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Trail Notes ...
Planting Seeds
Art has a way of expressing deep truths that words fail to capture fully. I can barely draw a stick figure myself, but I love visual art for its beauty and for the story that it tells. In fact, one of the highlights of my week is choosing the image that will accompany Trail Notes and grace the cover of the Sunday bulletin. My hope is that the photograph or painting will cause folks to pause, if only for a moment, and think about the message that is imparted - perhaps in a new and altogether unexpected way.
This week is no exception. I recently discovered the work of contemporary artist James Janknegt, whose painting "World's Smallest Seed" is reproduced above. (You may remember another of Janknegt's pieces, "The Rich Man and Lazarus," from a few Sundays ago.) Janknegt imagines a tree, its branches home to some of God's most gorgeous winged creatures, while at its base lie the shops and skyscrapers of a city. I understand this image as Janknegt's interpretation of the parable that we will hear in our Gospel this week. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed, "the smallest of all the seeds on earth"; yet, Jesus continues, when the mustard seed is sown and takes root, "it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade" (Mark 4:31-32). It is a powerful image of hope and determination.
I love Janknegt's particular spin on Jesus because, if you notice, one of the shops at the foot of the tree is a seed store. "Exit Here!" the sign announces. As one blogger I follow suggests, that seed store is an apt image for the Church.[1] This is what we are about, after all: sowing the seeds of God's love and mercy and justice and compassion, which - tiny though they may seem in a world that is so often hostile to them - in time just might become "the greatest of all shrubs."
This Sunday marks the official launch of our annual Stewardship campaign here at St. Dunstan's, that time in our common life when we pause to thank God for all of God's abundant bounty that surrounds us on every side. This year's theme is, appropriately enough, "Planting Seeds." How might the seeds that we plant now take root and grow in the future? I look forward to exploring this question with you all in the weeks ahead with a spirit of hope and determination.
Yours faithfully and joyfully,
Patty+
[1]
https://2x2virtualchurch.com/art-in-religion-the-parable-of-the-mustard-seed/
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Stewardship 2020 begins this Sunday ...
As we celebrate Creation Season at St. Dunstan's, we reflect on our shared responsibility as stewards of God's creation. This is also the perfect time to reflect on our stewardship of St. Dunstan's itself. How are we caring & preparing for the ongoing strength of this worship community? Beginning this Sunday, October 20, we'll begin our annual month-long Stewardship Campaign, when we gather pledges, or estimates of financial giving through the coming year. There will be facts & figures - and there will also be festivities and food. So stay tuned! And start to think now about what St. Dunstan's means to you, and what you hope it can mean in the future.
Click
here to access the online pledge form!
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Brunch with the Rector ...
This Sunday, October 20: Youth Group "Brunch with the Rector"
All young people in grades 5-12 are invited to join our Rector, Patty Alexander, for brunch immediately following worship on Sunday, October 20. Friends are welcomed! If possible, please let us know how many plan to attend by Friday, October 18, so that we can be sure to have enough food.
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Creation Season 2019 ...
October is the "Season of Creation" at St. Dunstan's
At its annual Convention last January, the Diocese of Washington adopted a resolution inviting parishes to celebrate a Season of Creation in their worship. Here at St. Dunstan's we are observing this special season in October. Throughout the month we will pray for and celebrate God's Creation, asking specifically for God to help us protect, conserve, and preserve "this fragile earth, our island home" (Book of Common Prayer, Eucharistic Prayer C). This week's theme will be "Loving God's Gift of the Land."
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The Justice League Recommends ...
 What Can You Do to Promote Racial Equity in Montgomery County?
To find out, join Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church for a community forum on Racial Equity in Montgomery County.
Monday, October 21, 2019 @ 7:30 pm
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 5450 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda
Our keynote speaker is: Nancy Navarro - President, Montgomery County Council
The forum will focus on a legislative proposal before the Montgomery County Council to promote racial equity and social justice. Over the last several years, the Council has held a series of community meetings about disparate outcomes among County residents in wealth, housing, criminal justice, education, and health due to race. Bill 27-19 would establish a formal process for the County to address these persistent disparities. Among other things, the proposed bill would establish a racial equity and social justice office and would require the County Executive to submit a racial equity and social justice impact statement to the Council for each Bill and for each management initiative or program in the recommended budget.
Sponsored by St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Redeemer
__________________________________________________________________________
Gun Violence and Houses of Worship
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Adult Christian Formation Opportunities ...
Wednesday morning: Our midweek Bible Study takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30, and you are warmly welcomed! No preparation or previous knowledge is required: just bring an "inquiring and discerning heart" and a willingness to engage the Word. We are studying the Gospel of John, and we would be better for your presence. Bring a Bible if you have one, but if not, one will be provided. Infants and young children are welcomed, too!
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Mid Week Eucharist with Prayers for Healing ...
Mid Week Eucharist with Prayers for Healing: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.
Join us for this quiet, casual service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II, followed by (optional) prayers for healing. Come for Bible Study and stay, or just pop in for worship...You will be exactly "on time," whenever you arrive. (Please bring infants and young children, too!)
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Welcoming Events ...
Another Opportunity to Meet Our New Rector!
Thursday, October 24 at 10:00 am.
Frenchie Gogos will host a morning coffee at her house as a third option. Frenchie's address is 5109 Dalecarlia Drive, Bethesda, MD 20816.
Please plan to attend this event if you have not had the opportunity to meet Patty. Then, please email John Wyss or call him at (301-325-8367) so that he can track the number of participants at each event.
