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January 3, 2013
Health & Wellness
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 Happy Epiphany!A Blessed New Year to you all!
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Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1
Entering into Epiphany is a good thing. Doing so reminds us that the Light, birthed so very recently, continues to shine brightly around us and within us, filling every aspect of our life. Has there ever been greater news? God with us-Emmanuel-the Light-has broken into the human race! We are forever changed.
As I write this, it is bitterly cold outside. My gaze through the window falls upon sleeping trees, blanketed in snow. I am grateful for the bits of sunlight that break through the clouded sky, inviting me to bundle up and venture outside. If it were not for the invitation of the sun's light, I might prefer to stay indoors.
If it were not for the invitation on the Son's Light, I might prefer to do the same, remaining inside, isolating myself from the bitterness of the world. Yet, just as surely as God's Light has come into the World, we too, must go forth and share it.
I like to think of us as lanterns  that carry God, bringing Light into a world whose view has become dimmed by the clutter and chaos of daily events. Straining to see through the murky haze of doubt, fear and scarcity is hard work; but it is work made simple when someone holds the Light high. And, that someone is us.
 When we choose to carry the Light and step boldly into the world, Christ transforms the brokenness He encounters, healing our communities and families and restoring every aspect of our life. God with us-Emmanuel-the Light-has broken into the human race! We are forever changed. Has there ever been greater news?
Be well,
Rev. Mary Jo
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Who is in the Pulpit in Epiphany?
This Sunday, January 6th marks the Feast of the Epiphany, the celebration of Christ as the light to the whole earth. We will celebrate this season with a special Lay Preachers Series. Each Sunday a different member of our congregation will preach at both Eucharists. Just as our parish is composed of a wide variety of perspectives and personalities, so these preachers are unique and interesting people who are asking, how do I hear today's readings? What is God saying to us as a community of faith? Watch The Font to see who will be giving the good news on the upcoming Sunday and come join us!  This Sunday's Speaker will be John Feely
John with his wife Mary Jo, daughters Sarah and Lauren, joined Ascension in 1987.
John was a long time choir dad during the time his daughters were members of the youth choir. He was involved with recording two CDs of the youth choir, traveling with the choir as a chaperon to various concerts and outings, the Doc Severinsen concerts at Orchestra Hall, a concert and education tour to Great Britain and served many Wednesday night suppers for the choir.
He has also served as a 5th grade Sunday teacher, Vestry member and Senior Warden.
Most recently, he is a co-founding member of the meditation groups that meet Saturday morning and Thursday evening at Ascension. |
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Annual All-Parish Meeting, Sunday, January 27, 2013
We will celebrate Holy Eucharist one time on Sunday, January 27th at 9:00 a.m. Then at 10:00 a.m. we will gather to elect new vestry members, recap 2012, and hear about new ministry plans for 2013 including our proposed budget. Stick around after the meeting for a light brunch and enjoy fellowship together.
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For some people this time of year is difficult and they don't feel the joy and light that is associated with Christmas and Epiphany.
Below is an article about depression that can affect many people, and ways to address it. |
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Mission Trip Meeting
Monday, January 7, 6:30 PM Parish Hall
This meeting is for EVERYONE
interested in Mission Trips with Ascension.
Whether you already know you want to go on a trip
or are just beginning to consider the idea,
whether you are in high school or an adult,
whether you want to go local or global,
THIS IS THE PLACE TO START.
Come to this informational meeting and sign up for a trip this summer or meet others and begin planning your dream.
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For those of you who can't get out into the woods...here's a video of a walk in some snowy woods in Russia! click here
They say that the scent of pine is restorative! |
Welcome to the Ascension Stillwater Book Club Blog!
Renewing the Vision for Youth and Children
We're excited to share the book Making a Home for Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Your Children by E. Caldwell with all of you. To access the blog, the e-address is:
http://acstillwaterhomeforfaith.wordpress.com/
To access password protected posts, all lower case:
ascensionbookclub
To contact Joy, cairesfamily.jc@gmail.com to contact Mindy, mindy@aechurch.org
If interested in a copy of the book, let Mindy know.
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 Depression
* Depression Is Common - affects as many as 1 in 8 people; people of every color, race, economic status, or age; AND it does seem to affect more women than men.
♣ Feel tired most of the time
♣ Difficulty concentrating
♣ Hard time to get motivated
♣ Feel sad all the time, cannot shake this feeling
* Responses to Depression
♣ Friends may respond with love, kindness, support, offer to listen if person wants to talk, hoping that the sadness will soon pass. If the depressed feeling doesn't pass with a little time, friends or loved ones may encourage the person to get help from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.
♣ BUT - not everyone recognizes depression when it happens to someone they know.
♣ May react by yelling at the person for acting lazy or not trying harder. Some believe that depression is just an attitude or a mood that someone can shake off. It's not that easy.
♣ Even a well-meaning doctor may not realize somebody is depressed, and just treat the physical symptoms (headaches or other stress-related problems)
Why Do People Get Depressed?
