THIS WEEKEND & THE WEEK AHEAD…
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, November 18, 6pm: Join us for good food and good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s. This month we will meet at Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant, 5510 University Ave in Madison.
Build Madison, Saturday, November 19, 11am – ?: Do you like to problem-solve, make stuff, and work with a team? One of Madison’s local maker-spaces (a facility with all kinds of equipment for making stuff) is having a 24 hour build-a-thon and St Dunstan’s has some Advent-themed projects that need making. We are hoping to take a contingent of both adults and kids to be there part of the time and you are welcome to bring your own project as well. People with all types of backgrounds are encouraged to join in, whether you are an artist, tinker, crafter, builder or just willing to try something new. Alex Surasky-Ysasi, a new member who is a designer and engineer, is looking for a few adults and youth to join her – for a few hours, if not the full 24! Check out buildmadison.com for previous years projects. If you interested, talk with Rev. Miranda.
Piece Be with You! Please join us between services at 9:00am on November 20th for a festive, all-parish brunch celebrating the ingathering of our prayers, hopes, and financial pledges for our parish life in the coming year. We will enjoy fellowship, delicious pies, quiches and other offerings. Please sign up to bring your favorite pie or quiche. Pre-cut pies with labeled pie servers would be much appreciated.
Sunday school, Sunday, November 20, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will be learning about the prophet Jeremiah, while our Elementary classes will explore ideas about Jesus Christ from the letter to the Colossians.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, November 20: 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.
Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, November 20, 11:30am: 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.
Children’s choir rehearsal, Sunday, November 20, 11:30am: The Children’s Choir will gather for rehearsal after the second service. Kids need to be able to read words (but don’t need to know how to read music) and how to focus and learn with a group. Please talk to our Organist & Choir Director, Martin Ganschow, with any questions.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, November 20, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, November 20, 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 and partners welcome too.
Thanksgiving Service, Wednesday, November 23, 7pm: There will be a simple Eucharist service on Wednesday evening. All are welcome.
Black Friday Craft-In: VOLUNTEERS WANTED, Friday, November 25, 1 – 4pm: This year we’ll host our third annual Black Friday Craft-In, a free public crafting event. We can use all kinds of volunteers – whether your skill is sewing, woodworking, stamping, paper crafting, helping little kids with simple crafts, smiling at people and saying “Welcome!”, setting up tables, or putting cookies on plates. If you’d like to plan and set up a craft station of your own, let Rev. Miranda know (so we budget table space for you!), and we have some Michael’s gift cards available to help you cover materials expenses. Sign up in the Gathering Area to help out, or talk with Rev. Miranda.
Caroling in 2016: Last year a group of singers from St. Dunstan’s had a wonderful time visiting a few of our members and singing Christmas carols. We’d like to do the same this year. All ages are welcome to participate. Possible dates include Saturday, December 17; Sunday afternoon, December 18; and Friday, December 23. Please sign up and indicate your availability in the Gathering Area, or contact Rev. Miranda.
Thank You Box: Check out the colorful Thank You Box in our Gathering Area. During the month of November, you’re invited to write a note about a person, thing, or event, in our church’s life or beyond, for which you feel grateful. Put your note in the Thank You Box. In December we’ll turn our notes into banners which will hang around the church as a celebration of all the gifts we’ve received from God and one another.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE…
Kids’ Advent Fundraiser: Last year the Sunday school kids asked the parish to contribute towards goats for people living in poverty in the developing world, through Episcopal Relief & Development. The parish was generous and we raised enough for four goats! This year we’d like to raise funds to support a schoolchild in Haiti, helping with his or her educational and everyday expenses, through the Haiti Project, an initiative of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. We’ll have a guest speaker on December 4 to tall us more. More information to come!
SHARING CHRISTMAS: There are still a few “ornaments” detailing gift ideas for each member of our adopted families on display in the Gathering Area! Please choose one or more ornaments, sign your name on the form next to the number indicated on your ornament(s), buy your gift(s), wrap, firmly attach the ornament, and return to church NO LATER than WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7. Thank you so much for your generous support of this wonderful Middleton Outreach project that makes Christmas brighter for so many!!
Christmas Cards for Jail Inmates: Thanks to all who have contributed cards; we have a good stock now! Our Card-Writing Station is now set up opposite the kitchen. You can take a moment to write a message while at church, or take home a couple of cards and the card-writing guidelines, and write at home. These cards will go to inmates at the Dane County Jail this Christmas, through an initiative of our sister parish Grace Church.
Christmas is a bleak time for these men and women, and even a simple message of kindness can bring some joy and hope. Our goal is to complete at least 100.
NEXT SUNDAY & BEYOND…
First Sunday of Advent All-Ages Worship Sunday, November 27, 10am: 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.
Middle School Lunch and Learn, Sunday, November 27, 11:30am-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 dig into faith, Scripture, life, and our questions about all three. We’ll wrap up by 1pm, and we can arrange rides home for the kids if that helps with parents’ schedules.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, November 27, 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. To learn more, talk with Rose Mueller.
Men’s Book Club Meeting, Saturday, December 3, 10am: The book is Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond. “Essential. A compelling and damning exploration of the abuse of one of our basic human rights: shelter”. From abandoned slums to shelters, eviction courts to ghettoes, Matthew Desmond spent years living with and recording the stories of those struggling to survive – yet who won’t give up. A work of love, care and humanity, Evicted reminds us why, without a home, nothing else is possible. It is one of the most necessary books of our time. For more information, contact Jim Hindle.
NO 8am service on Christmas Day: On Sunday, December 25, there will NOT be an 8am service. There will be a simple Eucharist at 10am. Christmas Eve services will be Saturday, December 24, at 3pm and 9pm.