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Trail Notes
Picking Up the Torch
Next Monday, November 11, marks the 101st anniversary of the end of World War I and the centennial of our nation's observance of Veterans' (or "Armistice") Day. As we pause to honor the importance of that day and give thanks for the service and sacrifice of the women and men of our Armed Forces, the famous poem "In Flanders Fields" spring to mind. Written in 1915 by Lt. Col. John McCrae of the 1st Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery, "In Flanders Fields" captures the devastation of the bloody second Battle of Ypres (Belgium) and the death of one of McCrae's comrades:
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
These words from the last stanza, in particular, pierce my heart: "To you from failing hands we throw/The torch; be yours to hold it high."
We at St. Dunstan's have been "throw[n] the torch," too, by the generations of faithful who have come before us. Indeed, there would be no St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church at the corner of Massachusetts and Fort Sumner today if our forebears had not participated so generously in the mission of Christ in and for this place.
In the announcements that follow, you will find many ways to take part in that mission. As you scroll through our offerings, I hope that you will pray about how God might be calling you to become more involved. You will find opportunities to serve in worship, extend hospitality to students at American University, provide Thanksgiving baskets for our neighbors in need, and deepen your own faith by studying God's Word - to name but a few of the points of entry into the life of this parish. And if you have not done so already, I hope that you will join me in stepping out in faith with a pledge of financial support to St. Dunstan's in the coming year. Every one of us has something to give, and we hope for 100% participation in this year's campaign.
The torch has been thrown to us. On the heels of a truly spectacular All Saints' Sunday, may we not "break faith."
Your Sister in Christ,
Patty+
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Honoring our Veterans this Weekend
On Sunday, November 10, we will honor our veterans during our 10 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist.
Please invite any veterans or active/reserve military to join us for worship on Sunday, so that we might surround them in prayer and thank them for their service. Uniforms are, of course, welcomed and encouraged!
During Formation Hour this Sunday, November 10, please stay to write notes and make cards for patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center here in Bethesda. Grab a cup of coffee and join us, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Children are especially encouraged to participate!
Also: On Sunday evening at 7 p.m., the Washington National Cathedral is hosting a
National Tribute Concert to Veterans
. Featuring performances by the "The President's Own" United States Marine Orchestra and the Washington National Cathedral Choir, the concert is free and open to the public; no advance registration or ticketing is necessary.
Finally, please note that the Parish Office will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of the holiday.
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Stewardship 2020 ... Consecration Sunday is Next Week!
Click
here to access the online pledge form!
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Outreach
Ministry to Episcopal/Anglican Students at American University
Chaplain Carolyn Seaton at American University has once again invited members of St. Dunstan's to join her and Patty Alexander next Tuesday evening, November 12, for a time of worship and fellowship with AU students. We will gather for Holy Eucharist at 6:30 p.m., followed by a simple meal and discussion. In the past St. Dunstan's parishioners have attended and have provided a simple meal for about 12 people. If this ministry of hospitality interests you, please let
Patty Alexander
know as soon as possible. The more, the merrier!
Thanksgiving Baskets for the National Center for Children and Families
An Interfaith Opportunity: All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS)
We have been invited to participate in a Friday prayer service at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center on November 22 at 2 p.m. The Center is located in Sterling VA, about 30 minutes from St. Dunstan's. It was established in 1983 to serve the local Muslim population in the Reston and Herndon area and has grown to be one of the largest Muslim communities in the DC area. You can find out more about the Center on their
website
. Their address is:
ADAMS Sterling
46903 Sugarland Road
Sterling VA 20164
In addition to its regular prayer services, the ADAMS Center focuses on education, community and youth development, and service. They also foster interfaith collaboration and host and participate in several interdenominational programs and activities throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. They have an active visitor program aimed to introduce non-Muslims to the service and to make them feel welcome there.
If you are interested or have questions, contact
Mark MacCarthy
. People are welcomed to find their way to the Center themselves, but let us know if you are coming so that we can let the staff at ADAMS know how many visitors to expect. It probably makes sense to try to arrive there about 20 minutes before the service to meet people and get settled.
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Opportunities to Serve- Help Wanted!
You probably have noticed that each week a number of parishioners take an active part in leading our liturgy (worship). The word "liturgy" literally means, "the work of the people," and St. Dunstan's needs more people to help make our worship happen each Sunday! There are opportunities for children, youth, and adults alike, and training is provided. Some of the ways to serve include:
- Reading the lessons (Lectors)
- Serving the Chalice (Eucharistic Ministers)
- Leading the Prayers of the People and Healing Prayers (Prayer Minister)
- Carrying the Cross, banner, and candles (Acolytes)
- Preparing the Altar and caring for the Communion linens and vessels (Altar Guild).
If you are in any of these ministries, please be in touch with
Patty Alexander. Thank you, in advance, for your participation!
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P.R.A.Y. Event ... National Cathedral
The next P.R.A.Y. activity will be a scavenger hunt at the National Cathedral on Sunday, November 17, at 1:00 p.m. Youth in grades 5-12 will have an exciting opportunity to explore a space that is so central to our faith. After the scavenger hunt, we will gather in front of the Cathedral on the lawn to discuss what we thought of the space. Please use
this form
to register.
