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Annual Giving 2018 ...
Did you know that, according to the New York Times, generosity really does make us happier?
Scientists have tested this premise that many of us believed from our own experience. They recruited 50 people and tested their current level of happiness. Then they gave them all $25 per week for a month. Half were asked to spend the money on themselves. The other half were instructed to choose a new recipient each week on whom to spend the money.
At the end of the month, the subjects' mood/happiness was tested again. Those who gave the money away were significantly happier than those who spent it on themselves!
This comes as no surprise to Christians, of course - Jesus taught generosity, and said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Giving is good for us. JBM
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We are all connected
How do you think about your loved ones who have died? Do you feel a connection with them? The Feast of All Saints tells us that we are connected, the living and the dead, the church on earth and church in heaven. When I think of my departed grandmother in my prayers, I am participating in the Communion of Saints - that fellowship of all who are in Christ.
Since we believe in the persistence of personality after death, we naturally desire communion with the departed ones. As we pray for the wellbeing of living friends and loved ones, and those who are suffering, so we pray for the peace of those who have died. As we ask each other for prayers when we are in need, so we can ask the prayers of saints and loved ones who are departed. Of course, praying to the saints can be taken to superstitious lengths; the Reformation largely condemned masses said for the dead to assist their purification in purgatory. But the reformers affirmed that our fellowship with departed loved ones continues. Martin Luther wrote:
"The holy Christian church is the communion of saints, the total number of those who believe in Christ. All believers in Christ, but only believers, are members of the church (invisible church)."
This does not limit the communion of saints to those who are particularly virtuous; Luther believed in salvation by God's grace alone.
And What of Halloween?
Of course, making Christian claims about the relationship between the living and the departed is subject to superstition and fantastical interpretations - that's where we get Halloween, with all its ghosts and ghouls. If we Christians can have fun with Halloween and laugh at the spooks, it is because we are firm in our belief that God reigns in love over all - the living and the dead. All are contained in God's loving embrace; we have nothing to fear! JBM
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All Saints Sunday Remembrances ...
Honoring those who have gone before us.
Anne Wood , Edythe Cardon, John Cardon, William Marke, Margaret Gilliam Harris, Donald R. Larrabee, Jane Winer, Walter Johnson, Ida Shoaf, Paul Shoaf, Marty Regan, Jack Regan, Carter von Rautenkranz,
John Rice, Ashley Rice, Chris MacKnight, David MacKnight, Barbara MacKnight, Frank MacKnight,
Pat Pongracz, Elinor Garlem Burton, Ernest Garlem, Eileen Nicosia, Hollis Cullingworth, Jed Cullingworth, Mary Allthea Boyd, Betty Boyd Cendella, Bob Cendella, Clive Botha, Ethel Rose, Dr. Lu Gomez, Eurston Sneed, Lucy Waters Sneed, William Sneed, Annie Burroughs, Matthews Burroughs, Jamel Sneed, William Blanchard Crowther Marke, Charles Bennett Hamilton, Patience Gemina Hamilton, Cecilia Lydia Crowther, Bennetta Hamilton, Nancy Natoli, William Hall, Philip Bickle, Craig Tooley, Edward Kristal, Alice Hopper, Kirk Hopper, Katherine Adams, George Adams, Charles Ayodele Hamilton, William Comstock, Doris Comstock, Jennifer Mooney, Garnet Boesch, Caroline Wyss, Walther Wyss, Lee E. Surut, Alice Tulley, David Tulley, Ruth Surut, Louis Surut, Elaine Herman, Bob Herman, Brian Joseph Crane, Vicky Karpathy, Annie Braganza Donese Montemayor, Ronald White, Estheranne White, Thelma Louise Kanatzer Burkhalter, Donald Scellato, Marylou Whelan, Norman G. Paulhus, Madeline Peeler, Francis D. Scellato, John Stitzer, Joseph Betz, Barbara Beauclerk Betz
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It's that time of year again! Helping the families served by N.C.C.F. to have a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. Let's try to equal our giving of last year. There are still a few empty baskets in Founders' Hall.
It is a simple and fun activity for the whole family. Take a basket and flyer and head for your favorite grocery store. Be sure to hand your $25 gift card to Jeff or Sue.
Please return your filled basket to the church no later than Sunday, November 12!
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Help us help refugees ...
Refugee Training for Volunteers and More
Please help us provide First Aid kits for refugee families! Lutheran Social Services let us know that they are in very short supply as they help families settle in.
If you would like to contribute, please contact parishioner Fred Bentley
or
(202) 215-8340
. He will help collect money or kits to take to Lutheran Social Services.
Donna Alvarez attended tutor training sponsored by Montgomery County's Welcoming Our New Neighbors program. Other St Dunstan's volunteers have expressed interest; more are welcome. Patty Larson is a coordinator with that program and you can contact her at
240-355-5140 for details.
