September 2007
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Contents

"The Joy of Being Back"

Vacations are a blessing. I recently was away for three weeks. First, I did some continuing education at Columbia Seminar in Decatur. Then we took some vacation time with good trips to New Orleans and the beach in Florida, and time just to relax some at home.

Then I spent a week back at the office, but was away on Sunday, preaching at Church of the Ascension in Knoxville, the church where I served my first year out of seminary, as part of their on-going 50th anniversary celebration.

It was great to be back in the place where I began my ordained life, and to see many familiar faces and old friends. But I confess that I was also a little anxious when I was there. By that time I had been away from St. Dunstan’s for four Sundays, and I was eager to be back where I belong.

Vacations and time away are blessings. Time to rest, be with family, explore new places, see old friends, get things done around the house. All of that is good and necessary time.

But coming back is also a blessing. Having work that you are glad to come back to is a great joy.

I hope that all of you who have been away off and on during the summer are also looking forward to being back at St. Dunstan’s regularly this fall. This issue of The Bellows is full of information about the many ministries and activities going on here in the upcoming weeks.

Our fall season will officially begin on September 9th. Sunday School classes for all ages will start that day. And we will celebrate being back together with a pot luck lunch after the later service.

A word about that service – the time of it has changed. Over the last two years, many people have expressed regret that Sunday School was not longer. After much discussion, the vestry voted this summer to move the second service back 15 minutes, to 10:45. This change will allow us a full hour for Sunday School.

So beginning September 9, our Sunday morning schedule will be:

8:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages
10:45 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

I look forward to the start of the new program year, and to seeing everyone back in church. Vacation is a blessing, but so is being back!

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Announcements

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Adult Christian Education

"In the Beginning"

Sin, murder, sexual betrayal, environmental disasters, sibling rivalry, dysfunctional families, loss of innocence, surrogate parenthood. It may sound like the latest tabloid headlines, but all of these contemporary issues are found in the first book of the Bible, the Book of Genesis. This fall in Adult Christian Education we will examine this book that contains many of the foundational stories of our faith, including the creation stories (yes, there are two of them); the story of Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Noah and the flood and God’s first covenant with creation; the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob, Leah and Rachel; and the saga of Joseph. Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m., for a full hour of lively discussions of these ancient, yet contemporary stories.

"Living the Questions"

I once had a poster with a picture of Jesus with these words “He came to take away your sins, not your mind.” At its best, the Episcopal Church has been a denomination that welcomes thoughtful questioning of the issues of our lives and faith. “Living the Questions” is a 12-week series of classes that tackles the hard questions – about creation, suffering and evil, social justice, compassion, and intimacy with God. Each class includes a video presentation from a noted Biblical scholar or theologian, including Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, and Jack Spong, followed by discussion. Classes will be offered on Tuesdays at 10 a.m., beginning September 18. The cost is $25. Sign up in the narthex or by calling the church office.

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A Word from the Treasurer

A common statement made by accountants and finance types is "a budget is Not money." This is nowhere more true than in church finances! In the church world, budgets are written based on the pledges, or promises, of members to give specific amounts of money during the year. And if the money doesn't come in, the "budget" funds cannot be spent.

Pledge statements covering the first six months of 2007 were provided to all St. Dunstan's members in July. Many of you have paid your pledge in full or paid a "pro rata" share thus far in the year - and we thank you most heartily.  Some, however, have not made a payment as yet and this causes some issues for the budget.  The payroll must still be met, the utility bills and insurance paid, but where is the income to cover these expenses?

We knew at the beginning of the year the budget would be tight. And 7.5 months into the year our expenses are outpacing our income. For our 2007 budget, expenses would be approximately $27,300 each month if all expenses were paid evenly through the year. For the first half of August, our total income was about $11,090. During that same time, we spent $13,421.44. Ouch!

Please take some time to review your pledge statement and, if you are "behind," to make a payment.  If you would like a more current copy of your statement, or if circumstances have changed your ability to meet your pledge, please let the treasurer know.

