the lighthouse - st. dunstan's episcopal churchbook review-- kathy whitt strength for the...

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THE LIGHTHOUSE ST. DUNSTANS, WHERE WE SEEK, LOVE, AND SERVE GOD AND ALL GODS CREATION. SAINT DUNSTANS EPISCOPAL CHURCH DECEMBER 2009` MADISON, WISCONSIN VOLUME XXIII, NUMBER 12 Being, Seeking, and Finding Joe Wermerling reflects on his Admission as an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich I am associating with the Order of Julian of Norwich because I am trying to add some depth to my prayer life and to introduce an element of contemplative prayer. I have a very active life with a job and three children. I am a caregiver for one of my children who has a severe and persistent mental illness. I am ac- tive as a mental health advocate in Dane County as a member of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I co-facilitate a support group for family members with an ill loved one. The Order provides a means to enter into silence and payer and be a human “being” instead of a human “doing”. Rite for the Admission of an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich will be celebrated on December 13th as a part of the 10 am Holy Eucharist. Joe Wermerling will be admitted as an associate and make a public commitment to follow Jesus in the way or rule of the Order of Julian of Norwich. “We commend Joe to your earnest prayers that he may have the grace to live the Associate Rule and that his life may be lived to the glory of God and the welfare of God’s people.” (Rite of Admission...) “Seeking and Finding God in Christmas” Quietly seeking the God who seeks and finds us will be the focus of the Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 5th from 9-3. Fr. Bob Lambert and Kate Clark will lead communal prayers, quiet times for reflection, presentations, and a “silent” meal. The Advent themes of Hope & Anticipation, the Gift of Christ’s Birth, and God’s Presence With Us will be explored. Fr. Lambert will be making Chicken soup for 12. Participants are requested to sign up to bring cheese, bread, fruit or bever- ages. Themes on Seeking and Finding God from Benedictine Spirituality 6:00 Eucharist 6:30 Potluck Meal 7–8 Presentation, Reflection and Discussion Fr. Bob Lambert & Kate Clark will be leading seminar style sessions using a presentation, personal reflection and group discussion to explore Benedictine Spirituality. Weekly topics will be Seeking and Finding God: in Stability, Obedience, and Transformation; in Prayer, Study, and Action; and in St. Dunstan’s Advent and Christmas.

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THE LIGHTHOUSEST. DUNSTAN’S, WHERE WE SEEK, LOVE, AND SERVE GOD AND ALL GOD’S CREATION.

SAINT DUNSTAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

DECEMBER 2009`MADISON, WISCONSIN

VOLUME XXIII, NUMBER 12

Being, Seeking, and Finding

Joe Wermerling refl ects on his Admission as an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich

I am associating with the Order of Julian of Norwich because I am trying to add some depth to my prayer life and to introduce an element of contemplative prayer. I have a very active life with a job and three children. I am a caregiver for one of my children who has a severe and persistent mental illness. I am ac-tive as a mental health advocate in Dane County as a member of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I co-facilitate a support group for family members with an ill loved one. The Order provides a means to enter into silence and payer and be a human “being” instead of a human “doing”.

Rite for the Admission of an Associate of the Order of Julian of Norwich will be celebrated on December 13th as a part of the 10 am Holy Eucharist. Joe Wermerling will be admitted as an associate and make a public commitment to follow Jesus in the way or rule of the Order of Julian of Norwich. “We commend Joe to your earnest prayers that he may have the grace to live the Associate Rule and that his life may be lived to the glory of God and the welfare of God’s people.” (Rite of Admission...)

“Seeking and Finding God in Christmas”

Quietly seeking the God who seeks and fi nds us will be the focus of the Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 5th from 9-3. Fr. Bob Lambert and Kate Clark will lead communal prayers, quiet times for refl ection, presentations, and a “silent” meal. The Advent themes of Hope & Anticipation, the Gift of Christ’s Birth, and God’s Presence With Us will be explored. Fr. Lambert will be making Chicken soup for 12. Participants are requested to sign up to bring cheese, bread, fruit or bever-ages.

