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August 23, 2012
Health, Wellness & Larger Community
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Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10I was so intent upon visiting the new local coffee shop that I didn't notice the flowers next to me. I had heard a bit about the new place and, with a family friend working there, I thought it a perfect time to stop in and check the place out. I was so focused on where I was headed that I wasn't paying any attention to where I was. Fortunately, as I descended the steps, I caught a glimpse of the flowers next to me, their bold colors moving gently in the wind. I stopped, completely still, and gazed upon the reds and yellows that greeted me that morning.
Doesn't it seem that, despite our best efforts, some days our ability to remain mindful and aware gets away from us? Whether it is because of an overly full schedule or because our mind is elsewhere (as mine clearly was), we find ourself scurrying along and missing out on a great deal of beauty and grace that God places in our life.
It is during times like these, especially times like these, when we benefit from remembering that "being present" and "in the moment" is essential. To quote Thich Nhat Hahn, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, "Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out." Breathe in. Breathe out. It is that simple.
Mindfulness is about being still long enough to notice that we are where we are. Try walking, mindfully. Eating, mindfully. Drinking, mindfully. Listening, mindfully. Praying, mindfully.
Be present. Be still. Listen for God's whisper.
Be well,
Rev. Mary Jo
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Yogadevotion
A new eight-week session of yoga
will begin onTuesday, September 25
and run through Tuesday, November 20.
(There will be no class on Election Day, November 6th.)
The teacher is Dr. Lyne Seppala, a naturopath in Stillwater.
Classes are held in the Parish Hall from 7 to 8 pm.
Child care will be available for $7 per class on a drop-in basis.
We need at least 10 pre-paid participants,
payment received by Sunday, September 23, to run the class.
Cost is $55. Payment can be addressed to Ascension Episcopal Church.
Please write"Yogadevotion" in the memo line of your check
and give it to Laura Weston,
put it in the offering collection basket,
or drop it off at the church office by Sunday, September 23.
For questions, please call Laura Weston, 651-430-9028
namasté
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T'ai Chi
in the Yang style with 24 forms, is again offered by Allan LaValier. This class of T'ai Chi will begin on Tuesday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Each class is one hour long. The class is appropriate for all ages. The cost for adults is $75 for 12 classes; and $60 for 12 classes for children. We will learn two forms/class and will progress so everyone can comfortably learn. It takes patience to learn this with many accompanying health benefits.
T'ai Chi is a mind-body practice characterized by a slow flow of movement. T'ai Chi enhances health and well-being through improving balance, coordination and concentration. It deeply calms the nervous system. The Yang form is the most widely-practiced form of t'ai chi in the world. It was formed in 1956 by the Chinese Sports Committee by bringing together four prominent t'ai chi teachers. Please wear loose fitting and comfortable clothing.
Allan has studied T'ai Chi with Ted Tang in Fargo, N.D. and has taught T'ai Chi at the Compass Center and other locations in the St. Croix Valley as well as in Grand Rapids, MN.
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Judith Lies is offering her Introductory Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class this fall at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater. It runs Monday mornings, 9:30-12 noon for eight weeks beginning October 1st, with an all day retreat on Friday, November 9th. The course uses the book Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Ms. Lies completed the professional training with Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1993 and currently studies with Thich Nhat Hanh and his monks and nuns in France and the U.S. She is Lay Ordained in Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing. She has been teaching mindfulness for nearly 20 years. Also, she is a psychotherapist.
From her website, she describes the course:
These courses teach people how to integrate 2,600 year old Eastern practices into contemporary Western everyday life. Physical, emotional and spiritual suffering is healed and transformed by integrating body and mind in the present moment without judgment or expectation. Each session involves learning and practicing: walking, eating, sitting and/or yoga meditation; didactic presentation; group discussion; and homework assignments.
This 27-hour class meets weekly for 2 1/2 hours and includes one 7-hour day of mindfulness. Up to 27 CEUs are available for educators, medical and mental health professionals.
Fees: $320 paid with registration form
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Guatemalan Team Blog
If you haven't yet read all of our posts from our trip, please check out this link! There is also a tender video clip that portrays expressions of thanks between the family
and the Stillwater team.
