area if you would like to bring something for the Easter coffee after the 10am service.

THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Towards Discipleship Conversations, February/March: How do we, the people of St. Dunstan’s, understand and live out discipleship, following Jesus in daily life? We’ll approach this big question through conversation about some smaller and simpler questions. Please participate and share your thoughts and experiences! The Towards Discipleship will be sharing our questions with many existing groups in the congregation over the next few weeks. There will also be two open sessions for anyone to attend:

Tuesday, March 8, 5:30 – 6:30pm (light dinner provided)

Sunday, March 13, 7 – 8pm (dessert provided)

Saturday, March 19, 12 – 1pm (light lunch provided)

Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, March 9, 7:15 – 9:00 PM at St. Dunstan’s: At a Julian Gathering we support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. They are open to all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer, for beginners as well as those already practicing.

Making Crosses: A Creative Connection to God, Thursday, March 10 – Kids & Families, 4 – 5:30pm; Adults, 6 – 8pm. We will share a simple dinner in between sessions, for participants in both groups. This 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. Thanks to those who have already contributed “found objects” for the project; more are welcome!

Sunday School, Sunday, March 13, 10am: Next week, our 3-5 year old class will be learning about the Faces of Easter, while our 6 – 10 year old class will discuss the day’s Gospel lesson, Mary’s act of devotion in washing Jesus’ feet.

Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, March 13, 11:45am, DOWNSTAIRS: 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.

Spring Cleaning – on the inside of the Church, Sunday, March 13, 12-2pm, Hearty Coffee Hour 11:45am: Come and help get the Church ready for Easter and spring. We’ll have a hearty coffee hour at 11:45 am and then use a little elbow grease. To sign-up, see the task sheets in the Gathering Area.

The Stations of the Cross in Downtown Madison, Friday, March 18, 12pm & 5pm: Walk the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross on the streets of a modern city.  As we walk the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, we will reflect together on how we can trace those events in the geography of Madison today. We will start on the sidewalk near the Federal Courthouse, across from the Overture Center, and end in the garden at Grace Church on the square. The total walk will be about 1.5 miles, and it takes about 1 hour. Come at noon or 5pm, as your schedule permits. All are welcome.

Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, March 18, 6pm: Join our monthly get-together as we dine out and enjoy good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s. This month we will meet at Max’s Farm Table, 2831 Parmenter Street, in Middleton.

“Palm Saturday”, Saturday, March 19, 10:30am – 12pm: Kids, parents, grandparents and friends are invited to make Easter crafts and communion bread, and to take part in a gentle, age-appropriate and participatory telling of the whole Easter story, presented by the youth and adults of our church. This event is best suited for kids ages 3 to 10; our Middle Schoolers are invited to help present the Easter pageant. All are welcome!

The Great Three Days (Triduum)

Thursday, March 24 –  Maundy Thursday. 5:30pm:  Maundy Meal & Worship

Friday, March 25 –  Good Friday. 12pm, 4pm & 7pm: Good Friday services  –  Children are encouraged to attend the 4pm service.

Saturday, March 26 – Holy Saturday. 8pm: Great Vigil of Easter

Sunday, March 27 – Easter Sunday.   Egg hunt for children follows both 8am & 10am services.

Men’s Book Club, Saturday, March 26, 10am: The book is “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption” by Bryan Stevenson, the visionary founder and executive director of the Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative.