Dark Before Dawn
Posted on in Blog, Highlights by The Rev. David Marshall
We are half way through the season of Lent, and every week the readings are darker. This descent into darkness continues right up to Good Friday, the darkest day of all, when we remember Jesus’ days of death in a tomb after his crucifixion. In these weeks leading up to Easter we explore the darkness of our lives and the darkness of the world. I guess you could argue that it is a bit masochistic to do this every year, but that would really miss the beauty and the comfort of Lent.
It is certainly true that we don’t like to be reminded of the darkness of the world or the suffering in our lives, but sometimes a reminder is irrelevant. Sometimes darkness, suffering, grief and loss are simply what are real, what is present in our lives. That is why we need Lent and Good Friday…
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For Those in Danger on the Sea
Posted on in Blog, Highlights by The Rev. David Marshall
On Sunday we will host Ken Hawkins, the Executive Director of the Mission to Seafarers. Ken will present the mission and ministry of the Mission to Seafarers as our guest preacher. Ken gave an excellent presentation at the 2011 Diocesan Convention and has visited our own St. Agnes Guild. Some of you may already be aware of this excellent ministry in our diocese and may even have participated, perhaps in the preparation of ditty bags at the holidays. I have known Ken for many years and have always been impressed with his passion and enterprise in doing God’s work in the world. I am sure you will enjoy his presentation. I have included here an article he provided describing the mission…
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Occupy the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Posted on in Blog, Featured by Mary E. Pacher, Sr. Warden
We will “occupy” the “valley of the shadow of death” in this seminar series in the sense that access to the holy, and access to God, and access to God’s comforting presence, is not limited to the elite and the …Continue Reading »
In the Desert
Posted on in Blog, Featured, Highlights by The Rev. David Marshall
The forty days of Lent recall the forty days that Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism by John. Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness recall the forty years the Hebrew people spent wandering in the wilderness after escaping their captivity in Egypt before they entered the Promised Land. With Ash Wednesday we enter our own forty-day wilderness journey, on our way to Easter.
One of the most powerful images of the wilderness is that of a desert: A barren place with few plants or animals and very little water. Lent is a journey through a spiritual desert. This is a time of penitence, fasting, prayer and preparation…
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Lent: It’s Not About the Chocolate
Posted on in Blog, Featured, Highlights by The Rev. David Marshall
What are you giving up for Lent? How will you prepare yourself for Holy Week and Easter? It has become almost a cliché to give up chocolate for Lent. The idea, of course, is that chocolate is so good that to give it up for the season will remind us repeatedly of our love for God and our desire to prepare our hearts for Lent.
But really, Lent is not about the chocolate, or even about fasting from chocolate. Lent is a time to prepare to experience the power, the beauty, and the joy of Easter. This year I would like to offer, along with our bishop, something that will be more powerful than giving up chocolate…
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Shrove Tuesday
Posted on in Blog, Featured by The Rev. David Marshall
In a couple of weeks it will be Shrove Tuesday. On Tuesday, February 21st, we will gather at St. Dunstan’s Church for another wonderful Shrove Tuesday feast. This year the theme is “A Taste of Italy” and the meal will be an Italian dinner. The Shrove Tuesday dinner is one of the premier events of the year, hosted by the St. Agnes Guild. Last year we packed the Narthex with almost 120 people, enjoyed great music, a silent auction, a fabulous dinner, and of course, wonderful table fellowship. This is a particularly Christian way to gather. Jesus was all the time going to dinners, parties, and weddings. The joy we share with friends around a table is an expression of God’s love…
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Seek Reconciliation
Posted on in Blog, Featured, Highlights by The Rev. David Marshall
In the central prayer of our faith, given to us by Jesus himself, we ask God to “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” As Christians, we hold reconciliation as a primary value and goal in relationships. When we disagree with a brother or sister in Christ, we are called to work for reconciliation. Usually that means sitting down and talking through our differences. Sometimes one or both parties have to be willing to forgive. When those who are in conflict reconcile, we celebrate. We truly are called to love one another and work together in holy community…
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Thank You!
Posted on in Blog by Mary E. Pacher, Sr. Warden
Dear Friends,
I want to personally let you know that after serving in the position of Senior Warden at St. Dunstan’s Church for the past three years, I am stepping down. This decision was made some time ago and it …Continue Reading »
Rector’s Annual Report
Posted on in Blog, Featured by The Rev. David Marshall
This has been a year filled with signs of God’s love at St. Dunstan’s Church. We have started new ministries serving the hungry and the suffering as an expression of God’s love working through us. We have worked together to contribute to the beauty of our church buildings and grounds. And, of course, we have worshiped God with beautiful music, heartfelt prayer and all the love we share as the Father’s adopted daughters and Son’s through Christ…
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The Golden Rule
Posted on in Blog by Mary E. Pacher, Sr. Warden
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday, Brother John delivered a sermon that was one of the best that many of us have ever heard. It dealt with repentance and forgiveness. It also dealt with how rumors and unkind words about others can …Continue Reading »
