TONIGHT…
Revelation Study Group, final meeting, Thursday, November 30, 7pm: (Rev 21-22) “See, I am making all things new.” How does this vision play out, and what might it contribute to our vision for formation and mission? All are cordially invited to the study of Revelation this Thursday at St. Dunstan’s after Sandbox, 7-8:30pm. This final week focuses on Rev. 21-22. Extra copies of the book in manuscript format will be available. There will be some historical orientation, but we’ll mostly focus on trying to hear the text together today. Fr. Tom McAlpine is facilitating.
THIS WEEK…
Capital Campaign Possibilities: Parish Presentation, Sunday, December 3, 9am: At this meeting, the Capital Campaign Discernment Steering Committee, along with our consultant and our architect, will present the ideas we’ve been developing in response to the hopes and needs that the parish has named over the past many months. This presentation – and your responses – will help us decide whether to move forward to the Study phase of the capital campaign. Please plan to attend! Child care and refreshments will be provided. If you can’t attend that day, look for materials to come out by email, on our church website, and by snail mail to those who prefer information by that route. Your thoughts and comments are welcome by email at , by phone at 238-2781, or in conversation with a member of our Vestry. Next Sunday, Dec. 10, Vestry members will be available from 9 – 10am for discussion. We hope to gather all parish feedback by Monday, December 11.
Our 10am liturgy will begin at 10:30am this Sunday in order to allow sufficient time for our Capital Campaign Possibilities presentation and discussion. We hope most members will come at 9am for that session.
Advent Begins this Sunday! Advent candles, prayer booklets, calendars and other materials are available in the Gathering Area! Please take whatever you will use.
Birthday and Anniversary Blessings and Healing Prayers will be given this Sunday, December 3, as is our custom the first Sunday of the month. A note on local custom: Some St. Dunstan’s folk choose to put money in our small wooden “church” to celebrate their birthdays or anniversaries – for example, someone might put in fifty cents or five dollars for a 50th birthday. These funds are used for occasional church projects and needs. There is no pressure to participate; it’s simply a tradition that some enjoy!
MOM Special Offering, Sunday, December 3: 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 a few current most needed items: toilet paper; garbanzo, pinto, and black beans (canned or dried); baking soda & powder, salt, vanilla & holiday spices. Thank you for your generous support!
Falk Friends Pantry Prep, Sunday, December 3, 11:45am: This year we’re partnering with Falk by providing toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, detergent, and other similar items for their pantry. Helpers of all ages are welcome to help pack our Falk Friends pantry bags after the 10:30am liturgy!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, December 3, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
#AdventWord – Praying with Images: AdventWord is the Anglican Communion’s global Advent calendar of prayerful images inspired by words like “Awaken,” “Mend,” or “Watch.”. Sign up at www.adventword.org/sign-up to receive a word each day by email, or follow AdventWord on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. You can contribute photos of your own, or just see what others are offering. Follow @stdunstansmadcity on Instagram to see Rev. Miranda’s photographic musings.
Sharing Christmas – St. Dunstan’s style: We again will be doing a Sharing Christmas tree this year. The wishes will be coming from a variety of sources and will give us a broad range of gift choices to shop for. Please look at the “ornaments” on the window On Nov. 26 and Dec. 3rd and choose a wish to fulfill for someone in our community. We hope to have wrapped gifts brought to church by Sunday December 10th so we can get them to their “homes” in time for Christmas. Any questions? – Connie Ott until Dec. 4th – after that, questions to Evy Gildrie-Voyles.
Caroling 2017: Last year a group of singers from St. Dunstan’s had a wonderful time visiting a few of our members and singing Christmas carols. We’d like to do the same this year. All ages are welcome to participate. Possible dates include Sunday, December 17; Friday, December 22, or Saturday, December 23. Please sign up and indicate your availability in the Gathering Area, or email Rev. Miranda at .
Christmas Cards for Jail Inmates: Christmas is a bleak time for those who spend the holiday as inmates of the Dane County Jail. Even a simple message of kindness can bring some joy and hope. Our card-writing station is now set up opposite the kitchen. You can take a moment to write a message while at church, or take home a couple of cards and the card-writing guidelines, and write at home. These cards will be delivered to inmates through an initiative of our sister parish Grace Church. Our goal is to complete at least 100 cards by mid-December.
Bring Christmas Cheer to St. Dunstan’s! Celebrate what’s important to you with a gift that helps us decorate for Christmas and honors a loved one or a special event. Please see the red Christmas Flowers sign-up sheets in the Gathering Area. Write “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line of your check or on the envelope containing cash. Suggested donation is $25.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Service of Lessons and Music, Sunday, December 10, 10am: Our special Lessons & Music service this Advent will focus on Strangers and Guests in Scripture.
Capital Campaign Possibilities: Vestry Office Hours, Sunday, Dec. 10, 9am: If you have feedback on our capital campaign possibilities, come chat with members of our Vestry (church board) between services on Sunday, Dec. 10! We hope to gather all parish feedback by Monday, December 11.
Christmas Pageant Practice, Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30am: Actors with speaking parts are invited to a brief practice session for our Christmas Eve pageant.
Madison-Area Julian Gathering, Wednesday, December 13, 1:00 – 2:45pm: We welcome everyone who is interested in learning more about contemplative spirituality in the Christian tradition. We meet the second Wednesday of the month for a period of contemplative prayer, after which we discuss a reading from Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century English mystic who has been called “a theologian for our time.” We would love to have you join us. If you have questions, contact Susan Fiore.
Las Posadas Party, Saturday, Dec. 16, 5pm: Las Posadas (Spanish for “the inns”) is an Advent celebration practiced in Mexico and elsewhere in Latin America, revolving around the concept of hospitality. We learn from the Posadas that by welcoming the poor and the needy, we are welcoming Jesus in our midst. Our Posadas will be an opportunity for learning and fellowship, and will have food, music, (small) fireworks, and a (real) donkey! All are welcome!
The Longest Night: A Liturgy of Light in Darkness, Thursday, December 21, 6:30pm (dinner at 5:30pm): On December 21st, we will gather together out of the darkness of the season for a quiet, meditative worship service. Feel free to invite friends who might appreciate this time set apart to name the darkness in the world and in our lives, and prepare our hearts for the coming of the light of Christ. Contact Rev. Miranda at 238-2781 with any questions.
NO 8AM WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24: This year, the Fourth Sunday in Advent is also Christmas Eve. After consulting with 8am worshipers, we have decided not to have our regular Eucharist at 8am that morning. There will be Advent IV worship at 10am. Christmas Eve liturgies are at 3pm and 9pm.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services:
Fourth Sunday of Advent, Sunday, December 24, 10am (NO 8am service!)
Family Service with Pageant, Sunday, December 24, 3pm
Festal Eucharist, Sunday, December 24, 9pm
Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 10am
Christmas Service Helpers Needed! If you would like to be a part of the Christmas services, we need greeters, ushers and refreshments for each of the three services. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area or contact Pamela at .