THIS WEEKEND…

Looking for some child-free time? The middle school youth group (and adult helpers) would love to care for your child on Saturday, December 10th while you do some shopping, or just get coffee and read a good book. Child care will be available from 9:00 a.m. to noon at St. Dunstan’s.  There is no charge; however, any tips will go towards the youth group’s summer trip.

Bishop’s Visitation, Sunday, December 11: Our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, will lead worship, preach, and be available between services (at 9am) for conversation about our diocese and about our call as Christians in the world today. It’s an honor to share Advent with our Bishop and we look forward to our time together!

Sunday school, Sunday, December 11, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will continue to learn about Advent, while our Elementary classes will reflect together on the Magnificat, Mary’s song of hope.

Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, December 11, 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.

Jesus’ Grandmothers – Rahab: In this Advent season, each week we’re hearing from one of the women in Jesus’ lineage – named in Matthew 1:1-17. Matthew names three surprising women in that genealogy – Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth. This week we will hear from Rahab, whose story is found in the book of Joshua, chapters 2 and 6.

Help feed the students! St Francis House Dinner, Sunday, December 11: St. Dunstan’s will provide dinner for the St. Francis House community this Sunday. We are asked to provide food for up to 12 people. Vegan and gluten-free options are welcome. Please sign up in the Gathering Area if you can help with the meal, or contact Rev. Miranda.

Sharing Christmas: Many thanks for your generous response to this year’s “Sharing Christmas.” Your thoughtful gifts will bring the joys of Christmas to many families in our community.

It costs about $370 to send an elementary-school aged child to school for a year in Jeannette, Haiti. Our elementary Sunday school students would like to raise funds to send at least one child in Jeannette to school next year – and thanks to your donations and chocolate sales last Sunday, we’re already almost halfway there! You can support the kids’ mission by buying chocolates (suggested donation $4 apiece) or just making a donation. If you donate $25 or more, you may take a Haiti Christmas card for someone on your list who’d appreciate a donation made in their honor. You can give by cash or check in the basket in the Gathering Area, or by making an Outreach donation at donate.stdunstans.com, with a note designating “Haiti” in the comment box on the final screen when you are checking out.

Christmas Flowers: Celebrate what’s important to you with a gift that helps us decorate for Christmas and honors a loved one or a special event. Please see the red Christmas Flowers sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area. Write “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line of your check or on the envelope containing cash. Suggested donation is $25.

Christmas Service Helpers Needed! If you would like to be a part of the Christmas services, we need greeters, ushers and refreshments for each of the three services. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area or contact Pamela at .

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.

Vestry nominations are open! Would you be interested in serving on our vestry, our church’s governing body? Is there someone else you think would be a great candidate? Job descriptions and a box for nominations are in the Gathering Area. Open nominations will run throughout December.  We will be electing two new vestry members in January 2017. Wardens and Diocesan Convention deputies must be elected every year, so candidates for Junior and Senior Warden may also be nominated.

Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, December 14, 7:15-9pm: Thomas Merton called Julian “the greatest theologian for our time.” Come to one of our monthly meetings and find out why—and learn about contemplative prayer. We meet the second Wednesday of each month. We’d love to see you.

 NEXT WEEKEND & BEYOND…

Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, December 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.

Christmas Pageant Practice, Sunday, Dec. 18, 11:30am: All Actors are invited to a practice session for our Christmas Eve pageant. We will order pizza to sustain our team, and will go no later than 12:30pm.

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, December 18, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.

Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, December 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 and partners welcome too.

The Longest Night: A Liturgy of Light in Darkness, Thursday, December 22, 6:30pm (dinner at 5:30pm): On December 22th, we will gather together out of the darkness of the season for a quiet, meditative worship service. Feel free to invite friends who might appreciate this time set apart to name the darkness in the world and in our lives, and prepare our hearts for the coming of the light of Christ. Contact Rev. Miranda with any questions.

Call for Annual Report Submissions: Every year in December/January, we invite our ministry leaders to submit a paragraph or two about what their ministry is and what they’ve done in the past year, and compile those reports into an Annual Report, shared with the congregation in advance of our parish Annual Meeting (9am on Sunday, January 22). This year we thought we’d cast the net more widely. If you have something you’d like to share, as a special moment, thanksgiving, or success to share, whether from a particular ministry or just something from the life of this household of faith, you’re welcome to submit it to . The deadline for all Annual Report materials is Friday, January 13.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services:

Family Service with Pageant, Saturday, December 24, 3pm

Festal Eucharist, Saturday, December 24, 9pm

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25, 10am (NO 8am service!)