There is NO single cause for depression. The following are pieces of the puzzle:
♣ Genetics
o Some people inherit genes that put them at risk for depression, HOWEVER - not everyone who has the genetic makeup for depression gets depressed. AND many people who have no family history of depression have the condition. SO , genes are not a single cause of depression.
♣ Life events
o Death of a family member, friend, or pet may cause us to feel sad but when this goes beyond feeling sad it may lead to depression.
♣ Family and social
o A negative, stressful or unhappy living atmosphere can affect self-esteem and lead to depression. This includes high-stress living situations like poverty; homelessness; and violence in the family, relationships, or community.
o Substance use and abuse can cause chemical changes in the brain that affect mood; negative social and personal consequences of substance abuse can lead to severe unhappiness and depression.
♣ Medical conditions
o Some medical conditions can affect hormone balance and cause a person to feel depressed.
What Happens in the Brain in Depression
Neurotransmitters - chemicals that help send messages between nerve cells in the brain. Some regulate mood, and if they run low, people can get depressed, anxious, stressed.
Sometimes, depression can be experienced without knowing exactly why you feel sad or stressed.
Types of Depression
* Depression can be intense and occur in bouts that last for weeks at a time
* Depression can be less severe but can linger at a low level for years.
Symptoms of Depression
If a person has five or more of these symptoms most of the time for 2 weeks or longer, it may mean this person is depressed:
♣ depressed mood or sadness most of the time (for what may seem like no reason)
♣ lack of energy and feeling tired all the time
♣ inability to enjoy things that used to bring pleasure
♣ withdrawal from friends and family
♣ irritability, anger, or anxiety
♣ inability to concentrate
♣ significant weight loss or gain
♣ significant change in sleep patterns (inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get up in the morning)
♣ feelings of guilt or worthlessness
♣ aches and pains (with no known medical cause)
♣ pessimism and indifference (not caring about anything in the present or future)
♣ thoughts of death or suicide
Regular Sadness VS Depression
Sadness is a natural emotion.
Depression is more than occasionally feeling blue, sad, or down in the dumps. It is a strong mood involving sadness, discouragement, despair, or hopelessness that lasts for weeks, months, or even longer.
Depression interferes with a person's ability to participate in normal activities.
Depression affects a person's thoughts, outlook, and behavior as well as mood. A person may feel:
* tired, irritable, notice changes in appetite
* world looks bleak
* thoughts tend to be negative and self-critical
* feel worthless, unlovable
* feelings of sadness and low energy, may cause a person to pull away from those around them or from activities they once enjoyed, feeling more lonely and isolated, making the depression and negative thinking worse.
* Depression can cause physical symptoms
o Upset stomach
o Loss of appetite, weight gain or loss
o Headaches, sleeping problems
Getting Help May include:
* Talk therapy, medication or combination of both
* Mood-boosting activities: exercise, yoga, dance, journaling, art. Keep busy no matter how tired you feel.
* Talk to your Primary Care Provider. Clinics have their own therapists.
*Remember - Depression doesn't mean a person is "crazy". It is a real and recognized medical problem. Just as things can go wrong in all other organs of the body, things can go wrong in the most important organ of all: *the brain.
submitted by Vicki Kramer
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Please note our new hours! We will now be open from 8 - 10 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday's.
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- Are you a parent, spouse or caregiver looking for support, encouragement, relaxation, fun and hope?
- Is it time to take the break you need for essential self-care?
- Looking for ways to better support your loved one in recovery from an eating disorder?
- Do you long to talk with other parents and caregivers who understand exactly what you are living through?
from the Tom Benson Networking newsletter
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Julia Chester Emery,
Upholder Of Missions (9 January 1922) 
Invented the United Thank Offering (UTO)
Julia Emery is a 1994 addition to the Episcopal Calendar.
Her father was a New England sea captain. Two of her brothers became priests. One sister, Helen, cared for another sister who was ill, and made a project of providing hospitality in her New York City home for missionaries on leave. Another sister, Mary, was National Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary of the Board of Missions for its first four years, from 1872 to 1876. At this point, Julia took over, and was National Secretary of the Auxiliary for forty years, from 1876 to 1916.
She visited every diocese in the United States, co-ordinating and encouraging work in support of missions. She traveled to London as a delegate to the Pan-AnglicanCongress. She traveled to Japan, inland China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines to advance missionary work there, and to be able to report on it to the Episcopal women in the United States.
It was Julia who invented the United Thank Offering (UTO).
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Altar Flowers
If you are interested in sponsoring altar flowers for 2013, 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
Please note New Hours for:
Our Community KitchenTuesday and Thursday mornings
8- 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 @ 651-439-2609Bell ChoirWednesday nights at 6:15 - 7:15 pm
Adult Choir
Wednesday nights at 7:15 pmfor more info contact Nancy Whipkey @ 651-439-2609
YogaDevotion & Tai Chi
Yoga began another session on 11/27, Tuesdays at 7 pm
Tai Chi was cancelled for the Fall, to be rescheduled at a later date.
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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