THIS WEEKEND…
Game Night at St. Dunstan’s, Friday, September 9, 6pm: 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!
Sunday School starts again, Sunday, September 11, 10am: Our Sunday school classes meet on the second and third Sunday of every month, during the first part of the 10am service. This Sunday, our class for 3 year olds through kindergarten will learn about the Circle of the Church Year, while our elementary classes explore the context and meaning of the first letter to Timothy. All are welcome, and parents may come along to observe if that is helpful!
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. As you reflect on the special things that you are grateful for, place a penny, nickel, quarter in the box as you name them. 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.
This year’s Parish Talent Show will be Sunday, October 23! What will you share? A poem, a song, a dramatic monologue, a unique skill, a dance? A sample of art, craft, tinkering, building, study or science? Group acts are encouraged. Sign up anytime, even if your act is still in the works!
Online Giving Options: If you’d like to make a financial gift to St. Dunstan’s but don’t carry cash or checks, you can give online by visiting donate.stdunstans.com on your smartphone or computer. You can make a donation in any amount, either as a general gift or an outreach gift (to be passed on to the wider community). We use Square, a widely-used secure service, to process online donations. If you’d like to put something in the offering plate to represent your gift, you can pick up an “I Gave Online” card on the way into church. Regular givers may wish to set up a recurring payment through your bank, which avoids the modest transaction fees that Square charges us. Thanks to all those who contribute financially and in so many other ways to sustain and grow our ministry together here at St. Dunstan’s!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, September 14, 7:15 – 9:00 PM: Julian of Norwich was a 15th Century English mystic. 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. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 7:15 to 9 PM. All welcome.
Rev. Miranda’s Upcoming Travel: Rev. Miranda is traveling for a family occasion next weekend. She will be out of the office from September 15 through 19th. The Rev. Jonathan Melton will celebrate and preach on Sunday morning, in her absence. The church office will be closed Friday, September 16.
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, email 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. It is particularly amazing to see how dirty and bruising politics were in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A good read.
Sunday School, Sunday, September 18, 10am: Next week, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will be learning about the story of Creation, while our Elementary classes will continue to look at the first letter to Timothy and its context and meaning.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday September 18: 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.
Christian Formation Committee Meeting, Sunday, September 18, 11:30am: Our Christian Formation Committee will meet to review and plan programs, especially our Advent and Christmas plans. All interest folks are welcome to attend and participate.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, September 18, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Younger Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, September 18, 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.
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 small group of students and help direct them, please contact George Ott.
Music that Makes Community Workshop, Des Moines, IA, Sept. 29 – Oct. 1: Join Rev. Miranda at a workshop to learn more about composing, singing, and leading “paperless” music – the kinds of simple but powerful songs we often use in worship at St. Dunstan’s. Registration is $100 and assistance may be available. Accommodation and carpooling are available. Talk to Rev. Miranda to learn more!
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, September 30, 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 Los Gemelos at 6713 Odana Road in Madison.
Mark your calendar! Crop Walk 2016, Sunday, October 16, 12:45pm: St. Dunstan’s will send a team of walkers; watch for a signup soon! Last year over $36,000 was raised to support the work of many local food pantries and international relief agencies. The goal for this year is $40,000. Come and make a difference.
IN THE COMMUNITY…
The Haiti Project is seeking a Civil Engineer and an IT specialist to take part in the November trip to Haiti. The dates for travel are November 11-20, 2016. Our second meeting will be on Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Dousman. Even if you have traveled to Haiti before with Haiti Project, these meetings are an integral part of preparation and learning. Please contact Heidi Ropa for more information (608) 235-9393.