Find us on Facebook! St. Dunstan’s has two primary Facebook locations. Our “St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church” page is our official Facebook presence. Upcoming events, sermons, and such are posted there by church staff. “Like” that page to get those updates in your Facebook feed. Our “St. Dunstan’s MadCity” group is a more informal place where members can post all sorts of things, like “Can someone lector for me this Sunday?” or “Can somebody use this old stroller?” or “I have a spare concert ticket, would someone like to come with me?” or “Hey, read this article; think we could do something like this?” and so on. Both of these locations will be more effective, the more people are on them. So if you’re a Facebook user, look us up!
THIS WEEKEND…
Fellowship Group Gathering, Friday, May 13, 1pm: Would you like to be part of a smaller group that meets regularly for friendship, mutual support, and shared Bible study? We will have an exploratory gathering on Friday, May 13, at 1pm at VIP Asian Cuisine on Odana Road. Join us if you can,
Pre-Clean-Up Day, Saturday, May 14, from 9am to noon (drop-in): B&G members & friends will gather to do some prep work for the parish work day and some of the more skilled work needed on our grounds. Volunteers welcome!
Men’s Book Group, Saturday, May 14, 10am: The book is English Creek by Ivan Doig. Jack McCaskill accompanies his father on a horseback journey to count sheep onto mountain rangeland allotted by the national forest—a routine yearly duty that leads to the revelation of a long-kept family secret. Events develop over the course of the summer and end in a forest fire that brings the book, as well as the Catskill family’s struggle within itself, to a stunning climax.
Pentecost Sunday Worship with Holy Baptism, May 15: On this feast day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, and celebrate the Spirit’s continued action among us. Red is the church’s color for this holy day; consider wearing something red for church! At 10am we will celebrate the baptism of a new member of Christ’s Kingdom, Mathias LaBonte. We welcome the LaBonte family as they celebrate this holy occasion among us!
Spring Clean-up Day, Sunday, May 15, 12-2pm: Join us after the 10 am service to put some “sweat equity” into tending our beautiful buildings and grounds. Wear or bring your scruffy clothes and work gloves. Lunch will be provided!
Sunday School, Sunday, May 15, 10am: This week both our 3-5 year old class and our 6 – 10 year old class will explore the story of Pentecost. We will also meet June 12 before taking a hiatus for the summer.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, May 15: Half the cash in our collection plate, and any designated checks, will go towards the Rector’s Discretionary Fund this day and on every third Sunday. This fund is a way to quietly help people with direct financial needs, in the parish and the wider community. Please give generously.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, May 15, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, May 15, 7pm: The younger adults of St. Dunstan’s are invited to join us for conversation and the beverage of your choice, at the Vintage Brewpub on South Whitney Way. Friends & partners welcome too.
Updates on the Military Personnel whom we keep in prayer: We pray weekly for daughters and sons, granddaughters and grandsons, nieces, nephews, and friends of our members, who are serving our country in the armed services. If you have updates about one of these people to share (including photos, which we love!), or new names for our list, please send them to . Thanks!
Altar Flowers: May dates available! Honor a loved one or a special event with altar flowers. Reserve your special date by writing your dedication on the sign-up sheet. Suggested donation is $35. Write “flowers” on the memo line of your check or on envelope containing cash, or donate online at donate.stdunstans.com.
Coffee Hosts Needed! Please consider being a coffee host. Sign-up sheets for upcoming Sundays can be found in the Gathering Area. Thanks!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Monday Morning Art Group: Each Monday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 an adult group meets in the chapel area to share their creative arts and crafts projects, which might include drawing and painting to needlework. It’s become a wonderful time to share some of our personal history, or more recent experiences and/or challenges. Feel free to come along and join us! Because of improper ventilation for toxic materials, we ask that no paint solvents or smelly glues be required during this period.
“Toxic Charity” Book Discussion, Wednesday, May 18, 6:30-8pm: Veteran urban activist Robert Lupton reveals the shockingly toxic effects that modern charity has upon the very people meant to benefit from it. Toxic Charity provides proven new models for charitable groups who want to help—not sabotage—those whom they desire to serve. Please join Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project Coordinator, Heidi Ropa, to reflect on how this book may inform the way our Diocese interacts with our partners in Haiti or in other settings where we serve to support those in need. Go to . The book can be found online if you wish to order it.
