THIS WEEKEND…
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.
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.
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
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.
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. You’re still welcome to join; the conversation this week will focus on a portion of chapter 5. Call the church office at 238-2781 for more information and the McAlpines’ address.
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), 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.
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.
Looking for Coffee Hosts for April 2017! Consider being a coffee host and talk with Janet Bybee for more information.
Camp Webb Scholarship Fund: Thanks to your generosity with Shrove Tuesday donations, we made over $200 for our Camp Scholarship Fund! If you’d like to support the kids and youth of St. Dunstan’s as they head to our diocesan camp this summer, you can make donations to that fund at any time – just write “Camp scholarship” on the memo line of your check or in the comment box at donate.stdunstans.com .
Monday Morning Art Group: Each Monday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 an adult group meets in the chapel area to share their creative arts and crafts projects, which might include drawing and painting to needlework. It’s become a wonderful time to share some of our personal history, or more recent experiences and/or challenges. Feel free to come along and join us! Because of improper ventilation for toxic materials, we ask that no paint solvents or smelly glues be required during this period.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Rev. Miranda’s Upcoming Travel: Rev. Miranda is traveling for a family gathering next weekend. She will be out of the office from March 17 through 20. On Sunday, March 19, the Rev. Laura Norby will preach and Father John Rasmus will celebrate. If you need a priest’s support during Rev. Miranda’s absence, Father John will be available.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, March 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, March 19, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will learn about the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, while our Elementary classes will learn about Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, March 19, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, March 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.
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 AA Big Book. 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.
Architects’ On-Site Design Process, Sunday, April 2: Two architects from the firm Engberg Anderson will spend the day in the Meeting Room, working on possible designs to address some of the challenges of our building that we have identified. They invite us to stop by and observe, ask questions, and share ideas. Come by between services, after the 10am service, or anytime during the afternoon!