January 2005 Knowing Nanette The setting of St. Dunstan's in the quiet woods has helped me conjure up images for reflection about the new year. I see this new venture with you all at St. Dunstan's as a mutual journey into an undiscovered frontier. Most of us descended from ancestors who had to strike out for the unknown. Poverty, war, famine or oppression literally propelled them across the seas to find sanctuary in a new place. Their survival depended on a disciplined letting go of all that was behind them.
Our frontiers are less tangible. Our places of wilderness are less geographical than spiritual, emotional and social. Yet ours require no less courage, daring and faith. We profess belief in a living God, a God who is not revered as some figment or fragment from the past, but a living God whose presence is with us here and now. Our God is present, accompanies us in each step, walks with us into that unknown. Sometimes as soon as we make a strong conviction to move into a new way of being together, we have an equally strong regressive swing backwards, and we would return and settle into our past. But our God accompanies us as a fresh and liberating spirit present when we venture beyond our past to embrace one another. God is leading us to a place where we will find new depths of compassion, new heights of understanding, and a greater breadth of affection. St. Dunstan's is already a community of Christ that thinks outside of the box. It will really not be that hard to imagine new worlds together. But patience is a virtue we will need to practice as we allow the Holy Spirit to unfold her plan for us in her good time. Meanwhile, let us be together, worship together, share fellowship, and get to know each other and enjoy ourselves; and out of these relationships, what we do as a church will define itself from our place of community in the heart of God. Just a little about me...I grew up in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. I learned quickly that church was a place for children at heart of all ages to joyfully share their gifts and grow in leadership as a way to participate in the growing of God's kingdom on earth (although I would not have articulated it that way then! I would have said, "Mom, today was a really fun day in church!"). As a young teen I was part of the great revival of the late sixties and early seventies and have wonderful memories of a strong youth folk music group and related retreats. Throughout college and young adulthood I remained active in church while I pursued a variety of careers. While I worked on Wall Street in the early to mid 80s, I volunteered regularly at an inner city church in Newark, NJ. After marrying my husband Michael, I returned to my original career intentions, and began to teach. We had our first child, Tyler, and I taught children with learning disabilities in Trenton, NJ at the Newgrange School. During this time I was very active at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and became a deacon in the ELCA. It was during this two-year diaconate program that I felt called to attend seminary and began to attend part time. I completed my degree at Union Theological Seminary in 1998, something I could not have done without the support of Michael, who continues to work out of the home to support my career and continues to make family a priority. I have a wonderful photograph of my holding my diploma and our second child, Haley Rose (now a first grader)! That was a fruitful spring! I became a member of the Community of Julian of Norwich at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in 1993. This was something that surprised everyone in my family! However, I found something at St. Andrew's that I needed at this very demanding time of my life...a small church community that did not ask more from me than I could give; a focus on the spirituality of Julian; inclusive language; alternative jazz worship; a diverse community that reflected my urban seminary community; and a deep sense of church as family with respect for the individuality of each brother and sister. I would like to share with you that although I have worked at three large churches with wonderful programs and people since my graduation in 1998, I have always dreamed of one day finding myself in a community like that of St. Andrew's. Our God is an amazing God who joys in fulfilling our deepest wishes for ourselves. Because these wishes will always result in our being and becoming within Christian community, a baptized community of the beloved, who are blessed, called and empowered to serve countless others in a broken world. Well, my wish has come true with this call to St. Dunstan's. Our family is truly blessed to join you at this point in our lives and in the life of your parish. I see the church in very much the same way that it was viewed in the middle ages, a center for spirituality, the arts and education. As such, not only will I attempt to develop programs in the area of Christian Formation for children and youth, but also to offer a holistic approach that can result in many intergenerational activities. The insert in this issue of The Bellows is a checklist of ideas which I would like you to review, and if any of these ideas resonate with you, they may result in some wonderful new or renewed ventures in the coming months and years. There will be a sign-up list on the information table to help me assess interest. Please also add your ideas! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you!
