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November 15, 2012
Mission
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November, 2012 
Dear Members of Ascension,
Every year we are called to reflect on and offer up our thanks with a donation to the United Thank Offering. The origins of the UTO date back to 1886 with an offering of $87. In these early years the Women's Auxiliary collected United Offering monies at General Conventions with a focus on expanding the mission of the church. The United Offering became the United Thank Offering in 1919, that year offerings surpassed the million dollar mark totaling $1,371,537. Over the years the offering has continued to grow reaching annual amounts of over $2,000,000. The symbol for UTO became the "blue box".
UTO receives 100's of grant requests, and usually approves about 70 per year. Through these grant projects, the United Thank Offering addresses compelling human need, both domestically and internationally, within the Anglican provinces, dioceses, and companion dioceses. In 2011 our very own diocese benefited from your offerings. A ministry of All Saints' Episcopal Mission, Minneapolis was granted $15725.00 for First Nations' Kitchen Renovation & Community Garden Project. These funds will allow them to purchase a much needed water heater, chairs, tables, lamps, space heaters and raised bed garden equipment.
Sunday, November 25  you will have the opportunity to "offer up your thanks to God" at our UTO Fall Ingathering. Through the UTO we are encouraged to establish the habit of giving daily thanks to God by placing coins in the Blue Box. When we recognize our daily blessings, generosity tends to grow in our hearts. St. Paul says, "be a joyful giver." Any amount is welcomed. Our joined offerings help those less fortunate than us.
Yours in Christ,
Amy Krumenacker
UTO Prayer
Gracious God, source of all creation,
all love, all true joy: accept, we pray,
these outward signs of our profound and
continuing thankfulness for all of life.
Bless those who will benefit from these
gifts through the outreach of the
United Thank Offering;
and keep each of us ever thankful for all the
blessings of joy and challenge that come our
way; through Him who is the
greatest gift and blessing of all,
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Amen
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Headstart Clothing Wishes Drive Starts November 18
Our generous Ascension donors provide much needed and appreciated clothes for children participating in the Ascension Headstart program, and for their siblings.
Here's how:
1. Write your name and phone number by your child's Family Number on the donor list
2. Give a gift card or clothing
3. You needn't purchase all items on the child's list
4. Limit your gift to $20 to $30 per child - that way, all children get equivalent gifts
5. Leave your gift unwrapped
6. Attach the Clothing Wishes list to your gift
7. Mark the bag containing your gift with the child's Family Number
8. Place your gift by the tree in the parish hall
by December 9
9. Questions? Call me, Lorna Rupp, 651-228-7129
New! Headstart Wish List Drive Starts November 18
The Headstart Wish List is new. Headstart will keep these clothes at Headstart and give them to children as needed from the classroom - like an ATM machine for clothes.
* Girl - underwear* sizes 4-5
* Boy - underwear* sizes 4-5
* Girl - socks
* Boy - socks
* Socks for either boys or girls
* Mittens
* Boy - sweatpants** or sweatshirts sizes 3T, 4T, 5T
* Girl - sweatpants** or sweatshirts sizes 3T, 4T, 5T
* Underwear: low need
** Sweatpants: high need
It's easy to donate - place your unwrapped Wish List donations in the "Wish List" box next to the Headstart Clothing Wishes tree. Donations needed by December 9. Add your name to the list of donors.
Thanks! 
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 GLOBAL MISSION PLANNING MEETING Monday, January 7th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall Have you ever thought that going on a Mission Trip would be an exciting adventure on your own, with a spouse, child or grandchild but that you could never do one? Come to this meeting and find out about the many opportunities that are available. Come dream with us and let's help you fulfill what God is calling you to do in this big world.
Some of the ideas that will be discussed:
* God's Child Project in Antigua, Guatemala. Work with staff and indigent families building houses; meet the people and see a beautiful part of the Central America. Great for a mixed age or youth group. We can also discuss a medical mission trip with this project.
* Hurricane Sandy rebuild on the East Coast. A good project for an adult group. A variety of projects for a variety of physical abilities. We can partner with Episcopal Church.
* Pine Ridge Taize in South Dakota: Diocese is planning an 18+ young adult retreat going to Pine Ridge May 24-27. We will be camping so the cost is minimal.
* White Earth Mission Trip, building projects on White Earth Reservation, summer, dates pending.
* Work Camps, Week of Hope, Big Day of Serving and all kinds of ideas for those that are interested.
Please come and bring your ideas too.
Questions see Buff, Mindy or our Vestry Mission team, Jen Truman, Bob Gerhard or Frank Langer
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Have you been thinking about replacing your full size mattress?
Now is the time as the 12 year old boy of the family that recently moved from homelessness to a permanent home is still waiting to have a mattress on the full-size captain's bed frame that was donated on the day they moved. A full-size air mattress would also be appreciated if camping days are over and one sits in your garage or closet!
There is also still a need for a freezer for a Supportive Housing Family. The freezer would allow them to freeze the perishable items that they get once a month from Valley Outreach Food Shelf.
Please call me about donations that you may have for our families. In-kind donation forms are available. Your donations are always appreciated!
Many thanks, Cindy (651-439-2641) |
Volunteers and Food donations needed
at Valley Outreach Food Shelf.
Valley Outreach relies heavily upon generous and dedicated volunteers to sort and stock donations and serve clients at the Food Shelf. Four times a year, Ascension Church is asked to provide volunteers to help with this important work. Please become a welcome food shelf volunteer.
We have 3 opportunities to assist our neighbors over the Thanksgiving holiday.
1st: Ascension Church will be providing volunteers to work at the food shelf on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, November 26, 28 and 30 from 9:30 am. - 12:30 pm. This is the week following Thanksgiving.
