THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + November 18, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Suspension of In-Person Worship and Announcement of New Interim Weekly Schedule
"Maturity in human beings may be measured by our tolerance for ambiguity." - The Rev. Dr. Thomas Talley
Dear people of Ascension,
As was shared in a special newsletter this past Friday and during announcements at both Sunday masses, in-person worship has again been suspended for all parishes in our diocese, at the direction of Bishop Lee and congruent with the direction of our mayor, governor and health officials. The suspension began on Monday and will continue at least through mid-December.
Ascension is not, however, 'shutting down.' Our musicians, Verger, Wardens, acolytes, Daily Office officiants and others will continue to serve and lead. Masses will be said in the church sanctuary (not in Wheeler Hall or the rectory as before). Our holiday planning had already anticipated the likelihood of another suspension. We are planning some additional opportunities to connect for fellowship's sake, even if only possible virtually.
All that follows reflects that, although the doors are closed for now, our hearts, imaginations and goodwill remain open and hopeful in faith.
- Fr. Raymond +
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Interim Sunday and Weekday Worship Schedule and Connections
All masses live-streamed from the church.
Sundays
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer—Zoom
11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour—Zoom
Weekday Mass: Wednesday Evenings
Daily Offices continue as before:
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday—Zoom
Special/Upcoming
Two Thanksgiving Masses ...
Wednesday, November 25, 6:30 p.m.
followed by a fellowship gathering,
see additional detail below.
Thursday, Nov.26, 10:00 a.m. (with Organ)
Please be on the lookout for further information as we adapt to circumstances and finalize plans for:
Advent Lessons & Carols, December 6
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Feast of Epiphany, January 6
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Eve of Thanksgiving
Fellowship, Conversation, Reflection
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Please join Deacon George Arceneaux, Seminarian Bonnie Scott and others at Ascension via Zoom following the November 25 Thanksgiving Eve mass. We'll ask a few souls to share a Thanksgiving memory, in order to prompt others' stories and provide all with a chance to explore the meaning(s) of Thanksgiving. |
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This evening, November 18
Commemoration of
Hilda, Abbess of Whitby
Evening Prayer, 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass, 6:30 p.m.
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Sunday, November 22
The Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King
Sunday Morning Schedule
with links for virtual worship
Virtual Worship & Fellowship
9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. - Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. - Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
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Image: Last Judgment, Illuminated manuscript from the British Library
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Vestry Leadership: 2021 and Beyond
A Vestry nominating committee has been formed and will meet for the first time on Thursday to begin identifying vestry leadership needs for the coming year and potential leaders. One Warden and three Vestry members will be elected at our January 2021 annual meeting.
Nominating committee members include Ken Kelling (chair), Kelly Columberti, Lynette Hector and Enrique Vilaseco. The Junior Warden and Rector are ad hoc members.
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The Vestry recently approved a significant technology investment intended to significantly improve and simplify our live-streaming connections. I hope to finalize an agreement this week and to share more information in next week's newsletter. (Spoiler: Sadly, the new system may not be operational until after Christmas ...) My thanks to a number of Ascension members who have already seen the need and opportunities and made financial gifts toward this project. All will have a similar special opportunity by way of the stewardship mailing that was dropped at the post office yesterday. |
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183rd Convention of the Diocese of Chicago
Saturday, November 21
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Mintel music archives headed to the Library of Congress
A number of Ascension members and others with Ascension Choir connections have drawn my attention to a recent Block Club Chicago feature story about the Richard and Judy Mintel Archive of Recordings -- 350 hours of recordings made from 1974-2014 -- now to be preserved by the US Library of Congress. The recordings overlap with a period during which Tom Wikman, pictured above to the right, served as Ascension Choirmaster (in addition to his better known roles as Founder and Director of Chicago's Music of the Baroque). Judy Mintel was for many years a primary Ascension Choir booster and advocate. She also served as Warden 2015-2017. The heartening Block Club Chicago feature story may be read here, and detailed information about the Mintel Archive of Recordings may be seen here.
