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November 1, 2012
Health & Wellness, Larger Community
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In honor of All Saint's and All Soul's Sunday, November 4 (this Sunday), we will be printing names in the bulletin of those you would like to remember. If you would like a loved one remembered, please call or email that name to the office before 4:00 pm on Thursday, November 1 (today).Donations may be made to the United Thank Offering in memory of loved ones by sending to the church office or using the UTO envelopes available Sunday. Phone is 651-439-2609 or email is office@aechurch.org. Thank you. Nance Anders |
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Screening of Love Free or Die
Friday, November 2 at 7:00 PM
This Sundance Award winning documentary is about Gene Robinson. Robinson is the first openly gay person to become a bishop in the historic traditions of Christendom. Love Free Or Die follows Robinson from small-town churches in the New Hampshire North Country to Washington's Lincoln Memorial to London's Lambeth Palace, as he calls for all to stand for equality - inspiring bishops, priests and ordinary folk to come out from the shadows and change history. For a trailer and more information click: http://www.lovefreeordiemovie.com/
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Remember that this Sunday Daylight Saving Time Ends! 'Fall Back' another hour and sleep in!
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"I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;
for only you, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
What a lovely prayer for the end of the day. These words, uttered as we drift off to sleep, can help us rest in the Lord, awaking refreshed and restored in the morning. What bliss.
Of course, there are nights when the events of our day keep us awake. Some of our day's activities may have brought us joy and excitement, and that is what keeps us tossing. On other occasions, our day's experiences still weigh heavily upon us, making sleep nearly impossible.
The spiritual teachings of St. Ignatius offer us a way to prayerfully reflect on our day, allowing us the opportunity to detect God's presence in our lives and release the day's cares to God. This process is called the Examen, and it can guide our lives. The examen helps us to become aware of moments in our day that may appear insignificant, yet ultimately offer direction for our lives.
In their book, Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life, Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn and the Rev. Matthew Linn offer simple questions for us to honestly ask ourselves as we review the events of our day.
For what moment today am I most grateful? For what moment today am I least grateful? When did I feel most alive today? When did I feel life draining out of me?
When today did I have the greatest sense of belonging to myself, others, God and the universe? When did I have the least sense of belonging?
Taking a few gratitude-filled moments at the close of the day and becoming aware of God's presence in our life, allows us to release our day to God. All of our day. And in doing so, we will drift off to sleep holding onto only that which gives us life.
Be well, Rev. Mary Jo
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ECO-FRIENDLY CREMATION
Like it or not, none of us will be alive forever. What will be your end-of-life journey? When your time comes, what are your intentions for the body you'll leave behind?
On Sunday, November 4th Jim Bradshaw of Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation Services will be here to talk about planning for end of life and the options, including "green cremation," a gentle, eco-friendly alternative to flame-based cremation.
Sunday, November 4
Immediately after the 8:00 service and the 10:00 service
Parish Hall
In addition, Father Buff will share his thoughts about the end-of-life journey, and talk about the services offered at Ascension. Bring your questions - whether philosophical or logistical - and gain a better sense of the options available to you and your loved ones.
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Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry:
A Sacred Form of Prayer
Healing Touch is one of several heart-centered, energetic healing techniques that have been used in the health care field and in hospitals, with growing interest, since the 1980's. Healing Touch assists a person in their own self-healing of body, mind and spirit.
The act of laying-on of hands and the healing of body, mind and spirit was a vital part of the ministry of Jesus. Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry (HTSM) utilizes prayer, energetic healing and scripture-based essential oils.
Most people become very relaxed when they receive Healing Touch. HTSM techniques are gentle, with the hands of the healers resting lightly on or near a person's body. The techniques are designed to enhance the healing process and do not replace traditional medical healthcare, diagnosis or treatment for illness.
Ascension's Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry team offers healing sessions in the Parish Hall on the 2nd Saturday of the month, from 9:00 -11:00 am. To support this ministry, which includes outreach to the greater community, free-will donations are requested; however, no one will be turned away. Please contact Rev. Mary Jo if you would like to learn more about this ministry. |
House of Prayer
Four women from Ascension stepped out of their busy lives to drive up to a very sacred space called The House of Prayer. Set in the beautiful maple woods on St. John's Abbey & University campus in Collegeville, Mn. The vision of The House of Prayer is to be a contemplative ministry of spiritual transformation, grounded in the Christian tradition, in the practice of Benedictine hospitality, reaching out and welcoming to all.  This is a wonderful place to regroup your busy lives and heal your souls. You don't have to belong to The Caim group or have any special training, just the desire to get away from your day to day lives and tend your soul. It takes about 2 hours to get there and you can stay as long as you need. You bring your own food, sit by the fireplace or outside in the Adirondack chairs in the leaves. You can sit quietly in the Oratory, a beautiful circular meditation space, walk in the woods, chant with the monks at the abbey, take naps, sip wine or stay in your private room and read. All parts of tending your soul.
We would love more people to join us so if you are interested in planning another retreat, talk with Sally Giese or Mindy Boynton.
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Many thanks for all the donations that so many of you have given for the families of Stillwater Family Resource Center. The families are always very appreciative! One of our supportive housing families is in need of a freezer. Another family that I am working with through the Resource Center is a family of five that has been homeless for over a year and will be moving into a place of their own this week. A friend of one of our Ascension members has donated bed frames and living room furniture that will go to this family but two full size mattresses are needed. Just give me a call if you can help out either of these two families or if you have questions about other items that you may want to donate. Cindy (439-2641)
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Safe Church Training Children and Youth Ministry
Safe Church training will be provided on Tuesday, Nov. 13 so please mark your calendars.
