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Wednesday, November 27
NO 6:10 p.m. EVENING PRAYER and
NO 6:30 p.m. SAID MASS.
Join us Thanksgiving Day ...
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Thursday, November 28
Thanksgiving Day
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Sung Mass
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Sunday morning, December 1
The First Sunday of Advent
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Woodcut image of Noah's Ark,
Nuremberg Chronicles
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8:00 a.m. Low Mass (Rite I)
N
ursery available, 8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. Sung Mass
11:00 a.m.
Solemn High Mass
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The Annunciation
, oil on canvas,
Luc-Olivier Merson, 1908 |
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Sunday afternoon, December 1
An Advent Service of
Lessons & Carols
with the Ascension Choir
4:00 p.m.
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This Week at Ascension + November 27, 2019
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Why Ascension?
From Our Fall Harvest Meal Chairs
From the Rector
Last Sunday's Sermon
Calling All Bakers
Upcoming at the Ascension
Ascension Book Group
Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings
This Sunday at Ascension
The Parish Prayer List
Approved Vestry Minutes Online
The Last Word
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Kelly Colomberti
Serving and Worshiping at Ascension since 2018
 How do I feel about coming to Ascension before, during, and/or after worship and fellowship?
I love the community atmosphere after High Mass. Everyone checks in on each other's welfare, has civil conversations on current topics, and we even have a little discourse on religion sometimes. People are gracious enough to discuss our religious feelings without becoming combative or defensive. I consider that to be a very Episcopalian strength, and part of what drew me in. It is easy to walk around and get a quick "hello" or a genuine "good to see you." All that being said, the coffee certainly helps.
In addition to pledging what are the ways that I give back to the parish and What do you want the legacy of Ascension to be?
In this answer, I suppose I'm imagining a future parish and not just the present one. Speaking from the vantage point of an idealistic youth, I look for all opportunities to bring Ascension's presence outward into the community. I'd like to be a catalyst, to energize the parish into taking positive action in such troubling times, "to do the work He has given us to do." I want to express to my atheist, LGBT+ peers that church can be an "engine of power with God" as referred to by Fr. Stoskopf, and not a place of exclusion and obligation and shame. For much of our parish, our introversion is a double-edged sword -- as a community we're not overzealous, off-putting, or clique-ish (to my perspective), but we are not reaching out to what Fr. Hillestad called "displaced persons, people who are still rather new to the city and who are especially responsive to the church's message and invitation to find their place in the family of God." I hope more parishioners will engage in Ascension Connections, events like our food pantry or Open House Chicago, and other opportunities to serve our immediate, or perhaps global, community. Many people feel too busy for this, but life boils down to what you
make
time for, not necessarily what you spend it on.
It's not too late to pledge!
What do you want the legacy of Ascension to be and how might you contribute to bring about that future vision for the parish? Many of your fellow parishioners have already answered this question in part by generously pledging for 2020. If you haven't yet had the chance, I hope you will return your pledge card sent to you earlier in the month or send a confidential email to finance@ascensionchicago.org this week.
It seems especially appropriate that the end of our stewardship campaign coincides with Thanksgiving-a good reminder that pledging is not just a way of giving to the parish, but also a representation of gratitude for the all the blessings that God has given us.
In deep gratitude for every member of this parish family,
David Reeves and Gary Alexander, Co-Chairs, 2020 Stewardship Campaign
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FROM OUR FALL HARVEST MEAL CHAIRS
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A Message to Our Fall Harvest Meal Contributors
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David and James
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Thank you for contributing your time, energy, treasure, culinary brilliance, enthusiasm, and extraordinary people skills to make last Sunday's Ascension Fall Harvest Meal a success. We pray you know that you are truly appreciated for your help. Whether you roasted and delivered a turkey, contributed knowledge from past experience, helped us fund the event, prepared and served the meals, or sat and broke bread with our guests, you were important to our communal success. "We who are many are one Body, because we all share in one bread, one cup." This annual event truly brings out the power of communion, and we hope you sensed that as well.
