Hope After Despair
 The first few days after the Earth shook and the Tsunami struck in northern Japan, there was very little news. I watched this with a growing sense of dread. The usual swarm of news crews and video feeds just didn’t happen. I expect that this was because the destruction was so complete.
Since then, the news has been sad and terrifying. In one newscast we saw an elderly man who had watched his entire family, children and grandchildren, be swept away by the rushing water. In an amateur video we saw water pouring down a street pushing debris, then the water rose and started pushing cars and trucks down the street, and then a massive black wall of water pushed the buildings away. This video went on for minutes as the wave passed, and then the camera focused on a dozen people standing on the rubble of a building in the middle of the roiling water.
How are we to absorb these images? How do we adjust to a world in which the earth rises up and destroys our homes? This is the time when we need hope. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes:
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)
Suffering, even suffering on the scale we see in Japan today, can either produce despair and anger or that same suffering can produce endurance. The difference comes from the Holy Spirit. God’s love and presence is what makes the difference. When we know God’s love and we have the assurance of God’s presence, suffering can produce endurance rather than despair – or maybe more accurately, endurance after despair. In loving relationship with God, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. That hope is grounded in God’s love.
I think this might be one of the most important lessons we can take from Jesus. Jesus endured the most profound suffering imaginable. On the cross, Jesus felt the complete despair that comes when we feel abandoned by God. In his last moment before dying on the cross, Jesus cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk 15:34).
In the face of profound suffering like what we see in Japan, or the suffering known by someone facing cancer, we, like Jesus, will go through that moment of despair. We will feel forsaken. The gift of faith is that there is life after the despair. Just as Jesus rose again after the cross, we hope for life in God’s love.
And, as Paul says, “hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5) Have you felt the joy of the God’s love being poured into your heart? Do you hunger for that assurance and hope? If so, we are with you.
Our purpose as the church is to bring hope to people in despair. Last night we held a candlelight vigil for the people of Japan. Coming together like this we experience the love of God directly. The warmth and light of the candles in a dark sanctuary reminds us of God’s love which overcomes despair. The songs we sing direct our hearts to God. The prayers we speak open our hearts to God. The laments we raise call on God’s love. Last’s night’s vigil was a true experience of walking in Christ’s love and forgiveness. We prayed and we collected funds for the relief effort.
Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall
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Community Engagement
Dear Friends,
We have all seen the horrific images that are on television daily, showing the devastation in Japan. It is hard to wrap our minds around the despair, death and destruction that the country is going through.
We have an opportunity to help just as we did during the Haiti ordeal. St. Dunstan’s Church will be working with the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) organization to funnel money into Japan and to help its people. The ERD has low overhead costs and as a result, more of the funds go directly to the people to help them.
We are asking that you give thoughtful consideration to contributing to this fund. Please make your checks out to St. Dunstan’s and on the memo line, write “Japan.” If you give cash, please use one of the envelopes in the pews, and write “Japan Relief” on it. We will make sure that your contribution reaches those who need it so very badly.
We have an opportunity to be Christ’s heart and hands for the world and to live into our mission statement by being a “service to the community.” Please, let us all take part in this and give all the help that we can.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Mary E. Pacher
Sr. Warden
Greenwood Food Bank "Get Informed, Get Involved" Information Sessions is planned for March 24th from 4-5:30 pm. Please plan to join members of the congregation as we learn more ways we can help our neighbors. Next time you go to the grocery store, please consider picking up some healthy food items for our less fortunate neighbors. Soups, canned fruits and vegetables, as well as basic staples can really help our hungry neighbors. Bring your donations and place them in the food box in the narthex. Cash donations are also welcome. Make your checks payable to St. Dunstan's with a notation for the Food Bank. Thank you for your support!
Annual Easter Outreach benefits the children and mothers at New Beginnings. New Beginnings is a wonderful organization that provides shelter and services for domestic violence victims. Most women who flee a violent situation leave with next to nothing, so to receive basic toiletries or a small toy for their child is something they really appreciate. Parishioners donate those items, as well as a lot of other fun and useful things to fill Easter baskets. On Palm Sunday the children of our Sunday school, along with volunteers assemble the baskets, wrap them in cellophane and tie them up with festive ribbon. They are delivered to New Beginnings with the hope that Easter morning will be a little brighter for the children and the Mothers at the shelter. There are two ways to participate. First, you may purchase an item and leave it in the container in the narthex marked “Easter Outreach.” A list of suggested items follows below. The second option is to leave the shopping to us by making a cash donation. Mark your check “Easter Outreach” and put it in the collection plate. Donations must be in by April 17th. If you have any questions, call Kathy Newman @ 206-365-0677.
Suggestions for Easter Baskets
Remember to think small. Something that would fit in a purse or backpack.
Children: bouncy balls, hair scrunchies, gliders, crayons, color/activity books, story books, jump ropes, jacks, stickers, bubbles, stuffed animals, puzzles, cars.
Moms: bus tickets, stamps, address books, note pads, journals, gift cards, compact umbrellas, mirrors, Kleenex, playing cards, travel sized lotion, deodorant, shampoo.
Both: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, brushes, combs, gum, mints, Easter candy.
 The Youth Group will again be participating in the "30 Hour Famine" on April 29 and 30th. SAVE THE DATE!! You are cordially invited to "Breaking the Fast- SOUP DINNER" on Saturday April 30th. This will be cooked and prepared by the Youth Group. Along with dinner, we would like to have the parish participate in a Variety Show. On Sunday, March 20, there will be a sign up sheet for the dinner and show, as well as the continuation of the sale of the photo cards for the Heifer Project.
Upcoming Events in our Congregational Life
Sunday School and Youth Coffee Hour
On Sunday March 20th, the Sunday School and Youth Group will host the coffee hour with traditional "pretzels". Plan to have a homemade pretzel and learn about the tradition from the monks of long ago!
Both Sunday School and Youth will assist in making of the pretzels for the coffee hour. Please plan to meet in Room #3 no later than 9:30, as we have lots of work to do! From 11:00-1:00, the Youth Group will meet, have lunch, and plan our upcoming 30 hour Famine, while working on our Photo cards. We will end with our candle ritual. Please look at the 30 Hour Famine website for further indeas and be thinking of our "Breaking the Fast" soup dinner and variety show.
Ann-Patrice and Sandy
Gal's Needlework Night Out will be Tuesday, March 22 at 7 pm in the Narthex.
Women of all ages are invited. One of our projects is knitted and crocheted prayer shawls for members of the congregation in need of our loving care, such as cancer patients and others with serious illnesses as well as those who have lost loved ones. The shawls are easy to make, and if you would like to get started, go to the website www.shawlministry.com . If you would like to receive one of these shawls for yourself or on behalf of someone else, or if you are interested in making shawls or donating funds for supplies, please contact Diana Rall at dtoshiba@comcast.net. Let's share our knowledge, show off our talent and encourage and support needlework arts here at St. Dunstan's. Contact Diana Rall @ 206-660-9156 or Sally Smith @ 425-379-0860.
Register NOW on our website or by calling the church office @206-363-4319.
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