THIS WEEKEND…
SEEDFOLKS, February 2 – 4 at 7:30pm at the Middleton Performing Arts Center: When a young Vietnamese girl plants beans in a vacant lot to connect with the memory of her father, the diverse group of locals who take notice find a connection of their own in a spirited effort to re-imagine their run-down neighborhood. In this “spoken musical,” adapted from the award-winning novel of the same name, the voices of characters from far-flung backgrounds converge in a rhythmic hymn to community. Many members of St. Dunstan’s read the book Seedfolks together two years ago; this is a wonderful opportunity to revisit the story in another form. Take an evening this weekend to attend! NOTE: A small group will be attending together TONIGHT, Thursday, Feb. 2; feel free to meet us at the PAC.
Nickel Tour #1: The Lower Level, Sunday, February 5, 9am: This Sunday morning, we’ll take time to walk around our main building on the lower level and talk about each room and how it’s used, and could be used. Meet in the Gathering Area right after the 8am service.
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored and Healing Prayers will be offered this Sunday, February 5, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
MOM Special Offering, Sunday, February 5: This Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are the current top-ten, most needed items: canned meat (other than tuna); pork & beans; baked beans, variety pasta; pasta & pizza sauce; shelf stable cheese (ex. parmesan); canned/dried fruit; cooking/olive oil; sugar/honey/syrup; toilet paper. Thanks for all your support!
Falk Food Friends Special Project: Packing Medical Kits, Sunday, February 5, 11:30am: We have learned that some families with kids at Falk Elementary, our partner school, lack basic home first aid supplies. So we’re packing 15 simple medical kits to send home to the households in greatest need. The supplies are all ready, we just have to put them together! Gather in the Meeting Room after church to help out.
Cook & Sing Your Dreams, Sunday, February 5, 5pm: Potluck & Song Fest. Bring a dish that represents something you love about St. Dunstan’s, or something you hope for its future. Then we’ll sing songs that really feel like core songs of our community of faith – bring your suggestions!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, February 5, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Looking for Coffee Hosts for February and March! We need a coffee host for February 19 and there are many openings in March. Please consider being a coffee host and talk with Janet Bybee at (608) 836-9755 for more information.
Having trouble receiving E-news? Please let Pamela in the office know if you are having trouble receiving the Thursday e-news. She will send you Phil’s tips for fixing the situation.
NEXT WEEK & BEYOND…
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, February 8, 1:00 to 2:45 PM (Note new time): Julian of Norwich was a 15th Century English mystic and anchoress. Nearly forgotten for 600 years, Julian’s insights and gentle wisdom are becoming ever more widely known and appreciated. The monthly Julian Gatherings, supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich (www.orderofjulian.org), are open to all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer. Each meeting begins with brief instruction in the practice of contemplative prayer, and includes time for contemplative prayer, fellowship, and reading/discussion of Julian’s book. We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 1:00 to 2:45 PM.
Valentine’s Day Crafts and Carving, Wednesday, February 8, 6:30-8pm: Want to make your own card for that special someone in your life? Want to try carving wood and meet some new people or catch up with ones you already know? This evening will feature craft time upstairs, including stamping & paper-crafting, and a carving circle downstairs. All skill levels welcome! For more information, contact Alex Surasky-Ysasi.
Draw Your Dreams; Using Art to Image St. Dunstan’s, Friday, February 10, 5pm: All ages are welcome. You don’t need to be “artsy” to do this! Dinner will be provided.
Nickel Tour #2: Upper Level, Sunday, February 12, 9am: This Sunday morning, we’ll take time to walk around our main building on the upper level and talk about each room and how it’s used, and could be used. Meet in the Gathering Area right after the 8am service.
Sunday school, Sunday, February 12, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will begin to explore the parables of Jesus, while our Elementary classes will explore Jesus’ teaching on integrity.
DISCERNMENT SUNDAY, February 19, 2017: On Sunday, February 19, our Capital Campaign Consultant Crystal Plummer will visit with us. She will speak at both the 8am and 10am services, and will be available between services and over Coffee Hour to answer questions and talk more about our shared work. Crystal will address several topics:
- About Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF), our consultant partners in this work
- What does it mean for a church to have a capital campaign?
- The Discernment Phase & an invitation to take part in Wondering Conversations
This Sunday will also kick off our Wondering Conversations! These Conversations will take place in late February and early March. You’ll be invited to sign up for a time and place to come gather with 8 – 10 other St. Dunstan’s members to talk about possibilities for our parish and our capital campaign. EVERYONE is encouraged to participate, including kids and people who have joined the church recently. If you can’t attend on Feb. 19, you will still be able to sign up for a Wondering Conversation.