Themes on Seeking and Finding God

from Benedictine Spirituality

������ ���������� �������� �� ��� � ��6:00 Eucharist

6:30 Potluck Meal

7 – 8 Presentation, Reflection and Discussion

Fr. Bob Lambert & Kate Clark will be leading seminar

style sessions using a presentation, personal reflection and

group discussion to explore Benedictine Spirituality.

Weekly topics will be Seeking and Finding God: in

Stability, Obedience, and Transformation; in Prayer, Study,

and Action; and in St. Dunstan’s Advent and Christmas.

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Deacon’s Bench

6205 University AvenueMadison, WI 53705

Ministers: The People of St. Dunstan’s

ClergyThe Rt. Rev. Steven Miller,Bishop, Diocese of MilwaukeeThe Rev. Robert Lambert, In-terim RectorThe Rev. Laura Norby, DeaconStaffElizabeth Wroblewski,Parish AdministratorKate Clark, Christian Formation Director

608-238-2781email:

[email protected]: stdunstans.com

VestryValerie McAuliffe, Senior WardenShirley Laedlein, Junior WardenSharon BloodgoodLaura BloomenkranzJanet BybeeDianne McCoyCelia FineHelen LackoreJordan SmithKathy WhittElizabeth Wroblewski, Recorder

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church

The Lighthouse is published monthly by St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. Articles and information for the next month’s issue are to be sub-mitted by the 20th of the month to the parish offi ce. Email is acceptable at offi [email protected] or [email protected]

I hope everyone had a meaningful Thanksgiving. I did, and it set me to thinking about that sense of connection we feel to the people of our nation on the secular holiday, as we all pause from our daily routines to refl ect on the myriad blessings we’ve been given. However, we know that pausing to give thanks is the daily, even hourly vocation of Christians.

From the moment we realize Jesus’ love for each of us, the spark of gratitude is ignited. That realization can deepen over time, as we mature in the faith; in other words, as we come to understand more intimately the scope and immensity of all God’s gifts. Gratitude can grow correspondingly until it infl uences our thoughts, intentions, and behavior. We strive harder for the ability to give thanks in all circumstances, as the Apostle Paul writes. I know I want a solid bedrock of gratitude and faith as my foundation when those experiences of life come for which I can’t see a single reason in God’s universe to be thankful.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote that “Only he who gives thanks for the little things receives the big things.” I suspect he meant that if we deplore our lack of possessions or accomplishments, or our diffi cult life, or even our tiny faith, we miss the opportunity for rich spiritual gifts which God offers the grateful heart. Our attention is turned inward, not Godward,

if you will. If we can’t see the small occasions for gratitude in the ordinary stuff of our lives, we may prevent that deepening of relationship with God, which is what we all seek in the fi rst place.

Looking out, looking within, and giving thanks for it all - what a gutsy, awesome vocation.

Peace, Deacon Laura

Make time to thank......Evy Gildrie-Voyles for her years of service to St.

Dunstan’s as the Editor of the Lighthouse. Her faithful-ness and can do attitude helped to develop the Lighthouse as a fruitful means of building up the community of St. Dunstan’s.

...Barb Roe for making beautiful new altar linens for the main altar. They truly are worthy of use on the sacred table in the house of the Lord.

Thanks, EfM!

St. Dunstan’s Education for Ministry class painted St. Dunstan’s shed.

Children’s Charter of the Episcopal Church (Part III)

Ministry BY ChildrenA child shall lead them – Isaiah 11.6

The Church is Called:

To receive children’s special gifts a signs of the grace of God

To be a community where children and adults know one another by name, care about one another, and work together to follow Jesus’ teachings and do God’s work

To encourage children’s ability to show and share God’s love and grace in the church and in the world.

