January, 2012 Sunday School Parent Letter

Epiphany Pageant:  Thanks for everybody that participated in the pageant this year.  We had a great turn out and some people in the Congregation have said it was the best one yet!  Thanks to all of the Moms & Dads that helped dress, guide and watch over our small friends.

Jan. 15th:  Sunday school rotation from 9:00-9:50am.  This unit is on The Creation and is the foundation of every religion.  It is located in the first book of the Bible and includes the story of the beginning of the world. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1).  This rotation we will have music, drama and cooking.  I am still looking for some people to help with the cooking piece so if you are interested, please see me.  The dates for these 3 rotations are:

• Jan. 15, Jan. 22 and Feb. 5th.  We are skipping Jan 29 because of the Annual Meeting. 

Jan. 29th:  No Sunday school as we will have one church service that day at 9:00 am and then the Annual Meeting at 10:00am.  All children are invited downstairs during the Annual Meeting for a youth program of learning about drum circles.  This group will have a chance to learn about and play various drums and percussion instruments.  The music focus is mostly from Africa, the Caribbean, Brazil and some contemporary rhythms.  No pressure to memorize parts, just come and enjoy the rhythms and the learning that happens in the moment.  We will allow time for improvisation too.  All levels welcome.

Come hear Mark Osler blend compelling storytelling with practical tips learned as a litigator to teach us how to have effective, persuasive conversations, one at a time, in the context of respectful relationship.  

Mark Osler is a Professor of Law at the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. A graduate of the College of William and Mary and Yale Law School. As lead counsel he won the case of Spears v. United States (2009) in the U.S. Supreme Court, where the Court held that sentencing judges can categorically reject the 100:1 ratio between crack and powder cocaine in the federal sentencing guidelines. His work on one case is portrayed in the Samuel Goldwyn Film, "American Violet." His book, Jesus on Death Row, (Abingdon, 2009) challenges the death penalty based on the experience of Christ as a criminal defendant. He writes regularly on religion and law for the Huffington Post, and has been interviewed as an expert on CNN, NPR's "Morning Edition" and ABC's "Good Morning America," and in hundreds of newspapers and news sources.

Childcare provided.  

Annual Meeting Potluck 

January 29, 2012

in the Parish Hall

Following the Annual Meeting 

Come celebrate our community,  

our work and our ministries

this past year by sharing a meal together. 

Please bring a main dish, side dish, a salad or a dessert.

There will be a gluten free table, so if you are able, please bring a dish that all can eat. 

For information or easy recipe ideas, please contact:  

Julie Luna 651-275-3900 or julieluna@hotmail.com  

Anne Gerber 651-439-9614 or amartens74@yahoo.com 

If you are willing to set up, serve or clean up, please

contact Julie or Anne.

In April of 2011, the Mn. Legislature voted unanimously to put on the Nov. 2012 ballot an amendment to the Mn. Constitution stating that marriage should only be legal between one man and one woman...thereby declaring same-sex marriage as illegal in the State of Minnesota. While this amendment is discriminatory and unjust, it has been imposed on us and we will be forced to vote on it.

    Though the prejudices of race, women's rights, voter's rights, religion, gay marriage, etc. have always been present in the history of our country, the issue imposed on Mn. voters in 2012 does give us ample time to explore and understand this issue before we vote. We here at Ascension will read monthly newsletter updates of information, Adult Forum speakers, book selections, etc. through the months leading up to the vote. We will have the opportunity to explore together the Episcopalian tradition of education, compassion, justice, and equality. Stay tuned!         

To join this committee, contact Buff, Vicki Kramer, or Deb Krueger.