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Advent and the Unexpected
We often begin our church year singing "Come, thou long-expected Jesus," but actually, almost everything about the coming of Christ's birth was unexpected. Mary was in disbelief when the angel Gabriel announced her pregnancy. Mary's cousin Elizabeth was shocked by her own pregnancy. Joseph was certain nonplussed by Mary's being with child. And giving birth in a stable, well...that takes the cake. Nobody expected that!
What this story shows us is how much it matters how we choose to accept unexpected circumstances. It makes all the difference how we deal with the surprises life throws at us. We have choices: we can grumble about things, and lament the loss of the old way. Or we can accept that change is natural, celebrate all that has been good, and look for new opportunities in the new landscape of our lives.
St. Dunstan's is facing many changes these days - especially changes on our staff. St. Dunstan's has had trouble in the past dealing with staff changes, for many reasons. But I hope we can do better in the present. Changes in personnel are natural in any church, and we need to accept what is an inevitable part of life.
Most recent is the announcement that Michael Austin will leave us as music director at year's-end. While none of us wanted to lose Michael, we can celebrate his wonderful new job opportunity, and be positive about working with a new interim director, Joey Arkfeld. Good music will continue at St. Dunstan's!
Accepting the unexpected, and looking for good and new opportunities
: that is the best approach to change. What if Mary had said to Gabriel (to God!): "No thanks, I don't want to be involved in this plan..." ? What if Joseph had said, "This is too hard for me to handle..." ? What if all the people who met Jesus said, "No, I'll just keep on living the old way; I'm used to it..."? God's plan of salvation would have been thwarted, and we would have no church at all, no cup poured out for the forgiveness of sins, no blessed hope of everlasting life. Advent is a good time to renew our commitment to accepting, and embracing, the unexpected in our lives. JBM
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Men's Group Meeting ... Saturday 12/1 @ 9 a.m.
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All men welcome to a conversation about the holidays: as a man, what do you enjoy? What do you dread? What is difficult, maddening, or annoying? How do you deal with the gift giving frenzy? And how does your spiritual life fit into Christmas?
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Adult Formation ... This Sunday
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John Mendez - Bethesda Cares speaks Sunday, Dec. 2, 9:50 a.m.
Bethesda Cares provides services to homeless persons right here in our own town, helping get housing, healthcare, and jobs for folks in greatest need. John Mendez is director of Bethesda Cares, and will update us on the scope and nature of its work, and how we can be supportive of homeless people in our own neighborhoods.
John Mendez is the Executive Director of Bethesda Cares and has worked to provide coordinated care to vulnerable homeless populations for the past 18 years. While at Bethesda Cares, John has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for his work to end veterans homelessness. Also, in recognition of this work and military service, John had the distinct honor of being then Congressman Chris Van Hollen's guest at President Barack Obama's 2012 State of the Union Address to Congress. Later that year, John received the Dr. Wayne Fenton Memorial Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness for Montgomery County.
Prior to joining Bethesda Cares, John worked to end homelessness in West Virginia, and was a member of the WV State Interagency Council on Homelessness that brought together public, private, and nonprofit representatives to collaborate on homelessness and housing issues. In addition, John served as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps where he participated in Operations Provide Promise-Deny Flight (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) during two deployments with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit during 1990s.
John is a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. John and his wife Corey live in Montgomery County.
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Advent through Easter 2018 ...
Once More, with Feeling: Advent through Easter
Every year, the Church celebrates the life of Jesus, from the anticipation of Advent, through the birth at Christmas, into the shining light of Epiphany, through the shadow of sin and death in Lent, and finally bursting into new light and life at Easter. We do this because this story is of such central importance in our lives that we need to tell it and experience it, again and again. And each year, because we are in a new place in our own lives, the story will speak to us differently.
Children gravitate to the scenes of shepherds and sheep, stables and mangers, and bright stars in the sky. As we mature, we ponder want these signs might mean to us: what they say about Jesus, and how we fit into the story ourselves. Am I a "shepherd" in a dead-end job, longing for something to extraordinary and wonderful to happen? Am I the old man Simeon, who's been waiting for so long to know the redemption of God - to feel truly loved, accepted, and at peace?