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Parish NewsChristmas at St. Dunstan’s

Christmas EveThursday, December 24

th

3 pm Family Eucharist will provide opportunities for children to learn about God’s

presence with us by involvement in celebrating the birth of Jesus and adults to learn

through the clarity of the Christmas story learned as children.

10 pm Singing of Carols serves as a prelude to the evening Christmas celebration

10:30 Festive Eucharist with Christmas Carols, choral music, the Christmas Story, and

use of incense.

Christmas DayFriday, December 25

th

10:00 am Simple Eucharist with Christmas Carols

Advent Lessons, Music & High Tea at 3:30 on December 13th

This celebration helps to prepare us for the coming of Christ by the lighting of candles, lessons from Scripture, hymns sung by the congregation, and special music from the choir. It will in-clude scripture readings foreseeing the upcoming birth of Christ. It will also give opportunity to sing familiar Advent hymns and hear Advent anthems by the choir. Please bring a candle in a holder for the altar, white, pink or purple. Helen Lackore will be hosting the “high tea” following worship. Please speak with Helen Lackore if you can help with this portion of the afternoon festivities.

Epiphany Lunch -

not on Epiphany

Again this year the Epiphany Lunch will be held on the Saturday closest to Epiphany. We will go to Oliva, a small restaurant that is moving to bigger quarters and has been enjoyed by many of our parish. The lunch will be on Saturday, January 9 at 11:30. Oliva is located at the corner of High Point and Old Sauk Rd. Watch for sign-up sheet and menu on the bulletin board in mid-December. This event is provided by the St. Dunstan’s ECW but is open to all men and women of the parish. Questions:

Connie Ott

798-3688 - ECW convenor

Day Away a Great OneOn Nov. 3, 10 women ventured southwest to visit 2 communi-

ties for food, fellowship and - shopping! The day started at the Sow’s Ear in Verona with good coffee and sweets and wandering through rooms of yarn that are unusual, colorful and diverse. Conversation and plans for the rest of the day were laid out and car pooling arranged as we moved on to the widening in the road called Paoli. No fear about fi nding everything - all shops were in a 3 block stretch of country road. Most of the items we saw were high end art work in wood, glassware, photography and other media. There were also selections of unusual books and other gift items.

A few had a great time in the local grocery with organic items from the surrounding area. Lunch was at the Schoolhouse and was well enjoyed by all. The day was beautiful and sunny and the conversation was warm and satisfying. A great day for all!

Will this be the last Lighthouse you receive?

Beginning with the January 2010 issue the Lighthouse will be distributed via email.

• If you do not receive weekly emails from St. Dunstan’s, you should send your correct email address to offi [email protected] to be sure you will continue to receive the Lighthouse after this issue.

• If you wish to receive a paper copy of the Light-house via US Mail you MUST tell the offi ce by December 20.

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Praying, Reading, GrowingBook Review -- Kathy Whitt

Strength for the Journey: a Pilgrimage of Faith in Community, by Diana Butler Bass

This book is a good one for St. Dunstanites to read. It is the author’s journal-style chronicle of the eight Episcopal churches she attended as her career as seminary student and then semi-nary/college educator progressed. It tells of her change from evangelical Christian to more progressive churchgoer, along with insights and pains. She tells of eight churches, mostly in the Pacifi c and Atlantic states, and one in Memphis. The book was published in 2002.

For us, the Interim chapter is worth reading. The pain and confusion of the local interim at the church in Santa Barbara is accompanied by the pain of the changing mainstream churches. She points out that local interims can end with changes in direc-tion. Barbara Harris became an Episcopal bishop during Bass’s time in Santa Barbara, which was a major change in the national church that paralleled local change.

Each new church brought new insights on Bass’s spiritual journey. She stayed within the mainstream church, while many of her baby boomer contemporaries left. She is critical of old guard Episcopalians who resist the changes brought in by younger people. She advocates for “intentional” congregations, which are “appropriating, reclaiming, and recreating their own traditions in imaginative and innovative ways.”

