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Vestry
What is God calling you to do? Serving on the Vestry is a rewarding way to share your time and talents with Ascension. The Vestry begins it's new year in February and we are very excited to embark on our new mission and goals for 2013. Join us in 2013 and discover what God is calling Ascension to do. Members are elected at the Annual All Parish meeting on January 27th.
Please contact Susie Danielson by January 20th at danielsonfam4@gmail.com or by calling 651-430-1837 or Vicki Kramer at krame029@gmail.com.
*There will be some nomination forms on top of the mailboxes in the hallway right outside the kitchen.
The Vestry is a body of Ascension members elected by the parish and responsible for the governance of the church. It sets general policies of the church, takes formal actions required by law and church canons and, also adopts the annual operating and capital budgets. The members work closely with the Senior Wardens and the Rev. Buff Grace to lead the congregation in service in response to God's love. |
Who is in the Pulpit in Epiphany?
We are celebrating the season after Epiphany with a special Lay Preachers Series. Each Sunday a different member of our congregation preaches at both Eucharists. These preachers represent the wide variety of perspectives and personalities who make up Ascension. They are asking, how do I hear today's readings? What is God saying to us? Come listen this Sunday!  This Sunday's Speaker will be Bill Hamilton
Carole and I first came to Ascension in the spring of 1983. We raised our kids in the church and took a sabbatical for a few years, returning when Buff started in his new role. I have spent my entire professional life in the paper business and currently share my own business with my wife Carole. I'm a lifelong member of the English majors society and, in fact, determined that my background in fiction and creative writing served me well during my career with Kimberly-Clark and other corporations. Carole and I are blessed to have our children living in the community. I love spending time with them. I have enjoyed making music over the years and currently I'm lucky to be associated with Fluke. My spirituality is less defined. I grew up in the Episcopal  Church and despite sampling other denominations seem to only feel comfortable here. The tradition of flexibility and curiosity appeals to my nature. I love the 10:00 AM service with the children, the mixture of communicant's ages, and frankly, the sense of humor. I believe involvement in a community outside of family and work is very important to a person's spiritual well being. |
 Have you had an apple today?
From the
Our Community Kitchen's Facebook page!
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Parents of Ascension:
This is a reminder of our upcoming Book discussion on Monday, January 21st, 2013 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the Parish Hall, whether you have the book, read the book, commented on the blog or even looked at the blog, PLEASE try to come to this very important discussion. It will be run by Rev. Joy Caires whom many of you have meet either at church or at my Christmas Party.
Here is what will be discussed:
Blog topics:
"The rhythm of the family: living a God centered life in the home"
Practical ideas (p26)
Hoped for outcomes
"The purpose of Christian Education: is it a job or a way of life?"
How does church reinforce, affirm and/or empower your life of faith (and your child's)?
If the church is the people/ministry of all the baptized, how do the people (you) of the church participate in this ministry?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please come with your thoughts and ideas.
Friends, neighbors and spouses are heartily invited!
*This will be a pot-luck
so please bring something to share.
I am having a hard time finding childcare so if you have a teen or know of someone whom could help with the children, please send me an email.
The title again of the book is Making a Home for Faith, Nurturing the Spiritual Life of your Children
There is 1 more copy available in a pink bag next to the altar in Children's Chapel for those that have not picked up the book and would like one.
The blog address is acstillwaterhomeforfaith.wordpress.com
Hope you all can attend on
Monday, January 21, 5:30-7:30 pm
in the Parish Hall. Please let me know any questions you might have. Mindy
Mindy Boynton
Children, Youth and Family Ministry
Ascension Episcopal Church
(651) 439-2609 x 13
mindy@aechurch.org
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Peer Ministry Training
Welcome
Listen
Care
Love
When: 7 pm, Friday Jan. 25th - 9 am, Sun Jan 27th
Where: Ascension Episcopal Church (Stillwater)
Cost: $40 - includes lodging, meals and supplies
So What Exactly Is This?
An opportunity for Sr. High teenagers to develop leadership skills to: welcome and include outsiders, put faith into action, learn to really listen, reach out to those in trouble, build healthy relationships, know when and where to ask for help.
How Do I Sign Up? Give your application to Mindy or Buff to sign and they will send it in for you.
