May 2009 Contents
Why are you an Episcopalian? How would you answer if someone asked you that question? Of all the different branches and flavors of Christianity, why did you choose this one? If you are like me, there is no one single answer to this question. As a child I went to the Episcopal Church because my parents took me there. I liked going to church. But in college, like many other students, I opted for sleep instead of worship on Sunday mornings. I got out of the habit of going to church. I was 30 before I came back to the church. I went because I was invited by a friend who knew I had grown up Episcopalian. I stayed because of what I found in that little church in Nashville. What I found was this – a place where all sorts and conditions of humanity were welcome, a place where I was welcome. At St. Ann’s there were lawyers and car mechanics, there were residents of the nearby housing projects and people from the wealthiest neighborhoods in Nashville, there were blacks and whites, gays and straights, young and old, there was a little bit of everything. St. Ann’s looked like I imagine the kingdom of God looks, a place where there was room for everyone. I have been part of many Episcopal churches since my days at St. Ann’s. None have been as diverse as that small, inner-city congregation. But all have had that same spirit of welcome and inclusiveness. All have understood that in God’s kingdom there is a place for all of God’s children. All have been more concerned with breaking down barriers instead of putting them up. That is one reason I am an Episcopalian. Another major reason I am an Episcopalian is because we are a denomination that embraces the intellect and encourages thoughtful questioning. An advertisement for the Episcopal Church some years ago captured this with a picture of Jesus with these words, “He came to take away your sins, not your mind.” There are, of course, other reasons I love the Episcopal Church – I love the awe and mystery of the Eucharist, I love the music, I love the willingness to live with ambiguity and paradox, I love the concern for the world that God has created, I love the sense of community in each of the congregations I have been a part of. We are not a perfect denomination by any means. And we are not a denomination that appeals to everyone. But that’s OK. Other denominations have different strengths and appeal to different people. The vastness of Christ’s love cannot be captured by any one group. Why are you an Episcopalian? The Diocese of Atlanta is asking its members to answer that question with a 100-word essay. They invite you to send your answers to the diocese at news@episcopalatlanta.org. Essays will be posted on the diocesan website and in the next issue of Pathways. Send your answer to us, too, at ptempleton@earthlink.net and we’ll put them in the coming issues of the Bellows.
Table of Contents | Return to top Announcements
Table of Contents | Return to top May God bless you
Table of Contents | Return to top Meet Tom ElstonI am delighted to welcome Tom Elston to St. Dunstan’s as our interim organist and choir director. Tom was our guest organist for Maundy Thursday and Easter, and then accepted my offer to be our interim music director. Tom recently moved to Atlanta from Rochester, NY, where he worked as a technical writer and served as organist and choir director of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Fairport, a suburb of Rochester, for 18 years. He served as co-chair of the commission on liturgy and music for the Diocese of Rochester. Tom was born in New Jersey, but moved to Birmingham when he was nine. He graduated from Sewanee in 1982 with a joint degree in economics and organ performance, then went on to get an MA in music theory and composition at Middle Tennessee State University and another MA in musicology from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester. Tom has also worked in Methodist, Disciples of Christ and Lutheran congregations and worked for the Houston Symphony Orchestra as an administrator and fundraiser. Tom moved to Atlanta to be closer to his sister and her family, who live in Duluth.
Table of Contents | Return to top Christian FormationBlessed with a Fox…and so much more! Recently I wrote my piece for the Annual Report. It started out as just one more task to be accomplished, but as I wrote I became glad that I had an opportunity to reflect on all the ways that our children are blessed at St. Dunstan’s. First and foremost, we have wonderfully dedicated Sunday school teachers. Their commitment to their ministry and to our children constantly inspires me. We have exceptionally beautiful classroom space and our wonderful Beech Grove. We have strong support and participation from parents and others who assist in the nursery, sort toys, mentor our confirmation students, help with the Christmas pageant or VBS, and more. But just as important as anything planned and in place for Christian education are those fleeting moments of love and beauty that sustain our children…all those moments when any one of you greet one of our children with a smile or a hug, offer a friendly comment or even a gentle admonition. I believe our children know that they are part of a community that values them and is there for them in good times and in bad. As we end this Sunday school year, I’d like to extend two invitations. One is to a celebratory cook out in the Beech Grove on May 17th, our last day of Sunday school. (Please follow the link for details.) The other is to visit the blog on the St. Dunstan’s website. This article will be posted there and I invite your comments. When it comes to children, youth, and parents, what are the strengths of our community that you appreciate? What weaknesses are you aware of and how do you envision their being addressed? What other ideas do you have about making St. Dunstan’s an even better place for children, youth, and their parents? (Of course, if you aren’t a “blogger”, feel free to give me your comments in person.)
