THIS WEEKEND…
Men’s Book Club, Saturday, March 4, 10am-12pm, at St. Dunstan’s: We will be reading Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, which documented the detrimental effects on the environment of the indiscriminate use of pesticides and spurred revolutionary changes in the laws affecting our air, land, and water.
First Sunday in Lent & Bishop’s Visitation, Sunday, March 5: Our Bishop, Bishop Steven Miller, will be visiting us this 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.
Wondering About our Grounds – Drop-In Brainstorming: Lots of ideas for our building are circulating as part of our discernment towards a capital campaign, but many of us are passionate about our lovely church grounds as well. What could we do to make our grounds more hospitable? Engaging? Fruitful? Fun? Stop by the Meeting Room between services or after the 10am service to contribute your ideas to a big map of the grounds, and see others’ ideas as well.
Birthdays and Anniversary blessings and Healing Prayers will be given this Sunday, March 5, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, March 5, 6pm: A simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDY AND PRAYER…
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 – Online and/or In-Person Meetings on Friday evenings, starting March 10: 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.
Walking the Stations of the Cross in Lent: You are invited to walk and pray the Stations of the Cross in our nave, any time during the season of Lent. Fridays at noon are a traditional time to do so. Call ahead to the church office (238-2781) or check in with Rev. Miranda if you want to make sure the church is open when you’d like to come, or would like to walk the Stations with others. Our Stations booklet is based on Scripture and readings from Christian tradition.
Reflections on the Water of Life, Sundays in Lent at 9am, beginning March 12: Gather in the Meeting Room at 9am for a simple time of conversation and prayer, based on reflections on water from Episcopal and Anglian leaders around the world. If you can’t attend but would like to read along, the reflection guide can be downloaded at: https://www.trinitywallstreet.org/trinity-institute/2017/lent
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
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.
Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration Policy and Christian Responsibility, Saturday, March 11, 3 – 5pm, St. Dunstan’s Church. You shall not oppress the stranger living among you, for you know the heart of a stranger; you were strangers in the land of Egypt. – Exodus 23:9 Countless passages in both the Old and New Testaments call God’s people to be welcoming and compassionate towards the “resident alien,” people from other nations living as our neighbors. What does our core spiritual practice of welcome look like, when our national policies are making life increasingly difficult for immigrants? You’re invited to come learn about U.S. immigration policy; hear from the Rev. Oscar Rozo, Vicar of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Beaver Dam, about what he’s seeing as a pastor to immigrant Christians; and to discuss how we are called to respond. All St. Dunstan’s folk are welcome to attend.
Sunday school, Sunday, March 12, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will learn about the parable of the Good Samaritan, while our Elementary classes will talk about what it could mean to be “born again.”
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.
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.
Recovery Eucharist, Tuesday, March 21, 5:30pm: The Recovery Eucharist, celebrated in many churches around the country, is designed for those recovering from any addiction and for those who support them in their recovery. Elements of the service are drawn from the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church, and the 12 Step readings. The Eucharist (Holy Communion) will be celebrated with grape juice instead of wine. All are welcome; feel free to invite a friend. A Beginners’ AA meeting follows at 7pm, in the Meeting Room; this AA meeting is held weekly at St. Dunstan’s, and anyone is welcome to attend.