Questions? Contact Mindy at 651-439-2609 or mindy@aechurch.org for applications
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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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CHILDREN'S CHAPEL:
Sunday, Jan. 27th: There is 1 service at 9:00 am on January 27th as we will be having our Annual Meeting. Here is what the children will be offered:
- 8:45-8:55am, meet in Chapel for snacks in Parish Hall
- 8:55-9:15am, break into 2 different classes
- 9:15-9:25am, music with Nancy and then come into church at the sharing of the peace.
Following the service and during the annual meeting, all of the children are invited to come down to the Sunday school rooms for some fun projects.
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Representing Ascension to the Church of Minnesota
Each parish in the Episcopal Church of Minnesota sends lay and clergy delegates to the Annual Convention of the diocese. On Sunday, January 27, at our 2013 Annual Parish Meeting, we will elect new delegates to represent Ascension to the diocese and this Annual Convention, which will be held in St. Paul on September 27-28.
Delegates also attend quarterly meetings of their Mission Area. Ascension belongs to the East Metro Mission Area which includes parishes from much of St. Paul, and from Roseville, White Bear Lake, Hastings, and Afton. These meetings help parishes to share resources and work together to reach out more effectively to the communities in their Mission Area.
If you would like to serve as a delegate, contact the rector, Buff Grace+, at rectorbuff@aechurch.org . For more information, speak with one of the current delegates: Duane Arndt, Linda Francis, Barb Kelly, Vicki Kramer, or Chris Mattera. |
The transition of the Stillwater Family Resource Center from Episcopal Community Services to Ascension Church has meant uninterrupted services for the many families served, new opportunities for Ascension ministries and outreach to those in need, and more ways that Ascension members and community members can personally get involved.
There will be a volunteer training on Tuesday, January 29th, at 6:30 pm at the Manwaring House for all those interested in volunteering with the Family Resource Center. The training is especially for those interested in becoming a mentor for new families in our Supportive Housing Program but would also be a great training for those interested in volunteering in other ways with the Family Resource Center.
A light supper will be served. Please call Cindy at 439-2641 if you are interested in coming to the training. If you are wondering about the many different ways that you could volunteer with our Family Resource Center, please call.
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New Mom's Group: Meg (Schmolke), Ellie and Josie
Halsten enjoying breakfast with the new Mom's Group.
All are invited, 2nd Tuesday at 9 am of every month!
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Last Sunday Supper December 30, 2012
Stillwater's St. Paul Lutheran Church provided the Last Sunday Supper for the end of 2012. Eighteen adults and seven children were served a hearty meatball/noodle stew with carrots and peas, supplemented by cole slaw, dinner rolls, sheet cake with holiday cookies and vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate sauce.
St. Paul is becoming more involved with other mission projects, so will no longer be helping with LSS. I wish to thank the core group of women who always provided a balanced, full meal for our guests these past 3 years. We will miss your loyalty and presence!
We welcome another Stillwater congregation to our mission group. Bethany Evangelical Covenant Church now joins First Presbyterian, Trinity Lutheran and Ascension in providing a free supper to all on the final Sunday of each month.
Ascension is scheduled to prepare the dinner in April, August and December 2013. See Linda Amrein for any questions; 651-439-7670.
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Christmas Quilting Luncheon at the Doneux's
Front row: Cami Allaire, Vicki Kramer, Barb Kelley, Aggie Sewall Back row: Brenda Doneux, Kathy Widin, Nancy Austin
Cami is in 5th grade and loves to be involved with the quilting guild.
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He Qi Art Exhibit at Carondelet Center
You may recognize He Qi's art (pronounced 'huh chee') as he has exhibited at Trinity Lutheran Church and at the Stillwater Art Guild. You will have another opportunity to see his works in person, as his works are on exhibit at the Carondelet Center at St. Kates at 1890 Randolph Ave. St. Paul now until April 5th. There will be an artist's reception this coming January 21st at 6:30. The Carondelet Center's hours are weekdays: 10 am to 7 pm, and weekends 10 am to 3 pm.
Recently I chose one of his pieces of the 3 Wisemen being awoken by an angel for the Font to highlight Epiphany. Here are a few others by He Qi.
