In April of 2011, the Mn. Legislature created an amendment to the Mn. Constitution banning same-sex marriage. This amendment will be on the ballot for a state-wide vote in the Nov. 2012 election. It is important to  understand the affects this vote will have on the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-trans) community, as well as our future citizens. 

On Tuesday. March 6, from 6-8 pm. at the Stillwater Public Library (224 N. Third St.), St. Cloud motivational speaker Denny Smith will present a seminar discussing this amendment from all sides thru understanding, compassion, and education. Please join us in a lively discussion on Tuesday. March 6th.

A seminar entitled "Making Stillwater Welcoming to All People: Opening Our Doors to the LGBT Community" is designed to foster calm and meaningful discussion on a very volatile and controversial issue. People on all sides of the debate are encouraged to attend.

Denny Smith, author of  God Did TOO Make Adam & Steve and father of a gay son,will conduct the session, designed to promote equality, respect and dignity for LGBT people, their families and their relationships. Smith, a former teacher and coach, is a motivational speaker and president of Dennis Smith Training and Development in St. Cloud.    

There are currently seven states that allow gay marriage: Conn., New Hampshire, Mass., New York, Iowa, Vermont, and Wash. state.  Calif. is working on it.  

More information is available at www.wmenow.org.

The life you save with CPR is very likely a loved one, a child, spouse, parent or friend. Four out of five cardiac arrests occur at home. Effective and immediate CPR can double or triple the chance of a heart attack victim's survival.  

Ascension parishioner Frank Langer will offer CPR and AED instruction for Ascension parishioners on Saturday, March 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall. To prevent the risk of disease transmission, CPR is now "hands-only", that is, compressions to the chest, with no mouth-to-mouth contact. There is a sign up sheet for this  in the parish hall. 

The Suicide Prevention Collaborative and Community Partners present two events on: 

February 28, 2012 from 6 - 9 pm

Resource Fair 6 - 7 pm; Presentation: 7 - 9 pm entitled: 'Not My Kid: A Community Conversation on Youth Suicide Prevention'

Presenter:  Maureen Underwood, LCSW, CGP, Clinical Director, Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide 

This Free event is being held at Oak-Land Junior High School, Lake Elmo, MN

Target Audience: All interested community members including, parents, caregivers, teens, educators, mental health professionals.

For more information:  www.suicidepreventioncollaborativemn.org/education 

   Vacation Bible School and Mission Trip Dates

Here are some dates that you might want to start looking forward to:

Vacation Bible School:  Needs some Parent interaction with these dates so look at your summer calendars and get back to me as soon as you can.

Either the week ofJune 11th - 14th or June 18th - 21st.   

(Stillwater schools finish on 6/8)

Jr High Summer in the City Mission Trip:   This is an annual inter-church middle school immersion program in Minneapolis.

• June 19-22 and cost $150.00.  See Mindy for applications

Jr & Sr High Summer Stretch:  Outreach program in morning & fun activities in the afternoon.  9:00-4:00pm

• Every Wed., June 13, 20, 27, July 11 & 18, $120.00

White Earth Mission Trip:    This could be a great adventure for a family.

• June 24-30

8th & 9th Grade Montana Trip:  Develop decision making and Peer Ministry skills along with a lot of fun

• July 15-22

Guatemala Mission Trip:  August 7-15