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Jesus' Transfiguration, and Ours
Jesus climbed a mountain with a few of his disciples, perhaps uncertain about what course his ministry should take. Would preaching kindness, healing people, and gathering a small community be enough? Or did God demand more of him: a hard road of challenge to the status quo, standing up to the powers that be, announcing God's Kingdom of love and mercy on earth?
The event we commemorate today - Jesus' Transfiguration - changed Jesus. It set Jesus on a new, more dangerous course. He encountered his Hebrew forebears, Moses and Elijah, and realized that his mission was like theirs: to lead humanity out of bondage into freedom.
Faithful, stumbling disciple Peter is there to witness it, but his vision is not big enough. Peter offers to build a shrine - "three booths" - to contain all this wonderful holiness! But God thunders from heaven, dismissing this idea, and confirming Jesus' mission to save the whole world through his self-giving.
At St. Dunstan's today,
we gather to consider our life as a church, a community of Christ. We elect leaders and conduct our formal business. But that's not enough. God calls us out of our own shrine here on Mass. Avenue, to carry the Word of God into the world surrounding us. We have no other purpose than to transfigure lives for Christ. And surely, our own lives must be transformed before we can take that Good News to others.
St. Dunstan's is a wonderful church and I love it. But we need new passion for the transforming work of Christ. Maintaining our "shrine" is not enough. Awful as it was, Jesus' Cross has infinitely more power than any shrine ever could. Why? Because Jesus poured out his life, his love, for us on that cross. And he calls us to do the same. Are you ready? JBM
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Lenten Spiritual Retreat ...
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 Fellow parishioners.
Mark your calendars for this year's Lenten retreat. The retreat is from
4:30 p.m. Friday, March 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4
, and is open to all men and women of St. Dunstan's.
Retreat is a time for earnest conversation and reflection. We laugh, we share, we inquire, ponder, learn and grow. There is ample time for discussion and meditation, good food, great fellowship, we conclude with Eucharist.
The theme is
"False Self, True Self; Relinquishing Control, Finding Peace". Jeff leads the discussions, which will draw from writings by Richard Rohr, and from "The Deeper Journey" by Robert Mulholland Jr.
Lodgings may be had at The Woods or several rental cabins nearby.
Meals are shared. Participants bring beverages, dessert, breakfast and lunch items.
You may travel solo or rideshare. Cost is minimal.
Sue Newman
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University of Jamestown Choir ...
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 The University of Jamestown Concert Choir (from my alma mater) will be performing at St. Dunstan's on March 10, 2017 as part of their Spring Break Choir Tour.
While on tour, they stay with host families from the churches they sing at. If you are willing to host students, please let Jessica Ault know how many you can host (at least 2) at
701-320-7837
or
[email protected]
or sign up using this form.
We are also asked to provide a meal for the singers the night of the concert, so if you are willing to help with preparations for that please let Jessica know. We hosted the choir a few years ago and it was a great experience! I sang in this choir throughout my college career and the spring tour was always a highlight of the year. I hope you can join us and spend time with these great students!
Jessica Ault
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The benefits of meditation for a joyful, peaceful, balanced life are well-known. Anglican Christianity has deep contemplative traditions to share. Would you be interested in an introduction/training/practice session on meditation, here at St. Dunstan's? If so, please let Jeff know so we could schedule it during Lent.
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Transfiguration - what would that mean for us?
This
Sunday, February 26
the children will have a chance to learn more about the story of the
Transfiguration
. During the formation hour the parish will gather for the Annual Meeting and the children will gather in the youth room for games and activities.
Lent in a Box 
Beginning this Sunday, February 26 a new resource will be available for families (and individuals) called Lent in a Box. This is a take-home resource that will offer different ways for families and individuals to engage the season of Lent. Prayer, fasting and alms-giving cards will offer suggests for all to do one simple daily task. There are also suggestions for an easy in-home weekly activity that engages scripture and opens the possibility of a faith conversation together.
One box per household until the supplies are gone - there should be plenty for all!
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation
Coordinato
r
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Faith & Sexuality Conversations ...
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Talking with our children about Sexuality
March 3-5, 2017
The Episcopal Church has recently published a new curriculum called
These are Our Bodies: Teaching Faith and Sexuality at Church and at Home
. Montgomery County Episcopal parishes are hosting a conversation with specialist Jenny Beaumont one of the co-authors of this new curriculum. There will be opportunities for staff members to meet with Jenny on Friday afternoon and youth leaders to be trained in using the new curriculum on Sunday afternoon.
More importantly there will be two great opportunities for our families to engage.
How to Talk to Your Children about God and Bodies will give parents of preschool through elementary-aged children an opportunity to learn from Jenny. This will take place on Saturday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held Grace Episcopal Day School. The cost of this evening is $10 per person and requires a prior registration.
A special program called
He, She, We and God
will take place on Friday, March 3 in the evening and on Saturday, March 4 in the morning and afternoon. This program empowers parents and their 5th and 6th grade youth to talk about sexuality in a safe and faith-filled environment. The cost of this program for each youth and their parents is $50 and requires prior registration. Because of the nature of the program the registration is limited, so please register as soon as possible.
Last call to register for these events - Please do this today!
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation
Coordinato
r
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Dunstan's Youth Group - Thursday, March 2
All 5th through 12th graders!