~Paul Ruhmkorff

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For Youth and Children

Invitation to Sunday School

If "wonder and amazement" are part of the Christian faith, then I guess I am having a religious experience because I am wondering where the summer went and amazed that it is time for Sunday school to begin again! Sunday, Sept. 9, we will be ready to welcome our children to another year of listening to stories about God and God’s people, wondering, exploring, and creating. Not a bad way to spend an hour a week! If you have children, I hope they will join us. Below is some information about the classes:

Preschoolers/Kindergarten (ages 3 through K): Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach which teaches children through story-telling, ‘wondering’ questions, and an art or play response to the story. This year our room will be set up to allow children to have more independence and to partake in a greater variety of activities. Vicki Ledet, Lynn Hood, and Natalie Komlos will teach this class.

Elementary: Using the Episcopal curriculum All Things New, children hear stories, then explore them and relate them to their lives through art, creative writing, movement, song, and drama. Monte Kimball will join last year’s teachers, Jane Lamkin and Lucy Kaltenbach, to teach this class.

Middle School: The students in this group will have the opportunity to confirm their Baptismal Covenant the next time the bishop visits St. Dunstan’s (probably 2009). In preparation for this, we will embark on a journey together which explores the Bible, the Church, and, of course, our own faith and relationship with God. We will use the book My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church, as a guide and resource. Art, drama, and other creative projects will be important parts of our endeavor. We will also continue to explore and express our faith through service. I (Ellen Gallow ) will continue to lead this group.

High School: Students in this group are invited to be paired with a mentor from our congregation. The mentor and student will meet approximately once a month at a time and location which is convenient for both of them. They may decide to work toward confirmation, read and discuss a book together, or share their spiritual journeys and questions through conversation. Please speak with Ellen if this interests you. On some Sundays, Gilda Morris will be available in the Sunday school room for conversation. (She can also help with decorating the room!) There will be more specific information about this soon. Finally, students are invited to participate in the adult Sunday school classes that interest them and to explore and share their gifts by participating in choir, helping with Sunday school, being a reader, ushering, etc. Look around and see what you might like to do!

Volunteer Opportunities (some one-shot) to Support Christian Ed.:
We need people to organize the supply closet; sort through toys and books in the nursery; donate snacks; lead Children’s Chapel. Please contact Ellen if you can help with any of these. Thanks!

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From the Organist and Choirmaster

 

The Office of Evensong

As a formal and public expression of the Christian faith, the Holy Eucharist is certainly unequalled as the central event of our regular worship. By contrast, as a tranquil setting for quiet meditation, nothing can surpass the Office of Evening Prayer, especially in its musical form known as Evensong. The subdued light of the late afternoon—at a time when the busy world is hushed—joins with speech, song, and organ music to create an atmosphere of reflective thanksgiving and deep inner peace.

Few churchgoers today realize how fortunate they are in being able to hear musical liturgy prepared and presented with care and precision. Even a casual glance at reports on 19th century church music—including cathedral music—reveals a lack of attention to quality and detail that borders on the lamentable. At a time when our modern world seems increasingly disinterested in the value of our treasured traditions, we must be thankful for those places like St. Dunstan’s where high standards are so fully supported and upheld. We are, all of us, instruments of praise responsible for returning to God the finest self-offering, in thanksgiving for the love and mercy God has shown for us.

On Sunday, September 30, the congregation of St. Dunstan’s and the community of Atlanta will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Anglican service of Choral Evensong, to be sung by the St. Dunstan Choir at 4:30. The Choir will be conducted by Dr. James Cochran. (An organ recital, presented by Dr. Cochran, will precede Evensong at 4:00.)

We welcome Dr. James Cochran once again this year as our guest clinician for a Choral Workshop with the St. Dunstan Choir (September 28-30). Jim is the director of music at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church in Naples, Florida. He is also the founding director of the Philharmonic Center Chorale and Philharmonic Center Youth Chorale, two auditioned groups that perform with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, he is the Resident Organist of the Center, and performs frequently with the orchestra. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester (New York).

The Evensong on Sunday afternoon will round out a full weekend of activities, during which Jim, Steve, and the Choir will rehearse and work extensively together. You are invited to “see the Choir in action” at an Open Rehearsal on Saturday, September 29 (9:00—Noon). This will be a working rehearsal, open to the public, and followed by a catered lunch in the Parish Hall (reservations requested—please contact the Church Office).

Please take time during this busy season to attend these unique events and experience the beauty of God through the offerings of his servants.

Faithfully,
Steve

All Chorister Schedule begins soon!