The book was discussed by St. Dunstan’s Wednesday book study group.

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“And there were shepherd living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks

at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around

them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you

good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a

Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will

find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

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What do you think the shepherds were most excited to tell others?

What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you at Christmas?

What effect has the news of Christ’s birth had on you?

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What is the most exciting thing you know of that has happened in a congregation?

What would you like to have happen at St. Dunstan’s that you would be excited

about telling others?

Hymn of the Month: Hymnal 1982 #711, Karen Lafferty (20th cent)

Seek ye fi rst the kingdom of God and its righ-teousness, And all these thinks shall be added

unto you; Alleluia, alleluia!

Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek, and ye shall fi nd, Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you; Alleluia, alleluia!

December Julian GatheringEight people gathered on November 11 for still prayer and

discussion of Blessed Julian’s Revelations of Divine Love; in the past two meetings we’ve been focusing especially on Julian’s teachings about our reactions to evil and suffering. Our next Gathering will be December 9, 7-9 PM, at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., Madison. For more information, call Susan Fiore at 845-2413.

Annual Report

St. Dunstan’s 2010 Annual Meeting will be January 24 at 8:30 am. Committee con-tact people should submit their 2009 annual reports to offi [email protected] by Monday, January 11.January 11.

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Business Notes������ ����������• There are three applicants for the Music Ministries Leader position. Neither of the previous

musicians are currently in the applicant pool.

• The 2010 budget will be drafted for the December meeting based on the listening sessions

and the pledges received.

• St. Dunstan’s will develop a plan for incorporating new members into the parish.

• Outgoing vestry members and wardens Jordan Smith, Celia Fine, Valerie McAuliffe, and

Shirley Laedlein comprise the nominating committee. They will seek nominees for Junior

Warden, Senior Warden, Vestry members, and Diocesan Convention deputies.

• It will be the policy of St. Dunstan’s Church to allocate 10% of an undesignated bequest

(after any remaining pledge is paid) for outreach.

• All designated bequests shall be used as specified in bequestor’s will.

• Gail Jordan-Jones and Trudy Baker have agreed to lead a thank-you ministry on behalf of

St. Dunstan’s.

• The vestry committed to replacing the roof on the church building.

• Several vestry members and Buildings & Grounds committee members will attend the

December 3 hearing on reconstruction of Old Middleton Road.

• The Annual Meeting will be Sunday, January 24, 2010, at 8:30 am.

Hot Savings!Seven Day Thermostats are being installed throughout

the St. Dunstan’s main church building. The heat and air will automatically be on for weekly meetings and turned off when rooms are not in use. Monthly or every other week meetings will need to use temporary settings. To set a temporary tem-perature, push either the UP or DOWN arrow buttons once and the set programmed temperature will appear. Push either the UP or DOWN arrow button again to the new desired tempera-ture. The setting will automatically return to normal program temperature at the next programmed time. This energy saving change was made possible by use of funds from the Steve Jones Memorial Fund.

Vestry Members Wanted~St. Dunstan’s congregation needs 3 thoughtful and hard-

working members of the Parish to join the Vestry starting in February.

What is Vestry- The Vestry is the group responsible for oversight of St. Dunstan’s

Where and When Does the Vestry meet- Vestry meets once a month at the Church. Typically the group meets on the 3rd Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

How to sign-up: If you’re interested in running for Vestry or learning more about the Vestry, please contact a member of the Nomination Committee by December 11.

The Vestry election will take place at our Annual Meet-ing on January 24, 2010. Mark your calendars!

St. Dunstan’s Nominations Committee

Valerie McAuliffe, [email protected]

Celia Fine, cafi [email protected]

Shirley Laedlein, [email protected]

Jordan Smith, [email protected]

January Lighthouse Article Submittal

Watch the bulletins for an announcement of who the new Lighthouse editor is and how to submit your articles.

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Advent Forums will focus on NURTURING OUR

LIFE WITH GOD. We will learn together for a

short time and then explore prayer stations

based on the theme of the week.