I am pleased and privileged to walk with you, the people of St. Dunstan's, one more time through the life of Jesus in our liturgical seasons. We begin now, with Advent. How will we prepare - for the changes that Christ brings? We'll conclude with Easter - the central truth of our faith, that God brings us (and all things) from life, through death, and into new life. That is the shape - the template - of our life in Christ. We need to look for that new life, expect it, embrace it, and share it. That's our great challenge! Sometimes it's tempting to slide back into a failure of nerve, a familiar apathy, a quiet cynicism. But that's not God's call.
I'll be with you through the Third Sunday of Easter - May 5, 2019. I hope we'll have a big party that Sunday after church - a time to celebrate the great times we've had, the great things in store for St. Dunstan's. I hope you'll walk with me these next 6 months once more in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Christ of God.
Jeffrey B. MacKnight
Rector
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Advent 2018 ...
Intergenerational Event
Sunday, December 2
9:50 - 10:35 a.m.
Join us in the parish hall during our formation hour to learn, have fun, and be creative. This year we will have a chance to make a family Advent Wreath, color a poster to brighten our Giving Tree area, learn about and take home resources to assist us in keeping Advent well, and just be in community together. A simple Advent wreath prayer service will be available. Use it each time the wreath is lit.
Donations of greens would be very welcome. Please contact
Sue if you can bring some to the church.
Resources to assist in keeping Advent
Advent Word
- Was created by the brothers at the Society of St. John the Evangelist and partnering with Virginia Theological Seminary last year. It is a global Advent calendar throughout the Anglican Communion. Here is how it works: Sign up
here
to get the WORD of the day. Reflect on what that word means to you. Then use your favorite social media place to add your photo, reflection, or video. See what that word means to people all over the world.
 Advent Poster Calendar - work your way through this fun calendar each day of the season. Color it. Read the scriptures. Participate in the activities.
This is especially good for children as the anticipation of celebrating Christmas makes waiting so difficult. Available in Founder's Hall.
Advent Devotional Booklet - this resource comes from The Living Compass, an Episcopal organization which provides various tools to help individuals and communities to seek wholeness and wellness through reflection and conversat
ion. This booklet is designed for adults and can be used as a personal devotional, by creating a small group for conversation, or joining online conversations. Pickup a booklet, and if you desire more tools or ways to engage click
here
.
 Advent Giving Tree - Episcopal Relief and Development is The Episcopal Church's arm for providing disaster relief, resources, education, animals, water, and agricultural products to bring change to people around the world. This year we will focus on their Gifts for Life program, which allows each person or family to provide needed resources for people around the world. And the really good news is that
all of our donations will be matched! Take a tag off the tree, write a check to St. Dunstan's, place both in an envelope, and in the gift box.
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Christian Formation for Children and Youth ...
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Children's Ministry
Advent is Here!
Join us for an
Advent intergenerational event
on
Sunday, December 2
for some fun, creativity, and learning. Between the services from 9:50 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. We will learn some simple ways to observe the season without
adding
to the busy-ness of our lives. Families will be able to create an Advent Wreath and receive other resources to take home.
Family Christmas Pageant and Sing Along
On
Saturday, December 15 at 5:00 p.m. the Christmas story will be experienced through song, word and action. This year the children and youth from the Church of the Redeemer will join our children and youth as they lead our pageant. For most participants no rehearsals are needed. A great Chili Dinner will be served to conclude our evening.
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Youth Ministry
December Youth Nights
6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30-7:30 p.m. Program for youth in grades 5-12
December 5 at Church of the Redeemer
December 19 at St. Dunstan's
In December will be continuing our conversations about God with our focus on Jesus. We will be looking at the birth narratives in Scripture and comparing tho
se stories with what is portrayed in the many images of Christmas in our culture.
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P.R.A.Y Youth Events - Grades 5-12
Our December P.R.A.Y. event will be on Sunday, December 16. Youth will be Christmas Caroling & Secret Santa Exchange at Sibley's Oasis, their memory care unit. Parents are asked to drop off and pick up youth at the center. The time will be 2:00-4:00 p.m. A secret Santa exchange will be included in the afternoon activities. Please keep the cost of these gifts under $10. Youth are encouraged to wear crazy Christmas attire - hats, sweaters, etc. Sign up here.
January PRAY Event - MLK Day of Service - January 21 (Monday)
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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Family Christmas Sing Along and Pageant ... Save the Date!
