THIS WEEKEND…
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, February 24, 6pm: Come join us for good food and good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s. We will be meeting at Amber Indian Restaurant at 6913 University Avenue in Middleton.
Musical Engagement with Scripture, Sunday, February 26, 9:40am: Join Rev. Miranda and help compose a simple chant based on the day’s Psalm. All ages welcome. We’ll gather in the Meeting Room.
Last Sunday All-Ages Worship: The Transfiguration of Jesus, Sunday, February 26, 10am: Out 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 & Learn, Sunday, February 26, 12pm: 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 the parents’ schedules.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, February 26, 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 Gather Area to help out.
Sermons: If you find that it helps you to read along as Rev. Miranda preaches, sermons are usually available on the way into church. They’re also available online after church and during the week at www.stdunstans.com.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Men’s Book Club, Saturday, March 4, 10am-12pm: We will be reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. The book was published in 1962 and documented the detrimental effects on the environment of the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Carson accused the chemical industry of spreading disinformation and public officials of unquestioning acceptance of their claims. The public outcry after the book’s publication forced the banning of DDT and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water. For more information, contact Jim Hindle.
First Sunday in Lent & Bishop’s Visitation, Sunday, March 5: Our Bishop, Bishop Steven Miller, will be visiting us next Sunday. He will celebrate and preach, and will be available for conversation between services at 9am. Cash placed in the Offering Plate this Sunday will go to Bishop’s Purse, a fund like the Rector’s Discretionary Fund which the Bishop can use to help various causes and needs in the life of the diocese.
Birthdays and Anniversary blessings and Healing Prayers will be given on Sunday, March 5, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, March 5, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, March 8, 1-2:45pm: We welcome everyone who is interested in learning more about contemplative spirituality in the Christian tradition. We meet every month for contemplative prayer and discussing the writings of Julian of Norwich, a 14th century English mystic who has been called “a theologian for our time.” We would love to have you join us.
Your Favorite Lecture: Islam 101, Sunday, March 12, 11:30am: Islam and Muslims are in the news, and many people have questions about the faith and its followers. Phil Hassett will share some basic information about Islam and answer your questions! All are welcome.
APPROACHING LENT…
Have you been baptized? The Prayer Book tells us, “Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” From the earliest years of Christianity, the season of Lent (which begins February 10) was when new Christians studied the faith and prepared for baptism at Easter. If you have never been baptized, or aren’t sure, and would like to learn more about this rite, please contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 28, 5-6:30pm: Great food and fellowship! Join us and bring a friend for a tasty meal. Suggested donation of $5 per adult, $10 per household. Kids eat free. All proceeds go to support the St. Dunstan’s Campership Fund, which helps cover costs for St. Dunstan’s kids to attend Camp Webb, our diocesan summer camp. We’ve got more kids going every year, so please give generously! If you’d like to help out or contribute to the meal, see the signup sheets in the Gathering Area.
Ash Wednesday services will be at noon, 4pm, and 7pm on Wednesday, March 1. The 4pm service is especially intended for kids and families. Rev. Miranda will also offer Ashes-to-Go by the main driveway from 7:30 – 8:30am and 5 – 6pm.
Easter Flower Sign-Up: We will not have altar flowers in Lent, as part of our observance of a season of solemnity. If you would like to sign-up to sponsor and dedicate flowers for the Easter services, please see the yellow sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area.
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.
Lenten Reading Book: This year St. Dunstan’s Virtual Book Group will be reading Evicted by Mathew Desmond. The book follows 8 families struggling with eviction and poverty in Milwaukee. We will discuss the book on a private Facebook page (to be set up on March 1st). Because the book is very emotionally involving, Evy Gildrie-Voyles will host an in-person discussion group at St. Dunstan’s on Fridays March 10th, March 24th, March 31st and April 7th at 6:00pm. A light soup and salad supper will be provided. If you would like to join please sign up in the Gathering Area. There are many copies of the book available in the Middleton Public Library. If would like to have your own copy, please let me know so we can order you one. Any questions, contact Evy Gildrie-Voyles.