Fred
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Join a Private Tour of Fabulous Christian Art
 One of our partner churches in the support of refugees is Saints Peter & Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Potomac, Maryland. When we attended their gala last spring, many of us were stunned by the beautiful artwork in their Sanctuary. We asked if a group from St. Dunstan's could come back some time to learn more about it - and we've finally set a date! The youth group will be going, and adults are invited to come, too.
This Monday evening,
November 6, at 7:00 pm, Father Isaac Crow will lead us in a tour of their Sanctuary and explain some of the meaning of the Orthodox Iconography and Liturgical Art. You are welcome to gather at St. Dunstan's & caravan or carpool together - we'll need to leave by
6:30 pm. Or, just meet us at Saints Peter & Paul at
10620 River Road in Potomac. We expect the tour to last about half an hour, and we should be back at St. Dunstan's by
8 pm.
Sue Carroll
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Christian Formation for Children and Youth ...
It time to learn about the saints and create shields for our life as saints of the church. Yes, according to St. Paul we are all saints. While we might not be known centuries later, all of us are called to be saints in our daily life.
We will talk about the various saints who are famous in the well-known hymn,
I sing a song of the saints of God, share stories of the people who have been saints in our lives, and create a shield that depicts how we are saints for Jesus.
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Pie and Stuffing Party 
Join in the fun at the National Center for Children and Families on
Wednesday, November 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Participants come from all over Bethesda to help stuff the remainder of the Thanksgiving baskets for families to enjoy a wonderful dinner. Following the stuffing party all are invited to a pie buffet!
All ages are welcome from the very young to the very old. This is a great opportunity for the whole family to serve those in need. Students can earn SSL hours for participating in this event. Please bring your form to the event to be signed.
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Youth Formation
D.Y.G. Special Event
This coming
Monday, November 6 we will journey up river to see an amazing example of art that tells story. Our church is beautiful in its simplicity of style and color.
St. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church
tells
the biblical story in beautiful paintings that cover the walls of th
eir sanctuary
.
On this night we will gather at 6:15 and leave by 6:30 p.m. A simple "dinner-on-the-way" will be planned so that all can eat. We will return to St. Dunstan's by 8:00 p.m. Please let
Sue know that you plan to attend so we have enough food and transportation.
We will return to our regular Youth nights on November 20 with supper at 6:30 p.m. and the program from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
November P.R.A.Y. Event
ZavaZone - Fun in an Indoor Climbing Park!
Sunday, November 19
1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $35.00 per person
We will have an hour of free climbing and play in the entire facility followed by an exclusive 30 minutes in the Dodge-ball court. This will be followed by pizza and dessert.
Youth from St. Dunstan's will meet at the church and return there following the event. All participants in any of the play areas are required to fill out a waiver which is available on line here. Please do this prior to coming to the facility. Climbing time will be lost for those who must fill out the form on that day. Parents must be present if the form has not been filed online prior to the day of the event.
Friends are encouraged! Our event is limited to 30 climbers - so sign up early.
Sign-up deadline is Tuesday, November 14. Sign up on li
ne here.
Caroling & Secret Santa
Sunday, December 17
1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 15
Time - To Be Determined
L Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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Parish Notice
Update on Sunday Attendance -
Attendance at
10:45 a.m. rebounded to 45 last Sunday - a major increase. Numbers at the
9 a.m. service remained small. As we work to strengthen both our services, please let us know if there's a reason you are not coming to worship. We need to know about barriers or dissatisfaction which is affecting our worshiping community. Contact liturgy group members
Sue Carroll,
Rosi Sweeney,
Jackie Karlin, or
Jeff MacKnight.
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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 I
n Need of Healing:
Curt Shively
,
husband of Susan Burkhalter
,
in nursing care
Ken Farnsworth
, ill at home in Wheaton
David Keegan
, friend of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett, fighting cancer
Pam Plaisance
, fighting cancer, cousin of Sue von
Samantha Barnes,
ill,
sister of Muriel Croston
Ray Bridson
, friend of the MacKnights, fighting cancer
DJ Crane
, family friend of Trudy Surut, fighting cancer
Jay Karlin
, in nursing care
The flowers
are given to the glory of God by Donna Alvarez in thanks for friends and family.
Recently departed: Vicky Karparthy, friend of Jay and Jackie Karlin.
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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Reformation Sunday
November 5, 2017
9:00 a.m. Family Service
10:00 a.m. Life-Long Christian Formation
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
Revelations 21:1-6, Psalm 43,
and John 14:1-6, 15:9-11
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Host Family: McCormick
Trail Guide: Mark McCarthy
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Eucharistic Minister: Susan Carroll
and Carl Adams
Prayer Minister:
Sue Newman
Lector: Carl Adams
Flower Guild: Trudy Surut
Altar Guild: Ann Johnson
and Marsha Barnes
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez
and Donna Courtney
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