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April 25, 2013 Healing & Wellness
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There is a chance, I do believe, that spring is going to arrive! I get a sense that Mother Nature has been saying, "My soil is thirsty. Allow me to quench its thirst before you plant." Our slow-to-awaken spring has required that we be patient-really patient-which is something we're not accustomed to doing during this season of Resurrection. At this time of the year we have come to expect to see new growth emerging all around us. This year, we must look for other signs.
 I have been paying attention to the birds at the feeder on our deck. They have been teaching me. To my amazement, regardless of what the weather pattern has been doing on any given day, the birds keep returning to the source of their nourishment. Day after day, digging around under the blanket of too frequent  snow, they search for their seeds, not giving up! They are patient, as if intuitively knowing that what they seek will be provided. And...a new sign of Resurrection appears.
God's rhythm of Life is perfect. Balanced. Flawless. This spring, with its unusual weather pattern, is simply a reminder to us that Life cannot be rushed. It must be experienced one moment at a time, with great patience. For it is then, in God's time, that we meet Resurrection in its fullest.
Be well,
Rev. Mary Jo
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National Volunteer Week is being celebrated this week! It seems that almost every week another Ascension member is letting me know that they would like to volunteer their time, talents and energy to the Family Resource Center. I am so grateful for this growing love and care for the families that we serve.
Delivering donated furniture, helping with office work, mentoring families, and writing grants are just a few of the ways that folks have stepped up to help meet the needs of families served through the Family Resource Center. Thank you so very much for your caring hearts and your helping hands!
If you would like to join the terrific team of Family Resource Center volunteers, please call Cindy at 651-439-2641.
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Naming and Claiming Your Gifts
April 28th at 11:30
What is God calling you to do? What feeds your soul? Explore these questions and more with fellow parishoners and discover how God may be calling you to share your gifts with our Ascension community. Our very own Mary Jo Feely will lead the workshop. Lunch will be served and child care will be provided. Questions? You may contact Sally, s.giese@aechurch.org or Rev. Mary Jo, maryjo@aechurch.org.
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 Happy Earth Day!
Everyday!
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Ascension O'Green
Thank you for taking part in making our faith community more green!
Only a few more weeks to record your 'top green activities'...looking forward to our results!! Feel free to pick up a form next week at church. Questions? Contact Brenda Hoffman at bgrhoffman@hotmail.com or 651-342-1271 or Sally Giese at sally.giese@att.net or 715-386-3024.
We'll announce our results in May!
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Ascension Happenings
Nathanael Green has received the Outstanding Senior Award and the Departmental Scholar Award from Michigan Technological University Chemistry Department. Each award goes to a senior demonstrating outstanding academics, leadership, communications and research. He also received a summer research fellowship from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium, which funds projects related to NASA interests. Nate, a life-long Ascension member, was active in the youth choir, softball team and serving as an acolyte and crucifer. 
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Just a Few More Days to
Become A Shareholder!!
The 2013 Guatemala Mission Team is looking for investors to purchase shares for their Guatemala Mission Trip in July. The shares are available at the low price of $30.00 per share. The money generated from these shares will go directly towards our 2013 trip. During the time we are in Antigua, Guatemala we will be serving the community by assisting in building houses, visiting a malnutrition center, serving at a homeless shelter and much more.
The Share Market will be open for the month of April. You may mail or drop off your form with your donation to 215 4th Street N. Stillwater, Mn 55082. Please have all shares turned in by May 1st.
Thank You So Much for Your Support!
Please see Mindy or any member of the
2013 Guatemala Team for a Shareholder Form
in the Parish Hall after church through April.
*Please make checks payable to:
Ascension Episcopal Church.
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Plant sale pick up on 5/4/13
from 8 - 10 am
outside in front of church.
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It's proven. 100% of us will die.
Did you know you can have surprising control
about how you die?
If you plan well.
There are forms available in the Parish Hall
(on the buffet under the Last Supper needlepoint)
that will help you with end of life planning.
You can also attend a free workshop on
Sunday, May 5 (11:30 am)
that will help you complete the forms and learn more. Please come and listen to the Rev. Joanie Delamater, lunch will be provided. 