Episcopal Church Women The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will meet at the Church at 10:30, May 20, for our annual salad-sharing buffet and, if you wish, bring plants of any kind to share in a plant swap. Members are asked to bring a salad or sandwiches to share. We are expanding the menu a bit because of the valuable nature of the planned program, to which we are inviting any of the parish, women and men, to attend. We will have a presentation by the Sandy Springs Fire Dept. of their instructional program on how to perform CPR. Not all of us will leave as experts in performing the process, but the demonstration, information and suggestions are invaluable. This program is an important opportunity to learn. Anne Reece and Betty Whittier will co-ordinate the kitchen chores and provide beverages. We will begin with Communion and a short business meeting. EVERYONE: Please come and encourage others to do so.
Table of Contents | Return to top St. Dunstan's Flower Guild ministry
For Easter to be as glorious as it was, it took 6 of the 7 current members: Gilda Morris, Ginny Ruhmkorff, Nancy Dillon, Tonia Hopkins, Beverly Hall and Ruth Askew working hard on Holy Saturday. It was a holy and sacred experience as we worked together beside the Altar Guild, as Dan was practicing at the organ, and Tricia was walking around all happy and excited! Anyone interested in donating flowers can do so to in honor of or in memory of someone, or simply to the glory of God. You can sign up in the Narthex or contact Gilda. Please make your check payable to St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and note Flower Guild. If you would like to join the Flower Guild, as a designer or as a helper, please join us! We encourage folks to work together. “For when two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. Be sure to notice May 3 – Susan Martz has requested vegetables in memory of her husband. The Flower Guild loves a challenge!
Table of Contents | Return to top The payment of some pledges at the end of the quarter, and payment by some contributors above their pledged level, gave us a surprising income boost in March.
But comparison to the budgeted numbers shows a more mixed situation. Expenses lower than budgeted is comforting, but income lower than budgeted is not. Obviously, two factors come into play in bringing us so close to a balance between income and expenses. Expenses have been lower than budgeted, which is good, but it has been less because of discipline than happenstance. And March's income boost meant we had income to cover the quarter's expenses. But our income was still 9% below our budgeted numbers, so, without trying to put a positive spin on it, income was better than it might have been, but still not great. We can't anticipate income very exactly, but it is within our collective power to affect the income numbers as the months pass. Understand that if you have given previously your contributions figure into the budget whether you pledge or not, even if only as anticipated cash gifts. So please, as much as is possible, pay your planned contributions in installments rather than waiting till the end of the year. Even quarterly installments make a difference in the income numbers throughout the year. This is so important to financial planning that we actually turn large, early gifts into income installments by feeding them into the budget on a monthly basis so income is not distorted early in the year. Finally, let me again express the thanks of the entire congregation to those who have given so generously in this first quarter. Your dedication to this parish is an example for us all, and greatly appreciated. ~Dick Harris Table of Contents | Return to top The powerful liturgies of Holy Week and Easter do not happen without the help of many people. We especially thank our parish administrator Susan Teat for producing five different service sheets for that week, and Nancy Knight La timore, Nancy Elliott, and Virginia Skinner for helping her assemble them; members of the Altar Guild for setting up for all the different services; the Flower Guild for making the church so beautiful on Easter morning; all the lectors and lay readers who helped that week; organists John Morgan, Dan Beck, and Tom Elston for filling in at the last minute; and the choir for making beautiful music all week long. Thank you to John Morgan, Nancy Knight La timore, Bruce Lafitte, Jane Blount and Nancy Dillon for agreeing to serve on the search committee for a new music director. Congratulations to our new vestry members – Sibley Fleming, Billy Hancock, Reneé Kastanakis, and Nancy Knight La timore. And many thanks to outgoing vestry members Andy Delfino, Nancy Dillon, Bob Longino, and Jeanne Taylor.
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Table of Contents | Return to top Deadline for articles for the June Bellows is May 15.
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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 8-12, 9am-1:00pm (including a Bring Your Own Lunch option at no additional cost) 
A few Sundays ago, as Tim and I taught the high school/confirmation class, our fox came into view. He stood cautiously in the St. Francis courtyard (how appropriate!), gazing into our classroom. Even though we moved slowly and quietly, both to get a better view of him and to alert the middle school class next door, our movements alarmed him and he turned tail and hurried away. Tim and I had carefully planned our class, yet the unexpected visit of this beautiful creature certainly was the highlight. Weeks later I still feel blessed. Grace indeed.
| 4:30- 5:15 PM | Senior choristers (ages 8 and up) |
| 5:30- 5:55 PM | Junior choristers (ages 4-7) |
| 6:00- 7:00 PM | Village Supper |
| 7:00- 9:15 PM | St. Dunstan Adult Choir (childcare available) |
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Craig Withers—Senior Warden |
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Wayne Hood—Junior Warden |
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Christie Brown |
Sibley Fleming | |
Claudia Gimson |
Bill Hancock | |
Reneé Kastanakis |
Nancy Knight Latimore | |
Steve Mark |
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Our Staff
The Rev. Patricia Templeton, Rector
The Rev. Maggie Harney, Priest Associate
Ellen Gallow, Director of Christian Education
Susan Teat , Parish Administrator
Dick Harris, Treasurer
