The Lighthouse

THE LIGHTHOUSE

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

SAINT DUNSTAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH MADISON, WISCONSIN SEPTEMBER 2009` VOLUME XXIII, NUMBER 9 Steps in St. Dunstan’s Interim A Litany for The Interim Journey (Borrowed Heavily from The Litany for All Saints) √ Build Trust in each other and in the by Evy Gildrie-Voyles leadership team Surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses to the Love of √ Refl ect on the Needs of our Neighbors God Incarnate in Jesus Christ, √ Historical Refl ection We are strengthened for the journey. �What’s Normal and Valued at St. Dunstan’s? Surrounded by the loving members of this congregation �Develop Goals and fi rst steps in reaching for them We are strengthened for the journey �Form a Mission Statement By opening ourselves to the experiences of others �Develop a Parish Profi le of all the above information We are strengthened for the journey �Vestry selects a method of calling a new Rector By listening to the stories of our parish’s past �New Rector is welcomed into fulfi lling the mission of St. We are strengthened for the journey Dunstan’s By learning the needs of those around us �With God’s help build a vibrant congregation We are strengthened for the journey Major Parish Events By seeing our physical church grounds with fresh eyes * “The Call Process” Discussion with Canon We are strengthened for the journey David Pfaff, In conversation with those familiar to us and those new to us Thursday, Sept 24th, 7:30 pm We are strengthened for the journey * “Norms: The Rules we live by” Discussion In meditation and prayer (with potluck meal), We are strengthened for the journey Sunday, October 18th, 11:15 till 3:00 pm In confronting our assumptions * Culinary Celebration of Gifts and Pledges, We are strengthened for the journey November 22nd In the company of all God’s creation * Advent & Christmas Season Worship & We are strengthened for the journey Events Nov 29 – Jan 6th The Deacon’s Bench

I was blessed with an unbidden vision of the “big picture” My emails contain a few from recently. What big picture? It was a sudden awareness that I sat people who use their own cars to in the catbird seat for the past month, observing the most real and pick up people for church. Some true defi nition of the church - people who love each other be- emails are about the edible and inedible kinds of support being cause of Jesus. Things just came together, and I mentally ticked provided to some of our own who are in crisis, in the hospital off the days and events where I witnessed people with Christ and in their homes. Then there are the frequent prayer list up- as the core of their own compassion. The ripple effect of their dates for all who want to be part of a praying community during actions will not necessarily be known, but that’s not why people the week. do compassionate works, is it? Two meetings of diocesan groups, the Commission on So here are the ‘bullet points.’ Ministry and the Commission on Global Reconciliation, awed For 12 days in July I observed a thousand or so Episcopalians me with the passionate commitment of small groups of people worship together and grapple with legislation involved with in this diocese. They are interested in nurturing people who are our mission at home and abroad. A million little kindnesses experiencing a call to ministry of some kind and with connect- happened in Anaheim, but I and many others also learned, for ing people in the diocese with the needs of the world. These example, how to become microinvestors to small business people commissions work on behalf of others near and far. in the third world. Ask Fr. Art and Sue Lloyd how to do this, if A group from all the Madison Episcopal churches met you’d like to become the business partner of someone struggling recently to talk about providing Community of Hope training to stay on their own two feet and provide for their families. for Madison area people to begin an intentional hospital/nursing I came back to an invitation to share in the generous recep- facility outreach. This training will empower many to develop tion the Ott’s offered the parish as they celebrated a big anniver- their own ministries. sary. The staff of St. Dunstan’s have met to review the policies here which are designed to protect and value everyone who St. Dunstan’s Episcopal comes to worship and work here. They have done this conscientiously and thoughtfully. 6205 University Avenue 608-238-2781 Madison, WI 53705 email: Another St. Dunstan’s group, The Julian Gather- Ministers: The People of St. Dunstan’s [email protected] ing, also met to offer a space apart for contempla- Clergy Website: stdunstans. tive prayer and discussion about a woman with a The Rt. Rev. Steven Miller, com marvelous theology capable of enlightening us over Bishop, Diocese of Milwaukee Vestry The Rev. Robert Lambert, Interim Valerie McAuliffe, Senior 800 years later. Rector Warden The Rev. Laura Norby, Deacon Shirley Laedlein, Junior Warden See what I mean? I was overwhelmed with this Staff Sharon Bloodgood birdseye view of the church doing what it does best Mary Ann Fraley, Organist Laura Bloomenkranz - caring. I’m not Pollyanna. We have major chal- Michell Patton, Choir Director Janet Bybee Elizabeth Wroblewski, Dianne McCoy lenges ahead, and life as we know it at St. Dunstan’s Parish Administrator Celia Fine may change. In fact, change is inevitable. But my Kate Kinne, Christian Formation Helen Lackore view of the church in the last month encourages and Director Jordan Smith Jenna Topolovich, Kathy Whitt inspires me, because I see us held together, not by Nursery Care Provider Elizabeth Wroblewski, Recorder our problems, but by our mission-caring for people The Lighthouse is published monthly for Jesus’ sake. This is the heart of our theology, our by St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. Articles and information for the practices of piety, and our ethics. It’s also what I see next month’s issue are to be submitted by the 20th of the month to when I look out from my deacon’s chair into this the parish offi ce. Email is acceptable at offi [email protected] or congregation every single Sunday! Peace - Deacon Laura