Help one day, or all three. Stay for the whole shift or just an hour or two. Bring a friend! Please consider joining this very important and rewarding mission.
2nd: In conjunction with our volunteer opportunity at Valley Outreach, we will be holding a food drive at Ascension. This allows all parishioners a chance to contribute their support to Valley Outreach. Please bring your food donations to church during the month of November and we'll deliver them on Monday November 26th.
3rd: "Unseen Angels" organization in Hudson Wi. is preparing 6000 meals to deliver around the area on Thanksgiving Day, November 22. There are looking for drivers to deliver 3 meals on Thanksgiving Day.
Time slots are 9-11 a.m. and 10-12 a.m..
Thank you for your willingness to assist in this important local mission. Contact Frank Langer at 651-439-5766 or email: fslanvel@hotmail.com |
 Last Sunday Supper
September 2012 and October 2012
September's Last Sunday Supper was prepared by First Presbyterian, Stillwater. Adults attending numbered 24, along with 2 children. They were served chicken taco soup, tortilla chips, vegies of carrots and celery, all topped off with apple crisp for dessert. Trinity Lutheran served October's meal. Our guests (25 adults, 2 children) ate a variety of raw vegies with dip, lasagna, Caesar salad, whole wheat and white dinner rolls. Dessert was several specialty yummy cakes. THANKS to our long-time partners at First Pres and Trinity for their helpfulness in continuing this ministry. Ascension will be preparing the supper on November 25, the weekend after Thanksgiving. If you would like to assist that Sunday afternoon, contact Linda Amrein at 651-439-7670. I guarantee you a meaningful experience! |
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RUMMAGE SALE COLLECTION BEGINS:
Ascension will begin to take collections for the rummage sale with all proceeds going to help with our Global Mission work. You can bring your items to Manwaring and we will store them in our garage. The rummage sale will be the 1st weekend in June.
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 Guatemala Fund Raiser Continues............ This will be the last Sunday we will sell Guatemalan coffee, chocolate, handiwork, and books at church after both services.
This is also the last Sunday for taking poinsettia orders. Rose Floral has graciously allowed us to raise funds for our trip by selling vouchers for Christmas Poinsettias. These vouchers can be purchased for $15.00 and redeemed at Rose Floral for a lovely 5-7 bloom poinsettia after Thanksgiving.
We will continue selling coffee and chocolate by arrangement until it's gone. These items make great Christmas or hostess gifts. Call Frank or Sue Langer @ 439-5766
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We all enjoyed a recent
God's Child Guatemalan Breakfast
with Patrick Atkinson
Founder of God's Child Project
 Photos provided by Bob Rupp
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Personal Computer Upkeep Notice
for the Congregation
When we made the change from our web address and email addresses with a hyphen (ae-church.org) to the one without (aechurch.org) we paid to keep the ae-church.org for a year to avoid losing connections. That year is drawing to a close, and we are not renewing the ae-church.org address/domain. In 60 days, ae-church.org addresses will no longer work. Please update your files, address books, and notify contacts and friends that operable web address and email addresses are aechurch.org (no hyphen).
Thank you,
Buff+
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New Mother & Baby Group
The new Mom and Baby group got off to a wonderful start* this past Tuesday at Ascension. Mom's and babies are invited for our next gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 11th at 9:00 am in the Parish Hall.
We will have breakfast together made by Our Community Kitchen friends. The Mom's can get to know each other and the toddlers can play and or eat breakfast. If you are available in December on the 11th, come and have breakfast with us and meet our newest friends.
*Photos to come in an upcoming Font!
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A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
for families and individuals who want to give back without overextending themselves!
Deliver donated food from Kowalskis supermarket to Valley Outreach Food Shelf every fifth Sunday.
The work takes my family of three just 1 - 2 hours to complete, depending on the size of the load.
The commitment is small, the reward big, and it's easy to find a substitute when you have other plans.
What's Involved
Pick up food at the loading dock at Kowalskis in Stillwater (any time between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.)
and deliver it to the food shelf on Curve Crest Blvd., just across Highway 36.
We've been doing this with our daughter, and sometimes her friends as well, for a few years now and it's not only satisfying -- it's a lot of fun!
We have room for a new volunteer, families welcome, beginning in January, with a training tag-along run in either November or December.
Please contact Amy Schwantes if interested. I'll be happy to tell you more about it.
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There will be no Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry from 9 - 11 am on Saturday, December 8th due to the rehearsal for Lessons and Carols.
We look forward to seeing you in January.
Be Well,
Mary Jo
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No Youth Choir or Youth Group on Wednesday, November 21st.
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There will be no Thich Naht Hanh meeting on the Thursday of
Thanksgiving, 11/22/12.
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Our Community Kitchen will be closed on Thanksgiving and on Christmas.
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The Church Office will be closed on Thanksgiving and the Friday after: 11/22 and 11/23.
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Elizabeth of Hungary
Princess and Philanthropist 
November 19, 1231
The numerous "St. Elizabeth's Hospitals" throughout the world are for the most part named, not for the Biblical Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, but for this princess of Hungary. She was concerned for the relief of the poor and the sick, and with her husband's consent she used her dowry money for their relief. During a famine and epidemic in 1226, while her husband was away in Italy, she sold her jewels and established a hospital where she nursed the sick, and opened the royal granaries to feed the hungry. After her husband's death in 1227, her in-laws, who opposed her "extravagances," expelled her from Wartburg. Finally an arrangement was negotiated with them that gave her a stipend. She became a Franciscan tertiary (lay associate) and devoted the remainder of her life to nursing and charity. She sewed garments to clothe the poor, and went fishing to feed them.
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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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