Program 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Baptism
We begin our learning about the two major sacraments of the church this month - Baptism and Eucharist. Again we will seek some of our learning from the Catechism in our
Book of Common Prayer
and the service of Baptism itself.
All Christian churches celebrate the service of Baptism even though many denominations emphasize different things about the rite. All use water and similar words, " ... baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."
Parents, be sure to talk to your young people about their baptism this week. Maybe even share pictures or stories about that day in the life of your child.
P.R.A.Y. (Potomac River Anglican [Area-Amazing-Awesome] Youth
)
Our next event is still in the process of being planned for Sunday, March 19. Please hold that afternoon open for some fun and games! Details will be sent to parents as soon as possible and will be updated in next week's Trailblazer.
Please put the following dates on your calendar for these joint youth events:
March 19
+
April 9
+
May 21
Friends are always welcome at any youth program!
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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Latest News
: St Columba's Refugee family arrived yesterday and will be living in Silver Spring. The family--a father, a mother and 3 boys (ages 7, 13 and 14) will be finishing paperwork, enrolling in school and otherwise getting settled this week. The father, who worked as an HVAC technician on the U.S. Army base, has good English as does the oldest son. With good english and technical skills, employment prospects look good.
St Dunstan's may be called upon to assist during the settlement process.
Refugee Welcome Kits: We continue to collect "Welcome Kits" for refugee families. Please pick up a Welcome Kit "inventory" and contribute as you are able. Welcome kit items can be put in the lobby, near the stairwell. They will be taken to Lutheran Social Services. We hope to continue collecting through Easter week.
Meeting Sunday March 5. All who are interested in the refugee projects are invited. We hope to "think together" about how St Dunstan's can best continue to help with incoming refugees and those who are still in camps abroad. Details to follow as to time and agenda.
Ray Donnelly
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Wanted: Baptismal Candidates for the Easter Vigil!
Saturday evening before Easter was the time for Baptisms in ancient Christianity. Our unique and beautiful Easter Vigil service (4/15, 7:30 p.m.) is enhanced when we include this sacrament. Perhaps you or a family member have been considering baptism. Please let Jeff know.
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On Sunday
March 26 at 12:30 pm
we will welcome the Free Minds Book Club here at St. Dunstan's. Tara Libert, formerly a television news producer and now the Executive Director of Free Minds, will describe how books, creative writing, and peer support are being used to awaken incarcerated DC youth to their creative and life-giving potential. We will hear the life stories of two "Poet Ambassadors" who are graduates of Free Minds Book Club. Following their presentations there will be an opportunity for everyone to read extraordinary poetry, to annotate the pages of poems with encouraging feedback and the poetry will be returned to the currently incarcerated poet authors. A light lunch will be provided
.
For more information, please contact Julie Petersmeyer.
Julie Petersmeyer
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Explore Ministry with Prisoners ...
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Healing Our Communities: Prison Ministry & Welcoming Returning Citizens
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Matthew 25:35-40
Join us at the Forum on March 19th for a conversation about prison ministry, welcoming returning citizens and healing our communities. I will share a bit of my experience and perspective serving as a spiritual counselor for ten years to men and women who are incarcerated. We will begin to explore connecting with our neighbors across lines of race, class and privilege.
Expanded Forum, March 26, 12:30-2:00 p.m.:
Plans for an opportunity to meet with returning citizens and a nonprofit that assists them is in the works. Details to follow.
Tour of Montgomery County Correctional Facility, April 1, 9:00-11:00 a.m.: The Montgomery County Correctional Facility is a state of the art detention facility in Boyds, Maryland and houses up to 1,028 men and women. We will have the opportunity to tour the facility and learn about their education, employment, religious, and pre-release services in addition to volunteer opportunities. The tour is limited to 15 individuals and names must be submitted a week prior to the tour for clearance purposes. Sign up sheet in Founders Hall.
Just Mercy
Book Group: As a follow-up to the forums and the tour of MCCF, a book group will be offered on the national bestseller, Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. Just Mercy is the powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us and a call to address the brokenness of our criminal justice system. Bryan Stevenson has been called "America's young Nelson Mandela" by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Book group will convene after Easter.
Julie Petersmeyer
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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
Curt Shively,
husband of Susan Burkhalter,
in nursing care
John Riordan,
father of Meghan Jarvis, ill
Ken Farnsworth
, ill at home in Wheaton
Carmine Smith,
mother of Nancy Douglas, ill
Troy Kravitz,
brain surgery
Sue von Rautenkranz
, recovering from Surgery
David and Karen Keegan
, friends of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett, fighting cancer
Pam Plaisance
, diagnosed with cancer, cousin of Sue von
Samantha Barnes,
ill,
sister of Muriel Croston
The flowers
are given to the glory of God.
We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries,
Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, and 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.
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The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
February 26, 2017
9:00 a.m. Family Service
9:50 a.m. Annual Meeting
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 100
and Matthew 17:1-9
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Host Family: Brazelton
Greeter: Jackie Jones and Chuck Cash
Trail Guide: John Wyss
and Joanne Comstock
Liturgical Coordinator: Sue Newman
Eucharistic Ministers: Carl Adams
and Joanne Comstock
Prayer Minister:
Julie Petersmeyer
Altar Guild: Ann Johnson
Flower Guild: Ann Boyd
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Frank Johnson
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