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July 19, 2012
Health & Wellness, Larger Community
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Ascension is blessed with many who are gifted in prayer, pastoral care and healing ministries. In fact, each of these ministries is about answering God's call to respond to the needs of another with an open heart. There is simply no room for personal agendas or expectations about the outcome of any given situation.
In their book, The Art of Being a Healing Presence, Susan Cutshall and James Miller offer the following insightful words, "[Being a] healing presence is the condition of being consciously and compassionately in the present moment with another or with others, believing in and affirming their potential for wholeness, wherever they are in life."
With their minds cleared and their hearts open to the Presence of Christ, the prayers of each member of these ministries begin. Some share the gift of presence on Sunday mornings, as they offer healing prayers during the distribution of Communion. Others respond to prayer needs throughout the day, as requests reach them as part of the Prayer Chain. Still others bring their hearts and hands together as they offer Healing Touch to both members of Ascension and those of the greater community.
The Healing Presence of Christ is so multifaceted and vibrant at Ascension! What a blessing it is to be in the midst of such hope, compassion and peace. May each of us be open to the Healing Presence of Christ, and may each of us draw closer to the One who calls us to wholeness.
Be well,
Rev. Mary Jo
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Lifestyle Habits Shared by the World's Longest Living People.
Here are four of the nine habits identified by Dan Buettner, author of the well-received book, Blue Zones (2008.)
1. Just Move
The world's longest-lived people don't pump iron, run marathons or join gyms. Instead, they live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it.
Consider making things a little inconvenient. Make that extra trip up or down the stairs instead of loading things at the top or bottom to take up later, walk to your airport gate instead of taking the moving walkway, park far from the entrance, walk a dog, do your own yard and house work, get rid of some the time-saving electronics and power equipment that have "simplified" your life.
2. Purpose Now
Know your purpose. This translates to "why I wake up in the morning." Do an internal inventory. Be able to articulate your values, passions, gifts and talents. Then incorporate ways to put your skills into action.
3. Down Shift
Stress leads to chronic inflammation which is associated with every major age-related disease. What the world's longest-lived people have that we don't are routines to shed that stress. Find a stress shedding strategy that works for you and make it routine. Mind-body practices such as yoga, T'ai Chi, meditation and centering prayer are excellent activities for de-stressing.
4. 80% Rule
"Hara hachi bu" is a 2500-year old Confucian mantra said before meals reminding one to stop eating when the stomach is 80 percent full. The 20% gap between not being hungry and feeling full could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it. Serve food, store leftovers, then sit down to enjoy your meal. Replace your big dishes with 10" plates. Remove TV's from the kitchen. Eat your smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and then don't eat any more the rest of the day.
(To be continued in August's Font.)
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Last Sunday Supper: Ascension will be hosting the Last Sunday Supper on July 29th. To learn how you can be part of this event, contact Linda Amrein at 651-439-7670
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St. Peter's United Church of Christ
is hosting a rally
to oppose the anti-marriage amendment.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
1 - 3 pm
Pioneer Park, Stillwater
Music, stories - a joyous celebration of love and family in all its forms. We gather to support the freedom to marry and to share strategies for defeating the amendment in November.
We'll have some great performers!
Ruth MacKenzie, Dean Magraw, Timothy Frantzich, David Ballman and more!
Ascension Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran
are also sponsoring this event.
Please go to our Facebook page and let us know if you can attend!
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 Our Community KitchenGuidelines for Food Donations
Our Community Kitchen (OCK) will gladly accept food donations this summer to help them cook their delicious breakfasts. Please follow the guidelines below when donating food. The Kitchen Manager Contact is Kristin Klemetsrud (phone 612-709-5511).
+ Deliveries will be accepted onThursday mornings between 8 -10 a.m. or call for a drop off time
+ Deliveries must be pre-approved by Kitchen Manager and be accompanied by a list of items donated
+ Fresh produce donations must be washed of field dirt and packed in clean bags/boxes
+ Shelf stable goods must be within sell by date in undamaged packaging
+ Prepared food must be properly wrapped
+ All deliveries will be inspected by the Kitchen Manager and may be refused if the above policies are not followed or if by the determination of the Kitchen Manager the donation is not of acceptable quality and/or cannot be properly utilized, processed or stored
Thanks in advance for your food donations, and please stop by Our Community Kitchen on Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM to share a delicious and healthy breakfast with your community!
