TONIGHT…
Dance, sing and pray for peace, Thursday, March 23, 6pm (dinner at 5:30pm): Learn and experience the simple and moving songs and Dances of Universal Peace inspired by the Judeo-Christian tradition. Led by Conie Borchardt, Certified Dance Leader and Music Director at St. Mary’s Episcopal in St. Paul, MN. Dances for Universal Peace accommodates people of all skill levels and levels of physical ability. This is a special edition of our weekly Sandbox Worship; please note that this week we will eat dinner first, at 5:30pm.
THIS WEEKEND…
Reflections on the Water of Life, 9am: 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
Last Sunday All-Ages Worship, Sunday, March 26, 10am: Our last Sunday worship will focus on the Gospel story of the Man Born Blind. Last Sunday Worship invites kids’ full participation in our liturgy. We always welcome suggestions about how to meet that goal more fully! NOTE: Our 8am service always follows our regular order of worship.
Middle School Lunch & Learn, Sunday, March 26, 12-1pm: 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 can arrange rides home for the kids if that helps the parents’ schedules.
Liturgy Planning Meeting, Sunday, March 26, 6:30pm: All interested people are welcome to come plan ahead for Holy Week and Easter season, and to share ideas for our worship.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, March 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 Gathering Area to help out. To learn more, talk with Rose Mueller.
St. Dunstan’s Care Network: Did you know that St. Dunstan’s has a Care Network that helps provide meals for those in our parish family who may need them while they go through a life-changing event? We have several families in our community who are expecting new babies that we would like to help in this way. If you are interested in joining our network, there are a couple of ways to do this. The easiest is to go to our website www.stdunstans.com. Go to the Home Page, select the drop down “Fellowship & Learning” and click on the “Sharing Meals” tab. From there, click on the link that takes you to the Care Network log in page, where you will find instructions on how to sign up. The other way to find our page is to go to http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/652914/. Meal calendars for sign up will be posted as they are created. This Care Network is NOT just for new babies! If you know (or ARE) someone in the parish who could benefit from this service, please contact me, Shirley Laedlein. Thank you!
Looking for Coffee Hosts for Easter and for April 23 and 30, 2017! Please consider being a coffee host. We especially need people for Easter and the last two Sundays in April. Contact Janet Bybee for more information.
Looking for Greeters: Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s off to work we go! Well it’s really not work, more like fun. We’re looking for some of you who might be interested in Greeting on Sunday mornings at the 10am service. Let Bernice Mason know.
Greeters Needed for Holy Week Services: We need some help providing welcome for members and guests at our services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Easter Vigil. Please sign up in the Gathering Area or contact Pamela in the office at or 608-238-2781. Thank you for serving!
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, March 31, 6pm: Due to weather, we canceled last month’s event, so we will be meeting at Amber Indian Restaurant at 6913 University Avenue in Middleton. Please come join us for good food and good conversation.
Architects’ On-Site Design Process, Sunday, April 2: On April 2nd, the next part of our planning and design process with Engberg Anderson Architects will take place right under our roof here at St. Dunstan’s! Beginning at 9AM that morning, and continuing into the early afternoon, architects from EA will set up shop in our building in the Meeting Room. They will be working on concept drawings and sketches for different ways in which the various ideas generated by all of you over the last several weeks can best be incorporated into our building – whether by renovating the space we have, or by looking at modest ways to expand it as needed. The process promises to be interesting, a bit messy, and a lot of fun! Bill and Mike, and members of your Discernment committee, hope you will take the time to stop by, see what they are working on, ask questions and share your comments on their work. The more input they get from the members of St. Dunstan’s, the better their work will reflect our goals, dreams, and the mission of our parish. Make plans to allow time for a visit, either before leaving church, or by returning later in the day.
Birthdays and Anniversaries will be honored and Healing Prayers will be given next Sunday, April 2, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
MOM Special Offering, Sunday, April 2: Next Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are a few current most needed items: canned meat, all types; shelf stable milk; protein/granola bars; toilet paper & paper towels. Thank you for all your support!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, April 2, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
The Stations of the Cross in Downtown Madison, Friday, April 7, 12pm: Walk the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross on the streets of a modern city. As we walk the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross, we will reflect together on how we can trace those events in the geography of Madison today – our issues, stories and struggles. We will start on the sidewalk near Way of the Cross Park, at the corner of Henry, across from the Overture Center, and end in the garden at Grace Church on the square. The total walk will be about 1.5 miles, and it takes about 1 hour. All are welcome. If you would like to read one of the stations, contact Rev. Miranda Hassett.
Palm Saturday, Saturday, April 8, 11am-12pm: Kids, parents, grandparents and friends are invited to make Easter Crafts and communion bread, and to take part in a gentle, age-appropriate and participatory telling of the whole Easter story, presented by the youth and adults or our church. This event is best suited for kids ages 3 to 10; our Middle Schoolers are invited to help present the Easter pageant. All are welcome!
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, April 12, 1:00-2:45 PM (NOTE TIME CHANGE): Julian of Norwich was a 15th Century English mystic. She wrote a book, as far as we know the first in English written by a woman, about a series of revelations which opened her to the depths of God’s unconditional love for us in Jesus Christ. Thomas Merton called her “the greatest theologian for our time.” At a Julian Gathering we support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality. Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer, fellowship, and reading/discussion of Julian’s book.
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Sunday, April 9 – Palm & Passion Sunday
Thursday, April 13, 6pm: Maundy Thursday Meal & Worship
Friday, April 14 – Good Friday
12pm, 4pm & 7pm Good Friday services
Children are encouraged to attend the 4pm service
Saturday, April 15 – Holy Saturday
8pm: Great Vigil of Easter
Sunday, April 16 – Easter Sunday
Egg hunt for children follows both 8am & 10am services