The Church of the Ascension

in the City of New York

12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011

212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | ascensionnyc.org

Morning Prayer

Sun climbs into the sky with a baby

On his back. He wants to show his daughter

The creation story, how all the colors of dawn

Become humans, plants, animals and winds.

There is nothing quite like this light anywhere else

In the universe he tells her.

Earth is one of the most beautiful beings yet much suffering

Is brought to bare here.

As the sun lifts up on his elbows to peer over the edge, all the plants turn in

 their direction and lift up their heads and drink the light.

The birds sing and talk of plans and shake night from their feathers. They

bathe in the new sun.

Animals stretch and breathe in light. They begin moving about for food.

Most humans wake to alarms, music or talk shows.

They jump into their mind cars and start speeding away

Into a world in which the sun with his daughter on his back

Is only a battery, a phenomenon, or a myth.

One human sends a song in the shape and smell of gratitude.

It is a flower, a peacock or turquoise colored lake.

Sun’s daughter laughs and claps her hands.

- Joy Harjo, Mvskoke Nation

Dear People of Ascension,

This summer we are on track to experience the hottest summer ever recorded in the Northern hemisphere (breaking last year’s record). We are moving our worship into the air conditioned parish hall through Labor Day (more about that elsewhere in this newsletter). This afternoon, I am heading to a “No Faith in Fossil Fuels” rally outside of Citibank headquarters as part of “Summer of Heat”. It’s a campaign led by a coalition of environmentalists, faith groups, indigenous folk, students and elders calling on financial institutions to stop investing in the fossil fuels that contribute to the drastic heating of our planet. 

We work to mitigate our own corner of the earth, and act with integrity and care for our fellow creatures. We also know that addressing the climate crisis requires voting and advocacy for public policy that prioritizes green energy and the health of our biosphere- the water, the soil, the trees, the great diversity of plant and animal life and our human kin. As Harjo says, 

“There is nothing quite like this light anywhere else

In the universe…

Earth is one of the most beautiful beings yet much suffering

Is brought to bare here.”

Confronted as we are with devastating climate change, may we remember and express our gratitude for the natural world. From that love, may we draw courage and strength to do what we can.

Wild blessings,

Liz

Starting this Sunday and running through Labor Day,

the 10:00 a.m. service will be held in the Parsh Hall.

The links below for watching online will take you to the right place.

Services will be broadcast via Zoom this month.

To access the Zoom service, click the "Online Service" button below.

Regular Service Schedule

SUNDAY

10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/ Music

(Parish Hall & Zoom)

6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament (Church)

WEDNESDAY

6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Church)

Evening Prayer Every Weekday Evening

via Zoom

Join us each weeknight at 5:30

for Evening Prayer & discussion.

Click this link to join: ascensionnyc.org/eveningprayer.

To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 880 1981 1224.

Ascension Summer Schedule

Our summer service schedule is in full swing, with a single Sunday morning service at 10 a.m. Our evening service continues at 6 p.m. We return to our regular schedule of two morning services on Sunday, September 8. See you in church!

The 10 a.m. services will be in the Parish Hall through Labor Day.

Ascension Kids and Families - will be meeting in person after church this Sunday at 11:45. We are really looking forward to seeing you all and hearing how we can support and celebrate you and your children at Ascension.

Hospitality Will be on Hiatus Until September 8. Our fabulous Hospitality leaders are taking a break for August. If you would like to volunteer to keep the goodies coming, please contact the Parish Office (info@ascensionnycorg or 212-254-8620).

A big thank you to Lisa Dunn for hosting coffee hour this Sunday.

People Who Lunch - Wednesday, August 7 at 12:30 - Are you at home during the day or working near the church? Please join us for lunch on the first Wednesday of every month for some simple food and good conversation. Please let us know you are coming (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-86200 so we know how much food to prepare! (You are also welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer; we will have coffee, tea and water on hand.) We hope to see you there!