2 Parish News Julian Gathering Continues Thanks for the music at St. Dunstan’s Mary Ann Fraley and Mitchell Patton Nine people met on August 19 for still prayer and to have served St. Dunstan’s as a team for may years. We are continue discussion of Blessed Julian’s revelations and what grateful for their ministry of music. As explained in the letter they mean for us. Our next meeting is September 9 at 7 PM sent to parishioners in July, we will be redeﬁ ning their positions at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 6205 University Ave., as one. Mitchell’s last day as choir director is Sunday, August Madison. Please invite anyone you think might be interested 30. Mary Ann will be playing the organ on Sundays during in learning more about contemplative prayer and Julian of September. Please be sure to thank them for their contributions Norwich. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Fiore to our worship. at [email protected] or (608) 845-2413. Thanks from the choir to Mary

Ann and Mitchell for all the music Flu Shot Clinic Invite your friends to get their ﬂ u shots at St. Dunstan’s on and many rehearsals and anthems. Friday, October 16, 10 am-noon. Medicare Part B covers vacci- nations (remember to bring your Medicare card). Non-Medicare It has been a great ride. B or other insurance: $30/shot.

St. Francis House Ministry Fr. Lambert will celebrate the Holy Eucharist on the second “Strength for the Journey” Sundays this fall at 5pm at St. Francis House. (Sept 13, Oct 11, Nov 11, Dec 13) It would help build up the ministry of St. Fran- by Diana Butler Bass cis House if people from St. Dunstan’s would attend worship I’ve just been reading Diana Butler Bass’s memoir, on those Sundays. There is also a missionary opportunity to “Strength for the Journey” and am fi nding it particularly inter- provide food and share a meal with the small group that gathers esting at the time when we are trying to articulate the values following worship (about 13 plus St. Dunstan’s people). Please and visions of this parish. Dr. Butler Bass over the course contact Fr. Lambert if you are interested in this ministry. of twenty years belonged to 8 very, very different Episcopal churches. These moves were made for educational and professional purposes and occasionally out of sheer Wednesday Morning Book frustration. She is very intense in her search for spiritual, Group theological and social integrity in the Episcopal communities of which she becomes a part. I highly recommend The Wednesday morning women’s book study group it to the vestry, the transition team and those of us in the will begin reading The Shack, by William Paul Young, the pews (well, chairs)! She certainly has refreshed my thinking fi rst week in September. The Shack, a work of fi ction, has been about corporate leadership, meaningful liturgical worship and on the best seller list for a long time, and has been praised by commitment to social justice. many people, as an invitation to journey into the heart of God. The book group meets every Wednesday at 9:30. This is a good Peg Geisler time to join.

