Tonight…

Prayer Service for Refugees, Tonight, 5:30pm: This week’s Thursday evening Sandbox Worship will be a simple service of Scripture, song, and prayer for refugees. All are welcome, including kids and friends. We worship at 5:30 and share dinner afterwards.

THIS WEEKEND…

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.

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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.

Conference on Water & Justice, March 22 – 24: Helpers Needed! St. Dunstan’s will be a “host site” for an upcoming conference on water, justice, and faith, by live-streaming conference presentations. This is an opportunity to learn more about a core Creation Care issue, and to share the learning opportunity with neighbors from other churches and the wider community. We are looking for a few more folks to help with event logistics – publicity, catering or planning meals, and hospitality at the event itself. Contact Kathy Whitt or Rev. Miranda 238-2781 if you’d like to get involved. Read more here: https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/trinity-institute/2017/home

 THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Rector’s Discretionary Fund, Sunday, February 19: 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.

Sunday school, Sunday, February 19, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will continue exploring the parables of Jesus, while our Elementary classes will dig into Jesus’ call to generosity, even to the point of loving our enemies.

Looking for Coffee Hosts for March! Please consider being a coffee host and talk with Janet Bybee for more information.

Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, Sunday, February 19, 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. The Children’s Choir will rehearse during this time.

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, February 19, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.

Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, February 19, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE WIDER CHURCH…

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 .

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