THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21…
St. Dunstan’s Day All-Ages Worship & Hat and Tie Sunday: We will celebrate the feast day of our saint, Dunstan, on Sunday, May 21. It’s the 60th anniversary of our parish’s founding and naming! You’re invited to mark the occasion by dressing up with a fancy hat and/or tie, serious or playful. Wear your own or borrow one from the collection at church. We will formally welcome new members on this festive day. It’s our custom to take photos of the whole congregation after church; we hope you’ll stay to participate.
Holy Baptism, 8am: We will baptize Drew Robertson, a member of our 8am congregation. We rejoice with Drew and his fiancée Michele on this joyous occasion!
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering: Half the cash in our collection plate, and any designated checks, will go towards the Rector’s Discretionary Fund today. This fund is a way to quietly help people with direct financial needs, in the parish and the wider community. Please give generously.
Making Our Grounds an Eternal Home: Discussing a Columbarium for St. Dunstan’s, 9am: Interested members are invited to a conversation about the legal and logistical differences between scattering ashes and interring urns, with the goal of establishing whether there is a desire to create a columbarium here. If you have questions or input and can’t attend the meeting, talk with Sharon Bloodgood.
Spirituality of Parenting Lunch, 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.
Evening Eucharist, 6pm: Come join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, 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.
Driving through Countryside Lane: Please take extra care and drive slowly on our neighbors’ roadway during this period of road construction. Our neighbors are not used to a lot of traffic and extra consideration will show we care and appreciate this access.
What Are Your Languages? On the feast of Pentecost (June 4), we read part of the Acts of the Apostles reading in many different languages. Is there a language that’s part of your heritage or story that you’d like to have included? Talk to Rev. Miranda or email her at by Friday, May 26.
Art, Crafts & Music Wanted for an Evening Fundraiser: We have been invited to participate in a city-wide, interfaith effort to raise funds so that Voces de la Frontera, a community organization that focuses on the needs of immigrants in Wisconsin, can hire a staff member to help them better support immigrant families in Madison and beyond. Some members of our parish are organizing an event, tentatively planned for June 17, to feature an art and craft sale and musical performances. Would you like to contribute or participate? Sign up in the Gathering Area or contact Phil Hassett.
Summer Flower Sign-Up: From June through August, we are trying something new with our altar flowers. We invite members to sign up to *bring* flowers, instead of ordering them through our florist as usual. During these months, local flowers are readily available, at the farmer’s market or in your own gardens. We are planting some flowers on the church grounds as well, which can certainly be used! If you’d like to contribute flowers, simply sign up for your chosen Sunday. You can still make a dedication, and we will include it in the bulletin as usual. You may use your own vase, or one of the vases here at church. Please take your flowers home, or give them to a friend, after the 10am service. Questions? Talk with Gail Jordan-Jones or Rev. Miranda.
St. Dunstan’s Second Annual Diaper Drive, May 14 – June 18: We are having a diaper drive for sizes 4, 5, and 6 from Mother’s Day, May 14 to Father’s Day, June 18. We will donate the diapers to pantries around the area, including Allied Drive Food Pantry and MOM. You can shop around for a great deal ($.20 or less per diaper) or make a check or online donation to St. Dunstan’s designated for the Diaper Drive and let our skilled diaper shoppers do the shopping! We’ll dedicate all our gifts on Father’s Day. Thanks for your support!
Would You Like to Learn how to Tackle a Tree? As one way to approach the many dead trees on our Pine Island, we could take a group to learn about how to remove dead trees – and what to do with them afterwards – at TimberGreen Woods in Spring Green. The date of the training is TBD. Sign up on the interest sheet in the Gathering Area or talk with Rev. Miranda.
THE WEEK AHEAD & BEYOND…
Ascension Eucharist, Thursday, May 25, 5:30pm: Celebrate a festive service on the Feast of the Ascension, with our Thursday evening “Sandbox Worship” community. A simple meal will follow.
Christian Formation Committee Meeting, Thursday, May 25, 7pm: Our Christian Formation Committee will meet to review and plan our summer and fall Christian Formation programs. All interested people are welcome to attend and participate.
Retirement Celebration for Martin, Sunday, May 28: Martin Ganschow, our Organist & Choir Director, is retiring from his role here after seven fruitful years. We will thank him over a festive coffee hour.
Sunday School, Sunday, May 28, 10am: Our Sunday school classes will learn the story of Pentecost, in anticipation of our celebration on June 4.
Middle School Lunch & Learn, Sunday, May 28, 12-1pm: Rev. Miranda invites the 10-and-up youth of the parish to meet with her for lunch after church. 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, May 28, 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. To learn more, talk with Rose Mueller.
Teen Clothing Drive for GSAFE: Do you have clothing collecting dust in your closet? Eager to support transgender teenagers struggling to build a wardrobe that makes them feel confident? Swing by St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 28th between 1pm-4pm to donate your gently used, teen-friendly clothing to GSAFE’s Youth Leadership Board for their clothing swap events! Not sure if your apparel and accessories are teen-friendly? Bring them by and let our teen volunteers be the judge. You’re welcome to bring donations ahead of time, as well. St. Dunstan’s is glad to host this event, to support GSAFE in their important work supporting kids in Madison’s schools.
1 Samuel Study Group, Wednesday nights, June 21-July 26, 6:30-8:30 PM: Gather with a friendly group to explore the book of 1 Samuel – a rich and complex tale of the rise and fall of kings. The study group is hosted by the McAlpines at their home in Fitchburg, about five minutes from the intersection of the Beltline and Verona Road. There will be a sample lesson on Sunday, June 4, at 9am; come try it out!
Pentecost Sunday All-Ages Worship, June 4: On this feast day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, and celebrate the Spirit’s continued action among us. Consider wearing something red for church!
Parish Picnic, Sunday, June 11, 12:00pm: Come for good food and good conversation at our annual June parish picnic. We’ll have good food and fun activities for all ages, including our favorite face painter! If you’d like to help with games or activities, contact the office at or 608-238-2781. The picnic will happen rain or shine. Mark your calendar and watch for more details!
Vacation Bible School: The Story of Jonah, July 30 – August 3: Our Vacation Bible School this summer is planned for Sunday, July 30, through Thursday, August 3. We’ll meet in the evenings – likely 5:30 to 7:30pm, as in previous years. Keep these dates in mind as you make your summer plans! Kids ages 3 to 10 are welcome to participate; middle school and older kids will be involved as actors and helpers.