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, or 608-469-6739.
THIS WEEKEND…
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.
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.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, June 18: Half the cash in our collection plate, and any designated checks, will go towards the Rectory’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.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, June 18, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
No Spirituality of Parenting Lunch or Vintage Night this month: These gatherings will resume in the fall. Thanks for your participation and support!
Grownups, are you a little jealous that you can’t come to our Summer Bible, Arts & Science Camp? Well, guess what: you CAN! We are seeking 2 – 3 more grownups to help out during our camp (5:30 – 7:30pm, July 30 through August 3). You can dig deep into the story of Jonah, make crafts, try science tricks, sing and play games right alongside the kids! If you’d like to help out, talk with Rev. Miranda or Sharon Henes.
Coffee Hosts Needed July 2 and 25: Please consider being a coffee host. For more information, talk with Janet Bybee.
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…
Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, June 23, 6pm: Come join us for good food and good conversation among women of all ages from St. Dunstan’s. This month we will meet at Biaggi’s, 1611 Aspen Commons, in Middleton’s Greenway Station. For more information, contact Kathy Whitt or Debra Martinez.
Clergy Presence during Rev. Miranda’s Travel: Rev. Miranda will be away from June 24 through July 1. Father Tom McAlpine will celebrate and preach on Sunday, June 25. If you need the care or counsel of a priest during Rev. Miranda’s absence, you may reach Father Tom or Father John Rasmus at (608) 238-2781.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, June 25, 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 sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area to help out. To learn more, talk with Rose Mueller.
Lake Field Trip, Sunday, July 2, 12pm: As part of our Creation Care commitment to understanding our local water systems better, we will walk over to Marshall Park on Lake Mendota after church on July 2nd. It’s an easy seven-minute walk. We’ll “meet” the lake and talk a little about stormwater and lake health. Bring a brownbag lunch if you’d like to hang around at the park for a while! (And there are now boat rentals at Marshall Park, so you could make a whole afternoon of it – bring sunscreen!)
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 9! Plans, pictures and possibilities for our Capital Campaign will be presented to the congregation during our 10am worship time. Meet our architect and our consultant. Please plan to attend! There will be a follow-up session and an opportunity to review materials online.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Timbergreen Woods Full Value Forestry Workshop, Saturday, July 15, 9am – 4pm, Timber Green Woods, Spring Green: A group of St. Dunstan’s folks are headed to Spring Green to learn about managing and harvesting trees, and some creative ways to use timber. This will be both fun and informative! The only cost is a $5 contribution for lunch. Responsible older kids may come too. If you’d like to come, sign up in the Gathering Area or contact the office at or 238-2781.
“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 27 – 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.
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.