 |
I learned from an early age to be a doer. I had excellent examples in both of my parents and many others around me. I was steeped in the work ethic of my northern European ancestors. Early in my young adult years however I began to hear about and value the importance of being quiet and listening for God's voice and direction - a significant learning in my journey.
Today we have two familiar stories - the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah in the wilderness and the visit of Jesus to Martha and Mary. In one, Abraham sees the three approach his tent and hastens to welcome and then he and Sarah quickly go about the busy-ness of preparing and creating a meal for them. In the other, Jesus is greeted by Martha, who also goes about busying herself with preparations of hospitality, while her sister sits at Jesus' feet to listen.
Our lives are full, are calendars are full; but Jesus calls us to something different. What is that? Surely he is not asking us to be inhospitable or to not do our daily tasks and duties. Yes, some of us may need to find ways to open space in our lives for God to enter in. This is important so that we are refreshed and renewed to do all of those things in our lives. But just maybe Jesus is asking us to look for another way to
be in our
doing.
How might we lessen the worry and distraction from the endless lists and tasks in our everyday life? What does Jesus mean when he says, "
there is need of only one thing, Mary has chosen the better part ... ." Sometimes art can help us to see differently. I invite you to take in the image being used this week, and pray with that image and these words.
|
|
|
|
|
Summer Book Group in July ...
|
Join Jeff for a discussion of two recent, notable books on two
Sundays, July 17th and 24th, from 9:50-10:35 a.m. in the parish hall:
Between the World and Me by
Ta-Nehisi Coates, and
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by
Rebecca Skloot.
************************************************************
In a profound work that pivots from the biggest questions about American history and ideals to the most intimate concerns of a father for his son, Ta-Nehisi Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation's history and current crisis. Americans have built an empire on the idea of "race," a falsehood that damages us all but falls most heavily on the bodies of black women and men-bodies exploited through slavery and segregation, and, today, threatened, locked up, and murdered out of all proportion. What is it like to inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its burden? Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates's attempt to answer these questions in a letter to his adolescent son.
 Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She
was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells-taken without her knowledge in 1951-became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. Henrietta's cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can't afford health insurance. This phenomenal New York Times bestseller tells a riveting story of the collision between ethics, race, and medicine; of scientific discovery and faith healing; and of a daughter consumed with questions about the mother she never knew.
Watch the remake of the TV documentary
Roots to provide additional background as we consider race in America.
|
|
|
|
|
Musical Play by our Young People
...
|
A musical play based on the biblical stories of Creation and Resurrection will be presented at both services on
Sunday, July 24
. Longtime St. Dunstan's members will remember the many pla
ys performed by our Junior Choir some years ago. We're delighted to renew this tradition, with some former players (now in high school and college) and some new, younger players.
Please come to see and hear their production of "New Creation" in place of the sermon on July 24. Jessica Ault and Leslie and Jeff MacKnight will be assisting.
|
|
|
|
Soul Sisters will meet Friday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. We will discuss questions posed by Parker J. Palmer: "How can I make more life-giving choices about what to put into the world AND how to deal with what the world sends back - choices that might bring new life to me, to others, and to the world we share?"
If you have questions or would like to be apart of the soul sister's email list, please contact
Sue Carroll.
|
|
|
|
Hot off the press these new magnets will share a message to the larger community. Wherever your car goes, our Church's message goes - to commuters, shoppers, fellow workers, and anyone else that sees your car.
These are available now! So pick one up the next time you are at the Church!
Courtesy of the Growth Committee.
|
|
|
|
Report on Outreach 7/10/2016
Present at the meeting at St. Dunstan's: Jeff, Sue von, Rosi Sweeney, Paul Johnson, Helene Hemus and Elin Botha.
Of the $10,000 set aside for Outreach in 2016, there is approximately $5,500, plus an additional amount in the Capital Campaign Fund for Outreach.
Proposals and requests were discussed and the following allocations approved:
1. $2,000 to Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington 'Empower the Homeless' Campaign.
2. $2,000 to Five Talents Ministry for micro finance ministry in Jakarta, Indonesia. [We felt that we could not allocate the full amount of the request for $6,000.]
These are both Episcopal based organizations.
3. $1,000 for refugees to the Assemblies of God missionaries Aaron and Winnie in Croatia. To be sent immediately for purchase of essential items by Aaron and Winnie. This is the same program for refugees which we assisted last year when we sent a variety of warm items, and cash.
Later in the year we will consider allocating a further amount for a refugee program; the parish may become more involved with a refugee program locally. If not, we will consider another donation to the Assemblies of God for their work in Croatia.
4. We will continue to support the education of children at the Buen Pastor School, Quito, Ecuador. For the past year St. Dunstan's supported one child, a number of parishioners have been supporting 2 children, and others donated $32 each, for a total of 4 children. In the past the cost has been $380 per child per year.
5. $1,200 for Sandwich making expenses for the next 6 months. The making of sandwiches the last Sunday of the month between services has been a very positive parish project.
To cover all these allocations, we will need to use some of the Capital Campaign Outreach Funds.
Elin Botha
Outreach Chair
|
|
|
|
|
Fred Smoak's Bike Ride Update
...
|
7/07/2016- I am in Utah!
