St. Dunstan's Weekly Message for August 20, 2009        

Last night I attended our Taizé service with its beautiful art, music and prayers. I find this service to be a beautiful and sustaining experience. Music is such a powerful metaphor for God and our participation in God’s love. God is all around us, like the music and prayers of that Taizé service. When we participate in God’s love through acts of kindness, generosity, justice and love, we are playing in tune with God’s music. We are adding our own voices and instruments to the ever-present rhythm and music of God’s love.

During the prayers and silence at this service, I was reminded of all the gifts that are present at St. Dunstan's Church. We will celebrate those gifts and live into them this year as we acknowledge our 60^th anniversary as a congregation. Sixty years ago St. Dunstan's was formed to provide Sunday School education for the children of the founding families. We will honor the genesis of this congregation by launching a new curriculum in our Sunday School and by starting a Sunday night Youth Group program for our high school aged children.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. David Marshall

Good News about Faith

This week’s Gospel reading is the fifth in a series from the sixth chapter of John. These are some of the most challenging of Jesus’ teachings because of the stark and even shocking imagery of eating and drinking Jesus’ flesh and blood. It is helpful to read this in context. The sixth chapter of John begins with the miracle of the feeding of the multitudes with five barley loaves and two fish. The people have just been fed an unexpected, free meal, in what was clearly a sign of God’s generosity. Jesus then begins teaching that this is about more than a good meal. The feast of loaves and fishes is a sign of God’s Spirit that transforms our hearts and frees us to live as God intends. You can see the readings for this coming Sunday by clicking here. http://www.io.com/~kellywp/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp16_RCL.html

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

Wednesday:   Holy Eucharist, 10 AM, St. Dunstan’s.

Youth Group at St. Dunstan’s. Fr. David and Ann Patrice Riccardo will be co-leading a youth program for high school aged youth on the first and third Sunday of each month, starting September 20^th. The youth will meet from 5:00 – 7:00 PM for faith, fun, food, and Christian service.

Welcoming Shower!  Dawn and Bob Friend will be welcoming a granddaughter into their home early next month. Come and rejoice with them as they embark upon this great adventure: you are invited to a celebratory shower at 6:30 on Thursday, September 3, 6:30 – 7:30 PM. Please contact Marion Anderson (206-499-5537) if you would like suggestions for age-appropriate gifts.

St. Dunstan’s Annual School Supply Drive for the children of New Beginnings is in full swing. You can participate by purchasing supplies and placing them in the donation box located in the Narthex or you can make a cash donation. Checks should be marked “School Supplies.” The drive ends on September 27th. If you have any questions, call Kathy Newman at 206-365-0677.

The Parish Choir is inviting new members to sing with us as we begin the new season. There are openings in all sections. Please consider joining us, and pass the word to others. It is not necessary to be a member of St. Dunstan’s. Speak with Marion at coffee hour or call (206-449-5537) about our exciting plans for the year.

Please send announcements to office@sdchp.org or call the office by Tuesday evening to have them included in the Weekly Message and the Sunday Bulletin. If you would like to make an announcement during the service, please let Father David know prior to the start of the service.