NEW CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC PATTERN ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE: It is now impossible to turn left off of University Avenue, into St. Dunstan’s or properties west of the church. Consider approaching from the west (to turn right into the church) or via Countryside Lane.
THIS WEEKEND…
Bat Count, Friday, June 2, 8 – 9pm: Come hang out and count the bats emerging from the colony on our property. This is part of a statewide bat count to monitor bat populations, so it’s both science and a chance to get to know our (flying) neighbors. All are welcome!
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. Red is the church’s color for this holy day; consider wearing something red for church! Come at 9:30 if you’d like to help act out one of the readings!
Anniversary and Birthday blessings and Healing Prayers will be given this Sunday, June 4, as is our custom on the first Sunday of the month.
My Immigrant Story: You shall love the stranger living among you, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19). Our Scriptures and our God call us to treat immigrants with kindness and respect – remembering that we or our ancestors were once immigrants seeking a new home. To help us understand the lives, needs, and fears of our immigrant neighbors, members of St. Dunstan’s will be sharing their own “how I got here” stories in the weeks ahead, during our Announcement time. This Sunday we’ll hear from Peter and Nana Hewson. If you have a story to share, talk to Rev. Miranda or Evy Gildrie-Voyles.
MOM Special Offering, Sunday, June 4: This Sunday, half the cash in our offering plate and any designated checks will be given to Middleton Outreach Ministry’s food pantry. Here are the current top-ten most needed items: toilet paper & paper towels; shelf-stable dairy/non-dairy beverages; oil and butter; whole grains (rice, quinoa, barley); nut butter (other than peanuts – allergy); ketchup & mayonnaise; dried lentils, garbanzo or black beans; canned tomato products; prepared meals in cans or boxes; baking supplies and mixes. Thank you for all your support!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, June 4, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
Community Event: Faith, Fasting and Friendship: An Interfaith Community Potluck, Saturday, June 10, 7:30pm: People of all faiths are invited to this interfaith meal, learning and fellowship opportunity. We will hear about the role of fasting in different faith traditions and break the fast together during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. This is a free, family-friendly event open to the community, and will be held at the Madison Labor Temple at 1602 South Park Street. Donations will be collected for Second Harvest Food Bank. For more information or to register, visit www.facebook.com/WisconsinFaithVoicesForJustice/
Evening Arts & Music Fundraiser, Friday, June 16, 6:30pm: You’re invited to an evening of music performances and an art/craft sale, to raise funds for Voces de la Frontera, a community organization that focuses on the needs of immigrants in Wisconsin. If you’d like to contribute items for the sale, or share a performance of music or other original work, sign up in the Gathering Area or contact Phil Hassett.
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!
THE WEEK AHEAD & BEYOND…
Parish Picnic, Sunday, June 11, 12:00pm: Come for good food and good conversation at our annual June parish picnic. We’ll have fun activities for all ages, including our favorite face painter, shaved ice, and a disco room! Bring something to share, if convenient – a bag of chips, a salad, a favorite dessert. Drinks and a main dish will be provided. The picnic will happen rain or shine. We will also be taking photos that day for a potential photo directory.
Sunday School, Sunday, June 11, 10am: This Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will learn about The Part That Hasn’t Been Written Yet, while our elementary classes will learn about the story of Creation in the book of Genesis. This is our final Sunday school lesson before our summer recess.
Coffee Hosts Needed June 25 and Beyond: Please consider being a coffee host. If you would like to partner with someone for coffee host, put your name in the column for a partner on the sign-up sheet. For more information, talk with Janet Bybee.
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, June 14, 1-2:45pm: Julian understood the human heart and, through her sixteen revelations of Jesus, she understood the heart of God. Thomas Merton called her “the greatest theologian for our time.” Come to one of our monthly meetings and find out why—and learn about contemplative prayer. We’d love to see you. For more information, contact Susan Fiore.
Men’s Book Group, Saturday, June 17, 3pm: Candice Millard’s third book, “Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape and the Making of Winston Churchill,” would make a fine movie, though Richard Attenborough did, in a sense, get there first. In 1972, he made “Young Winston”, drawn from Churchill’s own account of his early life, and it includes the same material Ms. Millard recounts so thrillingly: the future prime minister’s brash heroics in the South African Republic in 1899, which culminated in a prison break and nine days on the lam. Have a good read.
Outreach Committee Meeting, Saturday, June 17, 8-10am: All are welcome to join our conversations about how St. Dunstan’s can best serve the world with our resources and our hands. We begin with an optional potluck breakfast at 8am.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
“Good Books” Summer Reading!
People sometimes call the Bible the “Good Book” – but there are many, many good books that can feed our minds and souls. This summer you’re invited to join an all-parish Summer Reading program! We have selected four books: Cherries and Cherry Pits for kids ages 0 – 6 or 7; Return to Sender or The Door in the Wall for middle-grade kids comfortable with chapter books; and Good Omens for older kids and adults. Pick up a book at the church, or find a copy at the library or on your e-reader. A donation of $5 per book is welcome to help cover costs.
If you’d like to gather to talk about what you’re reading, we’ll have three Book Club Sundays this summer, meeting at 9am with donuts and lemonade:
Sunday, July 16 – to discuss “Cherries and Cherry Pits”
Sunday, August 6 – to discuss “Return to Sender” and “A Door in the Wall”
A Sunday in late August TBD – to discuss “Good Omens”
Although we’re reading different books, we encourage everyone to come to any and all discussions, so we can hear about the books others are reading & what they’re finding in them!
You can also join our “St. Dunstan’s Summer Reading” Facebook group to share favorite passages, thoughts and questions from the book(s) you and your household are reading.
1 Samuel Study Group, Wednesday nights, June 21-July 26, 6:30-8:30 PM: Gather with a friendly group to explore the Old Testament 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!
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.
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.
41st Annual Women’s Mini Week: Courageous Women of God! August 10 – 13, 2017, Camp Lakotah, Wautoma, Wisconsin: This is your time to retreat from your everyday routines, to allow discoveries and friendships to refresh you, to find comfortable activity or blissful quiet. Registration forms are in the Gathering Area. For more information, see the website at www.womensminisweek.org.
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project Fundraiser, Verona, Sunday, July 23, 1-5pm: Come enjoy micro-brews and help support this ministry at the Wisconsin Brewing Company at 1079 American Way in Verona.