THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + November 25, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Thanksgiving Mass & Fellowship Opportunities |
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This evening, Wednesday, November 25
Evening Prayer - 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass: Eve of Thanksgiving - 6:30 p.m.
AND THEN ...
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Thanksgiving Stories, Reflections & Fellowship - 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.
Join us -- Deacon George Arceneaux and Seminarian Bonnie Scott -- via Zoom following this evening's mass. We've asked a few souls to share a Thanksgiving memory, partly to prompt your stories and provide all with a chance to explore the meaning(s) of Thanksgiving. Via Zoom, click here
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By the way, OOPS! If you've tried to reach Bonnie by email and not received a response, it may be because we've posted a wrong email address in several places.
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Thanksgiving Day
Morning Prayer - 8:00 a.m.
Low mass with organ - 10:00 a.m.
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2021 Stewardship Invitation and Materials Below, plus an appeal for your financial help with our new technology systems. |
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Sunday, November 29
The First Sunday of Advent
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: Fiddle leaf fig, watercolor, unknown artist
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Together
"I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face." 3 John 1:14
“True friends are always together in spirit.”
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Dear people of Ascension,
A few days ago, I had an 'Aha!' With reference to our national holiday, the word Thanksgiving has always prompted thoughts of food for me--turkey, the side dishes (both favored and scorned), and especially pecan pie! But not this year.
This year Thanksgiving conjures up for me thoughts of all who are alone and who would prefer not to be. I'm surprised that I've never before seen it so clearly: for so many of us, Thanksgiving is, even more fundamentally than the foods, about gathering with others. In the absence of being together with others, the foods and related traditions lose much or all of their flavor.
There's an obvious parallel with regard to worship, the sacraments and music. We can of course pray alone, and we should. But for months now, we've felt the deprivation of not gathering together here at Ascension. The ten Sundays on which at least some of us could gather were markedly sweeter and more meaningful than the Sundays before and after. And then there's this: the Greek word for church, ekklesia, does not mean a building; it means people called by God who have gathered together.
Without wanting to give you indigestion, allow me to also observe that together is also a main ingredient in financial giving to the church. None of us could alone fund Ascension's $850,000+ annual operating budget. But we can and do make a significant contribution to it together. Not only that, we give together in order that we, together, may worship, serve, care and witness.
And so perhaps I contradict myself. On the one hand I join the chorus of those who urge you, for the good of all, not to gather together now. And yet I also encourage you to give thanks at this time, and yes, to make a pledge or a gift to the church, in consideration of those by whom you've been blessed by virtue of sharing life, faith and ministry together.
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Don't all click at once
(but DO click!)
for stewardship information
A few points about financial giving and pledging to Ascension at this time:
NO, you don't have to be a member to make financial gifts to Ascension.
YES, we have sent out our 2021 stewardship appeal. Please contact the church office if you've not received yours.
NO, Ascension is not financially self-sufficient, as often rumored. We are blessed with more-than-usual reserves, in part because many folks like us remembered the parish in their estate plans. Please consider also doing so.
NO, we did not put a return envelope in the stewardship mailing; an error.
YES, you can use your own envelope and stamp, OR you can send your confidential pledge information to the Treasurer and you can click here for the appropriate email. Thank you!
More information on the new technology will be shared in coming weeks. Meanwhile, questions may be asked of Senior Warden Gary Alexander,
Verger Mary Beth Hwang, Choirmaster Benjamin Rivera, or me.
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Yes, we talked about you!
Vestry Leadership
A Vestry nominating committee met for the first time last Thursday to discuss 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.
Notice: the bluebirds are not actual present or past Vestry members and are not indicative of all Vestry members' experiences. Many of us do, however, share some curious, light and meaningful moments as we seek to carry out the work of the church.
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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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A few impressions from 183rd Convention
of the Diocese of Chicago, Saturday, November 21
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Thanks again to those who served Ascension as delegates to our annual diocesan convention: all clergy, and lay delegates Ken Kelling, LaVerne Rolle Saunders and Bonnie Scott. Asked to 'share one impression of convention,' a number of them responded as follows ...
Deacon George Arceneaux: I felt that the zoom format went amazingly smoothly and Diocesan business felt navigable and prayerful. However, I miss seeing people I've met over the years though from other parishes.
