St. Dunstan's Weekly Message 
February 10, 2010       

People have lately been asking me, what does the diocese do for us? Why should we pay an 18% assessment? Just think what we could do with that money! We all want what is best for our congregation. That's where these questions come from. That's also why we pay the assessment.

It is easy to imagine that we are doing what we do alone, by our own efforts, but in every aspect of our life as a congregation we are supported by our Bishop and our diocese. As the Apostle Paul says, we are members of the mystical Body of Christ. No one of us could do the work of Christ. No one congregation can be Christ to the world. Together, as God's people, with the rest of the congregations of our diocese, with the rest of the diocese of the Episcopal church, with the rest of the Anglican churches in the world, and indeed with the rest of the followers of Christ around the globe, we are Christ's heart and hands for a broken world.

Not a day goes by that we do not enjoy the benefits of being an Episcopal congregation. Read more...

Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall

Click here to respond or comment at Fr. David's blog.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Shortly after I became Sr. Warden, I was made aware that we were behind in past assessment payments to the Diocese for three specific years.  We had paid part, but not all of those assessments.  I wrote the Diocese a letter last July, asking to be forgiven for those debts.  They informed me they would take my request under advisement.  When I did not hear from them for a while, I wrote another letter just last month, asking them to consider this again. The reason for doing this, I expressed in the last paragraph of my  letter:

             "There is new leadership at St, Dunstan's.  We have a new rector, a new Sr. Warden and a new Vestry.  There is also a renewed energy and enthusiasm to do God's work in His house.  Our congregation is growing and we are investing in our youth programs.  Our people are working together to make St. Dunstan's a thriving parish in every sense of the word.  I respectfully ask that you forgive us the past debts and consider them an investment in the growth of our new ministry at St. Dunstan's.

I am pleased to report to you, that this week, we received a reply from the Canon to the Ordinary.  I would like to quote the last paragraph of her letter.

                "The Diocesan Council voted unanimously to grant relief for the amount of prior year's unpaid assessment.  The accounting department has been advised.  The Council appreciates the hard work that St. Dunstan's has done and continues to do in the area of stewardship."

Dearest friends, we have been forgiven the amount of $31,831. I will read the complete letter at this Sunday's service.  This is a result of all of your hard work and your commitment.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Let us continue to move forward as we do God's work.

God bless you and keep you, now and always.

Mary E. Pacher

Next Tuesday evening, Shrove Tuesday, the Ain't No Heaven 7 will entertain us, we will be fed a feast, we will laugh and have a great time, and we will have the opportunity to bid on some really cool auction items. Our own Terry Rogers is the auctioneer. Enjoy a delectable Italian feast while you bid on your favorite. Don't forget to bring your checkbooks.

Tickets are on sale before and after the 9:30 service on Sunday or call Dixie Buol to reserve tickets.  All proceeds from the LIVE AUCTION will go to support the growth and mission of our congregation. The list of auction items is displayed in the Narthex at church.  

Lu Gardiner, St Agnes Guild President

Our CareTeam Program is one unique way to provide assistance.  A CareTeam is a group of 4-7 volunteers who provide practical, emotional and spiritual support to a person or household affected by HIV/AIDS and/or addiction. Volunteers range in age from 16- 85 and represent diverse cultural backgrounds, belief systems and life experiences.

Working as a team, each volunteer can make a difference in the life of a person with HIV/AIDS although his/her individual time commitment may be limited. Each CareTeam is matched with an individual or household living with HIV/AIDS referred to as a CarePartner.  At the core, supportive relationships are developed through listening, offering encouragement, renewing interest in life, and establishing meaningful personal connections.  
 
All potential volunteers attend a one-day training on HIV/AIDS, addiction, and the values of compassionate care. The next training is Saturday, March 20th at Mt. Zion church (19th and Madison.)  Bertram Johnson, CareTeam Program Director will be at St. Dunstan's on Sunday, February 28th to answer questions and provide further insight. Please contact Multifatih at 206-324-1520 x226 or stephanie@multifaith.org for more information.  OR-ask Pastor David!  He has first hand knowledge on Multifaith and the CareTeam program!!

