May 2008 Contents
One of my favorite hymns is number 51, “We the Lord’s people.” It is not one of the best known songs in our hymnal, and probably wouldn’t make many lists of ecclesiastical greatest hits. But every time we sing it, I get a little misty eyed. It’s the second verse that does it to me. “This is the Lord’s house,” it begins, “home of all God’s people, school for the faithful, refuge for the sinner, rest for the pilgrim, haven for the weary, all find a welcome.” The reason those words move me is because they are such a good description of the church at its best. “This is the Lord’s house.” We know, of course, that God has many houses; that God is not confined to any one geographic location. We know that bricks and stones and wood, no matter how lovingly and beautifully crafted, can not contain our God, that there is no place or time in which God does not reside. But still churches, including this one, are set aside as special, sacred places. That is because we are home not just to God, but to all God’s people, a place where the people of God gather regularly – not as members of a club or a team or business, but as a community of faith. There are no entrance exams required, no auditions, no initiation fees, just a willingness to come, to worship God, and to offer oneself in prayer and service. Perhaps you are thinking that we do have an entrance requirement of sorts – that to be part of a church requires at the least a certain kind of faith, a willingness to ascribe to a certain set of beliefs. I once thought that. In fact, I stayed away from church for years, at least in part because I wasn’t sure what I believed. But I have learned that church is not for people of unquestioning faith, whose lives and beliefs are in perfect order. I have learned that no one has perfect faith, that no one has it all figured out, that no one’s life is without ambiguity or chaos. That is why the church is a school for the faithful – a place where we can struggle together with questions of faith, can learn the stories of our tradition, and can learn from and offer support to one another. That is why the church is a refuge for the sinner – not a place for people whose lives are perfect, but a place for those of us seeking forgiveness, and striving to do better, to live more faithfully. That is why the church offers rest for the pilgrim and haven for the weary. In a world that demands constant production and consumption, the church offers sabbath and rest. And finally, that is why the church is a place where all find a welcome – where it doesn’t matter whether you are old or young, rich or poor, married or single, black or white, gay or straight. The church should be a place where all people are welcomed as beloved children of God, a place where no one is perfect, but everyone is good enough. But this wonderful description of the church falls short in some areas. This hymn offers a good description of what the church should provide, but it does not say what the church should expect from its members and what God expects from the church. The number one thing the church should expect from its members is faithful commitment. A financial commitment, of course, but even more than that a commitment to be present, to be active in the life of the community. We have talked a lot at St. Dunstan’s about the need for growth. What we have been reluctant to talk about publicly is the need for those who are members here to become more active in the life of the church, to be present. If all the children on our rolls came to Sunday School, our classes would be full. If all our members attended worship, the rafters would ring. Last week, I was at a conference with clergy representing several denominations from across the country. Our styles of worship and theology were different, but one lament spread across geographic and denominational bounds – how to get people to church on Sundays. One Episcopal priest from Atlanta confessed the despair she felt when she was told by several parishioners they wouldn’t be at church on Easter Sunday because their children were playing in a soccer tournament that morning. Maybe we as the church have been too reluctant to say what the soccer coaches have no problem saying – we need you. When you’re not here we miss you. We are less than we could be without you. Your presence, your prayers, your voice, your contributions are vital to this community of faith. We need each and every one of you. And the larger community of faith and the world needs St. Dunstan’s. The church does not exist for the sake of the institution. The church is called into being for the sake of the world God has created. That is why one of the most important parts of our liturgy is the post-communion prayer, when we ask that God will grant us strength, courage, and joy as we are sent out into the world again to do the work God has given us to do. The world needs the church. This church needs you.
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Table of Contents | Return to top Sustain Us, O Lord
Sustain us, O Lord, with your
Table of Contents | Return to top Christian FormationVacation Bible School Update: At the moment we are expecting 15 children and at least 4 older kids in helper roles. Jane Lamkin, Rhonda Woodard, and I will be leading activities with many others helping out. Thanks to Tami Kimball, Pat Berman, Vicki Ledet, Lucy Kaltenbach, Tim Black, Michele Smither, Connor Mark’s grandmother, Ann Reece, Gilda Morris, and Helen Branch for offering their time. Some fun events are falling into place as we prepare to ‘Go Green with God’! It’s not too late to register your child (you can do it on our website), nor is it too late to sign up to help and join the fun! Contact Ellen to sign up or if you have any questions.