All members with keys/code to the buildings, who have leadership positions or who work with youth and children must complete Safe Church training once every 5 years.
Tuesday, Nov. 13th 6pm to 9pm, Ascension LibrarySaturday, October 27, 10:00am - 1:00pm, Minneapolis, St. Mark's, MinneapolisMonday, November 5, 6:30 pm, Minneapolis, St. John's, Minneapolis |
Upcoming Musical Highlights: This Sunday, November 4th:
Barbary Coast Dixieland Band
You won't want to miss this group, they are fantastic!
November 11th: Youth Choir 
November 18th: Bell Choir
December 23rd: Anonymous Five
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 ...to serve requires reflection...
Lead and Serve
In January, our vestry proposed a more comprehensive approach to church leadership in new bylaws. You, the congregation, approved it overwhelmingly. Now is the time to join in this leadership.
The following teams or committees provide for the critical functions of the church. The bylaws specify that a total of at least 11 members and up to 23 members serve on these teams. Please consider where you would like to serve, and contact Senior Warden Katie Keller or Rector Buff Grace to sign up.
Thank you.
The Standing Committees shall be Constituted
as Follows:
Nominating: Three lay persons, each serving a term of three years, except the first members who shall serve staggered terms of one year, two years and three years. The purpose of the Nominating Committee includes, but is not limited to: Cultivate and present skilled, qualified candidates to the congregation for election to the vestry.
Finance: The treasurer and four lay persons, with two lay persons having terms of two years and the other two lay persons having terms of three years. The initial members shall serve staggered terms so that one of the two year positions will be a term of one year, and one of the three year positions will be a term of two years. The purpose of the Finance Committee includes, but is not limited to: Assist the Treasurer in advising the vestry on the finances of the parish.
Worship: The rector if there be one, current clergy as directed by the rector, the director of music, vergers, and up to 5 lay persons. The purpose of the Worship Committee includes, but is not limited to: Plan and create liturgy that ensures the parish members "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers." (1979BCP, 304) [Question 4 of Baptismal Covenant]
Formation: The rector if there be one, current clergy as directed by the rector, the director of children and youth ministry, and up to 5 lay persons. The purpose of the Formation Committee includes, but is not limited to: Plan and offer experiences that help parish members "grow into the full stature of Christ." (1979BCP, 302)[Questions 5 & 6 of Baptismal Covenant]
Mission: The deacon if there be one, current clergy as directed by the rector, the director of children and youth ministry, and up to 5 lay persons. The purpose of the Mission Committee includes, but is not limited to: Plan and create opportunities for parish members "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." (1979BCP, 855)[Questions 7 & 8 of Baptismal Covenant]
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Here are the ongoing children and youth programs open to everyone:
· Children's Chapel, 9:45-10:30am every Sunday. Meet in the Parish Hall
· 7th & 8th Gr. Youth Program, every Wednesday, 6:30-8:00, Manwaring
· 6th Grade Tweeners Program, 1st Sunday of every month, 11:30-1:30, Manwaring
· 9th Grade Confirmation Program, 2nd Sunday of every month, 11:30-1:30, Manwaring
· 10th-12th Grade Youth Program, 3rd Sunday of every month, 11:30-1:30, Manwaring
For more information please contact Mindy at:
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MN United Conversation Drive- Stillwater
Sign up to participate in a conversation drive with Minnesotans United For All Families!
This is the most important work you can be doing at this point!
Every Monday and Tuesday night, from now until the election!
Location:
Office of Ascension Episcopal Church, Manwaring
215 N 4th St N
Stillwater, MN, 55082
Start time: 6:30pm
End time: 9:30pm
Hosted by: Minnesotans United for All Families
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William Temple
Archbishop of Canterbury (November 6, 1944)
Temple's admirers have called him "a philosopher, theologian, social teacher, educational reformer, and the leader of the ecumenical movement of his generation," "the most significant Anglican churchman of the twentieth century," "the most renowned Primate in the Church of England since the English Reformation," "Anglican's most creative and comprehensive contribution to the theological enterprise of the West." One of his biographers lists him (along with Richard Hooker, Joseph Butler, and Frederick Denison Maurice) as one of the Four Great Doctors of the (post-Reformation) Anglican Communion.
George Bernard Shaw called him, "a realized impossibility."
William Temple, 98th Archbishop of Canterbury, was born in 1881, the second son of Frederick Temple (born 1821, priest 1847, headmaster of Rugby 1857, Bishop of Exeter 1869, Bishop of London 1884, Archbishop of Canterbury 1897, died 1902). At the age of two, he had the first attack of the gout that would be with him throughout life and eventually kill him. His eyesight was bad, and a cataract, present from infancy, left him completely blind in the right eye when he was 40. However, he was an avid reader, with a near-photographic memory, and once he had read a book, it was his. He was a passionate lover of the music of Bach. In literature, his special enthusiasms were poetry (Browning and Shelley), drama (the Greeks and Shakespeare), and a few novels, especially The Brothers Karamazov. He believed that theological ideas were often explored most effectively by writers who were not explicitly writing theology.
Read more about this fascinating gentleman, and look at some of his writings.
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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 Wednesday nights at 4:45 pmfor more info contact Nancy Whipkey @ 651-439-2609
Adult Choir
Wednesday nights at 7:15 pmfor more info contact Nancy Whipkey @ 651-439-2609
YogaDevotion & Tai Chi
Yoga began 9/25, Tuesdays at 7 pm
Tai Chi was cancelled for the Fall, to be rescheduled at a later date.
There will be no more Tai Chi Practice at Washington Park, Saturday mornings at 8 a.m.
Contact Laura Weston if interested in Yogadevotion at 651-430-9028
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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