Serving approximately one-hundred and twenty-five meals in St. Michael's Hall and handing out over one-hundred meals to those who wished to take food home, required all of us to be caring and willing to adjust our expectations on the spot. As they say, "best laid plans of mice and men, often go awry"! In our case, awry meant wise and generous adjustments along the way - "may I have extra gravy?" "My new dentures embarrass me. May I take my meal home?" "I'm still hungry, may I have a second serving?" We thank you most of all for your kindness of heart as you served those who are more used to hearing 'no' in life.
Blessings to all,
David and James Baran-Robertson, 2019 Fall Harvest Meal Chairs
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Thanks to those who represented Ascension at the November 23 memorial service for Donnie Richmond
at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. The photo is thanks to Dr. Carol Noren, the flowers were offered from all of us at Ascension, and on Sunday I overheard David Schrader speaking with genuine respect about the gospel handling of the church's electronic organ. You may view the worship leaflet, with a simple obituary, here.
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Diocesan Convention never looked so good
, at least if you were to judge by the group doodle shown below. It resulted when Mary Beth Hwang circulated her e-tablet among those of us from Ascension seated at a 'North Deanery' table on the Convention floor Saturday afternoon. Overall, the convention was positive, with few major headlines. The atmosphere was certainly tinged with awareness of Bishop Lee's pending retirement and thoughts about the bishop search process and its eventual outcome.
Below are other convention impressions shared by some of us there on behalf of Ascension:
"I found it valuable to listen for what our peers see as the most pressing needs and issues facing our diocese, especially while we await our next bishop. The question in my mind throughout all the workshops, worship, and proceedings was, "What is our mission?" The answers were often inspiring, challenging, or both, but either way, prayer came easily and richly after each day. I particularly enjoyed getting to know my fellow Ascension delegates better!"
"Impressions from the workshop on ministering to students and young adults: Brent House and Canterbury-Northwestern chaplains said dedicated structures just off campus work best. Offer what students always want - food !, but also a place just to drop in, and often transportation. Key takeaway - (this is for parents or grandparents of new college students) - referrals to the chaplains are most welcome so that new students can get at least one initial contact."
"At Diocesan Convention I saw that each church parish is a part of a community that, working together as a whole, can benefit by sharing our very individual and diverse identities with each other. It was also a great chance to reunite with old friends and to create some new friendships along the way."
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Ken Kelling
"My time at Convention is always wonderfully connective. It's great to spend time with my fellow Ascension delegates, clergy and lay friends I have not recently seen, and former CPE students, now established in their ministries. Convention worship always differs from what I'm used to, and that's good for me. Being retired, I normally have few responsibilities, although this year, as Chaplain to the Search and Nominations Committee, I shared in the bishop search presentation."
- Fr. Robert Petite +
"Throughout diocesan convention I saw and felt the generous commitments of time and thoughtful attention faithfully given by our own Ascension delegates and hundreds of other participants, including those who must drive from Peoria, members of the youth delegation, those whose first language is not English, those new to convention and the many-year veterans of it, and our bishop and his staff, who clearly see their parts in convention as a ministry of hospitality."
-
Patrick Raymond +
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Convention delegates, l. to r.: Deacon Charles Farrell, Jay Jacot, Mary Beth Hwang
and Ken Kelling. Not shown: Fr. Petite and Fr. Raymond |
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Nominations for 1 Warden and 3 Vestry Members
may
be made until early January ...
however, our Annual Meeting planning will run more smoothly if nominations are made sooner rather than later. Click on either of the following links to view information previously provided: 1. a summary of Vestry service and 2. Nomination form (for either Warden or Vestry). Thanks for taking part.
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Our Sunday attendance has curiously and promisingly increased this fall
, as some of you have noted. Sensing a trend, I crunched all of the attendance numbers, comparing 2018 to 2019, from the Sunday after Labor Day to the Sunday after the Solemnity of All Saints. Overall, the average total for attendance at all four Sunday services was up 19%, and 22% for the 11am Solemn High Mass. You may view the data and some related charts here.
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Ministry for the Common Good is the name of a two-day conference to be held in San Francisco
January 15-16. Cheryl Peterson has expressed an interest in participating; she and I wonder if there are others curious to reflect on the needs of the world relative to the message and resources of the Church. Ascension has some 2019 adult education funds that could be contributed to tuition and travel for this gathering.