Table of Contents | Return to top From the Organist and ChoirmasterCongratulations, Choirsters!St. Dunstan’s offers two choirs for children and young adults, both of which have enjoyed another season of learning and praise, as exemplified by the Royal School of Church Music motto, “I will sing with the spirit and also with understanding.” The St. Cecilia Choir for young adults (ages 8 and up) meets to rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-5:15PM during the school year. Our program is based upon the Chorister Training Program developed by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), founded in England by Sir Sydney Nicholson in 1927, with the goal of raising the quality of music in the local parish church. The plan combines musical training with Christian education to enable children to reach their full potential, offering their musical gifts in our regular Sunday worship services. It is not a graded choir program, but instead is a flexible plan based on incentive and achievement. The St. Cecilia Choristers finished out their 2007-2008 season on Sunday, April 27, as part of the 10:45AM Holy Eucharist. This Chorister Recognition Sunday included presentations of awards and ribbons based upon each Chorister’s individual levels of attainment. There are four attainment levels in the RSCM program, each of which includes extensive training in music, liturgy, and Christian education. Each Chorister has completed one of these four levels during our past several months of work together. These levels are signified by colored ribbons: Yellow (Level A), Light Blue (Level 1), Dark Blue (Level 2), and Red (Level 3). These were presented along with RSCM Medallions and Certificates of Achievement during the Eucharist on April 27. The Choristers have accomplished much indeed! It is my great pleasure to present the St. Cecilia Choristers Class of 2008: Emma Hancock (Dark Blue – Level 2); Grace Hancock (Red – Level 3); and Ethan Stansbury (Light Blue – Level 1). Congratulations to all! The St. Julian Choir for children (ages 4-7) also meets every Wednesday during the school year from 5:30-5:55PM. This season we have had a great time learning simple songs, dances, and games, all combined with music fundamentals. Rehearsals always include time for a little play and are followed at 6:00PM by our Wednesday evening Village Suppers. These talented young musicians joined the St. Cecilia Choristers in choosing and singing all of the music offered during the Eucharist on April 27. Additionally, all gathered for recognition at our Annual Chorister’s Pizza Party on April 30. I am so proud of each of our Choristers, and I am sure you are as well. Please join me in congratulating them as together we celebrate their talent, hard work, and dedication—and, of course, their invaluable role in the Music Program of St. Dunstan’s. Faithfully, Table of Contents | Return to top
The United Thank Offering (UTO)
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What: We’ll celebrate God’s Creation and learn to care for it through Bible stories, worship, art, cooking, music, drama, gardening, and fun! 
When: June 9-13, 9am-1:00pm (including a Bring Your Own Lunch option at no additional cost) 
On May 11 th, Pentecost , we will have abbreviated Sunday school classes. Then all of the children and youth will gather in the Parish Hall for a Birthday Celebration for the Church, complete with birthday cake. We hope your child can make this fun event. 
“The United Thank Offering is a ministry of the Episcopal Church. Through the United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in the United Thank Offering have discovered that thankfulness leads to generosity. | January - March operating income | $102,632.15 |
| January - March operating expenses | $ 80,065.52 |
| Difference | + $ 22,566.63 |
This is, indeed, good news. Members making gifts on a regular basis – weekly, monthly or quarterly – makes a very positive difference in our cash flow.
Thank you!
irst quarter pledge statements went out in mid-April. Here is a breakdown of the 76 pledges for 2008 as of March 31:
| Paid nothing | 13 |
| Paid 1/4 or more | 45 |
| Paid something, but less than 1/4 | 13 |
| Paid in full for the year | 5 |
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Deadline for articles for the June Bellows is May 15.
Please email your articles or leave them in Kim Branch’s
mailbox in the church office.
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Sundays
Holy Eucharist at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Christian Education for all ages at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesdays
| 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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| 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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Nancy Dillon—Senior Warden |
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Bob Longino—Junior Warden |
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Christie Brown |
Andy Delfino | |
Claudia Gimson |
Steve Mark | |
Ruth Roser |
Jeanne Taylor | |
Craig Withers |
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Our Staff
The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector
The Rev. Maggie Harney, Priest Associate
Tim Black, Seminarian
Ellen Gallow, Director of Christian Education
Stephen L. Furches, Organist-Choirmaster
Kim Branch, Parish Administrator
Nancy Elliott, Treasurer
