This Week at Ascension + November 3, 2021
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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"We should talk … about How We Honor the Dead"
This evening, 5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via Zoom, with Fr. Robert Petite
See additional information below.
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This evening:
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
All Souls' Low Mass
5:15 p.m. "We should talk ...
about How We (Anglicans) Honor the Dead"
6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass
The All Souls' necrology will be prayed at this Mass.
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Sunday, November 7
The Solemnity of All Saints
10:00 a.m. In-person & Live-streamed Solemn High Mass followed by The Rosary:
Glorious Mysteries
Mass Setting: Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
Missa Misericordiae Domini (1958)
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In the Afternoon
David White Organ Recital, 3:30 p.m.
GASPARD CORRETTE de DELFT (ca. 1670-ca. 1733)
Messe du 8e Ton [publ. 1703]
Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:00 p.m.
With the Choir of the Ascension
Thomas Tallis (c. 1505-1585) Short Service in the Dorian Mode
Gary James (b. 1957) See What Love (1991)
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And don't forget to ...
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Baptism & Fire
Dear people of Ascension,
Who are these of dazzling brightness,
these in God’s own truth arrayed
clad in robes of purest whiteness,
robes whose luster ne’er shall fade …
- Hymnal 1982, #286
Dear people of Ascension,
One of our four candidates for baptism on Sunday, Gabby Whitley, asked me about Ascension’s oldest baptism records. I found and showed her our oldest Parish Register, dating from 1872.
Ascension formed as a mission in 1856, but all records were lost in the 1871 Chicago Fire. The first Baptism entered in the 1872 Parish Register was for Maud Evangeline Kimball. Born August 11, 1871 — two months before the fire destroyed the original church on this property — Maud was baptized two months after the fire, December 17, 1871, at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Located at West Washington and Peoria (two blocks west of Halsted), this our first Episcopal cathedral in Chicago was untouched by the 1871 fire but itself succumbed to fire in 1921.
Contemplating the literal proximity of baptism and fire in Maud’s early life naturally brought to my mind John the Baptist’s prophecy of Jesus: ‘He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’ (Matthew 3:11) and St. Paul’s exhortation to build a foundation of faith in Christ able to withstand life’s ordeals, for “… the fire will test what sort of work each has done.” (1 Cor. 3:13b)
The oldest surviving Parish Register recorded the baptisms of 628 souls, the last on Christmas Eve 1892. Though all are now long departed from us, our All Souls commemoration has led me to take them to heart and wonder about the diverse fires that tested them in their times. Fires both personal and shared have also tested those of us still on our earthly pilgrimage who now continue in faith at Ascension. Pray with me for the fire of the Holy Spirit to descend on, bless, strengthen and prepare for all of life’s testing those to be baptized here on Sunday.
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PS More about Maud ... The marvels of the Internet allowed me to learn that Maud Evangeline Kimball, whose baptism is mentioned above, lived to age 80, last resided in Mobile, Alabama, and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery there. The last name to be included among the baptized in the first Ascension parish register is Charles Joseph Grindle: born Feb. 16, 1883; baptized Christmas Eve, 1892. I'll be including Maud and Charles at the beginning and ending of the prayed necrology this evening.
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Thanks to all who shared in and contributed to our All Souls Requiem and the Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings gathering that followed yesterday, and thanks to those who took the time to assemble a simple memorial altar, images from which are below, at the shared meal. It recalls those dear to Ascension who have died since the start of the pandemic, including, from left to right, John Mulcare, Sister Barbara Louise Drell, OSA, Charlene Gehm MacDougal, Ethel Martin, Charley Taylor, and Bill Flodin. You can view the images with better resolution by clicking here.
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How We Honor the Departed
We should talk ... this evening at 5:15 p.m.
with The Rev. Dr. Robert Petite
“We will have unity without uniformity.” This statement from Queen Elizabeth I of English in the 16th century still captures the ethos of the Anglican Spiritual tradition. A corresponding phrase from St. Paul might be “All things are permitted, but not all things are helpful.” (I Cor. 10:23) Both Elizabeth and St. Paul are trying to strike a middle ground, what we Anglicans call the “Royal Way” or the “Via Media.” We have strived for this balance and variety in almost everything we Anglicans believe and practice. This is true in the way we honor and remember the dead, as it is in any other liturgical or teaching aspect of our spiritual tradition. Join Fr. Bob Petite for a brief presentation and conversation on how we Anglicans (Episcopalians) celebrate and remember the faithful departed.
