January 2007
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Fundamentally Different

The exchange is one I will always remember. I was in the hospital room where a faithful and beloved parishioner was being taken off the machines that had kept her alive but unconscious for a week.

I stood against the back wall of the room, trying to be both a prayerful presence and unobtrusive as her husband and children gathered at the bedside to say goodbye. The mood was understandably quiet, somber, subdued.

In the quiet, one of my parishioner’s distant relatives came to me and asked if I was a minister. When I answered yes, he asked me a question that still amazes me. “You’re in that church that doesn’t believe in the Bible, aren’t you?”

Being acutely aware of the setting we were in, I politely replied that Episcopalians do indeed believe in the Bible, that we read it in church every Sunday and study it throughout the week. He did not seem convinced.

As astonishing as I found that question, I have since realized that others have similar misperceptions about the Episcopal Church – that we don’t believe in the Bible, that we are a church that doesn’t really stand for anything, where it is OK to believe whatever you want.

As Episcopalians, we know those perceptions are wrong. And yet we also know that what we believe is often different from what the media presents as the “Christian” stance or view on many issues.

To put it another way, Episcopalians are often fundamentally different from our more conservative Christian brothers and sisters. Often we find the reasons for those differences difficult to articulate.

During the fall in Adult Sunday School we studied the differences between world religions and the Christian response to them. During the season of Epiphany we will be looking at different ways of being faithful Christians, particularly the difference between Episcopalians and fundamentalist Christians.

The series will begin this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Founders Room. Here is the schedule of classes. Please join us.

• January 7 – Fundamentally Different: Introduction and Overview
• January 14 – The Fundamentalist Movement
• January 21 – Exploring Biblical Authority
• January 28 – Exploring Inclusiveness
• February 4 – Exploring Church and State
• February 11 – Exploring Faith and Science
• February 18 – Wrap Up, Questions and Answers

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Announcements

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Christian Formation

With Delight and Gladness

…grant us strength and courage to love and serve you
with gladness and singleness of heart…

…that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways…

A number of years ago, while saying the prayer after communion, I became especially aware of the phrase “serve you with gladness,” and it got me to thinking how I tended to take life seriously. This included taking seriously my relationship with God and my commitment to serving God. My awareness of the word ‘gladness’ prompted me to consider that maybe God wished that my life, including my spiritual journey, would be more joyful, and well… fun! Recently, I’ve noticed the word ‘delight’ in the Prayer of Confession, and it has pretty much gotten me thinking about the same thing. If I “delight in (God’s) will,” then maybe life doesn’t have to be quite as much of a struggle. Maybe it can be more, well… fun!

Putting together the Christmas Pageant taught me that ‘seriousness’ and ‘fun’ aren’t mutually exclusive. For me, something serious was at stake: I really wanted the pageant to be an opportunity for the children of the parish to learn the Christmas Story. I wanted it to be an opportunity for the congregation to enter into the Christmas season as well. And as anyone involved in this year’s pageant, or past pageants, knows, pulling it all together involved work, especially attention to myriad details. However, for me (and I hope you!) the pageant was also a lot of fun! The sight of innocent angels, furry lambs, wisemen struck mute at the sight of the baby Jesus, and wise-cracking shepherds helped me enter the Christmas season with delight and gladness.

Working with the wonderful children of St. Dunstan’s, their parents, and numerous others also contributed to my delight and gladness! Thanks so much to all who participated and helped in ways, big and small. Thank you especially to Gilda Morris for all of her help.

“Welcome and Thank you” to Trish Sills for joining Vicki Ledet and Mary Summerville in teaching Godly Play.

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Special Thanks for Advent and Christmas

Greening of the Church: On Saturday, Dec. 16th preparation for the greening of the church was accomplished with the help of Priscilla Davis, Nancy Jean Young, Pat Berman, Betty Loud, Maggie Harney , Ginny Ruhmkorff and Jane Lamkin. On Sunday 17th we thank all who helped by climbing ladders andmail box polesto hang our decorated wreaths and garlands. ~ Jane Lamkin

Thank you to all who helped make our Christmas services glorious: to Steve and the adult and children’s choirs for the beautiful music; to the altar guild and ECW for the beauty of our worship space; to Kim and her faithful folders for the service bulletins; and to all who assisted in the three different services on Christmas Eve.

Thank you to Renee Kastanakis for arranging the Advent Sunday School series on environmental issues.

Thank you to Vicki Ledet and Meg Withers for organizing and leading our Advent wreath workshop.

