Dear friends,
This is one of the most beautiful weeks at St. Dunstan’s, when the leaves are in full glory. In past years those red leaves have turned the windows over the altar into a glorious swath of red. Some enthusiastic pruning of the trees has changed that. Last year there was no color; this year there is a beautiful touch of red. Within a year or two it will be breathtaking again. But it’s actually breathtaking to see it as you come up the walkway. Take a moment and glory in God’s creation.
We are two bags short of the 50 bags of Thanksgiving side dishes that we have promised to deliver to Emmaus House. The signup link, which contains the list of ingredients, is below. If the 50 are filled when you look, feel free to go ahead and bring more. Everything will be put to good use. The filled reusable bags should be at church by next Sunday, the 16th.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4FACAA28AA8-59943122-holiday
The above link also contains information about how we are helping our refugee families celebrate their first Christmas in America. We hope to collect $1600 that we will give to the family so that they can buy gifts for one another. Please put cash in an envelope marked family Christmas, or write a check to St. Dunstan’s designated for the family. Also, if you have Christmas decorations that are in good shape that you no longer use consider giving them to the family so that they can decorate for Christmas. Put them on the benches outside the office door. We ask that cash contributions and decorations be turned in by Nov. 23rd.
If you would like to take some of the adults Christmas shopping for them to use what we have contributed please let Suzanne Johnson know.
And please note that we are doing this in lieu of sponsoring families through Solidarity or Emmaus House, as we have done in previous years.
However, we are also accepting food donations for Solidarity to help meet the increased demands that have come with our government’s refusal to restore SNAP benefits.
I know all of this is a lot, but as you have proven time and again, when the need is great St. Dunstan’s delivers. The generosity of this parish is well known throughout the diocese.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
With love,
Tricia
Oh, and we are beginning a new Sunday School series tomorrow on the Gospel of Mark. Join us at 9:30 in the Founders’ Room.