In Christ,
P.R.A.Y. Coordinator
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Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Wednesday morning:
Our midweek Bible Study takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30, and you are warmly welcomed! No preparation or previous knowledge is required: just bring an "inquiring and discerning heart" and a willingness to engage the Word. We are studying the Gospel of John, and we would be better for your presence. Bring a Bible if you have one, but if not, one will be provided. Infants and young children are welcomed, too!
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Mid Week Eucharist with Prayers for Healing
Mid Week Eucharist with Prayers for Healing: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.
Join us for this quiet, casual service of Holy Eucharist, Rite II, followed by (optional) prayers for healing. Come for Bible Study and stay, or just pop in for worship...You will be exactly "on time," whenever you arrive. (Please bring infants and young children, too!)
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Small Groups
Justice League
We are meeting today,
November 7 at 7:30 at St. Dunstan's? We'll do a quick recap on the community forum we had on racial equity, and then discuss next steps, which will likely involve an initiative on gun violence.
Please let me know if you are able to make it!
Soul Sisters
The Soul Sisters (St. Dunstan's women's discussion group) will meet this
Saturday, November 9, from 10:00 - 11:30 in the parlor. Our starting topic (prompted by the glut of holiday catalogs already swamping our mailboxes) will be gifts. Why does gift-giving and gift-getting sometimes seem so important? What are our traditions and feelings about gifts? What gifts is God offering us - and what are we to do with them?
This group & our conversations are very fluid and anyone is welcome to come. If you have any questions, please contact
Sue Carroll.
Men's Group
Join us for men's group! We will gather in the Parlor on
Saturday, December 7
, 2019 @ 9:00 a.m
., and continue with our schedule of meeting every first Saturday of the month, same time, same place. Some of our topics for this season are how the Men's Group can help support our new rector and expand the "Men's" ministry at St. Dunstan's. Join us, bring friends, share in the fellowship. If you have questions, please contact,
John Wyss.
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Tech Tuesdays- Location Change
LFV TECH TUESDAYS, One session / extended time: 10:30-12:30. The classes are held in the Little Falls Village office, 4701 Sangamore Road, S-232. Unlock the capabilities of your smart phone! Will organize into "mini groups" depending on levels. Topics vary. Individual help during each session. Bring laptops & iPads in addition to iPhones, if you can. Please note there is no class on Dec 24 or Dec 31.
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Celebration of New Ministry
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Parish Notice
Photos Wanted
Do you have fabulous photos from any of this season's Sundays or events? If so, please share them with the parish. Send all photos to the parish administrator at
[email protected].
Office Alarm Upgraded
The office alarm equipment has been upgraded. The codes and procedures are still the same but the panel is new. If you need to access the office and are not sure how, please contact the parish administrator for a quick tutorial.
Kimberly Matthews
Parish Administrator
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Whitman Crew Wreath Sales
Hello!
My name is Emily Olin I am a senior on the Whitman Crew team and I live in the neighborhood on Marlyn Drive.
We are selling balsam fir wreaths and white pine garlands to support Whitman Crew. These beautiful wreaths and garlands are from Holloway's of Pennsylvania and are of the highest quality.
If you make a purchase I will deliver your items to the Church or your home the week of November 25.
Please let me know if you would like to order. I can collect cash or checks at a convenient time, or you can order items or make donations online by clicking on: http://www.whitmancrew.org
Holiday Items
Plain wreath with bow $29.00 Boxed wreath w/ bow, pinecones, berries $39.00 10 yd. (30 ft.) Garland $30.00 25 yd. (75 ft) Garland $43.00
Thank you!!!
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Hopes and Prayers on our Journey
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n Need of Healing:
Curt Shively
, in nursing care,
husband of Susan Burkhalter
Ken Farnsworth
, at home
Pam Plaisance
, fighting cancer, cousin of Sue von
DJ Crane
, fighting cancer, family friend of Trudy Surut
Samantha Barnes,
ill,
sister of Muriel Croston
Eleanor London
, ill, mother of Ellen McCormick
Warren Green
, ill, son-in-law of Trudy Surut
Katie Hemmer
, ill, mother of Sidney Clark-Lequrique
Nene De Roos
, ill, family friend of Joseph Arkfeld
Cindy Ault
, mother of Jessica Ault
David Greco
, ill, son-in-law of Ann Johnson
Joe Alexander,
ill, father-in-law of The Rev. Patricia Alexander
Sydney Betz,
ill, sister of Bob Betz
Nathan Linman
, ill
Deacon Julie Petersmeyer
, ill
Hilda Cruz
, grieving, friend of Trudy Surut
The flowers
are given to the glory of the Lord.
Recently Departed: Rosendo Alonzo Diaz, husband of Hilda Cruz, friend of Trudy Surut.
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 Twenty Second
Sunday after Pentecost
Veterans' Day Sunday
November 10, 2019
10:00 a.m. Eucharist
for All
11:30 a.m. Christian Formation
The readings for this Sunday are:
Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17,
and Luke 20:27-38 |
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Sunday Schedule of Ministries ...
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Serving this Sunday
Trail Guide: Rosemarie Barrett
Liturgical Coordinator:
Sue Newman
Eucharistic Ministers: Robin Reed
and Carl Adams
Lector: Costa Gogos
Prayer Minister:
Sue Newman
Crucifer:
Carl Adams
Flower Guild:
Rosemarie Barrett
Altar Guild:
Ann Johnson
Tellers:
Donna Alvarez and Chuck Cash
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