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Gospel Sunday coming on May 19th!
Mary Jo Vene, an awesome gospel singer will be joined this year by gospel piano player extraordinaire Karl Kornowski. This will be amazing!
Mary Jo Vene is a versatile vocalist who has performed throughout Minnesota as well in Nashville and New York City. Her repertoire includes a wide variety of music that includes jazz, blues, R & B and opera, as well as gospel music.
Mary Jo is currently a music specialist with the Stillwater Area Schools and has appeared with the St. Croix Jazz Orchestra, Century Jazz Band, City Vibe and is currently the lead singer for Mary Jo and the Groove Daddies. She also performs in various other venues and enjoys teaching voice, piano, and strings in her private home studio.
May 19th will also be the day the beautiful Senior Quilts are given out to graduating High School Seniors during the 10 am service.
Our Community Kitchen will be serving 2 breakfasts on May 19th as a Fundraiser for their program. One at 9 am and the other after the 2nd service at 11 am.
You won't want to miss this Sunday!
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Nancy, director of the Adult Choir, extends an invitation to anyone interested in joining the choir for this spring season. Now would be a good time to sing with us before the summer break - see if you enjoy the experience and if it could fit into your schedule next year. Also a good time to talk about possible child care, options for attendance, etc.
Give me a ring at 651-439-8774.
Thanks! Nancy Whipkey
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Day Retreats  Many Voices, One Song
NEW! May 4:
The Wisdom Way of Tao
Join us for a day spent steeped in the beautiful, flowing wisdom of Taoism.
We'll immerse ourselves in meditation and in the subtle and gentle texts of Chuang-tzu and Lao-tsu. These Chinese wisdom texts are over 2300 years old, but their teachings on the "Three Treasures" (compassion, moderation, and humility) are alive and vital for us today.
Don't miss this latest offering in the "Many Voices, One Song" retreat series, and join us for more mindfulness practices, silent meditation, lectio divina, and group discussion of some fascinating passages from traditional Taoist scripture. "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao." For more information on how to sign up and directions.The House of Prayer in the City is an extension of the Episcopal House of Prayer Retreat Center in Collegeville. It is located on Oak Grove Street in Minneapolis. |
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Come and enjoy A Delicious Breakfast prepared and served by Our Community Kitchen on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8-10 am.
Meet new friends and join the Community!
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Christina RossettiPoet, 1894 
Christina Georgina Rossetti
(5 December 1830 - 29 December 1894)
was an English poet who wrote a variety of romantic, devotional, and children's poems. She is best known for her long poem Goblin Market, her love poem "Remember", and for the words of what became the popular Christmas carol "In the Bleak Midwinter".
Rossetti was born in London and educated at home by her mother. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and a political asylum seeker from Naples; their mother, Frances Polidori, was the sister of Lord Byron's friend and physician, John William Polidori, author of The Vampyre.
When she was 14, Rossetti suffered a nervous breakdown, which was followed by bouts of depression and related illness. During this period she, her mother, and her sister became seriously interested in the Anglo-Catholic movement of the Church of England. This religious devotion played a major role in Rossetti's personal life. She was a volunteer worker from 1859 to 1870 at the St. Mary Magdalene "house of charity" in Highgate, a refuge for former prostitutes.
Rossetti began writing at age 7, but she was 18 when her first published poem appeared in the Athenaeum magazine. However her most famous collection, Goblin Market and Other Poems, appeared in 1862, when she was 31. The collection garnered much critical praise and, according to Jan Marsh, "Elizabeth Barrett Browning's death" (in 1861) "led to Rossetti being hailed as her natural successor as 'female laureate'."
Her Christmas poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" (Hymnal 1982 #112) became widely known after her death when set as a Christmas carol first by Gustav Holst, and then by Harold Darke: in this setting it was judged in 1998 the best carol in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts. Her poem "Love Came Down at Christmas" (1885; Hymnal 1982 #84) has also been widely arranged as a carol.
Rossetti continued to write and publish for the rest of her life although she focused primarily on devotional writing and children's poetry. In the later decades of her life, she suffered from Graves Disease. In 1893 she developed cancer, and died the following year 29 December 1894.
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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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