TONIGHT…
Ascension Eucharist, Thursday, May 5, 5:30pm: Celebrate a festive service on the Feast of the Ascension, with our Thursday evening “Sandbox Worship” community. A simple meal will follow.
THIS WEEKEND…
Guest Preacher Fred-Allen Self, Sunday, May 8: Fred-Allen is a friend of St. Dunstan’s and a Progressive Christian Alliance Pastor. We welcome Fred-Allen and his words for us! Fred-Allen will preach at both services.
Sunday School, Sunday, May 8, 10am: This week, our 3-5 year old class will be learning about the Mystery of Pentecost, while our 6 -10 year old class will hear about the early church community in Acts.
Words in Season: Mothers – All Kinds, Sunday, May 8, 11am: Dear performance and poetry loving members of St. Dunstan’s, join us for a seasonal celebration of words and the spirit. Daniel Hanson and Evy Gildrie-Voyles invite you to bring a poem to share, loosely connected to our theme of Mothers – all kinds: good and bad, yours or somebody else’s, real or metaphorical. If your chosen poem is long, please consider reading a selected portion, to allow time for all to share. We will share our poems in the Nave after folks have had a chance to get a bite to eat at Coffee Hour. All ages are welcome to participate. No memorizing is necessary.
Spirituality and Parenting Lunch, Sunday, May 8, 11:45 – 1pm: Parents of every age and stage are welcome. We’ll read the Parable of the Sower together, then talk about voice and parenting. What are the voices ((both metaphorical and literal) that we use with our kids, as parents? What voices do we want to use? Food and child care are provided.
Kids in Song Gathering, Sunday, May 8, 11:45 – 12:15: Kids old enough to read are invited to come up to the choir loft to do some simple singing with our Choir Director Martin Ganschow. This is an opportunity to try out our voices together, and help Martin plan future musical work with the children of our parish. Grab some snacks at coffee hour, then come sing!
Lost & Found: Please take a moment to look in the lost and found box and reclaim your items. There are many items including several hats and gloves, a knit scarf, a stuffed animal, a couple of umbrellas and a carry-all. Unclaimed items will be given away after May 8th.
Altar Flowers: April and 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!
St. Dunstan’s Diaper Drive Ingathering: Today we will pray over the diapers and financial gifts presented as part of our Diaper Drive. While we don’t have totals ready yet, our response has been incredibly generous! The diapers are being donated to pantries around the area, including Allied Drive Food Pantry, Kennedy Heights, and MOM. Thanks for your support for this project and for families all over Dane County!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Julian Gathering, Wednesday, May 11, 7:15-9pm: What is a Julian Gathering? A Julian Gathering is open to everyone and you are welcome at all times. We support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. These gatherings are for all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer, for beginners as well as those already practicing. Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer and reading/discussion of Bl. Julian’s revelations. Don’t worry if you’ve never practiced silent prayer before, we can set your mind at ease.
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, or if you’re interested but can’t attend, talk to Rev. Miranda.
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, May 15: We have the story of 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!
Eucharist with Holy Baptism, Sunday, May 15, 10am: We will celebrate the baptism of a new member of Christ’s Kingdom, Mathias LaBonte. Rev. Miranda had the joy of officiating at the wedding of Mathias’ parents several years ago. 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! A list of tasks will be posted in the Gathering Area by Sunday the 1st. We will also have a Pre-Clean-Up Day on Saturday, May 14, from 9am to noon, to do some prep work for the parish work day and some of the more skilled work needed on our grounds.
Sunday School, Sunday, May 15, 10am: Our Sunday school classes will meet next Sunday. We will also meet June 12 before taking a hiatus for the summer.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, May 15, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All welcome.
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.
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.
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!
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! 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.