Ken Kelling: The convention went so smoothly until that last bit [a long trudge through a resolution having to do with clergy compensation]. I liked the two styles of voting. They went smoothly and quickly. I agree that even for the in-person type of convention, this would be a great way of doing things, especially for close votes or when exact counts are needed. Nice spending the day with everyone! Until we meet again!
Fr. Petite: I was impressed with the Diocesan staff’s ability to keep Convention running smoothly and efficiently online over Zoom. Especially significant was the real time online expression of thanks and support for the entire effort. It was a very enjoyable and Spirit filled experience. As a retired priest I have always enjoyed Convention for the renewing of long held personal relationships among lay and clergy members alike, what in modern times we have come to call “networking” (yuk). I very much missed the intimacy of those relationships this time around, but thankful as well for the “presence” that was possible.
Fr. Raymond: We had a great Ascension delegation this year. We were prepared and took our responsibilities seriously but also enjoyed some levity and our fellowship as we connected along the way. Also: never before have I participated in a diocesan convention while also arranging Sunday altar flowers in the church kitchen.
LaVerne Saunders: I actually enjoyed the Convention. I treated it as if I was actually in Lombard. I anticipated the voting to be difficult. It was excellent. In the future, all voting should be through VPOLL [an App]. Everyone has to bring their cell phones to the Convention. You can check-in and vote much easier. The Diocese could have a few inexpensive phones for those who forgot or did not have a phone. In any event, I actually enjoyed it.
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Enough of you have recently inquired about our son, Owen Raymond, with regard to progress following his August 2020 motorcycle accident, that I feel a brief update may be appropriate and of interest. Owen returned to his home in Santa Cruz, CA, in mid-September; had a third scheduled surgery October 13; has been able to continue his coursework in order to complete his undergraduate degree this term; has been given a paid academic research opportunity in his field, Asian Studies; continues to advance his Chinese language studies (in one case through weekly calls with a Chinese student in China); and yesterday reported that he is able to put more and more weight on his right leg and foot -- the injury site -- in anticipation of starting physical therapy in mid-December. Brooke and I humbly believe that many prayers have contributed to these and other blessings and are deeply grateful to all.
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Sarah Ponder, a mezzo soprano who has sung in the Choir of the Ascension with some frequency for a number of years, was diagnosed with breast cancer several months ago. I only learned of this yesterday and was blessed that Sarah responded to my email inquiry and assurances of prayers. At this time, she seems to be responding positively to her treatment regimen. With her 'yes,' Sarah will be included on our parish prayer list for now. (Sarah made clear to me, "All prayers welcome!") Also with her permission and as appropriate, I'll share her email address upon request. |
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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
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
BWV 645
Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
Hymn At the Offertory
Hymn 68 LLANGLOFFAN
ORGAN
Pièce d'Orgue BWV 572
Johann Sebastian Bach
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Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
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Reminder: All In-Person Worship and Gatherings at Ascension (and at all parishes in the Diocese of Chicago) were suspended again as of Monday, November 16.
Our Interim Sunday and Weekday Worship Schedule and Connections are as follows:
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
Advent Lessons & Carols, December 6
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Feast of Epiphany, January 6
More information will be provided as these dates and opportunities near.
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Other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, visits to Ascension are presently 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. 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: 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, Sarah Ponder, Cheryl, Emily
Our Thanksgivings
Birthdays: Carnola Malone, 11/22
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:
Ferndel William Orrick, Priest, 13th Rector, 11/26/1969
Enid C. Smith, 11/26/2007
Clara Smith Hayes, 11/27/2006
Frank C. Alderson, Priest, 11/28/2009
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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It looks like the sky is coming apart and together at the same time
by Maya Stein
And the body is holding its losses like a fist. And a fleshy hope
is opening to an unprecedented vastness. And whatever we think
we are leaving behind will keep insisting. And the things we desire
will elude us. And our efforts will pose as failure. And we will not recognize
how far we’ve come. And we will solve one problem and create another.
And we will feel broken. And we will not be broken. And the silence
will be deafening. And we will love destructively. And no one
will appear to be listening. And there will be too many doors
to choose from. And we will keep saying, “I don’t know how to do this.”
And we will be more capable than we ever imagined.
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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