November 2006
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From the Rector

If I had to choose the most beautiful time at St. Dunstan’s it might very well be this week. I walked into the church this morning and in the windows above the altar the sky shone a bright October blue and the leaves on the trees were a fierce, brilliant red. The beauty was literally breathtaking.

If we lived in an agricultural culture, instead of an urban/suburban one, we would be more aware that this is the harvest season, the time when the fruits of the earth are gathered and stored for the coming winter.

In Biblical times, much was written about the importance of giving the first and best fruits of the earth back to God. The people of Israel were commanded to tithe their harvest, that is to give 10 percent of their grains, and fruits, and wines as sacrifices to God, in thanksgiving for the blessings that God had bestowed upon them.

We don’t really celebrate a harvest season, as such, anymore. But perhaps it is more than a coincidence that the church’s season of stewardship falls during the traditional harvest time.

This month is the time of our annual campaign for the church’s operating budget for the coming year. You will soon be getting a pledge card in the mail. But we aren’t asking you to send it in right away. This year we are approaching our stewardship campaign a little differently.

Within the next week or so everyone in the parish will be receiving a phone call from a member of the vestry or stewardship committee. They will be asking if they can come visit you to talk with you about St. Dunstan’s.

The vestry and stewardship committee want to share with you what St. Dunstan’s means to them, and want to hear from you your thoughts about this place. We want to hear what is on your mind, and to let each member of the parish know how valuable each and every one of you is to the life of this congregation.

And yes, we want to talk about money, too. We want to make sure that everyone knows what the financial needs of the parish are, and to answer any financial questions you may have about the church.

The cost of operating St. Dunstan’s for a year is about $350,000, all of which comes from parishioners. By far the vast majority of the budget goes to salaries for our staff and maintenance of the building. Traditionally, 10 percent of the parish budget has gone to outreach beyond our community and another 10 percent has gone to support the Diocese of Atlanta. There is very little program or discretionary money in the budget.

We know going in to this stewardship campaign that this will be a tight year for our church. In the past year several families who have been generous givers have moved away, meaning that we know there is a large gap to make up just to break even. We are aware that cuts may have to be made. For example, this year for the first time we most likely will not be able to give the diocese the full amount that they ask from us.

Episcopalians have traditionally been reticent to talk about money. But the fact is that money is an important part of our lives, both as individuals and families, and as a community of faith. How we spend our money says a lot about our priorities. At St. Dunstan’s the vestry and staff work very hard to be good stewards of our financial resources because we know and appreciate that all that we have are gifts from you and blessings from God.

the church. That, of course, is an individual decision. But I think the place to start is by thinking about what St. Dunstan’s means to you, what its place is in your life.

And I invite us all to go back to the Biblical mandate of the tithe. I know that giving 10 percent of one’s income to the church is not a realistic goal for many people. But look at what 10 percent of your income is. What percentage of that can you afford to give? Can you think about increasing what you have given in the past?

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Announcements

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Within Our Walls

Adult Sunday School: In November, we will offer a three-week series entitled "Respecting the Other: Religious Pluralism and Christian Theology." The class, led by Dr. Joe Monti, professor of ethics and moral theology at the School of Theology at Sewanee, will focus on how Christians can be true to their own faith while also recognizing the truth of other religious traditions. Classes will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders' Room. The schedule for the classes is:

• Nov. 5 – God is Not an Object: The Nature of Religious Truth
• Nov. 12 –The People of the Testaments: Judaism and Christian Theology
• Nov. 19 – Judgment Begins with the Household of God: Criticizing Religious Traditions
  

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Speaking Out for Outreach

Holy Comforter

St. Dunstan's participated in the installation of Rev. Mike Tanner on Wednesday Oct 4. We had lots of food and a wonderful celebration with many of the members/participants of Holy Comforter in attendance. Food and/or serving help were provided by the following members of St. Dunstan's: Barbara Bradshaw, Fred Bradshaw, Sue Huff, Martha Mathis, Betty Whittier, Helen Branch, Margaret Michaelides, Chris Smith, Greg Blount, Gilda Morris, Claudia Gimson and Nancy Dillon. Thanks to all for help with this important outreach program.

Holiday Sale to Benefit Holy Comforter and Emmaus House: November 16-19

St. Anne’s Church in Atlanta will again host the sale of fine arts, crafts and folk art to benefit art programs in the inner city for children, adults, seniors and the disabled. Sponsored by the Work of Our Hands, a non-profit created by Bishop Allan, last year’s pottery, jewelry, paintings, photographs, wood work and other wonderful art works netted some $20,000.

An opening reception will be Thursday, Nov. 16, 5 – 8 p.m. (Suggested donation: $10). Daytime sale hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Nov. 17-19. St. Anne’s is at the corner of Northside Parkway and Moores Mill Road. Come support wonderful artists and life-enriching programs while putting a big dent in your Christmas shopping list.

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Christian Formation

Peace Village is Coming!

Adult Sunday School this fall has focused on understanding the faith of other people and cultures. On Sunday, Nov. 19th it will be the children’s turn to join in this endeavor. The parish hall will be transformed into a ‘peace village.’ There will be six different ‘stations,’ each one focusing on a different religion. Sunday School students will have the opportunity to visit several of these stations where they will learn about religions through hands-on activities.

Bake Sale on November 5th

Every first Sunday, beginning Nov. 5th, St. Dunstan’s Youth Group will be having a Bake Sale. In the future they hope to also have available packages of Bishop’s Blend coffee and energy-saving light bulbs. Money raised will go towards Youth Group activities.

Youth and Their Parents

The Youth Group schedule is now available on-line. Just click “Youth” on the St. Dunstan’s website, or click here.

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New Presiding Bishop

From the Organist and Choirmaster

Our sympathy to Christie Brown on the Oct. 27th death of her mother, Mary Fleming.

Congratulations to Chris Smith on the birth of her granddaughter, Christine McLean House, daughter of Elizabeth and Will House.

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A Note From the Flower Committee Chair