Prayer Ministry Training, Feb 4, 10-11:30.   Sue Carroll and Martha Watson will conduct a brief training for anyone interested in participating in our new Prayer Ministry.  They will explain the focus of this ministry and provide examples of prayers that ministers might use.  Contact Martha if you have questions or desire more information:  martha.watson@unlv.edu or 702-592-9669.

Guild appreciation, Sunday, Feb. 5.  Next Sunday we'll show our appreciation to those who create a beautiful worship environment for all of us, the altar guild and flower guild.  These ladies and gentlemen work behind the scenes each week, preparing for every service.  We'll dedicate a new altar fair-linen, purchased as a memorial to Pat Pongracz, longtime altar guild member, and co-chair, who died last year. 

Helping in Haiti: Resurrection School.  The rector and several lay leaders will participate in a meeting of the partner parishes supporting our school in Gros Morne, Haiti, this Saturday in Severna Park.  This joint ministry supports over 800 students with education, meals, and basic health care.  St. Dunstan's commitment has been $1,000 per month over the last year.  We need to raise funds to meet this commitment through the end of 2012. 

Congregational Meeting Sunday, Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m.  The Vestry invites all in the congregation to an informational meeting on ministry plans and our proposed budget for 2012.  The budget has some challenges and we welcome your input before it is finalized for the Annual Meeting Feb 26. 

Action in Montgomery (AIM) offers training on supporting the Maryland Dream Act on Wednesday, Feb 15, 7-9 p.m. at Resurrection RC Church in Burtonsville.  The Dream Act was passed by the legislature to provide in-state tuition to qualified graduates of Maryland high schools regardless of immigration status.  It is being challenged by referendum.  Speak to Jeff MacKnight if you would like to participate. 

LENT is coming ...  Ash Wednesday, February 22.  Please plan to join a house group to discuss parables of Jesus, and get to know a small group of St. Dunstan's folks.  Enjoy our own booklet of daily meditations for Lent, written by members of our own congregation.  Meet for 15 minutes of Morning Prayer at the church, weekdays at 8 a.m.  Give up something to remind you of your devotion to God.  Take on a new discipline or new form of service to others.  Lent can be as meaningful as you make it. 

The Women of St. Dunstan's will hold their monthly Luncheon at the Irish Inn, Glen Echo, on Wednesday, February 8.  Please RSVP to Bert Spencer, 301-229-5693.  All women are cordially invited to attend. 

Offering Envelopes.   If you requested offering envelopes at the time of pledging, please look for your box on the table in the front hall.  If you would like envelopes, sign up on the pad on the table. 

Adult Forum Begins New Book Study.  The Adult Forum will begin discussing the book Christ of the Celts by J. Philip Newell.  We will discuss a chapter each week.  All are welcome to join the discussion each Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. in the parlor.  Come learn about Celtic spirituality!

Sunday School:  Our Sunday School lesson will be Jesus heals from Mark 1:29-39.  Our theme is Jesus goes with us wherever we go.  Parents & youth:  as you make your summer plans please note there will be no Camp St. Dunstan this summer.

Lenten Booklet.  This Lent we shall create a booklet of Lenten meditations from our members.  There are 40 days of Lent and we need 40 persons willing to do a short meditation.  The scripture passages are provided as are brief instructions.  Martha Watson will be looking for volunteers and will be available to provide any assistance.  Please consider making this contribution to the life of St. Dunstan's.  You can contact Martha at martha.watson@unlv.edu or 702-592-9669. 

Walking our Lenten Journey. The Women of St. Dunstan's will sponsor a Lent Quiet Morning on Saturday, March 3 from 10-12:30 p.m. at St. Dunstan's.  All women are invited to participate in this time of prayer.  The morning will be led by Rev. Martha Watson and Rosi Sweeney.  Please contact Rosi if you have questions:  Rosemarie@evergreenlodge.us or 240.460.5676.

Centering Prayer Introductory Workshop.  Contemplative Outreach of Metro Washington, will lead a workshop exploring interior silence as prayer Saturday, Feb 25 from 9-3 at St Dunstan's. Those who attend the workshop are encouraged to participate in six follow-up sessions, which will continue both the teaching and the practice, on Wednesdays, 7- 8:30 p.m. Feb. 29-April 4.  A $50 donation is suggested. Contact Boots Quimby at 301-263-9137 or bootsquimby@gmail.com to register or for more information.

Casseroles and underwear for SOME.  Thank you to the Woman of St Dunstan's for their donation of over $400 to purchase men's underwear for distribution by So Others Might Eat.  Thanks also to all of you who have faithfully made casseroles each month. SOME serves lunch to hundreds of homeless and needy men and woman each day, and there has been an increased demand for meals in these tough times.  If you would like to make a monthly casserole, please speak to Elin Botha at coffee hour.

Terrific Tuesday.  Come join us on Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 21 for a meal of pancakes and more.  A Mardi Gras theme will prevail through dinner and then programs will begin at 7 and end at 8.  The kids program will be a mixture of Mardi Gras party- games & crafts (and the reasons behind it) until 7:45 pm when we will transform the hall into the season of Lent.  Please sign up on the bulletin board if you can come or help with food.  The adult program will be entitled "On the trail...with Jesus in Lent."

Open Mic Night at St. Dunstan's "Cafe," February 25, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm, at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 5450 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda MD 20816. Website: http://www.stdunstansbethesda.org/index.html

Music: Acoustic open "mic." All ages, styles and abilities. No electric instruments. Open to the general public. Sign up sheet at the door, first come first to play 1-3 songs or 10 minutes per performer/group. A piano will be available.

Suggested donation at the door: Canned goods for local organizations to feed the homeless and working poor or $5 per person.

Food:  Coffee, tea and assorted baked goods will be available for sale. Proceeds to support St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church.

Questions:  Feel free to contact Clint Chamberlin at clint_22202@yahoo.com