Announcements, August 30

THIS WEEKEND…

Postcard Pals:  Build a friendship with someone in the congregation who is from a different generation through postcards. Exchange postcards through mail or our special Postcard Pal Mailbox at church. The program will run in September and October.  Say hi to your Postcard Pal in person at the Tea Party (Note:  You do not need to attend the Tea Party to participate in Postcard Pals and you are not required to sit with your Postcard Pal at the Tea Party.

Men’s Book Club Meeting, Saturday, Sept 1, 10am: The book is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ngor. “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know this yet.” So begins the story of this exquisite debut novel, about a Chinese American family living in 1970s small-town Ohio. Lydia is the favorite child of Marilyn and James Lee; their middle daughter, a girl who inherited her mother’s bright blue eyes and her father’s jet-black hair. When Lydia’s body is found in the local lake, the delicate balancing act that has been keeping the Lee family together tumbles into chaos, forcing them to confront the long-kept secrets that have been slowly pulling them apart. A profoundly moving story of family, history, and the meaning of home, Everything I Never Told You is both a gripping page-turner and a sensitive family portrait. HAVE A GOOD READ.

THE WEEKS AHEAD…

Game Night, Friday September 7th, 6pm:  Learn a new board game or play a favorite!  Playing together is a great way to get to know people better. Pizza will be provided.  We will welcome any snacks brought to share with the group.

Nature Hike, September 9th after 10am service:  Everyone is invited to explore our St. Dunstan’s property with an educational hike.

Sunday School Begins, September 9th following 10:00am service: We have three classes: Kindergarten and younger, 1st – 3rd grade and 4th – 6th grade.

Madison-Area Julian Gathering Wednesday, September 12, 1:00 – 2:45 PM: 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, ObJN.  (Julian Gatherings are initiated and supported by the Order of Julian of Norwich, a contemplative monastic order in the Episcopal Church: www.orderofjulian.org).

All Ages Book Group, September 16th at 9:00am: Grab the Wishtree book in the Gathering Space and take home to read.  Join us on the 16th for a discussion of the story.  Wishtree is a wonderful book about community told by a tree named Red!

Young Adult Meetup at the Vintage, Sunday, September 16, 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. St. Dunstan’s picks up the tab for drinks and snacks. Friends and partners welcome too.

Museum Trip, September 22nd at 10:00am: Let’s learn together! We’re taking a trip to the UW Geology Museum!  We are taking a guided tour and an approximate number of people is appreciated in advance.  Please sign up in the Gathering Space!

Election Season Prayers: Praying for our political leaders has always been part of Anglican and Episcopal worship. In past election seasons, we have often included candidates for public office in our prayers in informal ways. This year we are taking on the discipline of praying for this autumn’s elections as part of our weekly Prayers of the People, using language borrowed from some of the prayers for our country in the Book of Common Prayer.

Sharing an Announcement: please email it to the office () NO LATER THAN 9am, Wednesday morning. This is a firm deadline; announcements that come in later will have to be included in the next week’s E-news and News & Notes page.

Altar Flowers: September and October 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.

Looking for Coffee Hosts for September and October 2018! Consider being a coffee host and talk with Janet Bybee.

NOTES FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE…

Paying Pledges Online:  If you have made a financial pledge to St Dunstan’s, either for our annual budget or for the Open Door Project capital campaign, there are a couple of ways to make payments online if that is convenient for you.

  1. Visit donate.stdunstans.com on your phone or computer. This online “storefront” has different donation options. Please use “General Donation” for annual pledge contributions, and scroll down to “The Open Door Project” to make a contribution towards your capital campaign pledge. Note that you can enter custom amounts. This site uses Square, a widely-used secure service, to process online donations.
  2. Check your bank’s website for a “Bill Pay” feature that sends a check automatically every month (or whenever you want). If possible, please use the memo line on the check to indicate whether it is an annual pledge payment or Open Door payment. (UW Credit Union offers a memo line space, when setting up recurring online payments; other banks probably do as well.)

If you would like to put something in the offering plate on Sundays to represent your gift, you can pick up an “I Gave Online” card on the way into church. Thanks to all those who contribute financially and in so many other ways to sustain and grow our ministry together here at St. Dunstan’s!

STAFF NEWS…

Clergy Office Hours: If you would like to visit with one of our clergy, they would like to visit with you! Father Jonathan Melton will hold weekly “office hours” on Mondays from 9 – 11am, at the MOKA at 5227 University Ave. Father Tom McAlpine will be available on Thursdays from 1-3pm at the Starbucks at 3515 University Ave. And Father John Rasmus will be at St. Dunstan’s on Thursdays from 9 – 10:30am.