come. explore. serve. be.
Welcome to St. Dunstan’s!
Come walk with us in faith and friendship.
Share our desire to explore our relationship with God and support one another.
Join us to make a difference in our world; serve all with compassion.
Be yourself among us.
Worship times
Sunday Mornings
8am: Rite II, without music
10am: Rite II, with organ & choir
Also livestreamed via our YouTube channel
Coffee hour following the 10am service
Wednesday Mornings
10am: Intimate service with conversation, reflection, and communion
Sermons podcast
Listen to our past sermons on our podcast channel.
Latest sermons
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Saint Dunstans Episcopal Church & Montessori School
We are an active, engaged and growing faith community striving to love like Jesus and to serve well.
When we gather as a faith community: to worship, to study, or to serve,![]()
we often discover that we are like-minded. We may share understandings about God & theology, about what it is to serve our neighbors or how to be a Christian. Sometimes we even hold the same world views. And to be honest, there is some comfort in that. It feels good to be around others who feel and believe as we do.![]()
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But what happens when we don’t align? What are we to do when our views, whether religious, political, economic, moral, social or ecological, to name a few, conflict with those of our family, friends, neighbors, or one another, and cause a breakdown in relationship? How are we to navigate the way when we struggle to have a conversation with one another, let alone to hear what the other has to say?![]()
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Perhaps it is easier to anchor into one’s own world view than it is to take time to listen and consider that of another. Human beings are complicated with a wide spectrum of cultural and lived experiences that inform who they are. If any of us become too deeply entrenched in our point of view, we may not be able (or willing) to listen and consider those of others. Uncomfortable with conflict, we might rather avoid such topics completely, than risk being at odds with others — but at what cost? ![]()
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Holding tenderly that which binds us together in Christian community,![]()
and mindful of our commitment to being a congregation where all may ![]()
Be Themselves Among Us, we gathered yesterday for a Forum led by Rev. Laurel: ![]()
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Dialoguing across Difference and Listening for Understanding. ![]()
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Employing 4 Questions from the Episcopal Church's FROM MANY, ONE: Conversations Across Difference, we talked about: ![]()
- how our faith calls us to create and foster safe spaces for all people;![]()
- the opportunities and challenges of dialoguing across difference;![]()
- what gets in the way, and how Lent is the season for letting things go;![]()
- and how we may practice listening for understanding, and heal one another.![]()
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The last many years we have been living through a difficult and disruptive season in our country and in the world. In such times it can be very hard to communicate well with one another. And yet, we are called to love, and to listen. Asking, and listening to one another's answers to these 4 Questions opened the door to rich and beautiful connections. ![]()
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- WHAT DO YOU LOVE?![]()
- WHAT HAVE YOU LOST?![]()
- WHERE DOES IT HURT?![]()
- WHAT DO YOU DREAM?![]()
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Be curious, and discover that what we share in common is greater than that which threatens to divide us.
Pilgrimage — walking the path that thousands have walked before you, paving the path for those who will follow—can be transformative, challenging, and enlightening. Let us join in praying for the Archbishop of Canterbury as she walks the Becket Way, toward Canterbury and her installation. Stepping forward in faith, trusting in God’s call and purpose, holding with awe and wonder the journey.This is the first time in modern history that an Archbishop of Canterbury has walked a pilgrimage to Canterbury in the lead-up to their installation. Dame Sarah Mullally will be walking six days humbly as a pilgrim, meeting and praying with people along the way, and arriving for @choralevensong to finish. What a wonderful move by her. Such positive leadership.![]()
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The route from St Paul’s Cathedral, London, to Canterbury Cathedral is fitting given she was previously the Bishop of London, so it’s a literal rite of passage towards her new post. To see the route she will be walking, visit the ‘Becket Way - Southwark to Canterbury’ route page on our website. www.britishpilgrimage.org/portfolio/pilgrims-way-to-canterbury![]()
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This is a big deal given that Thomas Cromwell banned pilgrimage in 1538 in an injunction, condemning ‘wandering to pilgrimages’, just as the Church of England was created. The practice of pilgrimage in Britain never fully recovered, until now.![]()
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Cromwell declared that Henry VIII’s subjects should “not to repose their trust and affiance in any other works devised by men’s phantasies besides Scripture; as in wandering to pilgrimages, offering of money, candles, or tapers to images or relics, or kissing or licking the same”.![]()
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The world is changing very fast and this is a positive demonstration of that. Thank you, Sarah, for this proud moment of the Church of England reconnecting with the land and soulful practice of pilgrimage.![]()
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Walk well, Dame Sarah!