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The title above is from an October 2020 feature from the Chronicle of Higher Education. It's not something I'd normally feature in a church newsletter, but it was authored by Ascension newer-comer Joseph 'Joey' Keegin. We know him, in part, from his leadership of our last 2020 Lenten program before pandemic that he's both thoughtful and faithful as he contemplates and communicates about important questions. Here's a link to the essay.
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Help with Hams for the Holidays
Good news! We plan to resume a limited distribution of basic household goods at our December 5 Pantry. As has been traditional for Ascension, the December giving includes a canned ham. Can you make a gift to the church to purchase one or more at $3.00 each? If so, please note 'Ham(s) - Pantry" in your check memo or along with your online donation. As noted in recent newsletter, circumstances including limited available leadership are preventing some usual or new holiday outreach efforts this year (so far ...). This is one way most of us can take part. I'm hoping that Deacon Charles Farrell will fill us in soon about what else is in store for the pantry in coming months, including volunteer opportunities, if any. |
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Sunday's Organ Repertoire |
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ORGAN
Antiennes [1898] VIII: Modéré
Ernest Chausson (1855-1899)
Hymn at the Offertory
494 DIADEMATA
ORGAN
Antiennes [1898] VII: Vif et fluide
Ernest Chausson
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Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
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I regret having to remind you that visits to Ascension, other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, are to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm. Thank you for your understanding. |
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Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. They will next be here Thursday, December 3rd, for several hours beginning by 10 a.m. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org.
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Ascension Connections
Below
(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,
SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:10 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ... |
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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: Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda, Charlene MacDougal, Marty Stenson, David Byerly, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Nicholas Carl, Sara, the Howard family, John, Owen Raymond, Diane Burnett, Sandra, Rhea, Doreen Rao, Steven Wallis, Fr. Lawrence Larson, Michael, Donna
Our Thanksgivings
Birthdays: Shakira Malone, 11/15; Andrew Abbott, 11/16; Jana Holt, 11/17;
Cheryl R. Peterson, 11/18;
Bishop Candidates: The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark, The Rev. Edwin Daniel Johnson,
The Rev. Dr. Fulton L. Porter III, The Rev. Winnie Varghese
Requiescat in pace:
Alvin Joyner, 11/17/2006
Mary Margaret Skanes, Religious, 11/17/2009
Richard Earl Pistole, Priest, 11/18/2008
John C. Hedley, 11/19/2002
Leona Delores Jones, 11/21/1984
Glovenia A. Orr, 11/21/2001
John Fleckenstein, 11/21/2012
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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In the event that you've missed XIII Bishop of Chicago candidate and election information ...
To read the announcement of Bishop Candidates by the Standing Committee of the diocese, click here.
To read about the four present Candidates and their impressive and diverse qualifications as presented by the Bishop Search Committee, click here.
To learn about ground already covered in the bishop search or about the upcoming Candidate Conversations or December election, click here.
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Classifieds
by Wislawa Szymborska
WHOEVER'S found out what location
compassion (heart's imagination)
can be contacted at these days,
is herewith urged to name the place;
and sing about it in full voice,
and dance like crazy and rejoice
beneath the frail birch that appears
to be upon the verge of tears.
I TEACH silence
in all languages
through intensive examination of:
the starry sky,
the Sinanthropus' jaws,
a grasshopper's hop,
an infant's fingernails,
plankton,
a snowflake.
I RESTORE lost love.
Act now! Special offer!
You lie on last year's grass
bathed in sunlight to the chin
while winds of summers past
caress your hair and seem
to lead you in a dance.
For further details, write: "Dream."
WANTED: someone to mourn
the elderly who die
alone in old folks' homes.
Applicants, don't send forms
or birth certificates.
All papers will be torn,
no receipts will be issued
at this or later dates.
FOR PROMISES made by my spouse,
who's tricked so many with his sweet
colors and fragrances and sounds --
dogs barking, guitars in the streets --
into believing that they still
might conquer loneliness and fright,
I cannot be responsible.
Mr. Day's widow, Mrs. Night.
English version by Clare Cavanagh and Stanislaw Baranczak; Original Language Polish
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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