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June 21, 2012
Health & Wellness, Larger Community
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Summer is a wonderful time for restoring our bodies, minds and spirits. With its call to get outdoors and enjoy the longer days, summer affords us the opportunity to vary our routine a bit. How we spend these longer days will vary greatly, yet summer's gift of healthy rest and rejuvenation is the same. Some of us will spend time visiting with friends and family, traveling, or simply enjoying nature's gifts. Others of us will decide to spend more time reading, in our gardens, or deepen our practice of prayer, meditation or Tai Chi.
Regardless of what our summer activities may be, we are offered the opportunity to experience healing of body, mind and spirit. As our summer pace takes hold, let us give thanks to God for the healing that is taking place in our lives, and in the lives of each other.
Be well, Rev. Mary Jo
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 The Gay Pride Parade is this Sunday in downtown Minneapolis!
For those who plan to attend and walk with the St. Croix Valley Coalition of Human Rights, please know that we are #32 in the parade. That will help you find us!
We line-up in front of the Macalester College contingent.
The #32 spot is in the middle of the Parade. People should look for our banner and 'St. Croix Coalition of Human Rights' unit. Go to www.tcpride.org for more info. about parking. Neil Krueger's cell is 651-331-8563 and Deb Krueger is 651-230-9186 if people need help finding us there.
The Parade starts at 11:00 am., but we need to be in place at our unit #32 by 9:45-10:00 am sharp!
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 MN United for All Families
Conversation Training at
Trinity Lutheran Church
on Monday, June 25,
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Conversations with people are the key to changing hearts and minds. Despite all the media attention, marriage for same-sex couples is an issue many people haven't had a chance to really discuss. You can open that door. You can be an ear for people to talk about this important issue affecting all Minnesotans. This training will prepare you for these conversations and help you make a plan to get started.
Trinity Lutheran is supported in this effort by Episcopal Church of the Ascension, St. Peter's United Church of Christ, and First United Methodist. |
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Searching for Spirituality
A weekend retreat on June 29 - 30, sponsored by the House of Prayer, in Collegeville, MN. and St. Anne's Episcopal Church, in Sunfish Lake, MN.
Jesus said: "If you are searching do not stop until you find...." (Thomas #3)
A famous prayer by St. Augustine says, "You have made us for yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you."
Searching and finding is the human spiritual quest. Unfortunately too many of us get way-laid through life until something causes us to wake up and return to our spiritual roots. If this sounds familiar this retreat might be for you. This retreat is offered to assist in finding that "narrow path," Jesus so often spoke of. The path to "fullness of life," as he put it.
We will explore that path and the gifts of that path. It has been called the inner path of Christianity. Traditionally, in the early Christian tradition, these things were only taught after a person had been prepared and initiated, that is made ready to receive them. We believe that those who are ready to receive these teachings will come already prepared by the Spirit of God.
Searching For Spirituality
Where: St. Anne's Episcopal Church
2035 Charlton Road
Sunfish Lake, Minnesota
When: Friday, June 29: from 7 - 9 pm
Saturday, June 30: from 9 am - 4 pm
Cost: $20, includes all materials and Lunch!
Couples: $35
Please sign up in advance, we have a limited amount of space.
St. Anne's: phone: 651-455-9449 or stannesepiscopal@msn.com
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Mind-Body-Spirit:
Quiet Your Mind with a Chime.
A friend of mine shared a technique she uses that I think is wonderful. Set your cell phone or watch to give you a gentle chime at regular intervals through out your waking hours - every hour, every 90 minutes. When the chime chimes, pause and turn inward, breathe deeply and connect with the Spirit, however you experience It. You may want to visualize light flowing through your body; breathe a silent prayer or scripture verse; ask God's blessing on a concern, then let it go; or <insert your own practice.> from Andrea Johnson
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 June is Men's Health Month
When it comes to diagnosing a health concern, paying attention to your body can be just as important as getting regular check-ups and screenings, especially when it comes to cancer detection. See your doctor if you notice:
* Difficulty urinating. Along with changes in flow (such as not being able to stop, starting and stopping, or weak flow), this is a sign of prostate cancer. Pain during urination can also be a symptom of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which is not cancer - see a doctor to determine what the issue is.
* Unexplained stomach aches. People who have had colon, pancreatic and liver cancers have described stomachaches and pains as a common, early symptom. Request an ultrasound if you have a persistent stomachache that you can't attribute to a previously diagnosed and benign digestive problem.
* Unexplained weight loss. An early sign of colon and other digestive cancers, weight loss that is not attributed to exercise or diet should be addressed with your physician.
* Shortness of breath. Along with wheezing, this is a classic symptom of lung cancer. It's also a classic symptom associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD.)
* Swollen lymph nodes or lumps. If found in the neck, underarm and groin areas, these lumps and enlargements may signal various cancers.
* Bloody stools. Any blood found in the toilet, whether in the stool, water or on the toilet paper, should be addressed with your physician, as it is a common symptom of colorectal cancer (as well as hemorrhoids.)
* Frequent heartburn. Along with a feeling of pain in the chest after eating, frequent heartburn may be a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which in some instances can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.