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 Summer Coffee Hour
Thanks to all the volunteers that organized coffee hour these past few months. During the summer months, there is no organized coffee hour, but if you would like to make coffee and bring treats, please do so.
Please note, that because there is no formal summer coffee hour, there are no volunteers to clean up. If you do decide to have an informal coffee hour or if you are the last to leave the building, PLEASE clean up afterwards: empty coffee pots, wash the dishes and wipe down the counters and tables. The directions for the dishwasher are posted on the machine
Thank you for being considerate of all that use the kitchen during the week and expect a clean kitchen when they arrive to do their work, especially Our Community Kitchen. |
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If you are looking for the Lay Server Schedule, here is a direct link to the web site with the current information.
http://www.aechurch.org/wp-content/uploads/lay-schedule.pdf
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Godspell!
Our own Christof Krumenacker is in this summer's cast of Ashland Production's Godspell and would like to invite his Ascension family to come enjoy the show!
One of the biggest off-Broadway and Broadway successes of all time based on the Gospel of Matthew and parables from the Gospel of Luke, Godspell features a sparkling, seminal score by Stephen Schwartz.
The main story of Godspell is portrayed in the show's subtext--in the way the players interact with their leader, coming together to create a loving community. Godspell boasts a string of recognizable songs, including, "Day By Day," "All For The Best," "All Good Gifts," and "By My Side". The student performers will be directly involved in the creative re-visioning of this phenomenal show.
Godspell will be performed from August 3 at 7:30 pm until August 12 at 2:00 pm at Ashland Productions, 2100 White Bear Ave., Maplewood, MN. 55109
Show Information and Tickets can be purchased at:
ashlandproductions.org
*Godspell is currently on Broadway and has had many incarnations over the years. Here's a clip from the 1973 film production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8q7xl4cr7Y
starring Victor Garber as Jesus. In contrast, here's a clip of Highlights from the current Broadway production: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XldYPXDwJYU&feature=related
*Note from Editor: I played acoustic guitar in the 'band' of a Minnetonka Community Theater production of Godspell back in the early 80's! It was a fantastic experience. When you leave the show you will feel uplifted and energized!
Stephen Schwartz also wrote the music for Wicked, Pippin, Mass, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and many others!
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 St. Croix riverfront Saturday, July 28th 8:45 to 11:30 a.m. followed by complimentary lunch on a riverboat
Spend a morning on the beautiful St. Croix River clearing an area between downtown Stillwater and Sunnyside Marina and Kolliner Park in Wisconsin along the future Loop Trail.
When the new St. Croix bridge is complete, a biking/walking trail will connect the new and historic bridges to trails and parks along both sides of the river. Conservation Corps Minnesota youth crews will lead the volunteer event.
** Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. The Conservation Corps will provide work gloves, eyewear and hand tools. To reach the volunteer site from Highway 36, drive north on Highway 95 toward downtown and turn right into the gravel lot across from the River Oasis Cafe.
This event is made possible by the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Andersen Corporate Foundation. Promotional support is provided by REI.
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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.
For pre-registration: http://www.zapevent.com/listactivities.aspx?eventid=2603 or www.suicidepreventioncollaborativemn.org click news and events |
 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 Fridays through the Summer.
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Mary Magdalene First Witness Of The Resurrection (22 July NT) Mary Magdalene is mentioned in the Gospels as being among the women of Galilee who followed Jesus and His disciples, and who was present at His Crucifixion and Burial, and who went to the tomb on Easter Sunday to annoint His body. She was the first to see the Risen Lord, and to announce His Resurrection to the apostles. Accordingly, she is referred to in early Christian writings as "the apostle to the apostles." Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany (sister of Martha and Lazarus), and the unnamed penitent woman who annointed Jesus's feet (Luke 7:36-48) are sometimes supposed to be the same woman. From this, plus the statement that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2), has risen the tradition that she had been a prostitute before she met Jesus. Because of the assumption that Mary Magdalene had been a spectacular sinner, and also perhaps because she is described as weeping at the tomb of Jesus on the Resurrection morning, she is often portrayed in art as weeping, or with eyes red from having wept. From this appearance we derive the English word "maudlin", meaning "effusively or tearfully sentimental." There is a Magdalen College at Oxford, and a Magdalene College at Cambridge (different spelling), both pronounced "Maudlin". To read more about Mary Magdalene please click here. |
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:
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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