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

Dear People of Ascension,

Between September 1 and St. Francis’ Day (October 4), we celebrate the Season of Creation with Christians of many traditions all around the world. Our call to care for Creation and our fellow creatures will be a special focus of our liturgy and preaching, programs and action during this time. Here are some of the things planned for Creation Season:

• September 22- Guest Preacher- Allegra Lovejoy, M.Div, MESc
• September 29- forum: “Trees and the Sacred.” There’s something about trees. Whether familiar or wild, ancient or still a seed in our hands, trees speak to us in a deep and unique way. Join Mark Larrimore (Professor of Religious Studies, The New School) for a wide-ranging discussion of trees and the sacred relationships we share with them.
• October 6- Celebration of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals

Look for opportunities to learn about and advocate for a Fossil Fuels Treaty and a NYS Bill called the “Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (PRRI)” that will offer the most comprehensive waste reduction plan in the country. 

And, if all goes well, we hope to have a Cleanup and Caretaking Day for our front garden!

The theme for this year is “To Hope and Act with Creation”. May it be so!

Liz

Bountiful God, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth: Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world; where we waste, give us discipline to conserve; where we neglect, awaken our minds and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures honor and serve you in all things for you live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sunday services now through Labor Day:

10:00 a.m. 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.

Next week, Sunday, September 8,

we return to our usual 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services

in the church!

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. We return to our regular schedule in the church on the 8th.

Scammers are sophisticated. Sometimes a basic defense is best. Scammers use many different methods, including technology, impersonation and couriers, attempting to cheat you out of your savings. While scammers may be increasingly high tech, following these six simple guidelines can help keep your accounts safe no matter how you are targeted.

• Legitimate people won't rush you. If someone is rushing you: Stop. Hang up. Call a trusted friend or family member.
• Internet search results don't always lead to legitimate business websites. To make sure you're logging into the correct website, check your statements or bills and type in the website. When in doubt: Stop what you're doing. Call the company.
• Providing personal identifiers to anyone can jeopardize your identity. If someone asks for your one-time password, PIN, online credentials or SSN: Stop. Hang up. Call your bank.
• Banks won't ask you to send money to anyone (think Zelle®, wires, etc.). If someone claiming to be from your bank asks you to send money: Stop. Hang up. Call your bank.
• Banks, governments and utilities (and clergy from Church of the Ascension!) will never ask for payment through non-conventional methods. If you're asked to do something unusual (like buying gift cards, precious metals or digital currencies): Stop. Hang up. Call your bank and the authorities.
• Gut feelings are there for a reason. If you feel like something isn't right, it probably isn't. Stop. Hang up. Call a trusted friend or family member.

Coffee Hour Through Labor Day - Our fabulous Hospitality leaders are taking a much-deserved break for August. But have no fear – coffee (and tea) and conversation will continue! We welcome you to bring treats to share! If you would like to help with coffee hour this month, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org).

People Who Lunch September 4 - 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!

NY Haiti Project Update: Getting Ready for September - Thanks to your generosity, we sent $5,500 to Haiti to finish the kindergarten building at St. Luke's Episcopal School in Martel. Click here to see the construction progress. So many of you gave, and we thank you. Fr. Phanord expects to have a very large incoming kindergarten class, over 30 kids. He said the total enrollment for the school, kindergarten through 9th grade, should exceed 250 students.

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:

September 7 & 21

October 5 & 19

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

Back to School Opportunities

A Call for Backpacks! With the anticipation of the beginning of school in NYC, the Interfaith Center New York (ICNY) will be working with the Episcopal Diocese of New York, diverse houses of worship, and faith-based organizations to help coordinate a backpack drive for asylum seekers. Ahead of Sept. 5th, the first day of NYC Public Schools, ICNY will be putting together an opportunity to pack backpacks for asylum seekers. If you are interested in hearing more, please register your interest here.

Backpack drive to help provide school supplies to asylum-seeking students in New York. The Diocese has launched a campaign to provide backpacks with school supplies for asylum-seeker families. Click here for more information and learn how you can help.

Welcome Back Sunday, September 15

Our choir will be back, and (if you have been away) we hope you will too! Please join the whole Ascension community to celebrate the new season and our life together. A festive coffee hour will follow the 11 am service; contact David Cholcher and Matt Vermedahl to see how you can help.

Memorial Service for the Rev. Andrew Foster will be on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 p.m.

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 – September 1

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

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

Monday – September 2 – Labor Day

Church and Parish Office closed

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

Tuesday – September 3

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

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

Wednesday – September 4

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

People Who Lunch (Parish Hall) 12:30 p.m.

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

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

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

Thursday – September 5

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

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

Friday – September 6

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

Food Pantry Setup (Parish Hall) 3:00 p.m.

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

Saturday – September 7

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

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

Sunday – September 8

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m. 

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Join us for Coffee Hour following the Service

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