3 Administrative Notes

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New Ofﬁ ce Hours Beginning in September, St. Dunstan’s ofﬁ ce hours will be 9 am-2 pm, Tuesday-Friday.

�� The Vestry: • worked to reduce the projected deficit for 2009 • discussed parishioners’ responses to the listening phone calls • decided to shut down the Parish Center • will apply for aid from the Diocese of Milwaukee • authorized a small group to recommend whether to meet with Apex (owner of neighboring property) to discuss their new building plans • encourages all parish meetings to include prayer and Bible Study • reaffirmed their commitment to the interim process: to identify St. Dunstan’s mission, and then to seek a rector to help us live into that mission.

4 Care of God’s Creation and Bounty The Ministry of Stewardship “...we should take heart. We The basic stance of a Christian toward God’s Creation are offered this time of crisis as a should be that of a steward. Time, talent, and treasure are way of refreshing the Church and we entrusted to individuals and to communities with the under- should give thanks to God that he has standing that each will be held accountable. Many leaders enough conﬁ dence in us to call us to in the ministry of stewardship have come to understand serve in this time of change and renewal. When we begin to stewardship as “all that we do, with all that we have, all of doubt, we should group more closely together in prayer and the time.” This view of stewardship takes in everything that praise, explore the Scriptures more fully together, and work you have and everything that you are. Consequently, this is harder on living what we are proclaiming. Then God will do about intentionally committing yourself consistently in all the rest.” - The Rt. Rev. Michael Hough, Bishop of Ballarat, parts of your life. This encompasses much more than the Australia annual pledge drive. The driving force of Christian stewardship can be found in the Scriptures. In essence, you give because you have received. The Scriptures say and imply that all that you Monthly Hymn Verse for Praying, Meditation and have comes from God. For what you have been given, you Singing thank god, you gather for worship, you pray “...give us this Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; day our daily bread...” and “...we give thanks for these gifts which we are about to receive...” In addition, you give of All else be nought to me, save that thou art— your time and your money to advance the work of God in the Thou my best thought, _ by day or by night, world. You do this intentionally. You choose to make these Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. gifts in grateful response to God, who has been so generous to you in terms of material possessions, as well as with - Hymnal 1982, #488, v1 spiritual gifts. This spirit of giving is part of your covenant with God.” - Borrowed from The Vestry Resource Guide, pg 37.

Interim Prayer Gracious God, thank you for the community of St. Dunstan’s and for calling us to be a part of this holy place. Help us to explore and clarify our identity as your people. May we listen with open minds to each other, to your creation and to you. Give us the grace to understand our part in your church’s mission to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. Please send your Holy Spirit to be a bridge from where we are to where you want us to be. Amen.

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GODLY PLAY The FIRST Sunday of every month, we will Godly Play, a Montessori-style program, take a break from Sunday Forum and have welcomes young people ages 5-10. We will time for fellowship and community building meet each week from 9:00-9:45 to listen a between services. Activities planned may respond to a Bible story. include breakfast, updates on the interim process, community meetings, and more. SUNDAY FORUM Sunday Forum will replace GIFT as an The first Fellowship Sunday will be �� opportunity to explore the fundamentals of – join us! our life in Christ. We will gather each week from 9:00-9:45. Upcoming topics include: �� - Episcopalianism 101 - What is a good steward? - Exploring creeds If you are interested in receiving reflections All are welcome – please join us! on the lectionary readings, please contact Kate Clark at [email protected]. NURSERY CARE These reflections will be sent out via a Nusery care will be available to children ages weekly email. 0-6 during the formation hour and the 10:00 service (8:45-11:15).

