Oktoberfest 2017 ...
















Trail Notes ... 

The Possibilities of Spring
 
We come this Sunday to our third season in Creation Time: Spring.  After the cold, dark, and fallowness of wintertime, Spring is always welcome - a sense of possibility, newness, growth, and surprise come with this season. 
 
In the Gospel today (Matthew 22:1-10) Jesus tells the story of a king who gives a wedding banquet for his son - certainly one of the most significant parties one ever throws, tied up with the hopes and dreams we have for our children.  He sends advance invitations (the first-century equivalent of "save-the-date" cards), and the guests reply.  Then when the moment comes, he sends messengers to bring in the guests who had promised to come.  Then all hell breaks loose. 
 
The guests give excuses for not coming - new property purchases, recent marriage, new livestock to tend.  The king is not amused.  (Here the story lapses into hyperbole about murder and mayhem among the guests and the king's servants.  This seems to be a reference to the historical misfortune of prophets (messengers or slaves), and the destruction of Jerusalem 40 years after Jesus told this parable.  Thus, these violent outbursts are probably not original to Jesus' parable, but added later.) 
 
What I take from this story is about God's invitation to us to step away from our day-to-day lives and consider something new.  There's a banquet laid for us in life, but we have to be willing to step out, explore what's new, and perhaps change our course in life from time to time.  Aunty Mame of Broadway fame once said, "Life's a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"  That's what can happen when we don't accept God's invitation to try new things, explore new possibilities, new callings, new ministries.  What better way to honor Spring?  JBM  

   Animal Blessing







      Coat Drive ...

HELP US HELP REFUGEES

We have been asked to help with a winter coat drive for refugee families.  Lutheran Social Services, our partner, is gathering coats for men, women and children.  

If you have coats that are no longer used and are in good condition, simply drop them off at the church. They can be placed under or near the table in the entrance foyer.

Please also pass along this request to your neighbors--some neighbors have already responded and surely, there are more out there.  

If you have questions or if you would like a receipt for your contribution, contact Ray Donnelly at 301-320-6146 or via email.



      Christian Formation for Children and Youth ...

  The Creation Story continues 

On Sunday, October 15 we will read a picture book about creation with an African-American ethos. It's a Really Cool World is a fun story with great pictures and the best part is that God's helper angel is named Bruce! We will also create murals for days 3, 4, and 5. 

Then on Sunday, October 22, we will create murals for days 6 & 7 and read Old Turtle, a beautifully illustrated book with a emphasis on the responsibilities we all have in taking care of God's creation.


     _______________________________________________________________
 
Youth Formation
 
D.Y.G. every 1st & 3rd Monday

Join us for Youth nights at St. Dunstan's on every  1st & 3rd Monday. Our next gathering is October 16. A simple supper is available at 6:30 p.m. and the program runs from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Each of our program nights include fellowship, service, prayer, and discovering how our faith impacts our lives at school, home, and out in the world. All 5th-12th graders are encouraged to participate. 

Our focus for October is on relationships - siblings, parents, and friends.

October P.R.A.Y. Event

Hayride and Bonfire at Butler's Orchard
Sunday, October 22
5:15 to 8:45 p.m.
Cost: $12.00 per person

Youth from St. Dunstan's will gather at the church at 5:15 and carpool to the Orchard. We will first take a Hayride around the farm for our first 1/2 hour ending at our bonfire site. There we will have hot dogs with all the fixings and s'mores around the bonfire. we will head home with plans to arrive at the church by 8:45 p.m.

Be sure to invite a friend to join you for this fun time enjoying God's creation. Parents may be needed to provide some transportation to this event. Please be in contact with Sue if you can assist.

Click here or sign-up in Founders' Hall to register for this event. The registration deadline is October 18.

L Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator


 
      Book of the Month ...



      Outreach Happening

Thanksgiving Baskets

It's that time of year again! Helping the families served by N.C.C.F. to have a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. Let's try to equal our giving of last year. 


It is a simple and fun outing for the whole family. Take a basket and flyer from the chur ch beginning on Sunday, October 22 and return it to the church no later than Sunday, November 12

Then participate in N.C.C.F.'s Pie & Stuffing Party on
Wednesday,  November 18 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. All present will fill a few hundred more baskets with people from all over Bethesda. All ages are invited and encouraged to come out for this event.
 

 
      Annual Giving 2017 ...

"Having it all"
Reflection by Jeff MacKnight
 
  I was interviewed the other day by a young woman who is a journalism student at  American University.  She was writing an article about changing patterns in marriage, and the idea of "having it all."  She asked me what "having it all" means to me.  The question took me aback!  I told her that, at this point in my life, I know I won't fulfill all the hopes and dreams I may once have set for myself - I'll never have the shiny red sports car, the illustrious career, the beautiful home on a lake somewhere.  

 
But that's okay!  I do believe that I have it all, anyway.  My "all" - my deepest desires for my life - have been refined.  "All" for me is good, meaningful work to do, a wife and children to be my companions through life, a comfortable home, a few really close confidants, lots of other friends, and a bit of travel.  And dogs, of course.  I do indeed have it all.  I have much to be thankful for.  It is enough. 
 
Much of what I "have" are not possessions at all, but opportunities to love, channels for giving.  That's where the true joy of life is found.  I've had to learn this slowly, but Jesus has always known it. 
 
So did St. Francis, when he wrote in his famous prayer:
"It is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 



      Parish Notice

Magazine Collection for Sibley Hospital

Notice to all parishioners who bring magazines. St. Dunstan's is no longer a collection site for Magazines for Sibley Hospital. The Hospital is no longer taking magazines.


Our Cathedral Needs our Thoughts

- What roles should our Cathedral play now?
- What are your hopes and expectations for our Cathedral?
- How does your congregation connect to the Cathedral?         How would you like to connect?  

The Cathedral Task Force asks your input at a listening session to be held at the  Cathedral, November 1, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

I would like to have 2-3 lay people from St. Dunstan's to attend.  Please speak with Jeff.




Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...

I
n Need of Healing:

Curt Shively , husband of Susan Burkhalter in nursing care
Ken Farnsworth , ill at home in Wheaton
David Keegan , friend of Tom and Rosemarie Barrett, fighting cancer
Pam Plaisance , fighting cancer, cousin of Sue von
Samantha Barnes, ill,  sister of Muriel Croston
Ray Bridson , friend of the MacKnights, fighting cancer
DJ Crane , family friend of Trudy Surut, fighting cancer
Vicky Karpathy , friend of Jay and Jackie Karlin
Jay Karlin , in nursing care

The flowers are given to the glory of God.

Recently Departed: Jane Winer, regular member of Wednesday Bible Study.

We pray for St. Dunstan's Missionaries, Cameron and Roberto Vivanco, who serve in Quito, Ecuador, and the parish of Buen Pastor.  

If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please complete our prayer request form by clicking here.
  

Trail Map ...

The Third Sunday of Creation

October 15, 2017

9:00 a.m. Family Service
10:00 a.m. Life Long Christian Formation
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
12:00 noon Fellowship

The readings for this Sunday are: Phillipians 4:4-8, A Springtime Prayer by Joyce Rupp, Psalm 23, and Matthew 22:1-10




Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...

Serving this Sunday

Host Family: Jarvis
Trail Guide: Mark McCarthy
Liturgical Coordinator:  Sue Newman
Eucharistic Minister: Sue Carroll 
and Carl Adams
Prayer Minister:  Rosi Sweeney
Lector: Jackie Karlin
Flower Guild: Ann Boyd
Altar Guild: Ann Johnson
  Tellers: Donna Alvarez and Chuck Cash