Nov 29 Words and Writing

Dec 6 Vision and Art

Dec 10 Touch, Taste, and Smell

Dec 20 Sound and Silence

Join us at 9 or stop in to explore prayer

practices anytime before the 10:00 service!

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YOUTH GROUP meets every other Monday

evening from 6:00-8:30 p.m. on the lower

level of St. Dunstans.

In December, we will meet on the 7th with

the Explorers group..

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On DECEMBER 7th, we will gather again to

explore the meaning of the Sacraments.

We will begin at 6:30 with a potluck meal. All

are welcome! Bring a dish to pass if you are

able.

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Are you looking to learn more about the

Episcopal Church? Would you like to

prepare to be confirmed? Can you help

guide participants through the confirmation

process?

Confirmation classes will begin January 3rd

and meet during the forum time (9:00 – 9:50

AM on Sundays) through Epiphany.

Everyone is welcome!

We will study the book �� ������ �� ����

together. If you are planning to attend,

email Kate ([email protected]) so

we can be sure to have plenty of copies!

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The Mission of The Community of Hope is to create Christian communities of lay volunteer

pastoral care givers united in prayer, shaped by Benedictine spirituality and equipped for and

serving in pastoral care ministries.

Through a 13-week training course, participants explore God's call on our lives. Each participant

explores a "rule of life" and practices silence and Christian meditation while attending weekly

meetings to learn about pastoral care practices such as listening skills, confidentiality, and

coping with grief and loss.

The first Madison-area Community of Hope training will begin Thursday, February 11th and meet

for 12 weeks at St. Dunstan's. Applications will be available in late December or early January. If

you are interested in participating or would like more information, contact Kate Clark, formation

director at [email protected] or 608-698-7928.

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Outreach Notes

O Mitten Tree, O Mitten Tree

The mitten tree will be up the fi rst Sun-day in Advent, November 29th, to decorate with scarves, hats, gloves, and yes-- mittens. These will go to MOM clients to help keep them warm this winter. Knitters or shoppers are encouraged to add to the tree. Thank you!

Please remember the MOM Food Pantry this month as you shop.

Throughout the month of

December, the youth of our

Congregation will be collecting Canned Soup.

They can be brought to

St. Dunstan’s and will be

Delivered to the pantry by

Volunteers

NOW More Than Ever your contribution is needed to make a difference right here in our own backyard. Please join in helping those who need it most during this holi-day season by contributing to Middleton Outreach Ministries (MOM). Go to www.mompop.org or call 608-836-7338 today or write a check to St. Dunstan’s with a note that it is for MOM and put it in the offering on any Sunday.

Give someone hope this holiday season.

Hope. It’s a simple word, but it means so much to some-one in need. And donating blood is a simple act that helps save lives. Call 1-800-448-3543 to schedule an appointment. Be sure to sign the donor book afterwards as a St. Dunstan’s One-A-Week donor.

12/17 Kathleen Caron

12/18 Lou Maher

12/19 David Hinds

12/19 Mary Jo Miller

12/19 Jordan Lascala

12/26 Maryanne Haselow-Dulin

December Birthdays 12/2 Kim McBride

12/5 Art Lloyd

12/5 Jeanette Ferguson

12/5 Sam Ferguson

12/5 Sian Hanson

12/8 Claudia Miran

12/9 Matthew Appleby

12/11 Anna Kellner

12/12 Janet Welter

12/12 Paul Hilgers

12/13 Jim Zychowicz

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INSIDE:BEING, SEEKING, FINDING 1DEACON’S BENCH 2PARISH NEWS 3READING AND PRAYING 4BUSINESS NOTES 5FORMATION 6OUTREACH 7SEASON’S GIVING 8DECEMBER CALENDAR 9

The Lighthouse

St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church

6205 University Avenue

Madison, WI 53705

(608) 238-2781 offi [email protected]

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