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ST DUNSTAN'S EXPLORERS: EFM Organized by St. Dunstan's Young Adults and A four-year program for lay people Fr. Michael Ramsey-Musolf, this group interested in deeper theological study. Each gathers once a month to explore our participant makes a 9-month commitment to questions about the church, the Bible, meet weekly with a seminar group made up Anglicanism, and more. of members of all the area Episcopal churches. JULIAN GATHERINGS Led by affiliates of the Order of Julian of WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP Norwich, this group gathers once a month Provides a stimulating discussion of books for contemplative prayer and study of that enhance our spirituality. Women meet Julian's writings. each Wednesday morning from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Gathering Area. UNDER40s A small group Bible Study of young adults MEN'S BOOK GROUP meet monthly over dinner to study the Brings together men who enjoy sharing good gospel of Mark. books and good company. Meetings are held at individual's homes approximately every six weeks.

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7 Outreach Notes A New Design for the October CROP walk! The Madison CROP Walk will be on Sunday, Oct. 18th. As you might have noted there is already an event planned by the Interim Task Force for that afternoon. Therefore - the Outreach Committee has designed a CROP walk for St. Dunstan’s to be done on Saturday morning October 17th. We will leave from St. “MOM: Connecting Neighbors for Dunstan’s at 9:00 and walk 1.23 miles to the Geisler condo. There Good!” we will receive lemonade and cookies (and a ride back to St. D’s if you don’t want to walk back :). This will give opportunity to Thanks to your support, a minivan full of food was deliv- look at some beautiful landscaping and perhaps shuffl e through ered to the MOM Pantry on Monday, August 17.. Volunteers a few leaves. It may be on streets you’ve never been on. More went right to work sorting and stocking the shelves with our information will be forthcoming so at this point just mark it on 431 pounds! And, your donated school supplies and desig- your calendar. Longer routes will also be laid out if you prefer. nated dollars for MOM’s purchase of much needed items, will Questions? Connie Ott 798-3688 help fi ll backpacks of area school children, getting them off to the right start this Fall. Thank you for bringing MOM’s vision to life! Healthy Hiatus: a New POP Program On August 15, Diane Bright, coordinator of the Project for Older People (POP) at MOM, presented an overview Please remember the MOM Food of Healthy Hiatus to those at our Outreach meeting. The Pantry this month as you shop. program will offer training and volunteer opportunities in non-medical, in-home companionship to seniors, providing Throughout the month of caregivers time to rest, run an errand, or freedom to look September, the youth of our con- into other local resources. The qualities that Diane will be looking for in volunteers: skilled at listening, and having gregation will be collecting an honest, friendly, and compassionate nature. Volunteers would be asked to give 2 hours of their time once or twice peanut butter and jelly. a month. Diane is willing to provide the 1.5 hour training at church for those interested. If you would like to learn They can be brought to more, please contact Diane Bright at 826-3410, or Laura at 836-5121. St. Dunstan’s and will be NEED PASTORAL CARE? delivered to the pantry by If you, a family member or friend would like to be put on the Prayer volunteers Chain, receive a personal visit, or have communion brought to you, please call the church offi ce at 238-2781. Blessings, Susan Glade

8 September Birthdays

9/2 Mitchell Patton 9/20 Robin Ertl 9/30 Barbara Karst 9/3 Julie James 9/21 Robert Schalk 9/30 Mark Hull 9/7 Rachel Fleming 9/21 Olivia Dregne 9/10 Andrew Goomey 9/21 Isaac Gildrie-Voyles 9/11 Lauren Lascala 9/23 Paul Goddard 9/14 Jacquie Vilstrup 9/25 Judy Kellner 9/15 Kathleen Kelm 9/27 Bonnie Remitz 9/18 Nichole Fromm

9 The Lighthouse St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church 6205 University Avenue Madison, WI 53705 (608) 238-2781 ofﬁ [email protected]

INSIDE: RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED THE INTERIM JOURNEY 1 THE DEACON’S BENCH 2 PARISH NEWS 3 ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES 4 STEWARDSHIP 5 FORMATION 6&7 OUTREACH 8 SEPTEMBER CALENDAR 9