This Week at Ascension + October 27, 2021
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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"We should talk … about Yoga, the body and Anglican Spirituality"
This evening, 5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via Zoom, with Gary Alexander
See additional information below.
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This evening:
Wednesday, October 27
Eve of St. Simon &
St. Jude
5:15 p.m. "We should talk ...
about Yoga and Anglican Spirituality"
6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass
Image: Icons of St. Simon and St. Jude
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Sunday, October 31
The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 a.m. In-person & Live-streamed Solemn High Mass
Setting: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Missa brevis in C, K. 258 “Piccolomini”
Image: Moses receiving the Law, Marc Chagall, 1952
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Young adults (all who so self-identify) are welcomed to gather
for food, fellowship and conversation after Sunday's mass.
See more information below from Seminarian Bonnie Scott
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TWO All Souls Requiem Masses
Tuesday, November 2, at Noon
Sung mass with schola, hymns,
followed by a Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings meal and conversation.
See more information below.
Wednesday, November 3, 6:30 p.m. Low Mass
The necrology will be prayed at both masses.
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From Parishioner and Vestry Member Samuel Sommers |
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The Sacrament of Giving
Dear fellow Ascension parishioners,
In the congregation of my childhood, the offertory was a time for passing the collection plate. I don’t believe there were many intentional “outward and visible signs” in that meeting of the Society of Friends, but the collection plate was there.
When I went away to college, I discovered the Episcopal Church – alive with color, sound, smells, and movement. In inquirers’ class, I learned a different meaning of Offertory: it was something more than offering elements of bread and wine; it was giving our selves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice to God.
Distracted by the censing of the altar and busily singing the Offertory hymn, I was oblivious to the ushers moving down the center and side aisles with plates for the collection of money. Imagine my surprise when, after some months, I realized money was being collected and offered, too!
That was decades ago. In many places, the current outward and visible sign has shifted from collection plates to PayPal, automatic fund transfers, and the US Postal Service. But the inward and spiritual grace of the blessing of giving continues. And the needs of the community continue.
Sacramental giving is the response to God’s blessings. The outward and visible sign of giving may be money, and the inward and spiritual grace is a sense of belonging, participating, and being engaged in the mission of the church. It is the blessing of gratitude.
Samuel Sommers
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Yes, but what about that red star? We're unsure, though in the photo above, Sam Sommers is spreading the word about one of his several creative commitments -- American-folk-religious shape-note singing arising from the Sacred Harp songbook, first published in 1844. You can read more about this tradition at the website for one of the related organizations in which Sam is involved; it has the wonderfully harmonious domain name www.fasola.org. - ed.
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Pledging for and giving in 2022
In coming weeks, parish households will receive a more formal invitation to make a financial pledge toward our 2022 operating budget expenses. But why not get a head start? If you wish to print and fill out a 2022 pledge commitment card (with some information in addition to what's below, you may click here or on the pledge card below. Or you may send a confidential email to Treasurer Susan Schlough at finance@ascensionchicago.org. Thank you!
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Other Gifts and Other Ways of Giving
A plaque to glorify God and remember Charlene Gehm MacDougal, who died in January 2021, was installed this past week on the north pew partition at the front of the nave -- a result of a request and memorial gift made by Gary MacDougal, Charlene's husband. Much if not most regular giving to churches takes place by way of parish households' annual pledges to a congregation's operating budget. In addition, many give by remembering the church in wills and trusts, by making memorial gifts and/or by contributing to capital campaigns or special one-time needs. Here at Ascension, all designated gifts of $1000 or more are subject to review and approval by the Vestry. To learn more, talk to the Treasurer, Wardens or Rector.