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Celebrating Michael Austin
St. Dunstan's will gather to celebrate music director Michael Austin's ministry with us on
Sunday, December 9 at 10 a.m.
between the two services. Michael has been with us 4 years and has become a beloved part of our congregation. He was confirmed as an Episcopalian here, and supported the refinement of the 9 a.m. service in the church. Please come and wish him a fond farewell as he begins his new work as head of the School of Music at Louisiana State University in Ruston, LA. Michael will sing "Comfort Ye/Every Valley Shall Be Exalted" from Handel's "Messiah" at the late service on Dec. 9 as well - a rare treat to hear!
Michael will be with us at St. Dunstan's through Christmas Eve services.
A Message from Michael ...
As Jeff and I announced on Sunday, I have accepted an administrative position at a university in Louisiana, which is set to begin on January 1, 2019. This is a dream job of mine, and in this role, I will lead the current music department as it transitions into its own school, and I will be responsible for updating the music curriculum, hiring and mentoring new faculty, recruiting new students, maintaining accreditation, fundraising, program assessment, and developing stronger community relations, in addition to developing and teaching music technology courses (and, of course, other duties as assigned).
This does mean, though, that my last service at St. Dunstan's will be on Christmas Eve, December 24th. I really love the people of St. Dunstan's and cannot begin to express my gratitude for the love you've shown to Paul and me since I began my ministry here in 2014. I'm available to help as much as I can before I depart, and I know that the music of St. Dunstan's will be left in very capable hands. Please send me an e-mail or catch me at church if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Austin
Looking Ahead!
As part of the upcoming transition in our music staff, beginning on
December 15, our
Interim Music Director,
Joey Arkfeld, can be reached at
music@stdunstansbethesda.org. Michael Austin can be reached using his personal e-mail:
michael@mlaustin.com.
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Parish Notice ...
END OF THE YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS
Due to a mandate from our auditors, we will no longer be able to accept pledge balances paid for the fiscal year 2018 in 2019. With this in mind, we are asking that you
please fulfill your pledges by December 31, 2018 in order to receive proper credit for the year. All pledges receive and dated in the new year will be marked accordingly.
Kim Matthews
Parish Administrator
RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Below is a list of the members of the Rector Search Committee. If at any time your have questions or concerns, please reach out to one of the members of the committee or its chair, Chuck Cash.
Chuck Cash, Chair;
Donna Alvarez;
Fred Bentley;
Clint Chamberlin;
Meghan Jarvis;
Lynn Adduci Leonard;
Sue Newman;
John Wyss
301.320.3915
Committee Chair
COLUMBARIUM NICHES- Last chance!
St. Dunstan's Columbarium is an attractive site for interment of ashes. The Vestry has determined that the cost for each niche will be rising to
$2,500
each, effective January 1, 2019. If you would like to purchase a niche, you may do so in 2018 for the old cost of
$2,000.
Each niche can hold one or two urns of cremated remains. Please contact Carl Adams or the church office.
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Beautiful Lessons and Carols Service at Redeemer
If you love the music of Advent and Christmas, treat yourself to a beautiful service on Sunday, Dec. 9, 5 p.m. at Church of the Redeemer, 6201 Dunrobbin Drive, Bethesda. This service, based on that of King's College in Cambridge, UK, recounts the story of salvation through story and song. Redeemer has a wonderful choir and organ to enjoy.
Blue Christmas Service at Redeemer Church
Our neighbors, the Church of the Redeemer, will offer a special service for all who are dealing with grief and sadness around the Christmas holiday. For many, this time of year is difficult to get through, while the world seems to be all giddy with happiness. God is with us when we are sad and blue, too. The service is Monday, December 24, 2018, at noon, 6201 Dunrobbin Drive Bethesda.
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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
, at home in Westwood Towers
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
Phyllis Sweeney,
mother of Rosi Sweeney
Nancy Hay,
mother of Leslie MacKnight
The flowers at the altar
are given to the glory of the Lord.
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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Advent I
December 2, 2018
9:00 a.m. Family Service
9:50 a.m. Bethesda Cares Presentation
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
The readings for this Sunday are:
Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-9,
and Luke 21:25-36
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guide: Joanne Comstock
Liturgical Coordinator: Sue Newman
Crucifer:
Carl Adams
Lector: Carl Adams
Prayer Minister: Sue Carroll
Flower Guild:
Sue Newman
Altar Guild:
Ann Johnson
and Kiska Williams
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez and Chuck Cash
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