June 2007
Previous Month's Bellows | Next Month's Bellows | Bellows Index

Contents

A Time to Plan

Years ago, my job as a political reporter required me to cover the Tennessee State Legislature. It was a job I loved, but I can still remember how exhausted I was every year as the session drew to a close. Usually I found myself counting down the days till the legislature adjourned, looking forward to a schedule that was not so hectic and chaotic.

But each year, that first week after the session had ended, I invariably found myself at a loss. Accustomed to working on five or six stories at any given time, I found it difficult to focus on only one or two things. Days before I had been longing for more time; now I had it and didn’t know what to do with it.

These first days of summer bring back memories of that transition time. Since the program year began last September, we have been working at full speed. I, for one, admit that I am tired. But then this week there suddenly was no Sunday School class or mid-week Bible study to prepare for, no Wednesday evening Eucharist to get ready. And once again I feel a little bit at a loss, at least temporarily.

I suspect I am not the only one who finds it easier to gear up than to gear down. But periods of time that move at a slower pace are a gift. One of the joys of summer in the church office is that is a time when we have more time to read and study, when we can mull things over and plan for the year ahead. At home and in the church office are stacks of articles and books to read, full of possibilities for future programs and classes.

Summer is also a time of planning for the vestry, too. Our newly-elected vestry had its first meeting in May, and each vestry member agreed to be the liaison or head of an area of church life. I was excited by the level of energy and enthusiasm around the table at that first meeting.

Here is the list of different committees and the vestry members assigned to them. If you would like to be involved in any committee’s work or planning this summer, please contact the appropriate vestry person.

Senior Warden – Longtime St. Dunstan’s member Nancy Dillon is our new senior warden, serving as the lay head of the vestry, and as a chief advisor and sounding board for the clergy and staff. I am delighted she has agreed to serve in this important position.

Publicity/Marketing – Andy Delfino is heading up this new committee, dedicated to getting the word out about St. Dunstan’s. The committee will hold its first meeting after church this Sunday (June 3). Over the summer, the committee’s goal is to put together a marketing plan that will include mailings about St. Dunstan’s, regular press releases to local media about events going on at the church, signs, web sites and advertising. Bishop Alexander has promised to help fund a marketing plan. As we look at ways to grow, letting people know about St. Dunstan’s is a high priority.

Membership – Making sure that visitors and new members are warmly welcomed and incorporated into the life of the church is one of the top priorities of this group, chaired by Jeanne Taylor. In addition, this group will be looking at ways to strengthen the sense of community and care for one another among our existing membership. One of this group’s first projects was the picture directory, which will be coming out soon.

Fellowship – New vestry member Ruth Roser has agreed to chair this group, which will be in charge of social events at St. Dunstan’s – from special receptions to the annual barbeque to other times of fun and fellowship together.

Worship – Junior Warden Bob Longino will continue the task of coordinating the many different important ministries that make our Sunday worship possible – from altar guild to acolytes, lay readers to lectors, to ushers, greeters, flower guild, and coffee providers. If you are interested in participating in any of these ministries, Bob can point you in the right direction.

Outreach – Vestry member Craig Withers will be the vestry liaison to this active committee that is chaired by Josh Taylor . The committee is now busy helping our family of refugees from Rwanda assimilate to life in the United States .

Christian Education – Proud papa Danny Woodard will be the vestry liaison to Christian Education Director Ellen Gallow and her advisory committee. Vacation Bible School the last week of June is the next big event for our children. The rest of the summer will be spent planning for the coming program year.

Buildings and Grounds – Vestry member Bruce Lafitte will serve as liaison to Peachy Horne and the grounds committee, and will also be the point person in matters pertaining to the upkeep and maintenance of the building.

Stewardship – Richard Stansbury has agreed to lead this important committee. Planning for the fall stewardship campaign will be beginning soon.

Table of Contents | Return to top

Announcements

Table of Contents | Return to top

Christian Education

Vacation Bible School

If you have a child who is about to be in pre-K ( 4-ish )*, about to be in 5 th grade, or anywhere in between, I hope they will be attending our VBS, “Favorite Stories from theOld and New Testaments.” It will take place the last week of June, the 25th-29th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., with an optional BYO Lunch time from 12:15-12:45 p.m. Through art, music, and drama, we will explore stories such as “Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors” and “Jesus Walks on the Water” (we’ll have a Water Day the day we tell that story!). We’ll also do nature walks and games in the Beech Grove. We hope your child will join the fun. The cost per child is $20.

