THIS WEEK…
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.
Take home a hymnal! If you’d like to have a hymnal – or a set of hymnals! – at home, please take one or more of our old red hymnals from the boxes in the back of the church. Sing, play, and enjoy!
Christmas Pageant Practice, Sunday, Dec. 10, 11:30am: Actors with speaking parts are invited to a brief practice session for our Christmas Eve pageant.
Sharing Christmas – St. Dunstan’s style: Please look at the “ornaments” on the window and choose a wish to fulfill for someone in our community. If you took an ornament from the first round of tags (numbered 1 – 40), PLEASE bring it back by this Sunday, December 10! For other gifts, we hope to have wrapped gifts brought to church by Sunday December 17th so we can get them to their “homes” in time for Christmas. Any questions, contact Evy Gildrie-Voyles.
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!
FOOD SIGNUP: Could you bring a bowl of guacamole or a batch of rice or beans? Sign up in the Gathering Area or let Miranda know!
Coffee Hosts Needed! We are in need of coffee hosts for December 17, 24, and 31 after the 10am service. Please contact Janet Bybee for more information. Thanks for your service!
Bread for the World Sunday, December 17: Peg and Dan Geisler will share about Bread for the World’s advocacy to reduce hunger in the United States and around the world and how we can be part of it.
#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.
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 contact Rev. Miranda.
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…
Rector’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, December 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.
Christmas Pageant Practice, Sunday, Dec. 17, 11:30am: Any actors able to attend are invited to a brief practice session for our Christmas Eve pageant. Pizza will be provided!
Evening Eucharist, Sunday, December 17, 6pm: Join us for a simple service before the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday December 17, 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.
**DATE CHANGE** The Longest Night: A Liturgy of Light in Darkness, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 7:30PM: On December 20, 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 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 .