THIS WEEKEND…
The Book of Jonah, Sunday August 13, 9 am: Jonah: three parts burlesque, one part parable-with-teeth. Many approaches to the book that are productive; we’ll watch how God-talk and Divine patience/humility intersect. Read the book ahead of time; it’s only four chapters long, and will take you twenty minutes. Fr. Tom McAlpine will facilitate.
School Supplies for Middleton Outreach Ministry: Deadline, Sunday, August 13! Although we still have plenty of summer left to enjoy, the ads are encouraging us to think about “Back to School!” And, that means it is time to think about school supply donations for the MOM Backpack program. You are always so generous with your contributions, giving students the chance to have the needed items to succeed in school! Please check the Gathering Space for the collection box and lists of most needed items. THANK YOU!!!
Youth Group T-Shirts Available: Our Middle School Youth Group is about to start their third season! If you’d like to show your support for the group, we have a limited number of T-shirts available, for a suggested donation of $5. The logo is inspired by the game Betrayal at the House on the Hill, a favorite of the group. Donations can be made by cash, check with “Youth T” on the memo line, or a General Donation with a memo at donate.stdunstans.com.
Sponsor a Bible for our Sunday School Students! This year we’d like to offer our 3rd through 5th grade Sunday school students their own study Bibles to keep in the classroom and use this year and beyond. As the class explores our focus texts from the lectionary, they can look them up in their own Bible, underline or write notes in the margins, and start to feel like the Bible is theirs to study, grapple with, and love. We ask a $25 donation to be a Bible Sponsor. You may write a dedication in the Bible you sponsor, if you wish! We hope to buy 10 Bibles, to be ready for current and future students. You can make your gift online at donate.stdunstans.com or by cash or check with “Student Bible” on the memo line or envelope. Thanks for supporting our young disciples!
Altar Flowers: fall dates available! Honor a loved one or a special event with altar flowers. Reserve your special date by writing your dedication on the sign-up sheet. Suggested donation is $35. Write “flowers” on the memo line of your check or on envelope containing cash, or donate online at donate.stdunstans.com.
THE WEEK AHEAD & BEYOND…
Vestry Meeting, Wednesday, August 16, 6:45pm: The Vestry is the elected leadership body of our parish. Any members are welcome to attend our meetings, to observe or raise questions or ideas.
Guest Preacher, Sunday, August 20: The Rev. Jonathan Melton: Next Sunday, Father Jonathan Melton will celebrate and preach at both the 8am and 10am services. Jonathan is the chaplain at St. Francis House Episcopal Campus Ministry at UW-Madison, just a couple of miles east on University Avenue, and a friend of the parish and many of its members.
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, August 20: 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.
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, August 20, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
Outreach Meeting, Saturday, August 26, 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 Club, Saturday, August 26, 10am: The book is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. He is a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars, caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell. A fun read and well written.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, August 27, 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.
Camp-Out Night at St. Dunstan’s, Friday, September 1, 5:30pm: For those who have been meaning to camp out all summer – or want to give it a try in an easy setting (with flush toilets available!) – or who camp all the time and can share tips with the rest of us! We’ll share a simple potluck supper (hot dogs and marshmallows, etc., provided), fellowship around the fire pit, singing, and Compline prayers at dusk. You can spend the night, or just come for the evening and then go home to your nice warm bed. Friends welcome!
Game Night at St. Dunstan’s, Friday, September 8, 6pm: Join us for an evening of games for all ages. Friends, partners, kids – all welcome. Bring a snack to share, or come as you are!
Sunday School starts again, Sunday, September 10, 10am: Our Sunday school classes meet on the second and third Sunday of every month, during the first part of the 10am service. We have three classes this year. Our class for 3 year olds through kindergarteners uses the ‘Godly Play’ approach, sharing and reflecting on the central stories of our faith. Our classes for 1st through 2rd graders, and for 3rd through 5th graders, use a curriculum based on the Sunday lectionary, the same Bible lessons we hear in the liturgy that day. They explore those lessons through discussion, art, drama, Lego, and other projects. All kids are welcome to participate!
Lammastide Festival of Bread, Sunday, September 10: Lammastide is an ancient harvest festival that became a church festival in our mother church, the Church of England. It’s an opportunity to offer the fruits of the growing season thankfully to God. The word means “loaf mass” – it was originally held at the time of year when the first grain ripened enough to be made into fresh loaves of bread. We will celebrate the end of summer together with a Lammastide procession and blessing, and a festive bread-themed Coffee Hour after the 10am service. Bring a loaf of bread – any kind! – or something beautiful from your garden or the farmer’s market: vegetables, fruit, flowers. We will offer our harvest gifts during worship; you can reclaim your produce afterwards.