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, May 20 (due to Memorial Day holiday), 6pm: Join our monthly get-together as we dine at area restaurants and enjoy good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s. This month we will meet at Amber Indian Restaurant at 6913 University Avenue in Madison.
Rev. Miranda’s Upcoming Absences: Rev. Miranda is traveling for some continuing education opportunities in late May and into early June. While she’ll be here on Sundays as usual, she’d like the parish to know that she will largely be away from her email and ongoing projects from May 23 through June 7. Thanks for your understanding and support!
St. Dunstan’s Day All-Ages Worship & Hat and Tie Sunday, May 22: We will celebrate the feast day of our saint, Dunstan, on Sunday, May 22. You’re invited to mark the occasion by dressing up with a fancy hat and/or tie – wear your own or borrow one from the collection at church. We will formally welcome new members on this festive day. We will also take up a special collection for scholarships for the Diocese of Milwaukee’s camp program, Camp Webb. It’s our custom to take photos of the whole congregation after the 10am service that Sunday; we hope you’ll stay a few moments to participate.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, May 22, 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.
Eucharist with Holy Baptism, Sunday, May 29, 8am: We will celebrate the baptism of a new member of Christ’s Kingdom, Nicholas Outrakis. We welcome the Outrakis family as they celebrate this holy occasion among us!
Middle School Lunch & Learn, Sunday, May 29, 12-1pm: Rev. Miranda invites the 10-and-up youth of the parish to meet with her for lunch after church once a month. We’ll gig into faith, Scripture, life, and our questions about all three. We’ll wrap up by 1pm, and we can arrange rides home for kids if that helps the parents’ schedules.
Memorial Service for Jerry Bever, Sunday, May 29, 3pm: We will gather to remember and celebrate the life of longtime member Jerry Bever, who died in February. Contributions to a light reception after the service are welcome.
Summer Choir on First Sundays, Beginning June 5: Come at 9am to learn some simple music to share as part of our 10am worship. Young singers and adult singers with no previous choir experience are especially invited! You should be able to read text, and ready to begin to learn to read music. Talk with our Organist & Choir Director Martin Ganschow to learn more. Dates are June 5, July 3, and August 7.
An Introduction to Charitable Giving, Sunday, June 5, 11:30am (Rescheduled): Come for lunch and an introduction to charitable giving and taxes, including an introduction to our church policies on major gifts. Folks of all ages and incomes are encouraged to come; child care will be provided.
Parish Picnic, Sunday, June 12, 12:00pm: Come for good food and good conversation at our annual June parish picnic. We’ll have good food and fun activities for all ages, including a balloon artist and photo booth! The picnic will happen rain or shine. Mark your calendar and watch for more details!
HELP WANTED…
Seeking Open Minds and Warm Hearts to Help with our Sunday School! We seek teachers and helpers for our Sunday school classes for the 2016-17 program year, starting in September. Teachers and helpers generally serve once a month. Because of our growing group of kids, we would like to expand to THREE Sunday school classes for next year – for kids ages 3 – 5, 6 – 8, and 9 – 10. We use great curricula that give teachers good tools and information. If you’ve never done this before, there’s plenty of support, and if you’ve taught somewhere else, we’d love to benefit from your ideas and experience! Sign up in the Gathering Area or talk with Rev. Miranda or Sharon Henes to learn more and get involved.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES…
The Thrilling Adventures of Tobias and Sarah! Vacation Bible & Arts School, 5:30 – 7:30pm, July 30 – August 4. We are designing our own VBS this year, focusing on the book of Tobit, a rousing story of faith, adventure, risk, romance, and mystery, from a part of the Bible known as the Apocrypha. Drama, art, and outreach will be integrated into our curriculum. Kids ages 3 to 10 are welcome to participate; need not be members of St. Dunstan’s. Registration forms will be available soon. We will also be inviting the adults of the parish into study and artistic engagement with the book of Tobit this summer; watch for more information!
40th Annual Women’s Mini Week – Surprised by Joy! – August 11 – 14, 2016, Camp Lakotah, Wautoma, Wisconsin: This is your time to retreat from your everyday routines, to allow discoveries and friendships to refresh you, to find comfortable activity or blissful quiet. Registration forms are in the Gathering Area. For more information, see the website at www.womensminisweek.org.