Read more bout Ministry for the Common Good and the Newbigin House of Studies here
. Speak to Cheryl or me (soon, please) if interested.
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The Parish Offices will be closed on Thursday & Friday
November 28th & 29th
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The November 24, 2019 sermon by
The Rev. Anna Broadbent may be read here.
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ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS RECEPTION
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Calling all bakers! There is a reception this Sunday after the Advent Lessons and Carols service. If you enjoy baking we would love to have some home baked goods to share with our guests at the reception. We are looking for finger food such as cookies, brownies, fudge or whatever your specialty is. If you are able to help, please contact Marilyn Evans or David Reeves to let them know what you will be able to contribute. Thanks in advance!
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UPCOMING AT THE ASCENSION
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Saturday, November 30th
Commemoration of
St. Andrew the Apostle
Morning Prayer, 9:30 a.m.
Healing Mass, 10:00 a.m.
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 For November, the Ascension Book Group will continue reading two novels by Early American author Charles Brockden Brown contained in the collection
Three Gothic Novels: Arthur Mervyn (1799);
and
Edgar Huntly (1800)
. Charles Brockden Brown has often been referred to as America's first novelist and America's first full-time writer. Among scholars of Early American literature, it is well known that Brown was both heavily influenced by, as well as reciprocally a heavy influence upon the English writers associated with Mary Wollstonecraft, William Godwin, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Mary Shelley's
Frankenstein
, or
The Modern Prometheus
was directly influenced by the novels of Brown. The Ascension Book Group will meet to discuss these two novels of Charles Brockden Brown in Wheeler Hall on Sunday, December 8 at 1:00 p.m. after the Coffee Hour. Refreshments will be
provided. For any questions please contact Ken Kelling at (773) 853-2337 or
kjjjk07@gmail.com
.
Three Gothic Novels
Library of America, No. 103 - ISBN 978-1883011574
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SHARING LUNCH, SHARING BLESSINGS
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"Let every heart prepare Him room" will be the theme of "Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings" on
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
. During Advent, it is easy to become preoccupied with shopping, decorating, making special foods, and other activities -- but how do we prepare our hearts for the mystery of the Incarnation? After a traditional smörgåsbord lunch prepared by Carol Noren, you are invited to share a seasonal practice you have adopted and/or recommend that draws you closer to the manger where "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Please join us --and bring a friend!-- for mass at 12:05, followed by the meal and program.
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Please remember these people in your daily prayers
Geoffrey Wainwright, Fr. John Graham, Mary Lou Devens, Michael Milano, Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Ted Long, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Yuka Asai, Dean Pineda, Bazelais Suy, Carnola Malone, Charlene MacDougal, Doreen Finn, Monica, Jim Lo Bello, Jack Johnston, Patricia Johnston, Andy, Jim Walsh, Char Yurema, Stewart Marks, Ronn Garton, Vanessa Rogers
Prayers for the departed
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES ONLINE
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The Approved Minutes of Vestry meetings are now available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to the Approved Vestry Minutes, please email the
Church Office and request the link.
Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Approved Vestry Minutes. In addition, if you click on the subscribe button at the top right, you will be given email notice whenever a new set of Approved Minutes is added.
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For Thanksgiving, a poem titled Table, by the Turkish poet Edip Cansever ...
A man filled with the gladness of living
Put his keys on the table,
Put flowers in a copper bowl there.
He put his eggs and milk on the table.
He put there the light that came in through the window,
Sounds of a bicycle, sound of a spinning wheel.
The softness of bread and weather he put there.
On the table the man put
Things that happened in his mind.
What he wanted to do in life,
He put that there.
Those he loved, those he didn't love,
The man put them on the table too.
Three times three make nine:
The man put nine on the table.
He was next to the window next to the sky;
He reached out and placed on the table endlessness.
So many days he had wanted to drink a beer!
He put on the table the pouring of that beer.
He placed there his sleep and his wakefulness;
His hunger and his fullness he placed there.
Now that's what I call a table!
It didn't complain at all about the load.
It wobbled once or twice, then stood firm.
The man kept piling things on.
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Brooke's Raymond family Thanksgiving table, 2011
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