(Source of information: Dr. Andrew Weil, MD)
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. I Cor 6:19-20
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Furniture Needed: A family that I am working with is in need of the following items:
2 dressers
King size sheets and comforter
Toddler bed sheets and comforter
Coffee table
Rug for living room
If anyone could donate any of these items, it would be much appreciated. Please call me at 439-2641. If anyone would be willing to help transport any of these items, just let me know. Thank you, Cindy Parsons, Episcopal Community ServicesThank you also to the folks who donated the mirror and the couch!
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 Thanks to all the knitters and crocheters for the beautiful prayer shawls that Fr. Buff blessed in May. We now need to replenish our supply. If you have time to knit or crochet a prayer shawl to replenish the stock, it will be greatly appreciated!
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 COMMUNITY RUN/WALK:
The Suicide Prevention Collaborative (SPC) is holding its second annual fundraiser 5k run/walk on Saturday July 28, 2012 at Hamlet Park 8833 Hamlet Road South, Cottage Grove. Pre registration is encouraged, race day registration is at 8 AM, walk starts at 9 AM. Fees for the walk before July 21: $20 for 18 and older, $10 for ages 5-17, 4 and under are free. Group rates available. There will be live music and drawings for door prizes. Walkers and runners of all abilities are welcome. |
 Voices 4 Libya
Tuesday, August 21st, 2012 at 7 PM
Ascension Church Fellowship Hall
Mark your calendar for a memorable evening with Ilya Gorodisher, editor of Voices 4 Libya, an anthology of the Libyan revolution.
Ilya Gorodisher will share stories of ordinary people involved in the Libyan conflict. He will talk about the experience of making of Voices 4 Libya, not a history book or political analysis but a collection of stories -- sad, heroic and tragic - that people chose to tell.
Free tickets will be available at Ascension Church (after services on August 5th and 12th) or at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater. A free-will offering will be collected at the event.
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If you are interested in helping to maintain the church gardens this summer, please contact: Kathy Widin, Garden Guild Chair at 651-436-8811, or kdwidin@comcast.net, to sign up.Thank you! |
| Summer groups and schedules: To find out the schedule for the Ascension Softball games please scroll to the bottom of the newsletter. Also if you are interested in any of our many groups, they are listed below, with contact information. If I've forgotten any, please let me know!! enews@aechurch.org
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Summer Office Schedule:
The office will now be closed on Friday's through the Summer.
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The Birth of John the Baptist
24 of June NT
All of the gospels tell us that John preached and baptized beside the Jordan river, in the wilderness of Judea. He called on his hearers to repent of their sins, be baptized, amend their lives, and prepare for the coming of the Kingship of God. He spoke of one greater than himself who was to come after. Jesus came to be baptized, and John told some of his disciples, "This is the man I spoke of." After His baptism by John, Jesus began to preach, and attracted many followers. In fact, many who had been followers of John left him to follow Jesus. Some of John's followers resented this, but he told them: "This is as it should be. My mission is to proclaim the Christ. The groomsman, the bridegroom's friend, who makes the wedding arrangements for the bridegroom, is not jealous of the bridegroom. No more am I of Jesus. He must increase, and I must decrease." (John 3:22-30) |
Altar Flowers
If you are interested in sponsoring altar flowers for 2012, please contact Barb Smolik at 651-275-3533 or the office at 651-439-2609 for sign-up. Get your names on the dates you wish before they fill up.
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Ongoing Events
 Our Community KitchenTuesday and Thursday mornings 7 - 10 am @ Ascension's Kitchen and Fellowship Hall.
Come and meet your community and have a delicious breakfast!
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Ongoing Groups:
Scripture Reflection and Prayer GroupFirst & Third Thursdays from 9 - 10:30 am in the Library
Thich Naht Hanh study/meditation group
Thursday nights at 7 pm in Parish Hall
Zen style Meditation group
Saturday mornings at 7 am in Small Chapel
Healing Touch
2nd Saturday every month in the Sanctuary at 9 am
Youth Choir will resume in the Fall, Wednesday nights at 5:30 pmfor more info contact Nancy Whipkey @ 651-439-2609
Adult Choir
will resume in the Fall, Wednesday nights at 7:15 pmfor more info contact Nancy Whipkey @ 651-439-2609
YogaDevotion & Tai Chiwill resume in the Fall, dates and times to be decidedTai Chi Practice at Washington Park, Saturday mornings at 8 a.m.
Centering Prayer Groupfor more information on meeting times contact Lois Welshons @jonlos@aol.com |
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Ascension
softball
schedule
Come out and cheer on your team!
All games are Wednesday evenings.
Times and locations this season:
June 27 8:30 p.m. vs. Eckberg Lammers - Lily Lake Field July 11 7:30 p.m. vs. DW Inc. - Jaycee Fields July 18 8:30 p.m. vs. Smalley's - Jaycee Fields July 25 TBA Playoffs Aug. 1 6:30 Championship game - Lily Lake Field Softball Field Locations Jaycee Fields - 1950 West Myrtle Street, Stillwater. The entrance is at the intersection of Myrtle Street and Deerpath. Lily Lake O'Brien Field - 1208 South Greeley Street, Stillwater. |
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Ascension Episcopal Church
E-Newsletter CommunicationsLynn Raarup To submit an article or question please e-mail me at: enews@aechurch.org 651-439-2609 |
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