Every year, the last Sunday of before Lent we get the story of Jesus' Transfiguration. This year we hear Luke's version of this remarkable episode. Jesus, Elijah and Moses all together on the mountain, reveal a deeper truth about the meaning of the Messiah's mission. Our deacon, the Rev. Jerry Garman, received his call to ordained ministry on the very mountain of this story, and he will be preaching this text on Sunday.

Read the full lessons here.

Sunday: Holy Eucharist, 8:00 AM, Henry Chapel & 9:30 AM, St. Dunstan's Church

Wednesday: Holy Eucharist, 10:00 AM, St. Dunstan's.

Families With Children. At the 9:30 service we offer Sunday School for kindergarten through middle school children. We also offer nursery care for babies and toddlers not yet ready for Sunday School. Our teachers are dedicated to the safety and Christian education of your children using a lectionary based curriculum called Seasons of the Spirit. Children come back to the service for communion. Children are always welcome in the service.

Enter into the spirit of Lent through participation in our age-old traditional rituals.  Next Wednesday, February 17, is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Prepare yourself for the start of this holy season by coming together with your fellow congregants at either 10:00 AM or 7:00 PM for a service of Holy Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes.

What's your response to HIV/AIDS, Fear, Isolation, Loneliness, Addiction, & Shame? Multifaith Works CareTeam Volunteers offer practical care, emotional support, and nonjudgmental listening to people living with HIV/AIDS and/or recovering from addiction. Our next volunteer training is March 20. To find out more contact us at 206.324.1520 ext. 226 or visit www.multifaith.org. Bertram Johnson, CareTeam Program Director will be at St. Dunstan's on Sunday, February 28th to answer questions and provide further insight.

This year pick up something for Lent!  Traditionally Christians have often chosen to give up something for Lent. This year, instead of giving something up (or in addition to giving something up), why not do something extra for the good of yourself, your church or your world. Two possibilities: join with your fellow congregants in making icons for the Stations of the Cross, or pick up a copy of Forward Day by Day devotionals.

What are you angry about? What SHOULD you be angry about?  Next Wednesday, February 17, at 11:00 AM the God in Real Life group will consider this powerful--sometimes destructive-emotion. We all get angry about things from time to time-some of us more often than others. Maybe if we had a better understanding of our anger and where it comes from, we can learn how to channel it toward something constructive-something that's bigger than ourselves.

Help raise operating budget funds for our choir, Sunday School program and cash reserve!  The Vestry is launching 2 new fundraising activities to raise money for our operating budget.  We are partnering up with E Bay's Giving Works to sell items on line.  We will also be working with RECYCLING© Fundraiser, an organization that pays for used cell phones, laptops and jewelry.  Stayed tuned for more information.  Contact Diana Rall at 206-660-9156; dtoshiba@comcast.net.

Vestry Hosted Wine & Cheese Reception, Sunday, February 28, 4:00 PM.  St. Dunstan's Vestry cordially invites members of the congregation to attend this reception.  We are looking forward to meeting and greeting you and answering your questions, listening to your suggestions and thanking you for the privilege of serving you here at St. Dunstan's.  If you have any questions, please contact Diana Rall at 206-660-9156.

  Volunteers needed to deliver clothing donations to Matthew House, Monroe, Washington.  This ministry provides clothing for the families of prisoners at the Monroe Correctional Center.  The prison has a strict dress code and often visiting family members need appropriate clothing in order to visit their loved one.  The frequency of deliveries depends upon the amount of clothing donated, but usually happens about once every 4-6 weeks.  Please contact Diana Rall at 206-660-9156 for more details.

 Gal's Needlework Night Out, Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 PM, Narthex.. Women of all ages invited.  Let's share our knowledge, show-off our talent and encourage and support needlework arts here at St. Dunstan's.  Contact Sally Smith: 425-379-0860; ssmithever@comcast.net; Diana Rall: 206-660-9156; dtoshiba@comcast.net.

The church office will be closed Monday, February 15, in honor of President's Day.