Gospel of John Study Group, Wednesday nights, March 8 – April 26, omitting Holy Week, 6:30-8:30pm at the McAlpine’s: Nicodemus, the Samaritan Woman, the man born blind, Martha & Mary of Bethany: just some of the witnesses the Gospel according to John assembles to enrich our own encounter with Jesus. This year the Daily Office Lectionary has us reading that Gospel from the last week of Epiphany through the second week of Easter. If you’d like to read it and reflect on it with others, St. Dunstan’s is offering this seven-session Wednesday night series, hosted by the McAlpines in Fitchburg. There’s a sign-up for the study so we know how many manuscripts to prepare and how much coffee to brew.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN DISCERNMENT PROCESS: OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE…
Seeking Hosts for Wondering Conversations! Would you like to host a group of 8 – 10 people in your home, to talk about ideas for our capital campaign? You don’t have to lead the conversation, just offer a space (and perhaps tea and cookies, or whatever you please!). These Wondering Conversations will take place in late February and early March. If you’d like to be a host, sign up in the Gathering Area or contact Inquiry & Input Team co-leader Mary Ann Fraley.
Seeking Facilitators for Wondering Conversations! The heart of our work as a parish discerning whether we are called to undertake a capital campaign at this time, and what projects would be the focus of that campaign, will be a series of small group conversations held in late February and early March – our “Wondering Conversations.” The Inquiry & Input Team is seeking a few willing folks to serve as facilitators for these conversations. Facilitators will need to attend a training on Saturday, February 18, and are asked to facilitate at least two gatherings between February 19 and March 7. (Gatherings will be held at many different times, to accommodate everyone’s schedules.) If you’d like to serve as a Facilitator, please sign up in the Gathering Area or speak to Inquiry & Input Co-Chairs Celia Fine & Mary Ann Fraley, or to Rev. Miranda.
OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE WIDER CHURCH…
A Brush With God Art Workshop, February 11, at St. Mary’s Church, Dousman: St. Mary’s, Dousman welcomes members and guests to join us for a discussion and exploration of the creative process, a uniquely human experience that connects us to our Creator. Using both traditional and non-traditional art materials, retreat participants will create their own artwork(s). All supplies will be included and no prior art experience is required. This event will run from 8:45 – 12:00. Childcare will be provided. St. Mary’s is about an hour away, at 36014 Sunset Dr., Dousman, WI. Please RSVP (so that adequate art supplies will be on hand) by contacting the church office at (262) 965-3924.
Wisconsin Conference of Churches Winter Forum, March 3-4: “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism,” Sun Prairie United Methodist Church: Dr. Drew Hart is a professor in theology, an author, and an activist with ten years of pastoral experience. Regularly speaking at churches, conferences, and colleges, Drew brings together his pastoral experience with his academic training to challenge the Church on a variety of topics, including white supremacy and racism and their entanglements with western Christianity, Christian discipleship, liberation and oppression, peacemaking and nonviolent resistance, and more. Sun Prairie UMC is at 702 North Street, Sun Prairie, WI. For more information or to register, go to www.wichurches.org .
If you’d like more news of events and opportunities around our diocese, you can sign up for the Diocesan E-News by emailing .
SUMMER DATES FOR PLANNING….
Camp Webb 2016 (June 18 – 24) is accepting applications now! Camp Webb is an outdoor ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, for children and youth grades 3 through senior high. It is held at a camp outside Elkhorn, WI. Camp tuition is $375 if you register before January 15, with a deposit of $75 due at the time of registration. St. Dunstan’s offers $150 in aid to all our campers, with additional assistance possible; contact Rev. Miranda for financial assistance. Visit http://www.diomil.org/forming-disciples/camp-webb/ for registration forms. Camp Webb IS EXPECTED TO FILL this year, so apply soon!
Vacation Bible School 2017, July 30 – August 3: Our Vacation Bible School this summer is planned for Sunday, July 30, through Thursday, August 3. We’ll meet in the evenings – likely 5:30 to 7:30pm, as in previous years. Keep these dates in mind as you make your summer plans! Kids ages 3 to 10 are welcome to participate; middle school and older kids will be involved as actors and helpers.
Women’s Mini-Week, August 10-13: The mission of Women’s Mini-Week is to provide an annual retreat event for adult women, offering refuge, friendship, relaxation, and fun. Mini-Week combines opportunities to learn with fellowship, spiritual exploration and delicious food as we invite all women to participate as much or as little as they would like and need. Mini-Week is held at a beautiful lakeside camp in northern Wisconsin. Many members of St. Dunstan’s have attended, planned, and led, over the years. Visit womensminiweek.org to learn more and make Mini-Week part of your summer plans.