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Cuddling a baby. Sitting up with a family member who's going through hard times. Making that last phone call of the evening, to check on a friend. Sending a check to Doctors without Borders. Stopping to talk with that homeless guy who's always begging near the Metro. Helping a coworker who's heading down a destructive path. Standing up for someone whose rights are getting trampled.
All these are acts of love. Our new parish theme, introduced in car magnets and banners, is
"Love Practiced Here." When I think of the Gospel of Jesus - both what it promises us, and what it demands of us - it all comes down to love. The practice of love is our calling and our mission, day in and day out, in all kinds of circumstances.
Talking about love of God is easy; practicing Christian love is not. Why? Because Christ asks a lot of us. We are not to look after only our own interests, but invest in the wellbeing of others, in the common good. We are not to return evil for evil, but to stop the cycle of violence and seek ways to forgive.
This fall at St. Dunstan's, we'll explore this call of our Lord Jesus, this call to practice love. In sermons, adult formation, and articles like this one, we'll try to get very specific and practical about the practice of love. Love can be hard. But if love were not possible, Jesus would not exhort us to practice it.
One trap I regularly fall into is this: I start thinking about the huge mess the world is in, and I begin to believe that nothing I can do will make a difference. I might as well keep my head down, and protect my own little world as best I can. But Jesus doesn't ask us to love the whole world. Only God can love the whole world. Jesus asks us simply to
love our neighbor...the one next to us in line, the person we work with or play with, the people in our families, the cashier at the grocery store. Sometimes we have a chance to expand our circle of neighbors...for instance, we are exploring
a parish effort to resettle refugees in our area this fall. Someone far away and strange to us can become our neighbor this way.
I hope you'll join this conversation about practicing love. What have you learned? What do you find difficult? What rewards - and costs - of love have you experienced in your life? JBM
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Sandwich Making
... This Sunday!
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Lifelong Christian Formation ...
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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 - Teachers NEEDED!
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!
Children's Formation Programs 
We begin formation programs for children in September with a focus on what we believe, how we pray, and learning the stories of Jesus. We hope your children will join us for learning, fun, games, activities and growing in faith. Register your children here.
Youth Programs for 2016-2017
Last Chance to Splash!
Come to the last splash of summer on
Sunday, August 28 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Kenwood Country Club pool. All entering 5th through 12th graders are invited - along with your friends - to enjoy a couple hours of play in the water. Please sign-up in Founders' Hall or
here no later than 8/24. There is no cost for this event. Bring your swimsuit and towel.
There are two new ways for youth to engage in fun and formation during this program year and we are excited about what will happen! Register youth here for this year's programs and be sure to fill out the year-long permission form.
Thursday Night Dunstan's Youth Group
Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Program from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
1st and 3rd Thursdays - beginning on September 15
This is open to all youth in grades 5 through 12 and will be lead by both Sue and Jeff. It will include games, community building, and being formed in faith. Some of the formation program will be specifically directed toward preparing youth for Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation would be an option in the spring for those who have completed 8th grade or above.
Collaboration Youth Events
Beginning with an event on September 18, we are joining with
St. David's, St. Patrick's and
Church of the Redeemer to bring together our youth for fun, service and learning. These events will happen once a month and take place on Sunday afternoons. The specifics of each event will be announced via the Trailblazer and through emails to parents and youth.
Our first event will take place on
Sunday, September 18 at the
GW Summit
Outdoor Challenge Course
at GWU's Foxhall Rd. Campus from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The cost for this event is $15 per person. Participants will be required to sign a waiver form. Sign-up in Founders' Hall or here, no later than Thursday, September 15. Waiver forms and year-long permission forms have been sent to all parents, are available on the youth page of the web site, and are available in Founder's Hall.
Please put the following dates on your calendar for these joint youth events:
September 18 - October 16 - November 20 - December 18 - January 18
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Christian Formation Coordinator
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Car Magnets
... "Love Practiced Here"
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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 who sees your car.
These are available now! So pick one up the next time you are at the Church!
Courtesy of the Growth Committee.
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Adult Choir Kick-Off
September 1, 2016
We Saved a Seat for YOU!
The beginning of the program year is just around the corner, and to get ready, we will begin regular adult choir rehearsals on
Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing, reading music is not necessary, and there is no audition to join. We would love to have you join us this year - try choir out for a few weeks this fall!
All other regular Thursday night music activities (Hand bells, Children's Choir, Thursday Night Supper, Pajama Prayers, etc.) will begin on
Thursday, September 16. Watch the news letter for more details.
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Homecoming Sunday ... Save the Date!
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Parking Lot Repairs
A very generous neighbor of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett has kindly offered to assist St. Dunstan's with parking lot repairs. The repairs will be done over time. While they are in progress, please pardon and respect the road blocks.
We would like to sincerely thank Joe Albert of Albert Paving for his generous donation of time and materials to repair the church parking lot.
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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n Need of Healing:
Don Larrabee,
infirm in nursing care
Mary Jane Owen, r
ecovering from an accident
Curt Shively,
husband of Susan Burkhalter,
in nursing care
Janet Crampton,
recovering from a hip surgery.
Penelope McCormick
, mother of Ryan McCormick
John Riordan,
father of Meghan Jarvis, ill
Alayne Kandell
, sister of Jay Karlin, ill
Ken Farnsworth
, ill at home in Wheaton
The flowers
are given to the glory of God by Charles Cash and Jackie Jones in celebration of their marriage August 28, 2015.
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.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CELEBRATE?
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!
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The Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 28, 2016
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist
9:50 a.m. Sandwich Making
10:45 a.m. Traditional Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Psalm 112,
and Luke 14:1, 7-14
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guide:
Julie Anderson
Greeter:
Trudy Surut
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Eucharistic Minister: Rosi Sweeney
Lector: Cathie Morton
Prayer Minister: Rosi Sweeney
Altar Guild
:
Ann Johnson
Flower Guild: Sue Newman
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Bob Boyd
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