It's been a tough week. We had only one day off in the past 10 from riding. And you can see from the elevation map that today had its challenges as well. The mountain was manageable though.
 Tonight we are hosted by an Episcopal church!
I cannot get into the sanctuary, but it appears to be a lovely and historic space. If I can, I will send a picture tomorrow.
On the whole, it has been a tough week. The wind coming up the valley was right in our faces.
I hope all of you are enjoying your summer as much as I am. See you 8/13.
7/13/2016- Made it CO!
As you can see, have passed into CO! We are in Craig now tomorrow is a build day with the local Fuller Center. At the end of this week the trip will be 1/2 over.
I remain awed by the hospitality we experience. Most churches seem to consider a part of their own Christian mission to care for us. In some cases they are providing for us from their abundance, but some places are pretty hard scrabble and depended on oil, coal & mining-all industries under stress. However, these people have welcomed us, fed us royally in spite of their own needs, and given us the best of their hospitality.
As you can see, the bike is awesome. It would have been nice to hit 50, but I will have other chances. It's mainly a question of whether I can keep off the brakes on some of these hills. When I am going that fast and feel buffeted by crosswinds, it's hard not to try and get to a more reasonable speed.
My best to all of my St Dunstan's family. You helped make his possible & I am deeply appreciative.
Fred Smoak
|
|
|
|
Lifelong Christian Formation ...
|
Summer Movie Nights 
Friday, July 29 and August 26
Family Fun for all ages!
Invite Friends!
This is a great way to introduce friends and neighbors to the St. Dunstan's community.
6:00 p.m. Simple Supper
6:30 p.m. Movie followed by
Pajama Prayers
Join us for a fun evening that includes a simple supper followed by the selection and showing of a movie that will be suitable for young children. If we have teens attend, a second movie will be offered in the youth room for the more sophisticated crowd. Following the film we will come together for Pajama Prayers. We're looking for a host family for each night - speak with Sue if you'd like to help with set up and clean up. This is easy and would only add about 15 minutes to the before and after times of the evening - plus you get to use the Popcorn machine!
Fall Formation Programs for All Ages
This fall there will be a variety of formation programs offered on Sunday mornings between the services from 9:50 to 10:35 a.m. One Sunday each month we will build relationships within our community through Second Sunday Socials. We will be formed through hands-on-ministry as we make sandwiches for Martha's Table on the last Sunday of each month. Seasonally we will have special events that are Intergenerational with special speakers or activities, like the Painting Table last year. On most other Sundays the focus for all ages will be the basics of the Christian Faith and how we as Episcopalians live out that faith in our world today.
Get Involved in Forming Faith
Would you like to be a part of a planning team for adult, youth or children's formation? Do you like to tell stories, or make crafts, or play games? Maybe you'd like to lead some of our children's programs. Are you someone who likes to discover or work together to find the answers to questions? Sounds like walking with our youth in their faith journey might just be the right place for your ministry. Have you have been on a study tour, or taken a class on prayer, or been involved with a great ministry program? Consider being a presenter for one of our adult forums. Email or talk with Sue!
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Christian Formation Coordinator
|
|
|
|
Walk in funds are needed - for emergency assistance with food, medicine, and transportation. If you would like to donate to the walk in fund, please see Kimberly Matthews in the church office, or place funds marked
"walk -in fund" in the collection plate. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Trail Guides Needed
Join the St. Dunstan's trail guides. Greet parishioners and newcomers on Sundays, hand out bulletins, and assist with the service. If you are interested in becoming a St. Dunstan's trail guide for the 10:45 a.m. service, please contact
Rosemarie Barrett.
Kimberly Matthews
Parish Administrator
|
|
|
|
|
Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
|
 I
n Need of Healing:
Don Larrabee,
infirm in nursing care
Mary Jane Owen,
Recovering from an accident
Curt Shively,
husband of Susan Burkhalter,
in nursing care
Gina Tshibaka,
late stage cancer, friend of Jay and Jackie Karlin
Janet Crampton,
recovering from a hip surgery.
Penelope McCormick
, mother of Ryan McCormick
Matthew Barrett,
son of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett, recovering from illness.
John Riordan,
father of Meghan Jarvis, ill
The flowers
are given to the glory of God by Bob and Mimi Betz in thankfulness for their daughters, Adele and Barbara.
We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries,
Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, the parish of Buen Pastor.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please complete our prayer request form by clicking
here.
DO YOU REMEMBER ... A birthday, anniversary, or loved one?
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 or you may share a sponsorship for $30.00. 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!
|
|
|
|
|
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 17, 2016
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist
9:50 a.m. Summer Book Club
10:45 a.m. Traditional Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
Genesis 18:1-10, Psalm 15,
and Luke 10:38-42
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
|
Serving this Sunday
Trail Guides:
Rosemarie Barrett
and Julie Anderson
Liturgical Coordinator:
Rosi Sweeney
Eucharistic Ministers: Sue Carroll
Lector: Jackie Karlin
Altar Guild: Ann Johnson
Flower Guild: Sue Newman
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Donna Courtney
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
