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The God Who Affirms
Too often, Christianity has been made into a religion of rules and punishments, a bludgeon with which to instill fear in the faithful. In many cases, church hierarchies and leaders have used their power to instill such fear - leaving a trail of pain and betrayal in their wake. None of this, I believe, is God's intention.
Instead, as Jesus is baptized today, we see that we worship a God who affirms: affirms Jesus' humanity, and affirms our humanity. Listen to today's words from Isaiah, speaking to YOU: "Now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine!"
Those are words of love and affection, of care and support. God claims us as his own and wants the best for us...not a life of fear. When Jesus is baptized, he receives God's unqualified words of love: "You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased."
Unfortunately, there are biblical passages that lean toward condemnation and punishment. Certainly, God does not wish to see us sin against each other, hurt each other, lie, cheat, or steal. But God's purpose for us is healing and wholeness, not guilt and damnation. Sending Jesus into our world is God's way of reaching out, cementing the union of God and human, and lifting us up into a life of love and joy. There is enough in this world to get us down, without having to believe that God's is down on us, too.
When we are baptized into Christ's Body, we are not joining a grim reform school, but a family who celebrates its members and supports them with compassion in times of need.
So next time you hear some "Christian" message that condemns or demeans someone's humanity, stop and question it; challenge it; and if possible, speak against it. Don't let fearmongers hold our faith hostage. God is love, and love will always be more powerful than hate. JBM
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Adult Formation - between services at 9:50 a.m. with Jeff
Beginning Sunday, January 20, I would like for you to set the agenda! What topics or questions do you have about God, the world, evil, the Church, moral issues, church and politics, spiritual practices (prayer, meditation, etc.)?
Please submit your queries and we'll do our best to address them.
- You may wonder how to reconcile a good God with so much evil in the world. How does God act in the world?
- Or what Jesus taught most about (clue: it's not sex).
- Or how to approach political and social issues from a Christian perspective.
- How does a rational person pray?
- How are ancient biblical texts relevant today? Are they inerrant?
- What will the Church be like in the future?
- What about people who say science and religion can't coexist?
Please email me your inquiries and we'll schedule them for a Sunday -
[email protected]
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SOUL SISTER'S
What if, instead of "making resolutions" for the New Year, we try to watch and listen for what God wants us to do? What would that be like? How would it be different? This will be the topic for our Soul Sisters discussion this Saturday morning, January 12. [Credit goes to one of the "sisters," Lynne Leonard, for mentioning this approach in our last meeting. I can't stop thinking about it.] We'll meet in the parlor from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. and see where the conversation takes us. Anyone is welcome! If you have questions, please contact
Sue Carroll.
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Christian Formation for Children and Youth ...
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Children's Ministry
Children's Formation
will continue on Sundays, Jan. 13, 20, and 27, between services at 9:50 a.m. under lay leadership. Our Christian Formation Committee meets Monday January 7, at 7:00 p.m., at the McCormick's home to plan our program. Volunteers to work with children are needed now - please consider helping once per month! Speak to Jeff MacKnight, Frank or Ellen McCormick, or Sue Carroll.
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Youth Ministry
January Youth Night
6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30-7:30 p.m. Program for youth in grades 5-12
Wednesday, January 23 at St. Dunstan's
In the new year we will be moving our evenings to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
Our conversations in January will turn to an exploration of what it means to be a Child of God and what our church believes and teaches about humanity. How we understand what we believe about ourselves and the rest of humanity - guides our choices, responses, and reactions to the situations in our world. Come for dinner and stay for games, community building, and conversation.
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P.R.A.Y Youth Events - Grades 5-12 
MONDAY, January 21, 2018
9:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.
Washington Hebrew Congregation
We will participate in a large, interfaith day of service at Washington Hebrew Congregation for those in need. The day will offer different ways to serve - from sorting clothes, to making family gift bags, to preparing food, packing fresh produce bags, creating blankets, and assembling meal packages. All of this is donated to local groups and programs that serve the hungry, homeless, and others throughout the DC metro area.
Our group will meet at the main doors of the Temple at 9:30 a.m. for a brief check-in and make up work teams. We will then gather with all the other volunteers for a welcome and pray with the rabbi before heading off to work stations. There will be opportunities to work in different areas throughout the time. If all the work is finished before 1 p.m. we will assist with clean-up. We will gather again at the end to share our experiences and for concluding prayers.
Parents should drop off and pick up youth at the front door of the Temple at 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. respectively.
There is no cost for this event - however, all are encouraged to do a closet purge after Christmas and donate your clothing in good condition to the event.
Friends are welcome.
All those participating on this day should
sign up
no later than Wednesday, January 16.
Our next PRAY Event - Fun Day at ZavaZone - Sunday, February 24.
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Parish Notice ...
EUCHARISTIC BREAD BAKERS NEEDED!
Are you baker? Are you looking for an easy volunteer opportunity? Then we need you! We are currently recruiting volunteers to bake bread for Eucharist. For more information, contact
Jeff .
DOOR CODE
Happy New Year! The general door code has been changed. If you need to access the building please contact Kim Matthews in the church office.
Kim Matthews
Parish Administrator
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RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Below is a list of the members of the Rector Search Committee. If at any time your have questions or concerns, please reach out to one of the members of the committee or its chair, Chuck Cash. You can email us at
[email protected].
Chuck Cash, Chair; Donna Alvarez; Fred Bentley; Clint Chamberlin;
Lynn Adduci Leonard; Sue Newman; John Wyss
Committee Chair
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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
Jessie McCardell,
recovering from a fall
Nancy Hay,
ill
The flowers at the altar
are given to the glory of the Lord by Donald and Beatrice Hamilton and family in loving memory of their brother, uncle, and great uncle Alton Cecil Crowther.
As we seek a new rector, we pray: Lord Christ, we ask that you surround us with your love during this time of transition and renewal at St. Dunstan's. Let us view this moment of change as an invitation to build upon that which has been given to us so generously by the gifts of our founders. May we possess an open heart to all the possibilities that lie ahead. We hope these months of preparation will further unite us as one faith community, and that we will continue to cherish the strengths and gifts of one another. May we find new leaders who will unite us in our mission and shared values. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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 First Sunday after the Epiphany
January 13, 2019
9:00 a.m. Family Service
9:50 a.m. Second Sunday Social
10:45 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist
The readings for this Sunday are:
Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 89:1-29,
and Luke 3:15-17
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guide: Joanne Comstock
Liturgical Coordinator: Sue Newman
Crucifer:
Carl Adams
Lector: Carl Adams
Prayer Minister: Sue Newman
Flower Guild:
Sue Newman
Altar Guild:
Marsha Barnes
and Kiska Williams
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez and Tom Barrett
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