January 2006 Contents
“The body does not consist of one member, but of many…The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’…If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12 The beginning of a new year is a time of reflection, a time to think back on the past year, its highs and lows, and a time to make plans and dreams for the year to come. For many of us, these plans come in the form of New Year’s resolutions. And without a doubt, the most common resolutions each year have to do with our bodies. Maybe this is the year that we vow we are finally going to quit smoking, or lose weight, or eat more healthily, or exercise more faithfully. Gyms and weight loss centers are packed in January with new members determined to take better care of their bodies. All of these resolutions point to a realization that our bodies are important. And as we age we begin to realize that we can’t take them for granted, that we must care for them so that they will be able to sustain us. This New Year’s, I have also been thinking about the care of another kind of body, the body of Christ – or more specifically, the body of Christ that is St. Dunstan’s. Just as most of us take for granted that our physical bodies will function as we need them to, so do we take for granted that the church, the body of Christ, will be there for us. As members of the body of Christ we have the right to assume certain things of the church. At St. Dunstan’s, we can and should assume that there will be thoughtful and faithful worship on Sunday mornings; that our children will be taught the stories and traditions of the faith; that adults will have classes that challenge, educate, and inform our faith. As members of the body of Christ at St. Dunstan’s we can and should assume that the church will be there for us in times of crisis and joy, that this is a community we can count on for support and help, for friendship and care. Recently I was visiting with people who are new to St. Dunstan’s, telling them about the church, its programs, and all the things we try to provide for those who come here. Then they asked a question I have never been asked before. What does the church expect of its members? The question required some thought. Being a member of the body of Christ is not like being a member of another organization. We don’t have attendance requirements like a soccer team. We don’t have mandatory dues like a country club. We don’t require a certain number of volunteer service hours. Our services are there for anyone who walks through the door – whether you are a founding member or entering a church for the first time, whether you give thousands of dollars to the church or never give a penny. And that is the way it should be. Just as God is there for each and every one of us, so should the church. But just as our physical bodies are dependent on the health of each of its parts, so is the body of Christ dependent on each of its members. When any part of the body is missing, the entire body suffers. When one part of the body is weakened it affects the whole. For the body of Christ to be healthy, it must be cared for and exercised. As you make your New Year’s resolutions this year, I urge you to think of your part in this body of Christ. If you have not been attending church regularly, resolve to be here on Sunday mornings. Make a resolution to come to Sunday School. Resolve to participate in outreach or other programs. The health of the body of Christ at St. Dunstan’s is dependent on each and every one of us. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
Table of Contents | Return to top Announcements
Table of Contents | Return to top January reminders and dates for your calendar*** Jan. 16 th: Youth and Family Trip to Hawks vs. Houston Rockets Game Tickets are still available for $10 each for this exciting event. You will get to watch two fabulous teams, plus get to see Gospel Singers Bebe and CeCe Winans in a post game concert! Part of the Philips Arena “Faith and Family Night” series, this will prove to be a fun-filled day. Please contact Nanette if you are interested. We will meet here at St. Dunstan’s at 12:30 p.m. to arrive early and receive free t-shirts! *** Sunday, January 29 th 7 – 9 p.m.: Youth and Parents Pilgrimage Dinner Youth will prepare and serve parents a gourmet dinner, and the Pilgrimage and related fundraising plans will be described. Please RSVP. *** Anyone interested in attending third Sunday of the month English Country Dance from 2-5 p.m., please contact Nanette. It is a wonderful opportunity for all ages (teen and up).
Happening News ~ Sincerely, John Booth
Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders RoomThus Spoke the Prophet…During the season of Epiphany, the time of year between Christmas and Lent, we celebrate the Word of God coming into the world. Throughout scripture, God speaks to God’s people through the prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Jonah, Hosea and many others. During Epiphany, the Old Testament lessons on Sunday are from the prophets. God still speaks to us through their words. But God also speaks to us through modern day prophets. During January and February the Adult Sunday School class will look at the biblical prophets and their modern day counterparts. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders’ Room for these classes. Here is the schedule for January:
ThanksSpecial Thanks for Folding FingersAll year long, a group of volunteers called the “Folding Fingers” work hard to make sure that all church service bulletins and church newsletters are prepared and ready for you. This group is recruited during the ministry fair in September each year. The Office Liason, Nancy Elliott, prepares a schedule for folding bulletins, newsletters, and preparation of other parish communications. The work of this group is so important and it really is behind the scenes. Please join me in thanking this dependable group of volunteers. The 2005 Folding Fingers:
~Kim Branch
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Happening
Library Addition Wayne Lord—Senior Warden |
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Bruce Lafitte—Junior Warden |
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Beverly Booth |
Susan Elliott |
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Susan Hauser |
Tonia Hopkins |
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Nancy Knight Latimore |
Richard Stansbury |
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Matt Taylor |
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Our Staff
The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector
The Rev. Maggie Harney, Priest Associate
Nanette Woodworth, Director of Christian Formation for Children & Youth
Stephen L. Furches, Organist-Choirmaster
Kim Branch, Parish Administrator
Daria Jones, Treasurer