Thank you to all who worked on moving in to the new kitchen space and restoring the parish hall to usefulness again – Margaret Michaelides, Pat Berman, Natalie Zeiler, Dick Harris , Betty Whittier, Daria Jones, Bruce Lafitte, Nancy Knight Latimore, Keith Latimore, Elise MacIntyre, James Millikan, Joe Monti, and Geoff Walker.

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From the Organist and Choirmaster

Sign up for Winter Foyer!   A sign up sheet for Foyer Dinners has been placed in the parish hall - and will be there for the next three Sundays.  Essentially Foyer is a group of eight people (either couples or individuals) who get together for four simple dinners on a monthly rotation for camaraderie and sharing.  It is a great way for new members to learn about St. Dunstan's and longer term members to learn more about each other!  Remember, please, the key is "simple."  Wine may be served, but it is not necessary!  Have fun!!!!! ~Rick Beard

Village Suppers Return: Mark your calendars for January 10 th and the long-awaited return of the weekly Village Supper. Wednesday evening fellowship begins at 6 p.m. with an informal Eucharist in the parish hall, followed by a potluck supper. People of all ages are welcome. This is a great way to get to know your fellow parishioners, and to help break in our new kitchen.

Mary & Martha's Place will hold its annual workshop on Saturday, February 17, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.   This year's workshop is entitled Naming & Trusting Our Desires: Pathway to the Holy.  The keynote speaker is Wendy Farley, Associate Professor of Religion and Ethics at Emory University , and the author of The Wounding and Healing of Desire. We will focus on desire as a pathway to the Great Beauty, Divine Eros, that Christians call God.  In contrast to the idea of "sinful desire," we will consider how God calls us through divine desire that illuminates the human heart.  Wendy with be joined by Liz McGeachy and Tim Merrima who will explore how traditional folk music expresses the deep longing of the heart for God. Cost $75.  For more information contact maryandmartha@mindspring.com or 404-239-9382 .

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Changing of the Guards

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants

With the new year comes changes in some important positions in the church. Daria Jones is resigning as treasurer after two years of faithful service. During her tenure, Daria switched us to a new software system for our bookkeeping. And for most of the last year, she also took on the responsibility of overseeing the work on the new kitchen, in addition to the added financial tasks during that period. We appreciate the many, many hours of work Daria has given to St. Dunstan’s and thank her for her ministry among us.

We also thank Paul Ruhmkorff, who has agreed to become our new treasurer, and Christie Brown, who has volunteered to take on the bookkeeping tasks for the church.

Also stepping down from an important post is Jane Lamkin, who has served as flower chair for the past three years (in addition to teaching Sunday School, being a lay reader and helping out in numerous other ways). Jane has made sure our worship is beautiful each week, and we thank her for all her hard work.

We also thank Gilda Morris and Ginny Ruhmkorff for agreeing to be flower co-chairs. Please see their article on the start of a new flower guild.

New Flower Guild Forming

Anyone interested in joining the new St. Dunstan’s Flower Guild is invited to a meeting after church on Sunday, February 4th. The meeting will be led by guild co-chairs Gilda Morris and Ginny Ruhmkorff. Anyone who likes to arrange flowers, or who is interested in learning how to arrange them, is encouraged to come.

The mission of the new guild is to offer an opportunity for ministry, creativity, and community, and to enhance worship as we offer flowers to the glory of God. Classes in flower arranging will be offered for beginners and as a refresher to experienced arrangers.

Beginning in February, all flowers at the altar will be purchased and arranged by members of the flower guild rather than commercial florists or individuals. If you would like to give the flowers for a Sunday, please make your check to St. Dunstan’s and note that it is for flowers. A donation of $40 is suggested.

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From Our Presiding Bishop

After hearing of some of the less-than-favorable response that greeted the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, members of the Tuesday morning Bible study group decided to show her their support.

Under the leadership of Pat Berman, the group brought in things that were feminine and purple (the color for bishops) to send to Bishop Jefferts Schori for Christmas. Pat mailed the basket to Margaret Rose, who now works in the national church offices, and Margaret delivered it in person to the presiding bishop.

Members of the group then received this hand-written response:

“What a lovely surprise was delivered by the hand of Margaret Rose! Thank you for your purple thoughts and thoughtfulness. May your ministries be a blessing to many, and may the Christ-light shine in your hearts.

Shalom,
Katharine.”

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Transitions

Godspeed to Lori, Aidan and Alexis Asbury, who have moved to Knoxville , where Lori has a new job with the Home and Garden Network.

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