December 2006 Contents
Every six years it happens, and this is the year. The Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve fall on the same day, creating havoc and long days for altar and flower guilds, choirs, and all others involved in the preparation of worship on these important days. The last time this occurred, a friend of mine, the assistant rector at a large church in Chattanooga, announced that his rector had decided not to observe the Fourth Sunday of Advent in the morning, but just to skip right on to Christmas Eve. My group of clergy friends was horrified. Not observe the Fourth Sunday of Advent? Not light that fourth candle on the wreath? Not hear the final gospel story of Mary being visited by the angel, then running to her cousin Elizabeth to share the news of this coming birth? I have to admit that I cannot imagine Christmas Eve without those preparations. Even if only a few hours separate the lighting of that fourth candle and the singing of the opening hymn at the Christmas Eve service, there is something that happens for me during the celebration of that final Advent service that makes me ready, at last, for Christmas. Needless to say, on December 24th we will celebrate both the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve. And between now and then the church calendar is full of the activities of this special season of our church year. We urge you to make these activities part of your own preparations for Christmas.
Table of Contents | Return to top Announcements
Table of Contents | Return to top St. Dunstan's Advent and Christmas Calendar
Table of Contents | Return to top Within Our WallsHelp Needed: Jane Lamkin, flower chairman, would like to request a helper to do the weekly watering of the trees in the narthex and three other plants in the parish hall. She will be willing to instruct and be the back up when the person is away. One green thumb volunteer would be appreciated. Southern Folk Advent Service: Sacred harp tunes and bluegrass-gospel music performed by the Meridian Choral, which includes our own Laura Withers. Dec. 1, 8 p.m. (Old Church, Oxford College) and Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. (Druid Hills UMC) Free! GEORGIA INTERFAITH POWER & LIGHT SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIES
Table of Contents | Return to top Transitions
Table of Contents | Return to top Youth Group December Activities
Table of Contents | Return to top Christian FormationMaking Peace
How absolutely amazing that I can take something as basic and familiar as how I like to be treated and use that as a starting point for treating others well and making peace in the world! But if I am struck by the simplicity and profundity of the ‘Golden Rule’, I am equally struck by how often I forget or neglect to apply it in my life. So, I have decided that during Advent - this season of ‘watchfulness’- I will try to be more aware of the many opportunities in my life for following the ‘Golden Rule’. God willing, I will choose to follow it more. This will be my way of preparing the way for the Prince of Peace. I wish each of you a Holy Advent.
Table of Contents | Return to top From the Organist and ChoirmasterMusic and the Season of AdventThe liturgical season of Advent has for centuries provided profound inspiration to composers of sacred music. The joyous anticipation of the coming of Christ has been translated innumerable times into musical compositions of great beauty. On Sunday, December 10 at 4:00PM, the Choir will offer an Advent Procession with Carols. (The Organ Prelude will begin at 3:30PM.) In this unique annual event, the congregation of St. Dunstan’s and the community of Atlanta will have the opportunity to experience this ancient and beautiful candlelight liturgy. Throughout the Service, lessons from the Prophets and Gospels alternate with carols and hymns in a moving and dramatic portrayal of the world awaiting the Savior. The Advent service in the old English liturgies made a vivid preparation for the coming of Our Lord to earth. Much of this carol service is drawn from these sources. The liturgical season of Advent is traditionally a time of preparation for Christmas, and its observance dates from the sixth century in Gaul. It stretched from St. Martin’s Day (11 November) to Christmas Eve, and was known as “The Lent of St. Martin.” This title suggests the parallel between Advent and the Lenten fast, and meditations on the themes of judgment and the last things were developed for each of the four Sundays. The season suggests reflection on God’s kingdom from two standpoints: that of Jewish hopes for renewal, fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ; and that of the mission of the Church in the world today. The use from Scripture, Liturgy, and music of things both old and new expresses our sense of continuity with the past and our feeling for the new demands of the present. This service is constructed upon the themes indicated by the Collects (the “gathering prayers”) for the four Sundays of Advent. The first Sunday urges the people of God to put on “the armor of light,” after warning of God’s judgment. The second Sunday is concerned with the fulfillment of God’s Word in Scripture and the promise of eternal life in Christ. The third shows the service which God’s people are commissioned to give. On the fourth Sunday, we hear of the human