St. Dunstan's Weekly Message 
February 24, 2010       

We can be a blessing to the world. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the details of our lives and of running our congregation that we lose sight of that truth. We are loved by God and called by God to share that love with a broken world.

A few months ago I saw an article in the Seattle Times about a 14-year-old girl in Seattle who raised nearly $40,000 for schools in Rwanda. (October 22, 2009, front page, "Seattle girl, 14, builds hope for Rwandan kids.) She did this over several years, building on each success and sticking with her passion. She didn't raise the money alone, but she was the person who inspired her friends and family to spread the word and raise the cash.

This Lent, I invite you to read about a couple of people who have made a big difference through their commitment and their love. The first is Greg Mortenson. He has two books out now, and I hear the second is even better than the first: Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools both tell the story of how Greg Mortenson has worked to build schools for children, especially girls, in Afghanistan. The second person is Dr. Paul Farmer. Tracy Kidder wrote an excellent book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, about Dr. Farmer's work to bring healthcare services to the most remote areas of Haiti. Dr. Farmer's clinic is very close to Mirebalais, where the Haiti-Micah Project orphanage and school is located.

Our Vestry is currently reading the book, Missional Renaissance, by Reggie McNeal. McNeal challenges us to make three shifts:

• From an internal to an external focus, ending the church as exclusive social club model
• From running programs and ministries to developing people as our core activity
• From church-based leadership to community-engaged leadership

Have a blessed Lent, and ask yourself how you can be a blessing to someone else. May God's love fill you to overflowing that you may be a blessing to all you meet.

Your brother in Christ,
The Rev. David Marshall

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

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.

Vestry Hosted Wine & Cheese Reception, Next Sunday at 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.

Why are we so concerned with what other people think, say, or look like? Next Wednesday at 11:00 AM the God in Real Life group will consider how much time and energy we spend wishing we were different. What does it say about us if we are unable to accept who we are? Maybe if we really knew our true selves, we wouldn't give so much attention to other people's lives and we would live more in tune with the life God wants for us.

Don't keep it a secret!  We all know St. Dunstan's is a warm, welcoming, supportive community, but when guests walk into the church all they know is how they are greeted.. Please consider joining our wonderful team of greeters. Contact Joan Baker and say you will become a part of the team that gives visitors their first taste of St. Dunstan's hospitality.

What do you say to someone facing death? Or a parent who has lost a child?  Last January St. Dunstan's offered a series of discussions on end of life issues. The leader of these important and well received classes, Trudy James, will be back on Wednesday, March 24, qt 7:00 PM to lead a single Wednesday evening session on how to talk with those facing tragedy. This is a topic important to all ages, and all ages are encouraged to attend.

Share the joy of the Easter Season by sharing Easter Baskets  The Parish of St. Dunstan's will once again participate in an outreach program to benefit New Beginnings, a local shelter for women and children who are the victims of domestic violence.  On Palm Sunday, the Sunday School children will assemble baskets full of goodies that will be delivered to the shelter in time for Easter.  You can be a part of this project very simply. Either make a cash donation (checks payable to St. Dunstan's and marked "Easter Outreach") or purchase a new item and place it in the Easter Outreach box found in the Narthex.  The very last Sunday to donate is March 28^th.  Please see the back page for suggestions.

Clean your house, help the environment, and support St. Dunstan's! St. Dunstan's Vestry is conducting a recycling fundraiser for operating expenses and to create a cash reserve. Simply donate your used consumer electronics, used inkjet cartridges and unwanted, broken or mismatched jewelry to be recycled in accordance with EPA regulations. 100% of the proceeds will help fund operating expenses for the church. There is a designated area for donations in the narthex, or call to arrange pick-up of large items.

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.