THIS WEEKEND…

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!

Wild & Scenic Film Event, September 9, 7-9pm at Mineral Point Opera House, 139 High Street, Mineral Point, Wisconsin: Come and see an evening of films on the environment. Films, ranging from 5-28 minutes, will present a variety of issues facing our world as well as the challenges in responding to them. Advance tickets are $10 online at brownpapertickets.com.  This event is sponsored by Trinity Episcopal Church, Mineral Point.  For more info go to http://www.trinitympt.org/events.html.

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.

Big Blue Bibles: Starting this Sunday, we’re trying out a new way for kids to follow along in worship. Take a Blue Bible from the pile on the way into church. Each Bible has a bookmark that indicates where you can find a storybook version of one of the day’s assigned readings. Kids can read along at their own pace. Rev. Miranda welcomes feedback or further ideas!

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 and 2nd 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!

This year’s Parish Talent Show will be Sunday, October 22! The Talent Show follows the 10am liturgy; lunch is included. What will you share? A poem, a song, a dramatic monologue, a unique skill, a dance? A sample of art, craft, tinkering, building, study or science? Group acts are encouraged. Start planning now, and look for a signup in late September!

Sanctuary Task Force: Hospitality towards others is one of the clearest mandates in Scripture. Rev. Miranda is gathering a small group to discern together about how that call speaks to us in this time, by learning more about the new Dane Sanctuary network. If you’re interested, contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781.

St. Dunstan’s Care Network Needs List: Sharon Bloodgood is recovering from a traffic accident and is in need of meals, and rides to church and therapy. To see where you can sign up to help, go to our Care Network web page. The easiest way to access it is to go to stdunstans.com and click on the “Fellowship and Learning” tab, and select “Sharing Meals” which will lead you directly to the site. Please contact Shirley Laedlein with any questions.

Helpers Needed – Edgewood in the Community, Wednesday, September 20, 9:30am-2pm: Edgewood High School will be sending 20 students to St. Dunstan’s to do yard work as part of their community service. If you would like to work with a small group of students and help direct them, please email George Ott at . Wheelbarrows and pitchforks are needed too. Thanks!

Altar Flowers: fall dates available! We are back to our regular Altar Flower process: flowers will be ordered from the church’s florist. 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…

Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, September 13, 1:00 – 2:45 PM: A Julian Gathering is open to everyone and you are welcome at all times.  We support each other in the practice of contemplative prayer and contemplative spirituality, and have the quintessentially Anglican writings of Bl. Mother Julian of Norwich at their core.  They are for all who want to deepen their life of faith through the practice of contemplative prayer, for beginners as well as those already practicing.  Each meeting includes time for contemplative prayer and reading/discussion of Bl. Julian’s revelations.  Don’t worry if you’ve never practiced silent prayer before, we can set your mind at ease. We meet the second Wednesday of each month.  For additional information, contact Susan Fiore.

Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, September 17: 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, September 17, 10am: Next Sunday, our 3 year olds to kindergarten class will explore the story of the Flood and the Ark, while our Elementary classes will continue exploring God’s grace present in Creation.

Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project Fundraiser, Verona, Sunday, September 17, 1-4pm: Come to the Wisconsin Brewing Company at 1079 American Way in Verona to enjoy live music by award-winning Haitian musician Mona Augustin, enjoy microbrews, shop for Haitian art and jewelry, and to help support our diocesan partnership with St. Mark’s School in Haiti. Suggested donation of $20 includes one free beverage ticket. We would love a critical mass of supporters to attend and hope you will invite your friends out to enjoy this event!  If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute, go to https://haitiproject.org/donate/

Evening Eucharist, Sunday, September 17, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.

Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, September 24, 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.

Men’s Book Club, Saturday, September 30, 10am-12pm: Since the election of Scott Walker, Wisconsin has been ground zero for debates about the appropriate role of government in the wake of the Great Recession. With The Politics of Resentment, Katherine J. Cramer uncovers an oft-overlooked piece of the puzzle: rural political consciousness and the resentment of the “liberal elite.” Rural voters are distrustful that politicians will respect the distinct values of the communities and allocate a fair share of resources. What can look like disagreements about basic political principles are therefore actually rooted in something even more fundamental: who we are as people and how closely a candidate’s social identity matches our own. Have a good read.