December 2004 This is the irrational season This Sunday we begin the season of Advent, the time of the church year that poet Madeleine L'Engle so aptly calls "the irrational season." Certainly it was irrational to believe that a poor, frightened, unmarried teenager would give birth to the child of God, the savior of the world. But Mary did believe the words of the angel more than 2,000 years ago, and as a result the world was forever changed. It may be just as irrational for us to believe that the birth of a child so long ago could have something to say about our lives now. And yet, we do believe. The editor of a collection of Advent meditations I am reading this year puts it this way: "Advent marks something momentous: God's coming into our midst. That coming is not just something that happened in the past. It is a recurring possibility here and now." The next four weeks we will all be busy with preparation - shopping, decorating, wrapping, mailing, cooking. All these activities are motivated by love, and all honor the child whose birth we celebrate on Christmas. But Christmas is not just an anniversary of a long ago birth; it is a reminder that Christ continues to come to us in unexpected ways. We prepare for this coming by being watchful and ready to believe that what seems to be irrational may be the key to our salvation. Have a blessed Advent.
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Advent/Christmas Highlights
Within Our Walls Confirmation Bishop Neil Alexander will be at St. Dunstan's for confirmation on February 20. Confirmation is the official way for youth and adults who have been baptized in any Christian church to join the Episcopal Church. The Book of Common Prayer describes confirmation as making "a mature public affirmation of faith and commitment to the responsibilities of Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop." Adult classes to prepare for confirmation will begin in early January. (Youth classes have already begun.) They will focus on the history, theology, worship and organization of the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in attending the classes, please contact the Rev. Patricia Templeton at the church office. If you have been confirmed as a youth or adult in another Episcopal Church and now want to become an "official" member of St. Dunstan's, you must have your "letter of transfer" sent from your previous church. Even if you have not been an active member of a church for many years, your letter will reside in the church where you were confirmed or last active. If you wish for your letter of transfer to be sent to St. Dunstan's, send a note to our registrar Nancy Elliott at the church office providing your full name(s), phone number, address, and the name and address of your previous church. Nancy will be glad to request the letter for you. Deadline for articles for the January Bellows is December 15th. Mark your calendars: St. Dunstan's 4th Annual Art Show and Sale is shaping up to be something special! Be sure to mark your calendar for January 22nd and 23rd. More details to follow. Flower Chairpersons Still Needed: We are seeking two people to share the duties of Flower Committee Chair. If you need more information about these duties, call Beverly Booth. BACK by POPULAR DEMAND
A Look Ahead
Adult Sunday School in Epiphany Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders Room Dr. Joe Monti, who teaches Christian ethics and moral theology at the seminary in Sewanee, will teach a five-week adult course in Epiphany on "Politics and Christian Values: Liberal Alternatives."
St Dunstan's 4th Annual Art Show
Speaking Out for Outreach Emmaus House Scholarships Christine Bird, Helen Branch, and Joe Monti met with George Maxwell at Emmaus House on November 9. George will be departing at the end of December. The Rev. Claiborne Jones, currently rector at Epiphany, becomes vicar of Emmaus House in January. George agreed that he would identify recipients for our scholarship money by early to mid December. Interfaith Build for Habitat Steve Hauser has volunteered to head up the participation of St. Dunstan's in our second Interfaith build. The first, which finished on September 15, 2002, was designed as a response to September 11, 2001. All the children of Abraham-Bahá'ís, Christians, Jews, and Moslems- came together to build a home in southwest Atlanta. Most likely dates for this build are Sundays from mid-May to mid-July. The parish will join with congregations of other faiths to provide both money and workers. Worship for the workers will be on site for those Sundays. Lifespan Resources Lifespan will soon be adding another program to its menu: Faith in Action/Friends and Neighbors. A grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will pay part of the salary of a new employee who will recruit volunteers to visit the elderly in their homes. St. Dunstan's parishioners are invited to participate. Stewardship Thought Listening to Tricia's sermon on Sunday about not making our stewardship contributions from the "leftovers" of our incomes, I was reminded of the conviction of a former (now moved away) member of St. Dunstan's. He said that he always wrote his pledge check at the beginning of the month, first thing, and then let the rest of his obligations come from the residue. I'm going to try that. ~Betty Whittier Mary & Martha's Place Winter Solstice Christmas Trees and Wreaths
Holiday Recipe
ADVENT ONE
Deadline for articles for the February Bellows is January 15th. Our Schedule, Most Always Church Office Hours Sundays Wednesdays
Our Vestry Geoff Walker, Senior Warden Our Staff The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector ptempleton(at)earthlink.net 
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Meet Nanette Woodworth