 Messiah
 Nativity The exhibit reflects the Old and New Testament bible stories. He Qi hopes to help change the "foreign image" of Christianity in China by using artistic language, and at the same time, to supplement Chinese art the way Buddhist art did in ancient times. He Qi creates his art by using Japanese gouache paints and Chinese stone paints on Korean rice paper. Learn more, view his artwork, or purchase prints at www.heqigallery.com. The back story to He Qi is very interesting and says a lot about the power of art. From t he Artist's Work b.e.n.c.h. blog: He Qi has an interesting perspective on how Christian art can be used to create new disciples. His own testimony comes from art. During the Cultural Revolution, everyone wanted to hang portraits of Chairman Mao in their homes. At the age of sixteen he began helping to meet the demand by painting and selling portraits of Mao. One day, as he was flipping through a magazine, he came across a photo of Raphael's Madonna and Child. In his own words, he describes how he felt: "I was extremely moved by this painting. At the time of the Cultural Revolution the atmosphere was one of struggle, of hatred, of criticism. All around you could only see images of struggle and criticism. It was hard to find any images of peace. So you can imagine how I felt when I saw this picture, with the Madonna smiling and the little baby Jesus also smiling out at me. I was deeply moved and touched, and felt a great sense of peace." He Qi would paint portraits of Chairman Mao by day, and late at night, he would paint copies of Raphael's picture. His growing curiosity led him to research and learn more about the Christian faith, and eventually he could no longer ignore that empty tomb. He became a Christian. |
Madonna and Child
by Raphael
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Experience the wonder and mystery of the ancient Choral Evensong - combining medieval offices of Vespers and Compline. Join us as we reflect, meditate, and become embraced by the spirit of God.
Choral Evensongs coming up at St. Mark's Cathedral at 519 Oak Grove, Mpls.:
January 20th from 5-6 pm the Sopranos of the Cathedral Choir will be highlighted
January 27th from 5-6 pm the Altos, Tenors, Basses of the Cathedral Choir will be highlighted.
February 3rd from 5-6 pm Cathedral Choir
February 10th from 5-6 pm Section Leaders of the Cathedral Choir
Raymond Johnston is the director.
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Many Voices, One Song: Hindu Enlightenment
As part of a series exploring the wisdom of the world's great sacred traditions, we will explore the Upanishads. Joseph Campbell has called them "the most sublime spiritual writing in history." Find out what some of these passages may hold for us as Christians. Retreat will be led by Martin Lahn and Ward Bauman. The day retreat costs $50, which includes lunch. Time: January 26th from 9 am to 4 pm Location: House of Prayer in the City 425 Oak Grove Street Minneapolis Phone: 320-363-3293 website or map: http://ehouseofprayer.org/hopcSome of the many other retreats they have coming up: Falling Upward: The Spirit Of Retirement, Feb 23 & 24 Many Voices, One Song: March 2: Buddhist Awakening: A Deeper LookFebruary 16 & April 27: Yoga and ContemplationPlease check out the other highlights on their Events listing of their website!
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 Agnes of Rome
Martyr (21 of January 304)
Agnes is a Christian martyr who died at Rome around 304 in the persecution of Diocletian: the last and fiercest of the persecutions of Christianity by the Roman emperors. The anniversary of her martyrdom is observed on 21 January. Her name means "pure" in Greek and "lamb" in Latin. She is said to have been only about twelve or thirteen when she died, and the remains preserved in St Agnes' Church in Rome are in agreement with this. It is said that her execution shocked many Romans and helped bring an end to the persecutions.
Some said, "It is contrary to Roman law to put a virgin to death. Our leaders say that it is necessary to kill Christians in order to preserve the old Roman ways: but they are themselves scorning those ways in the process."
Others said, "Do young girls constitute such a threat to Rome that it is necessary to kill them?"
Others said, "If this religion can enable a twelve-year-old girl to meet death without fear, it is worth checking out."
There is a narrative poem by Keats, called "The Eve of Saint Agnes." It is a romantic poem with a mediaeval setting, about an elopement the night before St Agnes' Day. The only tie-in with Agnes is that (presumably because she died as a young virgin), Agnes is regarded as the patron of young unmarried girls, and there is a folk-belief that a girl who goes to bed supperless on the eve of St Agnes's Day will dream that night about her husband-to-be.
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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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