Join us 5:15 - 5:55 this evening via Zoom.
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With regard to 'We Should Talk' on Wednesdays,
Mother Murphy-Gill writes:
Our Wednesday conversations have been fruitful opportunities for fellowship and enrichment these past two months and will continue through November. Do you have a topic that you'd like to lead a conversation on (or one you’d like to participate in)? Please call me at the church, (312) 664-1271, or email me.
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Critical Race Theory event
St. John’s will host an event co-sponsored by four Episcopal churches in the Chicago North Deanery (including Ascension) on Critical Race Theory Tuesday, November 9, at 7 p.m. Gain a general understanding of Critical Race Theory and learn how it affects our daily lives, especially in Chicago. Three educators will speak from their expertise and experience and answer moderated questions by attendees. To attend online or in-person you must register via this link by Friday, November 5. Learn more about the event here.
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Possible I Advent changes to
Sunday mass schedule.
Last week I widely circulated to parish leaders, staff and clergy an email examining the desirability and viability of making some changes to our Sunday mass schedule. The same information was then shared in last week's newsletter, with an invitation to respond. Thank you to those who have so far provided 33 responses. A final invitation is being offered here, and the related survey will be disabled at the end of the day tomorrow. To learn more and chime in, you'll need to click here, read the email, and click the link at the end of it. Thank you for your interest and thoughtful responses. - Fr. Raymond +
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A new opportunity for outreach and hospitality?
Earlier today, Mother Murphy-Gill and I spent an hour with two representatives from the Care for Friends outreach ministry/program at Church of Our Saviour, on Fullerton Parkway. The 50-years-old-and-still-growing program will need to relocate for 18 months or more as the 'COS' parish house is demolished and rebuilt, starting in March 2022. Mother Murphy-Gill and I agreed to identify those from Ascension who may be interested in exploring how some or all of Care for Friends' outreach might take place here at Ascension during the time in question. Such an invitation and arrangement will, of course, require a comprehensive plan supported by the Wardens and Vestry. If interested, contact me or Mother Murphy-Gill or speak with either of our wardens.
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Organ Repertoire for November 7, 2021 |
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ORGAN
Festum Omnium Sanctorum
Charles Arnould Tournemire (1870-1939)
At the Solemn Procession and Station
Hymn 287 SINE NOMINE
At the Offertory
Hymn 232 NYLAND
At the Communion
Hymn 620 LAND OF REST
At the Retiring Procession
Hymn 623 O QUANTA QUALIA
ORGAN
Choral per Festum Omnium Sanctorum
Charles A. Tournemire
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About our 2021 Repertoire
As I develop a long-range plan for repertoire each year, I choose a theme or area of emphasis, often complete works or a complete large-scale work by one composer. During 2021, organ music by women composers and African-American composers is being and will be featured in voluntaries and recitals throughout the year. There are some little-known gems waiting to be discovered, as well as music by major composers, with whom works for the organ are not generally associated. Enjoy!
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Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension
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Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
except for Morning Prayer, Mon-Fri,
SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
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For our prayers: The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Andrew McLean and family, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe, Beth Hall, Steven Upmeyer, Sue Lenz, Ben,
Thom Ehlen, David D. Jones, Carys and Joshua Benjamin, Mike Rieman and Alexandra Olsavsky, Heather Miller and Jeffrey O’Malley, Lawrence Cox, James Hampton and family,
Victor Robertson, Gina.
Birthdays: Fr. Bob Petite, 11/2
Requiescat in pace: John W. Cracraft, Priest, Church of the Ascension's 1st Rector, 10/31/1899;
Alice Louise Stoskopf, 11/2/1951; Betty Lee Cox, 11/6/2002
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
The Rev. Meghan Murphy-Gill, Curate
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Cheryl Peterson, Sr. Warden; Kenneth Kelling, Jr. Warden; Kelly Colomberti, Marilyn Evans, Lynette Hector, Jim Lo Bello, George Pineda, David Reeves, Samuel Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Amber Zelazny
Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.
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