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How do others know us?
One of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar when I was in junior high was They'll know we are Christians by our Love. The reason for this was because it has a simple chord progression and uses only three chords in the entire song. It was also one of the first songs I taught to campers when we had a music program that included learning to play the guitar. By the end of that summer I really didn't care if I ever heard that song again!
This week we hear the end of the 13th chapter of John's Gospel, which give us the new commandment, to love one another. These words are some of the last words of Jesus to his disciples as the Last Supper concludes and he moves to the garden of Gethsemane, before his arrest. Along with the command to love, come the additional words that all will know the followers of Jesus because they love one another.
I don't know about you, but I wonder how many people in our world would have that understanding of the Christian Church. Sadly, the statistics out there say that many people, especially the generation that is missing from our churches - the millennials, say the Church does not practice what it preaches. And some members of our faith even say on placards and signs that God hates.
I believe we all have work to do both individually and communally, on showing and enacting this command of Jesus. And while we can't change those of our faith who choose to show something other than love, we can find ways to raise our voices and profile so that others might see what Jesus would have us do. We can also work on those places in our own lives where we lack patience or tolerance or (indifference) - so that we might be known by how we love each other.
Sue von Rautenkranz
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Lifelong Christian Formation
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Formation through Service
This Sunday, April 24, we will be making sandwiches for Martha's Table. There is plenty to do and we always have fun together. People of all ages can find a task that works for you. Join us - 9:50 to 10:35 a.m. in the Parish Hall.
Make a difference for someone who is hungry!
Graduate Sunday
Is anyone in
your family graduating this year? That could be from high school, college,, or graduate school. Please let
Sue
know. We plan to honor all graduates on
Sunday, June 5
at both services.
Summer is just around the corner!
Looking for a Camp or Mission Opportunity?
Camp EDOW
is now open for registration!
Junior Camp - rising 4th through rising 6th graders.
July 24-July 29, 2016.
Middle Camp - rising 7th through rising 9th graders.
July 31- August 5, 2016.
For more information talk with
Sue or visit the diocesan website
here.
Youth Mission Experience
June 19-25, 2016 + + + Yo
uth aged 14-19
EDOW will send 70 adults and youth to rural Appalachia to work with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) to help make homes warmer, safer and drier. For more information talk with Sue or visit the diocesan website here.
Adult Formation
May 1 & 8: Conversations on Religious Diversity
On the first two Sundays in May our Adult Formation will focus on both religious diversity and tolerance. We shall begin with an overall program and conversation with Eva Cavaleri, the chaplain at the National Cathedral School. Eva and her family have been attending St. Dunstan's since moving to the DC area in August. In our second week we shall welcome Salih Sayilgan,who teaches Islamic Studies at Catholic University in DC. It should be a great two weeks of learning about the many people who live and work around us.
May 15: Growth Group
On this day we hear from members of the Growth Group about initiatives that they are developing for St. Dunstan's. On the day of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, there were over 3000 new Christians added to the community in Jerusalem. While we are not expecting those kind of numbers, we do hope to grow our parish by 10 families each year. Come and hear how you can be a part of this exciting time for our parish.
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Christian Formation Coordinator
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Church and Grounds Beautification
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 The Grounds Committee has a design for a new church yard garden (directly facing the church entrance). You may see the design posted on a bulletin board in Founder's Hall. We want to dedicate this new garden in memory of Lee Surut, who gave much to tend our church grounds over the years.
We are excited about this design and intend to break ground on Beautification Day, May 7, 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. You are welcome to join us! Come with your gardening gloves, hat, etc. and tools. We will provide the soil conditioners, fortifying snacks and water. If you cannot participate on May 7th but would like to help fund planting or assist at a later date, please let us know.
Rosemarie Barrett and Sue Newman
Grounds Committee
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Choir Rehearsals on 4/21/16
5:15 p.m. Handbell Choir Rehearsal
5:45 p.m. Children's Choir Rehearsal
6:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Adult Choir Rehearsal
Monthly Taizé Service - Thursday, April 28, 8:30pm
Join us for a time of mediation, singing, and prayer in the style of Taizé next
Thursday, April 28 at 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to join. Please let Michael Austin know if you are interested in helping to set up or play music for the service as part of your own spiritual practice by sending an e-mail to
[email protected].
Michael Austin
Director of Music
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Calling All Parishioners!
The altar guild is seeking new members to serve about once a month. The altar guild works in teams of two, meeting on Saturday mornings to prepare the church. Duties consist of caring for the silver and brass, linens and candles, setting up the hymn boards, changing the altar hangings, and caring for the kneelers. If you are interested in joining the altar guild, please contact Ann Johnson at 301-229-4323.
Kimberly Matthews
Parish Administrator
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Fred Smoak's Bike Ride ...
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St. Dunstan's will make a donation of up to $500, matching funds from Parishioners, towards Fred Smoak's fundraising Bicycle Ride across America, for the
Fuller Center for Housing. The donation will be made from the annual Budgeted Outreach Fund.
If you would like to make a donation towards this goal, please make your check out to St. Dunstan's, with Fred Smoak's Bicycle Ride in the memo line. The Ride, starting in Seattle, will end at St. Dunstan's on August 13, 2016, with a dinner provided for all those who would like to welcome the cyclists.
Elin Botha
Outreach Chair
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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 I
n Need of Healing:
Don Larrabee,
Infirm in nursing care
Mary Jane Owen,
Recovering from a fall
Curt Shively,
Husband of Susan Burkhalter,
In nursing care
Joan Henley
, Recovering from a fall
Gina Tshibaka,
late stage cancer, friend of Jay and Jackie Karlin
Jim Burch,
father of Boots Quimby, liver cancer
Cameron Vivanco,
for a safe and healthy delivery of their child.
The flowers
are given to the glory of the risen Lord.
We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries,
Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, the parish of Buen Pastor, and all affected by the recent earthquakes.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please complete our prayer request form by clicking
here.
The 2016 Altar Flower Chart is on the bulletin board in the Front Hall. Sundays are available and need sponsors. The Flower Guild depends on your contributions to fund our beautiful arrangements each Sunday. 9 a.m. families are invited to support the flower offerings in our church. Donate flowers in memory of a loved one, to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays, or just because. Sign up on the Flower Chart in any open spot. Sponsoring the flowers cost $60.00. Send a check to the office or put it in the offering plate on Sundays. Be sure to write "flowers" in the memo line, and include the wording of your dedication. Thank you!
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The Fifth Sunday of Easter
April 24, 2016
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist
9:50 a.m. Sandwich Making
10:45 a.m. Traditional Eucharist
The readings for this Sunday are:
Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148,
and John 13:31-55
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guides:
Joanne Comstock
and John Wyss
Liturgical Coordinator:
Jackie Bray
Eucharistic Ministers: Joanne Comstock and Rosi Sweeney
Lector: Cathie Morton
Prayer Minister: Sue Newman
Altar Guild: Ann Johnson
Flower Guild: Ann Boyd
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Donna Courtney
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