Sandbox Worship: This Thursday at 5:30pm, we’ll have an outdoor Eucharist, followed by a simple meal. We’ll start down by the stone altar on the Pine Island. We hope to do this many weeks over the summer, as weather permits!
The Open Door Project Kick-off is this weekend! Over the last couple years, we have identified core priorities: We need space to grow, worship, play, eat, learn and create. We value accessibility, our grounds, and our wider community. We want to grow as an intergenerational household of faith. This weekend we kick off The Open Door Project to make our space reflect our values. An amazing number of people are already helping out. We’ll celebrate and share at the party Saturday from 4 – 6pm, then commission our campaign volunteers at the 10am service on Sunday. And we’ve got good news to share!
THIS WEEKEND…
DATE CHANGE – Ladies’ Night Out, Friday, May 18, 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 Village Green Bar & Grill, 7508 Hubbard Avenue in Middleton. For more information, or to arrange a ride, please contact Kathy Whitt or Debra Martinez.
Men’s Book Club, Saturday, May 19, 10am: The book is All the Light We Can Not See by Anthony Doerr. “A beautiful story about a blind French girl, Marie-Laure and a German boy, Werner, whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.” Werner grows up enchanted by a crude radio he finds and becomes an expert at fixing these new instruments, a talent that wins him a place in the Hitler Youth and a special assignment to track the resistance. More and more aware of the human cost of his intelligence, Werner travels through the heart of the war and, finally, into Saint-Malo, where his story and Marie-Laure’s converge. HAVE A GOOD READ.
St. Dunstan’s Diaper Drive, May 13 – June 3: Imagine having to choose whether to pay rent, pay utilities, buy food, or buy diapers for your baby or toddler. Nearly 1 in 3 American families struggle to afford enough diapers, which cannot be purchased with food stamps. Learn more by reading today’s bulletin insert. We are having a diaper drive for sizes 4, 5, and 6 from Mother’s Day through June 3. We will donate the diapers to pantries around the area, including Allied Drive Food Pantry, Kennedy Heights, 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! Thanks for your support.
Inquirers’ Group Begins Sunday, May 20, 9am: This group is for those new to the Episcopal Church, as well as long-time members who’d like to learn more. At each session, we’ll discuss a short book, read ahead of time. We’ll begin with “The Episcopal Way,” by Eric Law and Stephanie Spellers. Rev. Miranda has a few copies available, or you can also buy it online in print or Kindle editions. Talk with Rev. Miranda if you need help finding the book. No need to sign up for the group; just come on the 20th and join in!
Pentecost Sunday Worship, May 20: On this feast day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, and celebrate the Spirit’s continued action among us. Red is the church’s color for this holy day; consider wearing something red for church. You’re also invited to mark the occasion by dressing up with a fancy hat and/or tie – wear your own or borrow one from the collection at church. We will formally welcome new members on this festive day. It’s our custom to take photos of the whole congregation after the 10am service that Sunday; we hope you’ll stay a few moments to participate.
Rectory’s Discretionary Fund Offering, Sunday, May 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, May 20, 6pm: Join us for a simple service as the week begins. All are welcome.
Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, May 20, 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
Calling our bakers! Would you like to contribute a pie or other favorite dessert to our Kickoff Party on May 19? If you love to bake and would like to share your talents, sign up in the Gathering Area or email . Thank you!
Take A (Red) Hymnal Home! If you’d like to get to know our hymnal better, or sing all the verses of an old favorite, please take one or more red hymnals home for your own use. We are still seeking good homes for many red hymnals, after replacing them with blue hymnals last fall.
Summer Flowers start in June: From June through August, we invite members to sign up to “bring” flowers, instead of ordering them through our florist. During these months, local flowers are readily available, at the farmer’s market or in your own gardens. We have 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 vase, or one of the vases here at church. Please take your flowers home, or give them to a friend, aft her 10am service. Questions? Talk with Gail Jordan-Jones or Rev. Miranda.
THE WEEKS AHEAD…
Trinity Sunday & Rogation Procession, Sunday, May 27: Following the 10am liturgy next Sunday, all are welcome to join our annual spring Rogation procession, a walk around our grounds to pray over our property and the plants and creatures with whom we share it. It will take about 15 minutes.
Grace Shelter Dinner, Sunday, Mary 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 to help out. To learn more, talk with Rose Mueller.
Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 – the office will be closed.
Clothing Recycling: As you’re spring cleaning, if you find you have old clothes that are too damaged (torn, stained, etc.) to donate for resale, you can bring them here to the bin in our front entryway. Clothing will be bundled up, labeled for recycling, and dropped off. This helps keeps fabric out of the landfill!
IN THE COMMUNITY…
PFLAG Madison meeting, Sunday, May 20, 2-4pm at Friends Meeting House at 1704 Roberts Court in Madison: Parents, families, friends and allies with LGBTQ people are welcome to attend the monthly meeting (every 3rd Sunday of the month). This month The Demeter Foundation which advocates for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women in the Wisconsin Women’s Correctional (prison) System will have speakers. They provide services and support to all women’s facilities and have also reached out to the LGBTQ women and hope to provide specific resources for them. For more information, go to http://www.pflag-madison.org.
SUMMER…
Our Vacation Bible School this summer will be August 5 – 9! Our VBS meets in the evening – 5:30 to 7:30pm. We’ve got some great ideas cooking up for this year. If you’d like to help out, talk to Sharon Henes.
Women’s Mini Week 2018, “Courageous Women of God!” August 9-12 at Camp Lakotah in Wautoma, WI: Spread the Word, Ladies! You are invited to Women’s Mini Week, beginning at Thursday dinner, August 9th through Sunday brunch, August 12th. For registration materials and to answer questions, go to the website: www.womensminiweek.org or email to .