John B. Wyss
Transition Committee Chair
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Oktoberfest 2019 ... Save the Date!
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P.R.A.Y ...
Our next P.R.A.Y. event will a hayride and bonfire at Butler's Orchard on Sunday, October 27th. The outing will be free of charge! All you will need to do is sign up and show up. We will meet at Butler's Orchard,
22222 Davis Mill Rd, Germantown, MD 20876,
at 6:15 pm.
We will take a hayride through the orchard and finish the night roasting hot dogs
and making s'mores. There is a limit of 30 spaces for youth and adults. You can click here to sign up.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Yaa Addison
P.R.A.Y Coordinator
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Jazz Mass ... All Saints' Sunday, November 3
Jazz Mass on All Saints' Day 11/3
I'm thrilled to announce we will be celebrating All Saints' Day with the help of a jazz band! Our 10:00 a.m. worship will be enhanced by some incredible musicians from the D.C. jazz scene: Keith Butler, drummer, Steve Arnold, bassist,
Sarah Hughes,
saxophonist , and
Abe Mamet,
f
rench horn player. All the service music will be original compositions by yours truly, Joseph Arkfeld, and we will also be playing music by Duke Ellington (keeping things local). This is a great opportunity to bring a friend to St. Dunstan's and it will be a unique worship experience you don't want to miss!
Joseph Arkfeld
Director of Music
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Small Groups ...
Men's Group
Join us for men's group! We will gather in the Parlor on
Saturday, November 2, 2019 @9:00 a.m., and continue with our schedule of meeting every first Saturday of the month, same time, same place. Some of our topics for this season are how the Men's Group can help support our new rector and expand the "Men's" ministry at St. Dunstan's. Join us, bring friends, share in the fellowship. If you have questions, please contact,
John Wyss.
Soul Sisters
The St. Dunstan's Soul Sisters will meet on
November 9
at 10:00-11:30 am. We meet in the Parlor, and everyone is welcome to come!
If you have questions, please contact
Sue Carroll.
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Gardening Day ...
Dear Friends of the Garden,
Gardening Day, Oct. 12 was a huge success, due to the efforts of everyone who lent their helping hands. Thanks to Elin Botha, who gave the garden a thorough weeding, Carl and Phyllis Adams
who repl
aced our bedraggled hosta with ferns, and to David and Janet Repka, who dug
, planted, weeded and watered where needed.. Ron Poropatich not only planted new evergreen
s, he also took the initiative in cleaning out our
long neglected back alley! Ann Taylor and her daughter Lauren weede
d, raked and mulched, while Jorge, a friend of the Barretts', re stoned our swale.
Last but not least, we thank Patty for her help
carrying trash bags to the curb and for her support of the entire endeavor. Sincere thanks to you all!!!
Sincerely and with appreciation,
Rosemarie Barrett
Sue Newman
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Buildings and Grounds Committee ...
Hello St. Dunstan's Parishioners!
Are you a handy person? The Vestry is looking for 4 to 5 people to serve on the Buildings and Grounds Committee. This committee has the vital job of keeping track of the state of the church building, the rectory, and surrounding grounds, making recommendations regarding maintenance and repairs, and helping to oversee those activities. If you would like to serve the church in this important way, please contact me at (301)320-7086, or at
[email protected] .
Thank you,
Carl Adams
Senior Warden
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Tech Tuesdays @ St. Dunstan's ...
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Parish Notice ...
Office Alarm Upgraded
The office alarm equipment has been upgraded. The codes and procedures are still the same but the panel is new. If you need to access the office and are not sure how, please contact the parish administrator for a quick tutorial.
Kim Matthews
Parish Administrator
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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n Need of Healing:
Curt Shively
, in nursing care,
husband of Susan Burkhalter
Ken Farnsworth
, at home in Westwood Towers
Pam Plaisance
, fighting cancer, cousin of Sue von
DJ Crane
, fighting cancer, family friend of Trudy Surut
Samantha Barnes,
ill,
sister of Muriel Croston
Joan (Penny) Denny,
ill
Eleanor London
, ill, mother of Ellen McCormick
Warren Green
, ill, son-in-law of Trudy Surut
Katie Hemmer
, ill, mother of Sidney Clark-Lequrique
Sara Strattan
,ill, mother of Joseph Arkfeld
Nene De Roos
, ill, family friend of Joseph Arkfeld
Cindy Ault
, mother of Jessica Ault
David Greco
, ill, son-in-law of Ann Johnson
Joe Alexander,
ill, father-in-law of The Rev. Patricia Alexander
Mary Gordon,
grieving, mother-in-law of Kimberly Matthews
The flowers
are given to the glory of the Lord by John Wyss and Joanne Comstock in honor of their anniversary.
Recently Departed: US Representative Elijah Cummings, Hilary Flora, niece of Diana Potter, and Annie Bell Curry, aunt of Kimberly Matthews.
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 Nineteenth
Sunday after Pentecost
Creation Season, Week 3
October 20, 2019
10:00 a.m. Eucharist
for All
11:30 a.m. Youth Brunch with the Rector
1:00 p.m. Vestry Meeting
The readings for this Sunday are:
Genesis 12:1-8, Psalm 126,
and Mark 4:26-34 |
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guide: Julie Anderson
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Eucharistic Ministers: Carl Adams
Lector: Mark McCarthy
Prayer Minister:
Sue Newman
Crucifer:
Carl Adams
Flower Guild:
Rosemarie Barrett
Altar Guild:
Marsha Barnes
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez and Trudy Surut
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