A Fond Farewell- This Sunday we bid farewell to Gale Lynch and Greg Gray, who are moving to London where Greg has a great new job. We wish you wonderful new adventures, and we will miss you very much! Gale has been a vestry member for the last several years, and has cared for our garden, arranged flowers for the altar, volunteered in the parish office, served on Buildings and Grounds and worked on developing our spaces for outside use- as well as being, with Greg, a wonderful presence in our midst. Thank you, thank you- Godspeed and all blessings!

Racial Justice Meeting- Next Thursday, August 15 at 6:30- Last month we had such a wonderful time sharing poems by Black poets that we decided to do it again! Please bring a poem (or two) to share, and be prepared to tell us why you chose it. It’s quite a simple, but very moving, format. Please join us whether you have come before or not!

Good news! Haiti Project Summer Appeal Progress Report - Let's finish the Kindergarten building!

Since we set our goal of raising $5,000.00 by August 15th, you all have responded generously by donating $3,500.00 - Thank you! The money will help finish the kindergarten building. St. Luke's Episcopal School starts again September 2nd. Most of those donations are from individuals giving $100.00 to $300.00. If we receive ten more donations of $150.00, we will reach the goal and keep the construction going on the building in Martel. Click here to donate through our website, it will take less than 30 seconds. 

Your Pantry Needs You!

Ascension Outreach Inc. needs additional volunteer participation. The program is robust and developing in some great ways- and we need more hands-on help. Won’t you consider helping strengthen our service to our neighbors?

Friday opportunity: 3 to 4 pm the day before pantry, we set up the parish hall for pantry service.

Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month (except July which is 2nd and 4th Saturday because of the holiday).

Upcoming pantry dates:

August 17

September 7 & 21

If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)

Tips from the Safety Taskforce - As you know, we are in hurricane season and the prediction is for more violent storms. NY state recommends that we be prepared in the event of a blackout or the need to evacuate. Things to consider are: 

• Having a supply of nonperishable food, a can opener and bottled water.
• If you live in a building higher than 6 stories, fill your bathtub at the beginning of the storm to use to wash or flush the toilet in the event that the power goes off.
• Keep your cell phone charged or purchase a backup battery charger.
• Batteries for flashlights or a portable radio.
• Notify your power company before the storm if you have a medical device that needs electricity. They will make you a priority to receive a portable power pack and will notify your local police precinct to make a wellness check during the storm.
• Extra cash as ATMs do not work if the power goes off.
• If you are in a designated flood zone, know where your local shelter is. Many shelters do not allow pets so make arrangements for your pet to stay with friends or family in a nonflood zone. Also think about how you would walk a pet if you live in a highrise building and the elevator is not running.
• FEMA recommends that you pack a “go bag” in the event you need to evacuate. This bag should include some clothing, flashlight,extra cash, toiletries and driver’s license or ID card and insurance cards (put in a waterproof sealed bag).
• A good website to review is the NYC Office of Emergency Management which lists where the shelters are, how to receive communications regarding evacuation and what to do if you have a disability and need help during a storm.

Open Church Schedule

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Gretchen Dumler or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.

Use this QR code to quickly pledge or give to the Tower fund.

Remember, if you pay by check, put “Tower Brownstone” in the memo line. If you pay through Abundant, select “Manton matching grant” from the drop-down menu.

Sunday – August 4

Holy Eucharist w/ Music (Parish Hall & Zoom) 10:00 a.m.

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Join us for Coffee Hour following the Service

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) Following the Service

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Monday – August 5

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday – August 6

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday – August 7

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

People Who Lunch (Pariish Hall) 

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Buildings & Grounds (Hybrid) 6:45 p.m.

Thursday – August 8

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Friday – August 9

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Pantry Set Up (Parish Hall) 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Saturday – August 10

Food Pantry (12 W 11th St.) 8:30 a.m.

The Food Pantry normally operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery @ascensionyc.org).

Sunday – August 11

Holy Eucharist w/ Music (Parish Hall & Zoom) 10:00 a.m.

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Join us for Coffee Hour following the Service

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) Following the Service

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.