"Forgive us our trespasses,  

as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We've all experienced it-a situation in which something was said or not said, done or not done, that caused sorrow and grief. We can easily recall times when we've been on the receiving end of slights and hurts by another. It's painful. And, let's not ignore the fact that we've caused a fair amount of pain ourselves. If we're really honest with ourselves, we'll remember these times too. This also is painful. It's all part of being human.

Mother Theresa once said, "People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway." To do this we must love, sometimes digging pretty deep into our faith to help us do so. The message of love that Jesus emphasizes is central to living a life of forgiveness. During this season of Lent, with its inward journey of self-reflection, we are afforded a blessed time to do this kind of spiritual healing work.

Embracing forgiveness calls us to let go of resentments and anger, which is absolutely essential for our health. Forgiveness doesn't mean that we deny our hurts. Rather, forgiving another (or ourselves) allows God's Spirit to transform these broken pieces of our lives with peace. When we allow gratitude, joy and hope to enter into situations that cause us pain, we are immersed in compassion, and compassion changes everything.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude." Let us be a people with an attitude of active forgiveness, and in doing so may we transform the world. 

Be well,

Rev. Mary Jo

Lenten Reflection Time

Lenten Reflection Time in the Parish Library

Sunday Mornings, 9:10 a.m.

OR

Tuesday Evenings, 7:00 p.m.

Valley Outreach March  

Fund & Food Drive

March is Minnesota FoodShare month and the only time of the year when local food shelves (Valley Outreach Food Shelf) are awarded incentive dollars from the Minnesota Council of Churches as a result of the local response to the request for donated food and dollars. In other words, the more food and money donated in March, the more resources will be available to the food shelf during the rest of the year.

The Valley Outreach Food Shelf is giving more than 40,000 pounds of food to up to 400 families each month who reside within the Stillwater Area School District. One in ten Washington County residents-families, children, the elderly- struggle with hunger. More of our neighbors are going hungry. Please consider making a financial or food donation to this very important effort.

Financial donations to Valley Outreach Food Shelf go far to serve our neighbors in need. Through food bank partners, Valley Outreach Food Shelf is able to purchase ten times more food per dollar than can be purchased through retail grocery stores. Your donated dollar can purchase so much more when spent by Valley Outreach! Make your check to Ascension church with a note: "Valley Outreach/Food Drive" on the memo line.

Most needed Foods: Cereal, Canned Meat and Fish, Hearty Soups, 100% Juice, Peanut Butter.

Ascension Happenings

Articles about what people of Ascension are up to have been a big hit, so we're increasing this space.  If you know an Ascension person who we should recognize, please let us know at:    enews@aechurch.org.

  

 Xavier Weston received the Canon Small Award, given in memory of Howard Don Small, "to the chorister from each parish who has exhibited exceptional leadership,
particularly as a mentor. . ." at the recent Youth Music Festival at St. Mark's Cathedral.

James Kurtz has been placed on the 12 year old AA baseball team for St. Croix Valley Baseball Association

Meade Acers and Gabi Danielson went winter camping recently on a very cold night with their fathers: Terry Acers and Eric Danielson.

Katie Lottsfeldt will be heading to the State Regional Finals for U14 Girls Hockey. 

Haden Hausken will be going to the State High School Wrestling Finals. 

George Uppgren will be going to the State Regional Finals for Boys Bantam B1 Hockey.