To help us plan, please register now. You may pick up a registration form at church, download one by clicking here, or register online by clicking this link. Friends and neighbors are welcome! Also, please let me know if you would like to help. Part time help is fine…you need not help all day or every day.

*Younger children are welcome with a parent.

Last Chance to Sign Up for Godly Play Training

Godly Play is the curriculum that is used in our Pre-school/Kindergarten class. On Saturday, June 16th, from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St. Dunstan’s will be hosting a training for teachers, prospective teachers, and parents. There is no cost for this training, lunch is included, and childcare can be provided if you need it. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please let me know immediately as this training is almost full.

It Takes a Parish Family

For teaching Sunday school, thank you to Vicki Ledet, Mary Summerville, Trish Sills, Clay Sills, Lindsey Reece, Tami Kimball, Jane Lamkin, Lucy Kaltenbach, and TomSchneider. For leading Children’s Chapel, thank you to Andy and Jana Delfino, and Jane and Greg Blount. For helping with the Christmas Pageant, thank you to many, but especially to Gilda Morris. For serving on the Christian Education Steering Committee, thank you to Dick Harris , Sarah Hancock, and Richard Stansbury, in addition to several of the folks named above. For caring for the children in our nursery, thank you to Luciane Rocha. The children of this parish have been blessed by the diligence, creativity, and care that you have bestowed upon them.

Adult Bible Study

For the past 30 weeks, a group of 10 St. Dunstan’s parishioners has met faithfully for two hours every Tuesday morning to study scripture and pray for and with one another. The course, Christ in the Gospels, was an in-depth study of the different ways Jesus is portrayed in each Gospel, and the Old Testament roots of each book. The class was led by Tricia. Congratulations to Pat Berman, Caroline Dandridge, Priscilla Davis, Nancy Knight Latimore, Elise MacIntyre, Margaret Michaelides, Virginia Skinner, Betty Whittier, Laura Withers, and Natalie Komlos Zeiler for completing this course!

Table of Contents | Return to top

From the Organist and Choirmaster

Outreach News

Refugee Family from Rwanda

They are here!  They are living in an apartment near Clarkston, and are very enthusiastic about being here and eager to learn about our culture and customs. In addition to Mary Summerville, who is doing an incredible job,  Antoinette Watts, Joyce Stokes and Chris Smith have been helping the family learn English and get accustomed to life in the U.S. The family, mother Francoise, daughter Gisselle, and sons Fabrice and Alain, speak French (can you tell from the names?!) , but also have a little English, so there is a starting place. They are a delightful family are need basic assistance in the daily lives of Americans and American customs. They are originally from Rwanda but have been living in Cameroon as refugees for the past few years. They have been to various grocery stores and clothing stores and are learning our ways.

RRISA, the organization we are working with, provides legal and medical assistance.  If you would like to help this family learn about life here, please call Mary Summerville and leave a message, or use this form to send her an e-mail. Francoise and her family are going to be at church an June 3, 2007. Please welcome them as you would anyone else, but remember their culture for physical contact is different so please see below. Remember that most importantly they are delightful and enthusiastic, so don't be shy!

To get some idea of Rwandan culture, follow this link. It is very helpful.

How to great our family from their cultural perspective: When greeting someone you say "uraho" (u=oo) for formal; for more than one person, it's "muraho." Both of these mean "good day," or "hello." Everyone seems to be related or know someone in Rwanda. Whenever they are at road checks , they even greet the army people! They start with the verbal greeting above, followed by a handshake. This is done by offering the right hand in a horizontal position and holding closer to the wrist rather than the palm. They then embrace lightly while touching cheeks right side first, then left, then right (a total of three times). They then exchange verbal "how are yous" before conversing. This is all quite warm and non-intimidating, compared to stoic western traditions .

Lastly, we have on our St. Dunstan’s website a forum area. In this forum, you will be able to read fellow parishioners' experiences with the family, learn what the family might need, and let Mary Summerville know what you are interested in helping Francoise and her family. Blessings! Access the forum via the link on the left of this screen, or by clicking here. Nancy Dillon has started a discussion in the "Let's Talk!" section.

NOTE: Registration is required to view or participate in discussions. You can register by following the link to the forum, then click "Register" at the top of the screen.

Table of Contents | Return to top