condition of sin, forgiveness in Christ, and his coming again. In addition, each of the four Advent Collects is preceded and followed by verses of the seven Great “O” Antiphons, sung by the Choir. These ancient responses, dating from the sixth century, were traditionally said on successive days at Vespers before and after the Magnificat, or “Song of Mary,” from December 17th to 23rd inclusive. Each of the Antiphons salutes the coming Messiah, under one of the many titles ascribed to him in Holy Scripture, and closes with a petition based upon that salutation. The Procession, starting in darkness at the rear of the church and ending in brilliant light at the Altar, symbolizes the movement from a prophetic expectation of Christ to the very brink of Messianic fulfillment, both in the birth of the Son of God and in his final coming in judgment and glory. The service begins with the Advent Matins Responsory, followed by the great hymn, “Come, Thou Redeemer of the Earth.” As the Procession moves forward “from darkness into light,” readings from the Prophets and Epistles alternate with carols and hymns, and the Light spreads symbolically to the four corners of the world. Finally, as the Service nears its conclusion, the triumphant words of the Gospel boldly proclaim the Advent of Christ. Please take time during this busy season to attend this unique event and experience the beauty and stillness of God through the offerings of his servants. Sundays at Four continues. . . . An Advent Procession with Carols December 10, 2006 - 4:00 P.M. Faithfully, STEVE FURCHES Table of Contents | Return to top Treasurer's UpdateYEAR-END CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions to St. Dunstan’s are, of course, tax-deductible gifts. IRS rules regarding the timing of tax-deductible contributions are very specific. Contributions made during 2006 will be tax-deductible on 2006 tax returns. In order to be included as a 2006 contribution on the final 2006 pledge statement, end-of-year contributions must be dated December 31 or before and postmarked or hand delivered by December 31. The same is true for gifts made to pre-pay all or part of a 2007 pledge. If you will be pre-paying any of your 2007 pledge, please be sure to make a note on your check saying “for 2007 pledge.” GIFTS OF STOCK St. Dunstan’s policy regarding the receipt of gifts of stock is that all such gifts are “sold on receipt.” As soon as stock is received in our brokerage account the stock is sold. The donor is credited with a gift in the amount of the gross sale price. St. Dunstan’s absorbs the costs of stock sales as an expense. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need more information on end-of-the-year giving or donations of stock. ~ Daria Jones
Table of Contents | Return to top Deadline for articles for the January Bellows is December 15.
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Doing Peace Village with the Sunday school classes was a fun whirlwind of activity! Now that the dust has settled, what strikes me is how profound and powerful is the ‘Golden Rule.’ One of the things that Peace Village teaches is that the major religions all have a version of the ‘Golden Rule.’ As Christians we are familiar with “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Other religions have their own versions:
As we near the end of 2006, many people will be making plans to complete their pledges to the church for this year and some may pre-pay part of their pledge for next year. In January we will send each member of the church a final contributions statement for 2006, listing all contributions made during the year. This statement should be retained for use in preparing 2006 tax returns.
A number of parishioners fulfill their pledges to the church by making gifts of appreciated stock, which can be electronically transferred from your brokerage account to the church’s account. All this requires is a letter from the owner of the stock to his or her broker, requesting that the stock be transferred to the St. Dunstan’s account. If you make a donation of stock, please | 4:30 - 5:15 p.m. | St. Cecilia Choir (ages 8 and up) |
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| 5:30 - 5:55 p.m. | St. Julian Choir (ages 4-7) |
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| Beginning November 15th | ||
| 6:00 p.m. | Holy Eucharist and Village Supper * | |
| 7:00 - 9:15 p.m. | St. Dunstan's Adult Choir |
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* Bring a dish to share, bought or homemade, to the Parish Hall at 6 p.m.
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Wayne Lord—Senior Warden |
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Richard Stansbury—Junior Warden |
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Nancy Dillon |
Susan Elliott |
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Tonia Hopkins |
Nancy Knight Latimore |
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Bob Longino |
Jeanne Taylor |
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Danny Woodard |
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Our Staff
The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector
The Rev. Maggie Harney, Priest Associate
Ellen Gallow, Director of Christian Education
Stephen L. Furches, Organist-Choirmaster
Kim Branch, Parish Administrator
Daria Jones, Treasurer
Bruce Lafitte, Vestry Clerk