From the Archbishop of Jerusalem. “A Pastoral Message”![]()
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,![]()
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As it is evident to all of you and with deep pain, the early hours of dawn of this day, 28th of Shabbat, witnessed a large-scale coordinated military attack by the United States and Israel on a number of cities and facilities within Iran. The operation has been described by the leaders of the two countries as a “progressive strike”, but it has brought fire and destruction to the heart of Tehran, Isfahan and its surroundings, targeting the centers of governance and civil life itself. In addition, Israel had carried out, similar to these events, "preventive" strikes on various targets in southern Lebanon, where the number of casualties remains unknown.![]()
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Sadly, the circle of violence has expanded, frighteningly quickly. In the following hours, Iran launched a wide-ranging response, using missiles and missiles to target Israel and US military assets across the Gulf, hitting facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan-Iraq, Jordan and Qatar. Sirens also sounded around the Holy Land, warning of missiles coming from Iran. Suddenly, our people, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, find themselves once again trapped in shelters, fearing for their lives, as the ghost of all-out regional war camps over our heads.![]()
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These developments touch the essence of Jerusalem and the Middle East. All the countries currently engaged in this fight, and those that tolerate retaliatory blows, fall within our ecclesiastical borders. Our brothers and sisters in the diocese of Iran are marching under the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the dioces of Cyprus and the Gulf are witnessing the war coming to their doorstep; and our carers in the Diocese of Jerusalem—which stretches across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria—are facing an unprecedented threat of military escalation.![]()
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And in the face of this tyrant power, we recite the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). This call is heavier than ever today. When the “spirit of fear” threatens to devour our hearts, we have to cloic on the “spirit of power, love, and advice” (2 Timothy 1:7).![]()
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First, I invite the church all over the world to join us in urgent prayer without ceasing. We pray to God to protect the innocents—mothers, children and the elderly—stuck in Aton in this “operation called Raging Rage” and the following “overwhelming response”. We especially pray for the "spirit of advice" of the leaders of the United States, Israel and Iran, that they realize the futility of this bloodshed, and move back from the brink of a global disaster.![]()
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Secondly, we must provide each other with the shelter of Christian love. I therefore urge our pastors and secularists to be be beacons of consolation. In a time of ‘regime change’ speeches and military warnings, let our proclamation be Christ’s steadfast promise of peace: to build each other up (1 Corinthians 8:1), because our hope is not in naval strength or rocket armor, but in the Prince of peace.![]()
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Finally, we have to remain "bridges builders". Even when the windows of diplomacy seem to be closing, the church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether in Tehran, Tel Aviv or at military bases in the Gulf. And I make an urgent appeal to the wider Anglican Corporation and to all well-wishers: intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. Upgraded, but not destroyed. » 4 Core 2 9 May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.![]()
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In Christ,![]()
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Archbishop Dr. Hossam Naoum![]()
The Presiding Bishop![]()
Episcopal church in Jerusalem and the Middle East![]()
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Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,![]()
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As you are all now painfully aware, in the early hours of this morning, February 28th, a coordinated and massive military assault was launched by the United States and Israel against numerous cities and installations within Iran. This operation, described by the leaders of the two nations as a “pre-emptive” attack, has brought fire and destruction to the heart of Tehran, Isfahan, and beyond, striking at the very centers of governance and civilian life. Moreover, just prior to these events, Israel had also “pre-emptively” attacked various targets in southern Lebanon, where the number of casualties has yet to be determined.![]()
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Tragically, the cycle of violence has expanded with terrifying speed. In the hours following, Iran launched a widespread reprisal, with missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. military assets across the Gulf—striking installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kurdistan-Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar. Sirens also blared across the Holy Land, warning of incoming missiles from Iran. Suddenly, our people from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf find themselves once again huddled in shelters, fearing for their lives as the shadow of a total regional war looms over us.![]()
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These developments strike at the very soul of our Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East. Every single nation now engaged in this combat, and those bearing the brunt of the retaliatory strikes, resides within our ecclesiastical boundaries. Our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Iran are currently enduring the terror of aerial bombardment; our members in the Diocese of Cyprus & the Gulf are witnessing the arrival of war at their doorsteps; and our faithful in the Diocese of Jerusalem—extending across Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—face an unprecedented threat of military escalation.![]()
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In the face of such overwhelming force, we recall the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Today, that calling feels heavier than ever before. When the “spirit of fear” threatens to consume our hearts, we must anchor ourselves in the “spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:7).![]()
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First, I call upon the global Church to join us in urgent, unceasing prayer. We implore God to protect the innocent—the mothers, the children, and the elderly—who are caught in the crossfire of this “Operation Epic Fury” and the subsequent “crushing responses.” We pray specifically for a “sound mind” for the leaders of the United States, Israel, and Iran, that they might recognize the futility of this bloodshed and turn back from the precipice of a global catastrophe.![]()
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Second, we must offer each other the sanctuary of Christian love. I therefore urge our clergy and laity to be beacons of comfort. In a time of “regime change” rhetoric and military ultimatums, let our message be the unchanging promise of Christ’s peace: to build each other up (1 Cor 8:1), for our hope is not in the strength of armadas or missile shields, but in the Prince of Peace.![]()
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Finally, we must remain “Bridge Builders.” Even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases of the Gulf. I extend an urgent invitation to the wider Anglican Communion and all people of goodwill: Intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great. We remain “battered and bruised, but not defeated.” May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.![]()
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In Christ,![]()
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The Most Reverend Dr. Hosam E. Naoum![]()
Primate and President Bishop![]()
The Province of Jerusalem & the Middle East
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life". Psalm 143:8:
I spoke of this in today's sermon. An alignment that hasn't occurred since the late 1800's and won't again until 2189. And John Lennon is running in my head: Imagine all the people living life in peace. "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one." I feel hopeful for this convergence of people seeking the Holy One, through prayer, fasting, giving and repenting, in hope for peace.
Despite the rain, Mardi Gras joy was had as St. Dunstan's folks gathered for a final feast before Ash Wednesday and Lent. Gumbo, pancakes, king cake and burning of palms. Such a great way to be together.