SUNDAY, AUGUST 21…
Rectors’ Discretionary Fund Offering: 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, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, 7pm: The younger adults of St. Dunstan’s gather for conversation and refreshments at the Vintage Brewpub on South Whitney Way. Friends and partners welcome too.
Madison PRIDE Parade, from Noon to 4:00pm. Members are invited to help represent St. Dunstan’s in the 2016 OutReach LGBTQ PRIDE parade and rally. The parade will start at the 500 and 600 Block of State St. and move towards the Capitol Square. The parade begins at 1pm; those who wish to march as part of St. Dunstan’s group should head downtown and gather with the group in the staging area along State Street no later than 12:30. (Leave time to park and walk!) Questions? Ask Martin Ganshow or Evy Gildrie-Voyles.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Camp-Out Night at St. Dunstan’s, Friday, September 2, 5:30pm: For those who’ve been meaning to camp out all summer – or want to give it a try in an easy setting (with flush toilets available!) – or who camp all the time and can share tips with the rest of us! We’ll share a simple potluck supper (hot dogs and marshmallows, etc., provided), fellowship around the fire pit, perhaps some outdoor games for the active, and Compline prayers at dusk. You can spend the night, or just come for the evening and then go home to your nice warm bed. Questions or ideas? Talk to Rev. Miranda or Kate Larson.
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, August 26, 6:30pm: 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 Villa Dolce at 1828 Parmenter in Middleton.
Last Sunday Worship, Sunday, August 28, 10am: Students (and teachers!) of all ages are invited to bring backpacks, laptops, etc., to be blessed in this service, as we pray for our schools and universities. Our Last Sunday worship is intended especially to help kids (and grownups who are new to our pattern of worship) to engage and participate fully. NOTE: Our 8am service always follows our regular order of worship.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, August 28, 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.
Foundry414 Labor Day 3K, Monday, September 5, 9:45am: Our neighbors at Foundry414 invite us to participate in the Backpack Snack Pack 3K fund raiser. Donations from St. Dunstan’s folks can go to our Backpack Snack Pack program. Come at 9:45am to sign-in. The 3K starts at 10am. There’s no registration fee to participate but donations are encouraged.
Lammastide Festival of Bread, Sunday, September 11: Lammastide is an ancient harvest festival that became a church festival in our mother church, the Church of England. It’s an opportunity to offer the fruits of the growing season thankfully to God. The word means “loaf mass” – it was originally held at the time of year when the first grain ripened enough to be made into fresh loaves of bread. We will celebrate the end of summer together with a Lammastide procession and blessing, and a festive bread-themed Coffee Hour after the 10am service. Bring a loaf of bread – any kind! – or something beautiful from your garden or the farmer’s market: vegetables, fruit, flowers. We will offer our harvest gifts during worship; you can reclaim your produce afterwards.
United Thank Offering Kickoff, Sunday, Sept. 11: This year we are beginning our United Thank Offering practice with the start of the school year in September. This practice is an opportunity to foster a sense of gratitude and nurture a sense of being blessed in yourself and others in your household. You can create your own gratitude ritual – perhaps once a week, at dinner or before bed? – as you reflect on the special things that you are grateful for and place a penny, nickel, quarter in the box as you name them. A small amount is suggested so as to encourage more responses. Remember to include beautiful fall days, pets that cuddle and new friends! For those of you short on change, we will have some rolls of pennies, nickels and dimes available; just put the equivalent amount in cash or check in the offering plate when you have a chance.
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, September 14, 7:15 – 9:00 PM: Julian of Norwich was a 15th Century English mystic. Little is known about Julian’s life, but she wrote a book, as far as we know the first in English written by a woman, about a series of revelations which opened her to the depths of God’s unconditional love for us in Jesus Christ. Julian prayed often in silence, and at a Julian Gathering we support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer, fellowship, and reading/discussion of Julian’s book. At the beginning of each meeting, brief instruction on the practice of contemplative prayer is offered. All welcome.
Caregivers’ Support Group, Saturday, September 17, 9am: A caregivers’ support group will be starting in September. The sessions are planned for the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. This will be a safe space to share concerns with others who have similar situations and to offer support in return. For more information, contact John Rasmus, Bonnie Magnuson or Joseph Wermeling.
Men’s Book Club, Saturday, September 17, 10am: Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ron Chernow, presents a landmark biography of Alexander Hamilton, the Founding Father who galvanized, inspired, scandalized, and shaped the newborn nation. He was a revolutionary war hero whose talents and advice Washington relied on heavily during the war and a man who literally shaped this country’s financial and trading system.
Helpers Needed – Edgewood in the Community, Wednesday, September 28, 9:30am-2:30pm: Edgewood High School will be sending 20 students to St. Dunstan’s this day to do yard work as part of their community service. If you would like to work with a small group of students and help direct them, please contact George Ott.