TLDR: As a new program year starts, I encourage all of you to invite friends to church this year. We have really exciting programs starting this week. Enjoy!
Saint Dunstan’s has historically celebrated the start of the program year on the week following Labor Day. As we get ready to launch a fairly ambitious, wide-spectrum program, I want to highlight a few offerings I am very excited about. I also want to share several concerns that have come to my attention these last few weeks.
HIGHLIGHTS
A Concentration on Children and Youth: This coming semester will see the return of Catechism of the Good Shepherd to one of our Sunday School classrooms, adding a valuable component to our Godly Play program. We will also provide First Communion Instruction and already have eight children enrolled in the Spanish program and two in the English. Please let us know if you have a child who wishes to do a First Communion, and we will add them to these classes. We will also see augmented Children’s Chapels and Sunday School classes as the children from the Spanish service join their peers from the other services. A great note of gratitude to Angela Stengl, Carol Cooper, Sandy Jones, and Fr. Pinzon for all the work they have done to get us ready for what promises to be a phenomenal semester for our children and youth.
A Concentration on Transition and Pre-Construction Work: We are busy learning what we don’t know and implementing procedures to transition from a full-time Director of Operations to a new model of church management. We will give you more information regarding what this new model will look like soon. We are also very busy doing all the pre-work for our Master Plan Phase One Project and our upcoming (Spring of 2025) Capital Campaign. This pre-construction work will occupy our minds and time for the next few months, and I crave your prayers. Special thanks to Manette Maddox for the many hours of work managing our finances. Also, Kyra Helmick and Dede Johnson, on my staff, and Dick Deming and the Building Transitional Committee for their work and dedication. Please keep us in your prayers as we discern what our staffing needs will be.
A Concentration on Adult Formation and Fellowship: We have four Adult Sunday School offerings this semester: Bible Musings in English and Spanish at 10:15, taught by Fr. Pinzon and Fr. Roldan; a Lectionary Bible Study at 10:15, taught by Richard Leach; and a C.S. Lewis Book Study on Zoom at 1:30, led by Marilynn Patterson. These in addition to the small Bible studies you can find on our website https://saintdunstans.org/adult-groups/. In terms of fellowship, we are planning a big Fall Market, an S.O.S. 2.0 Gala, and another cycle of Foyer’s Club meals. If you are interested in signing up for Foyers, please let us know. Big thanks to all teachers and conveners. God will richly bless those who engage in these studies and fellowship. I hope you will prioritize formation this semester.
Several Concerns Brought to Me These Last Few Weeks:
Dress codes: Our website gives us pretty good guidance in terms of dress code, “From flip-flops to suits, we have it all. Be relaxed or dress up, we're just happy to see you.” (https://saintdunstans.org/visit/) In terms of dressing up for ministry, I feel very strongly that the ministry itself determines the level of formality they want to adopt. Perhaps the only exceptions being weddings, funerals, Bishop’s visits and special occasions, because we tend to have more guests during these events. Many of us, for example, would prefer our acolytes to wear only black shoes, but, honestly, I am just happy they choose to serve at the Lord’s altar, rather than sleeping in after a busy week. This applies to all ministries. I will not tell you what to wear. These decisions need to be made within the ministry.
Wandering parishioners and Unnecessary Noise: It has come to my attention that there seems to be an unusual amount of movement during services. Some folks have complained about distracting conversations as the sermon is taking place, and people “walking around without apparent reason.” I tend not to notice these things as much because I am “in the zone,” but even I noticed some “wandering parishioners” this last Sunday. I ask that you please take your seat as the sermon begins and avoid too much movement unless you need to use the restrooms or need to quietly chase a runaway toddler.
Older Children in the Prayground: I love the space we call the “Pray-Ground”, and the noise really doesn’t bother me. Although, I do encourage quiet and soft playing with plushy, soft, toys. The one issue that does worry me is “big” kids (above the 3rd grade) playing in an area designed for little ones. There are issues of safety that have made a few parents uncomfortable. So, please, encourage your “big” kids to sit with you, and leave the soft space for little ones.
Thank you all for your attention to this blog. I am really excited about another program year, and I believe this will be the best ever!
May our Lord continue to bless you,
Fr. Roman+
