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"Power tends to corrupt."
Lord Acton is rightly famous for his saying:
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Great men are almost always bad men...."
Apparently, the British baron and historian wrote this in a letter to an Anglican bishop!
Power can be dangerous.
It seems to be intoxicating, causing serious lapses in moral judgment and self-control. We see it everywhere: from Roman Catholic cardinals and bishops who fail to follow their own teachings on sexual behavior, to politicians who seek personal wealth and prestige at the expense of the law and the interests of their own constituencies.
King David
fell into this trap in a terrible way. He coveted another man's wife (Bathsheba), slept with her, and had her husband - a loyal soldier - killed. It doesn't get much worse than this. (The amazing thing is that our Bible records this horror about one of the great heroes of Hebrew history. Scripture's honesty is refreshing...the Bible doesn't shy away from the truth.)
One of the symptoms of the abuse of power is the sacrifice of truth. This is one of the things that scares me so much about the present political climate: lies are being told shamelessly, without regard to objective facts. This runs contrary to Christian teaching. As Presiding Bishop Curry wrote, "We believe that truth is morally central to our personal and public lives." The Decalogue includes the commandment: "You shall not bear false witness."
Jesus comes to us as truth incarnate: embodied truth - put into practice in Jesus' life and teaching. Our job is to embody truth ourselves: to resist falsehoods and prevarications, to challenge those who shamelessly lie, and to live according to the creed we profess. JBM
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Buen Pastor Scholarships
Many were impressed by the work of our Missionary Family, Roberto and Cameron Vivanco in Quito, Ecuador. During Cameron's presentation she stressed the importance of the scholarships for school children. St. Dunstan's has been contributing to these scholarships, as a Church. through full scholarships and through individual donations.
Part of their work in Quito is overseeing the recipients of the scholarships for students at Buen Pastor Church and School.
Please continue to support this work by contributing a full scholarship,
$384 per child per year, or, if we can get twelve contributions of $32.00, that would cover another child. Each scholarship covers the essential school uniform, books and tuition.
You can make your contribution directly to St. Dunstan's by writing Buen Pastor Scholarship in the Memo line of your check.
Many thanks, Elin Botha
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Don't miss this great opportunity to help a young person begin the school year with all the tools they need. The National Center for Children and Families is again trying to help over 300 students by providing them with a full backpack of supplies and we at St. Dunstan's are assisting them in reaching their goals.
We just need you to pick up a flyer from the table in Founders' Hall, head to the store, fill the backpack with a list of the supplies for a particular age group, and bring your full backpack to the church no later than August 19.
Then join us on Sunday, August 19 at the 10:00 a.m. liturgy for the Blessing of Backpacks. Be sure to bring along your own school or work bag to be blessed.
Backpack & Brownies
A Backpack Stuff Party will be held at NCCF on Wednesday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m. Join me as we gather with others from the community to stuff more backpacks. For more information about this event and how to get there go
here.
EMBODIED TRUTH: The Moral Teaching of Jesus
This is the theme for our Fall adult formation offerings - on Sunday mornings and perhaps other times. Nothing could be more relevant to our lives today than this.
While lies and selfishness are problems in every era, we face particular assaults on moral values today. Jesus not only speaks truth, he embodies truth in his words, his actions, and his willingness to give himself up even to death. We'll explore together what Jesus' teaching and his behavior tell us about:
Truth and lies
- Wealth and materialism
- Racial bigotry
- Respect for human life (including abortion, capital punishment, and death with dignity)
- Oppression of human beings (women, gays, poor people, others)
- Poverty
- Sexual ethics
- Nationalism and immigration
- Democracy and authoritarianism
I will present a view of Jesus based in scripture, with ample time for discussion and debate. Jesus addresses some issues more clearly than others, and we'll be honest about that. I hope this will be a fulsome, all-parish discussion of these pressing issues.
The Way of Love
Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has invited every Episcopalian to engage a Jesus-Centered Life. He Has asked us to take up a "rule of life" and focus on these seven words - Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.
Over the course of the next weeks I will highlight each of these practices. Will you consider taking on this new rule?
This week we focus on the word:
TURN
Pause, listen and choose to follow Jesus
As Jesus was walking along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
Mark 2:14
"Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Book of Common Prayer, 302
Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love. With God's help, we can turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice, and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice, and freedom. In turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again, again, and again.
For Reflection and Discernment
- What practices help you to turn again and again to Jesus Christ and the Way of Love?
- How will (or do) you incorporate these practices into your rhythm of life?
- Who will be your companion as you turn toward Jesus Christ?
This is not an easy task and it is one we repeat, again and again throughout our lives. If you are seeking more resources on this practice click
here.
L. Sue von Rautenkranz
Children and Youth Formation Coordinator
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Parish Notice ...
Securing the Church
We have recently had a issue with a man accessing the church and staying in the building unauthorized. It is not clear whether he accessed the building during an event or if one of the main doors was left unlocked. To help facilitate a more secure environment for staff and volunteer leaders, we are asking that anyone with a key to the main door, return it to the church office and get a door code. This will minimize the probability of someone leaving the main door unlocked. Please assist us in this endeavor by returning your key. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the church office.
Kim Matthews
Parish Administrator
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey ...
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n Need of Healing:
Curt Shively
,
husband of Susan Burkhalter
,
in nursing care
Ken Farnsworth
, at home in Westwood Towers
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
Hunter Bell
, ill
The flowers at the altar
are given to the glory of the Lord.
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.
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The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
August 5, 2018
10:00 a.m. Eucharist for All
11:00 a.m. Fellowship
The readings for this Sunday are:
II Samuel 11:26-12:13a, and John 6:24-35
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Crucifer: Carl Adams
Lector: Carl Adams
Prayer Minister: Sue Newman
Altar Guild:
Ann Johnson
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez and Trudy Surut
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