This Week at Ascension + June 23, 2021

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
Resuming this evening: In-Person Mass
We've not missed a single Wednesday evening mass during the pandemic, though none have been in-person since mid-March 2020. The main church entry door on LaSalle will now be opened by 6:20 p.m. on Wednesdays. We have a fairly steady attendance of 9-12 on the live-stream feeds for these evening masses and, thanks to our excellent tech ministers, we plan to continue live-streaming.
This evening, Wednesday, June 23
Commemoration of Alban, Martyr

6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass
Sunday, June 27
The 5th Sunday after Pentecost

9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer via ZOOM
10:00 a.m. In-person &
Live-streamed Mass




Image: Raising the daughter of Jairus, wood engraving, Gustav Dore, La Grande Bible de Tours, 1866.
From the Rector
Every 50 years ... or every week?

Dear people of Ascension,

During the announcements at a recent Sunday Mass I thanked those who were present for continuing to navigate the pandemic obstacle course with regard to Ascension, masses, masks and so much more. "In the past, something changed at Ascension every 50 years," I said. "Over the past year, I've had to ask you to change something every week. Thank you for hanging in there."

And now: more changes. Three in general that merit your attention now are as follows:

Change #1: Updates for Worship Ministers. In a phone call yesterday with our Verger, MB Hwang, we noted enough changes affecting our worship ministers (everyone from ushers to clergy to those leading the rosary) that we decided a separate one-page newsletter might help in communicating it all. MB sent the updates to a large mailing list earlier today, but in case we missed you or you're curious, click here.

Change #2: Calling New & Returning Worship Ministers! (This may mean you.) Throughout the pandemic, until recently, we've limited those in the sanctuary to 3-5 persons. Now we are ready and eager to re-populate the sanctuary, and we have resumed coffee hour (in the garden) and, as you are about to read, we imagine returning to at least two Sunday masses sometime after Labor Day, and we aim to re-open our nursery soon. Yes, there's a role for you! Click here for a one-page view of all ministries related to worship.

Change #3: Wait and see. At the Vestry meeting for June, tomorrow evening, I'll invite members' thoughts and questions about some of the terrain we will traverse in coming months. When will we add another mass on Sundays? What about the Saturday morning healing mass that has not yet been resumed? When if ever will we again be offered the Blood of Christ in the chalice? And (I must add): What if pandemic conditions again worsen?

Please take time to consider how your own responses, questions, actions and prayers can minimize anxiety and gnashing of teeth and maximize consensus and support as we navigate further changes ahead.

Patrick +
Also from the Rector
(More) Worship Notes

If you participated in the mass this past Sunday you may have already read my Worship Notes. I both explained what I called 'The 9AM Mass at 10AM' and explained why we've not resumed use of the common cup at Communion. You may read those Worship Notes here if you've not read them or wish to revisit them.
Independence Day for Fr. Arceneaux
A reminder that Fr. George Arceneaux's last Sunday and his final celebration of the Mass at Ascension (for now) will be July 4. It had been previously scheduled for this coming Sunday, June 27, on which date a conflict has arisen for him that will prevent him from being at Ascension at all.

(Yes, it being a 'first Sunday of the month,' the Rosary will be prayed after the Mass on July 4 as well.)
Members and newcomers with PRIDE and affinities with LGBTorQ will provide the hospitality for the coffee hour this coming Sunday, June 27. Anyone wishing to help may contact any of the co-hosts: Ken Kelling, George Pineda, Cheryl Peterson, or Brooke Raymond.
AA Returns to Ascension
The Wednesday evening AA group that has long met at Ascension was enjoying energetic renewal and growth prior to the pandemic lockdown. Meetings had to be suspended. I'm thrilled to report that they'll resume July 14. My thanks to Br. Nathanael in the parish office, who has kept in touch with the group's contact person and will be of help in preparing for the resumption of the meeting. For those interested, specific information will be posted on the Chicago AA website, when available soon.
As mentioned in my letter above, the June Vestry meeting will be tomorrow, Thursday, June 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. and (still) via Zoom at the usual Ascension meeting room.
(The same document was shared in last week's newsletters and in the bulletins for Sunday, July 13.)
Please be familiar with this revised guidance if planning to participate in person at Ascension for mass and fellowship.
A first for Ascension: Qigong
Local Qigong practitioner and teacher Sue Ziang is also a personal friend. She's been looking for a space to offer group instruction in Qigong (CHēˈɡäNG) and I've made arrangements for her to use St. Michael Hall on Saturday mornings, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., beginning Saturday, June 26. Participants will be asked to make a donation ($20 suggested), a part of which will be given to the church. Ascension members may not be Sue's primary target audience, but she will warmly welcome anyone who shows up, including any of us, regardless of Qigong familiarity or experience. You may view Sue Ziang's website here. - Fr. Raymond +
Organ Repertoire for June 27, 2021
The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
ORGAN
Suite du Premier Ton
Louis-Nicolas Clérambault
(1676-1749)
I. Grand Plein Jeu II. Fugue
III. Duo IV. Trio V. Gayement
 
At the Entrance Procession
Hymn 518  WESTMINSTER ABBEY
 
At the Offertory
Hymn 404  OLD 124TH
 
At the Communion
Hymn 568  WAS LEBET 
 
At the Retiring Procession
Hymn 610   BLÆNHAFREN
 
ORGAN
Petit et Plein Jeu du Deuxieme Ton
Louis-Nicolas Clérambault
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!
From Benjamin Rivera

Greetings!

In keeping with Diocesan guidelines, we have had a live vocal presence since Holy Week. Recent updates to this guidance will allow us to celebrate Pentecost, Holy Trinity, and Corpus Christi with an in-person quartet, supplementing our (now usual) recorded music. I am grateful that we are able to move forward safely, if slowly, and I pray that choral and congregational singing aren’t too far off.

Between Masses, please don’t forget that our choir 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

Peace and good health,
Benjamin
The Treasurer and Bookkeeper continue to limit time 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 3 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org. 
Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
Participate in Ascension masses at our YouTube Channel. (Look for other connections options soon.)
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).

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
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!
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, David Byerly, Steven Wallis, Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe, Carnola Malone, Marvin Files, Amy Peterson, Stephanie, Gwen Clark-Mason, Barbara Wischmeier, The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Lee Gould, Maria, Beth Hall, Alfred Raby, Claire
 
Birthdays: David Allen, 6/25
 
Anniversaries: Victor & Marjorie Lofgreen, Marriage, 6/20/1993
 
Requiescat in pace:
Lorraine Leonard Burita, 6/20/2004; Lynn Scott, 6/22/2013;
Daniel F. Thomas, 6/23/2002; Juanita Warfield, 6/23/2008;
Weldon Reeves, 6/25/2003; Scott Baeseman, 6/6/2021, Edith Wilma Jones, 6/15/2021

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.

The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector

Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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.