Table of Contents
Passages
Within Our Walls WWII Memories: Since all families have had an opportunity to receive a gift copy of "World War II Memories of St. Dunstan Parishioners," ECW has elected to sell a few of the remaining books at $10.00 a copy. You may have a relative who would enjoy this reflection. Please see Jane Lamkin for purchase with check made out to ECW. A copy has been sent to the George C. Marshall Foundation in Lexington, VA. They are compiling a collection of WWII memories and Korean War memories for their museum. Our inclusion of photos was of particular interest to them, and they were delighted to purchase our book. Deadline for articles for the February Bellows is January 15. Please email your articles to St. Dunstan's or leave them in Kim Branch's mailbox in the church office. Mark your calendars: St. Dunstan's 4th Annual Art Show and Sale is January 22nd and 23rd. Postcards are available to mail to your friends and can be picked up from the church office. Prayer List Update on Gay Allen's cousin Amanda: Please continue to keep Amanda in your prayers, especially for relief from the pain of a "migraine" headache, which she has been dealing with since before Thanksgiving. She is out of the hospital but still on the strongest medications they can give her, without much relief. The pain level stays at a 6-7. Amanda is grayish-pale, lethargic and very emotional, but still tries to participate in whatever is going on at home. She has been unable to attend any school and doesn't even want to go to the craft room at the hospital- something she loves. Episcopal Relief Development: I wanted to let you know that if people at St. Dunstan's want to speed up their donations to ERD for the people of South Asia, they can do so on-line. Also, there is a place on the donation form to indicate what parish they attend. I donated on-line this morning, and I indicated "St. Dunstan's, Atlanta, GA," as my parish. I received a confirmation from ERD immediately. ~Jane Hill Passing the Torch: Many thanks to Beverly Booth, who has faithfully coordinated the flower calendar for four years, making sure that there were flowers on the altar each Sunday. Beverly is resigning from this position. Jane Lamkin and Fair Sutherlin have agreed to co-chair this important job. To Beverly, well done, good and faithful servant. And thanks to Jane and Fair for accepting this new responsibility. 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."
Speaking Out for Outreach Upcoming Volunteer Information Sessions at If you are interested in becoming involved with volunteer services at Buckhead Christian Ministry, BCM's Volunteer Committee will be hosting a series of recruiting events in January.
All sessions are held in our offices at 2847 Piedmont Road NE. If these times are not convenient for you, please contact Dudley Bryant at 404.239.0058, ext.123, or dudleybryant@bcmatlanta.net to schedule an appointment. Lifespan Resources: On January 27, 2005 at 12:30, Christine Bird will complete her term as the President of LifeSpan Resources. At the Annual Luncheon on that day, the Rev. Frank Allan will speak on the theology of creativity. All are welcome to attend. If you wish to buy a lunch, call the Lifespan offices by January 20 to reserve one. Cost is $6. Venue is the parish hall of Peachtree Rd. United Methodist Church, on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. Mary & Martha's Place I believe in all that has never yet been spoken. ~Rainer Maria Rilke Winter and Spring Series: Walking with Simplicity in the New Year, with Barb Dolan Meinert. Simplicity and its Roots Special This Month Winter Foyer Groups are Forming Winter Foyer sign-up for the next three Sundays in the Parish Hall. What is Foyer? On a monthly basis, six to eight St. Dunstanites gather for a simple dinner at someone's home. These dinners rotate through three or four monthly get-togethers and provide you with the opportunity to share and learn more about your fellow parishioners. Singles and couples are welcome...singles MAY wish to pair to share the cooking or the venue! Remember, this is not a gourmet club, but many great evenings! If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact either Christine or Rick Beard Directory Changes Changes to the November 2004 St. Dunstan's Directory are listed in the mail-home Bellows. Check your copy, or call the church office for these changes and additions for N. Woodworth, L. Davidson, W. Lord and E. McIntyre SPECIAL NOTE: The Vestry has contracted with a computer telephone service, CALLING POST.COM. This service will replace the current telephone tree in most cases where we need to get the word out quickly about a special event. The contact list matches the November 2004 Directory. The service will call you directly and an announcement from St. Dunstan's will follow. The service will leave a message if you have an answering machine or service. Any questions please call Kim Branch in the church office. (404-266-1018) Help Wanted: Big Musical Shoes As we bid a reluctant farewell to our wonderful organist and choir director Jane Butler on Feb. 6, we begin in earnest our search for her successor. These will be LARGE shoes to fill on many levels - musical, personal, spiritual - and we know filling them will not be easy. We are already advertising with the American Guild of Organists, locally and nationally, and have alerted university music departments in the area, as well as members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, many of whom are choir directors themselves. But we need your help. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas for a part-time (15 hours per week) choir director/organist, even on an interim basis, please contact me, Tricia, or any member of the search committee. If you know church musicians who can help us spread the word, that too would be helpful. Thanks very much, St Dunstan's 4th Annual Art Show
Ideas for St. Dunstan's Christian Formation Training Volunteers needed for every age group:
Youth and Adult
Children
Family
Adult
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 The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector ptempleton(at)earthlink.net
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