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There will be a Pastoral Care Team tea on Saturday, October 6, from 9:30 a.m. to noon in the Parish Hall for current team members, those interested in joining the team and for Healing Touch team members. Rev. Bob Furniss will be the program speaker and Fr. Buff+ will offer Eucharist.
Please RSVP to Andrea Johnson, parish nurse, 651-439-3544, andrea@aechurch.org |
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Our Community Kitchen is highlighted in one of the latest Episcopal Story Project posts.
Included are stories about the food and all the great people that come out each week making Our Community Kitchen their own.
 Sara Morrison in the Kitchen "We have been blessed with the space and the facilities - the meeting place, equipment and kitchen" he (Buff) said. "We have been fortunate enough to find people who want to use it in a great way that serves the community." And that's how Sara Morrison, a member of the leadership team for the kitchen, sees it as well. "I am not a member of Ascension, but I am constantly amazed at what a community that congregation is," she said. "The attitude about the physical space is very accommodating, in that they would rather see the space used instead of just letting it sit empty. It's a supportive thing." from the article
To read the entire article, please click here. |
Looking for that last getaway ?
Why not check into:
Windcradle Retreat Center?
Windcradle retreat center is a beautiful retreat center in Grand Marais overlooking Lake Superior. All WindCradle retreats include delicious home-cooked meals, walks on our ancient beach, access out the door to the Superior Hiking Trail, use of the labyrinth, meditation space, fires in the stone fireplace, and use of the sauna. There is even a brand new Episcopal church up north called: Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal you could go to on Sunday! Phone: 1-218-387-1536
Toll free: 1-866-586-2224
Email:
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 Last Sunday Supper July 29, 2012
Ascension provided the July 29 Last Sunday Supper to 35 guests, three of whom were children. Those who cooked and served were mainly members of our Education for Ministry class, who studied the Old Testament this past academic year. Several other Ascension parishioners helped us keep on track as we presented a meal of grilled chicken breasts with key lime marinade; roasted baby red potatoes with light sauce; Caesar salad; gluten-free quinoa salad; raw vegies; seasonal mixed fresh fruit; whole wheat dinner rolls. Dessert was brownies and vanilla ice cream topped with homemade chocolate sauce.
A special treat was having live piano music entertaining our diners.
BIG THANKS to all who helped! Ascension will again provide the November 25 meal. Any questions about this ministry among four Stillwater churches, contact Linda Amrein, 651-439-7670.
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The 155th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church will be held Sept. 21-22 on the Lower Sioux Indian Community's Jackpot Casino in Morton, Minnesota.
We are holding a block of rooms at Jackpot Junction on the Lower Sioux Indian Community. Rooms cost $38 on Thursday night, $56 on Friday night and $66 on Saturday night. To find out all the information please go to: http://episcopalconvention-mn.org/ |
 The Ascension Softball team finished their season in the playoffs. The team that beat them ending up winning the Championship game. 'Thanks everyone for your support of our team and a great year!!' Cindy Green and the team |
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Our Community Kitchen
and The Backyard Grocery
present their last food preservation class
of the fall season
Come and learn the tastiest ways to
preserve the bounty of the season!
Classes are held at in the kitchen of
Ascension Episcopal Church,
214 North 3rd St, Stillwater, MN.
Pressure Canning:
Saturday, August 25th, 9-11:30 AM
(must have attended a previous class
to take Pressure Canning)
Each class costs $25. Space is limited,
so reserve your spot today!
Contact Sara at 651-983-1300 or
to sign up.
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This event has been cancelled...
Sorry about that!!  |
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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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 St. Rose of Lima
(April 20, 1586 - August 24, 1617),
the first Roman Catholic saint of the Americas, was also born in Lima, Peru. Prior to entering a Dominican convent, Rose helped the sick and hungry around her community. She would bring them to her home and take care of them. Rose sold her fine needlework, grew beautiful flowers, and would take them to market to help her family.
To read more about this fascinating woman, 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 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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