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Yoga, the body, Anglican Spirituality
We should talk ... this evening at 5:15 p.m.
with Gary Alexander
We mostly know him in other roles -- former senior warden and ongoing tech minister and more -- but Gary Alexander is also a yogi -- having practiced yoga for nearly two decades and having now taught it to others for a dozen years. In our conversation this evening, he'll share why he believes that "the body is an important and yet often undervalued part of Christian spirituality," offer some basic background on yoga, lead a short guided breathing and meditation exercise, and discuss how the traditions of Anglican spirituality and the practice of yoga can not only coexist but enrich each other. 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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Young Adults Group this Sunday, October 31
Seminarian Bonnie Scott invites you to a new Young Adults Group starting this Sunday, October 31 at 12:15 p.m. Lunch will be provided. We hope to gather about every other Sunday for fellowship and conversation around a different topic. This Sunday we’ll be discussing prayer. There is no need for expertise or research on the topic, it will simply be an exploration based on our personal experiences and questions. Topics in the following weeks will be based on your interests and insights. If you are interested in attending, please fill out this form to help us know how much food to order. Feel free to reach out to Bonnie with any questions.
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From Senior Warden Cheryl Peterson regarding the Nov. 2
Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings gathering
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Dear Friends,
We will celebrate our first Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings after the Requiem Mass for All Souls on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. The mass begins at 12 noon and lunch will be served beginning about 1:15. Please join us in St. Michael Hall for this first in-person meeting since March 2020!
Our time together will include a lunch of honey-baked ham, scalloped potatoes, roasted carrots, apple salad, green salad and some special desserts. Coffee, tea, and lemonade will be available. If you are vegetarian, there will be plenty to eat. We will use the round tables so that our seating is spaced appropriately.
The program will include a time of remembrance for those Ascension members who have died during the pandemic time. Please bring photos (although we will have some) or a special memento that you might use to illustrate a brief story about someone special to you. We also realize that you may wish to remember a close friend or relative who was important to your spiritual life.
Our hospitality will include a bit of celebration in that November 2nd is Fr. Petite's birthday!! And we may have some new members who have been worshipping with us on a regular basis during the past year. We welcome all who wish to participate and plan that our regular monthly gatherings will resume in January 2022.
In faith and hope,
Cheryl
Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer:
Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your
loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose
of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p. 504
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Possible I Advent changes to
Sunday mass schedule.
Yesterday 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. I proposed a number of options, shared (a lot of) background information and welcomed responses. I also indicated that I would share the same information here, in today's newsletter, also inviting the response of any and all interested members, newcomers or Ascension onlookers. To chime in, you'll need to click here, read the email, and click the link at the end of it. Based on initial replies, I'm guessing ... anything could happen. - Fr. Raymond +
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Thank you,
JW Landscapes
for once again beautifully refreshing the Our Lady of Victory garden and the LaSalle garden for autumn. John West, husband of Ascension Organist David White, is the "JW" in JW Landscapes. As in this case, again, both the labor and the plantings are a gift of love and creativity to all of us at Ascension. Thank you John (and David). The image here is a stylization, using the app BeCasso, of one of the fall garden plantings.
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Diocese of Chicago Leadership Update
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Also Upcoming at (or via) Ascension
Solemnity of All Saints Sunday, November 7
Procession and Solemn High Mass, 10:00 a.m.
Rosary follows the mass.
Organ Recital, 3:30 p.m.
Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:00 p.m.
If you anticipate or wish to inquire about Holy Baptism
on the Solemnity of All Saints, please inquire with
any member of the Ascension clergy.
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A limited number of the latest Forward Day By Day (November-December 2021-January 2022) in regular and large print format are available for pick-up in the Ascension Narthex.
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Organ Repertoire for October 31, 2021 |
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ORGAN
Prelude and Fugue, Op. 193
Sir Charles Villers Stanford (1852-1924)
At the Entrance Procession
Hymn 577 UBI CARITAS
At the Offertory
Hymn 379 ABBOT'S LEIGH
At the Communion
Hymn 455 DUNEDIN
At the Retiring Procession
Hymn 688 EIN FESTE BURG
ORGAN
Locke's Toccata on Ein Feste Burg [1999]
David White
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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, Gina, Victor Robertson
Birthdays: Cynthia Perrizo, 10/30
Requiescat in pace: David L. Brooks, 10/25/2008; Jean D. Gehrke, 10/26/2007;
Robert A. White, 10/27/2018; Rachael Ann Bottorff Patterson, 10/28/2012
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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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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