Please consider joining one of the St. Dunstan Choirs.
New members are always welcome in all groups.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

	4:30- 5:15 PM	St. Cecilia Choir (ages 8 and up)
	5:30- 5:55 PM	St. Julian Choir (ages 4-7)
	6:00- 7:00 PM	Village Supper
	7:00- 9:15 PM	St. Dunstan Adult Choir (childcare available)

Please feel free to contact me at any time.

STEVE FURCHES
Organist and Choirmaster
404-266-1018

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Within Our Walls

• Calling All Bakers: We would like to begin using “real” bread for communion, rather than the wafers we now use. Vicki Ledet has a simple, good recipe for communion bread. She recently baked a sample for the vestry, who unanimously approved it. It is easy to make enough loaves at one time to freeze for later use. What we now need is a group of people willing to take turns being communion bread bakers. If you are interested in being part of such a group, please call Tricia at 404-266-1018.

• NEW CHURCH DIRECTORY: Follow this link for a form to be filled out by everyone who wishes to be in the 2007-2008 St. Dunstan’s Directory. (You do not need to be an official member of St. Dunstan’s to be in the directory.) Please take a few minutes to check your personal information in the current directory and fill out the form with your/your family’s information. If the current directory information is correct, all you have to do is check one box and fill in your name(s)! You can also download this form and place it in the offering plate on Sunday, leave it in the box labeled “2007-2008 Directory Forms” in the Narthex, or send it to Kim Branch in the church office. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

• MINISTRY FAIR, SEPTEMBER 16th- Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our annual Ministry Fair. St. Dunstan's many ministries range from the Worship ministries that you see every Sunday to Outreach to teaching a Sunday School class. Come to the Parish Hall on September 16, you will have the opportunity to meet the chairpersons, learn what is involved in our ministries, and sign up for them. See you there!

• Volunteer Opportunity: Join us as we serve dinner to the folks at Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 6 p.m.

  • You can cook ahead and take your food to Barbara Bradshaw.
  • You can cook and bring your food to Holy Comforter.
  • You can come to Holy Comforter to serve the food.
    
  The sign up, recipes and directions are at St. Dunstan’s.  Questions?  Contact Barbara Bradshaw.

• Join The Flower Guild: If you know how to arrange flowers, come! If you don’t know how, but want to learn, come! We meet every Saturday at noon at St. Dunstan’s to arrange the flowers for the next day’s worship service.  OR… Be a Flower Guild Friend!  If you wish to donate, but not arrange, checks go to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church. Please note on your check or call Kim Branch at the church, Gilda Morris or Ginny Ruhmkorff if you want anything printed in the bulletin. We can have more than one person donate each Sunday. We wish to build our Flower Guild account in order to help with special events like church holidays, as well as baptisms, funerals, etc. Join us or give generously! Contact Gilda Morris or Ginny Ruhmkorff.

• Lifespan Resources, one of the ministries aided by St. Dunstan's, is currently expanding its Medical Escort Service, which provides seniors with rides to the doctor.  The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is funding the salary of a coordinator to match those who need rides with those who can provide them. If you fit either of these descriptions, call Lifespan at (404)237-7307.

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St. Dunstan's Fall Calendar

Passages

Welcome new members Martha and Sam Mathis and their children, Jeanie and Jack, from Church of the Atonement.

Welcome new members Steve and Elizabeth Mark and their son, Connor, from Church of the Atonement.

We give thanks for the August 27, birth of Elias Andres Reyes-Morris, son of Carson Morris and Pablo Reyes, grandson of Lee and Gilda Morris.

We give thanks for the July 6, birth of Jeremy Evan Pruett, son of Jeff and Julia Pruett, grandson of Bill Pruett.

We give thanks for the August 29, birth of Drew Cameron Taylor, son of Josh and Molly Taylor, grandson of Jeanne and Josh Taylor.

We extend our sympathy to Ellen Gallow on the death of her father, Doug Gallow.

We extend our sympathy to Barbara Bradshaw on the death of her stepfather, Lee Whitney.

Congratulations Margaret Rose! Former St. Dunstan’s rector Margaret Rose is one of five final candidates for bishop of Chicago. Margaret, who is now director of women’s ministries for the national Episcopal Church, was at St. Dunstan’s from 1992-2003. The election will be held in Chicago on November 10.

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