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March 7, 2018
And a little child will lead them...
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The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling all together;
and a little child will lead them.
Isaiah 11:6
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I have been both fascinated and inspired by the strength and volume of youth voice around issues of violence prevention, safety and peace, in the wake of the February 14th shootings in Parkland, Florida. It seems that this generation may be at a tipping point with a message of their time, in support of real and lasting changes around the use and availability of certain kinds of weapons.
At the same time, it is clear that this generation is not "yet" in control of the management of our nation, and our communities, and our laws. The adults are still in charge.
It seems to me, without sounding too political, that it should not be up to our children to demand reasonable security towards their education and their future. That seems like are area where the adults should be able to find common ground
The prophet Isaiah envisioned a world where even the most unusual of enemies would find peace "all together." We would do well to take note of his message, and to hear the prophetic voice of our young people. They often see things in a more clear manner, and their vision might just help all of us discover our better selves.
Blessings,
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From the Parish Administrator
Sally LeBaron
office@ascensionepiscopalparish.org |
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Reaching Out with Sight
What do Helen Keller, prison, Ascension Episcopal Parish and the Lions Club have in common? Well...
When Marcia Strohecker's mother-in-law passed away eight years ago, Marcia helped clean out her house. "She said she didn't need glasses," Marcia recalls, "but there was a pair on every side table in her house." The glasses were in good condition and Marcia wondered what she could do with them. Turns out, the Safeway near where she lives collects them to be recycled by the Lions Club.
The Lions Club has been involved with helping those with impaired sight since Helen Keller spoke at their 1925 international conference, imploring members to "hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness, no little deaf, blind child untaught, no blind man or woman unaided." According to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) website, over 75,000 glasses are collected yearly, and that's just in Oregon. These contributions are made by individuals to the OLSHF dropboxes and by organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and Northwest Medical Teams, wanting to help.
Once collected and sorted by Lions' volunteers, the glasses are sent to prison. Literally. The Coffee Creek Correctional Facility offers women a paraoptometric training and eyeglass recycling program which teaches them how to clean and calibrate glasses, leading, perhaps, to a post-prison career.
Now that the glasses are properly sorted, they are ready to be sent to a new face on an international mission trip. These trips take place all over the world, from Central and South America, to Eastern Europe, to Africa, and even the Solomon Islands. OLSHF partners with international Lions groups as well as Mercy Corps among other aid organizations.
But back to our little Ascension: "It's a win-win situation," Marcia says. "I didn't have to throw away a perfectly good pair of glasses and the Lions Club was able to help people who need them." As outreach is always on the minds of our beloved Ascension, she had an idea: display a basket to collect glasses that she could donate to the Lion's Club, via Safeway.
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Marcia has never advertised her outreach - she simply put out a basket with a sign that reads, "Give the Gift of Sight: Share Your Unused Glasses" which you can find on the table in the corner of the Common Room. She says she usually brings a basket of glasses to donate three times a year- reaching out indeed!
Take care,
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June 2, 1925 - February 9, 2018
On Saturday, February 24 at 11:00 A.M., the family and loved ones of Gerald Robert Wolfsehr gathered at Ascension to celebrate his life. Gerald was the father of our parishioner Mitch Wolfsehr. Father Phillip Craig and minister of music Emma Riggle were greatly privileged to take part in this beautiful service.
"In my Father's house there are many dwelling places." John 14:2
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Meet our New Vestry Members
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Janet Duffie
Six years ago, our son Neil, then an 8th grade advisee of Chaplain Craig, led our family to Ascension Chapel. Soon after I joined the hospitality crew and then our daughters Meaghan and Kendall began looking after the youngsters in AEP nursery. My husband C.R. wandered over and now we all enjoy our sweet Chapel.
CR and I were married in the Episcopal Church, our children baptized, our parents honored with celebrations of life. I am looking forward to serving on the AEP Vestry.
- Janet |
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Ian Miller
Hello fellow parishioners - having just re-joined the vestry I wanted to introduce myself and my family.
My name is Ian Miller and I have lived in Portland since 2000 when I moved here from Singapore. I was born in England but have lived in several different parts of the world before settling here.
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My wife Kelly is a native Portlandian and our two children, Caitlin (16) and Sean (14) were both born here and were christened at Ascension. I was on the vestry and also senior warden during Father Steve Norcross' time at Ascension, and am delighted with the growth and energy we see today. I look forward to being part of continuing that growth and please if we haven't met or spoken, grab me and say hello!
- Ian
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Lenten Book Discussion: The Book of Ruth
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We invite you to join us for a discussion of the story of Ruth. While we will read from the biblical version of the story of Ruth, we will include in our discussion a companion book, "Ruth, Discover your Place in God's Story" by Eugene Peterson.
The study will meet during Lent between the 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. services.
The story of Ruth is a wonderful account of familial love, loss, and generosity. It is a story worth exploring and sharing with others.
Questions? Contact SuEllen Pommier:
pommiersuellen@gmail.com . |
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Quiet Day for Lent
From our former priest, Fr. Phillip Ayers
On Saturday, March 17, a mini-silent retreat will take place, God willing, at the Parish of St John the Baptist, 6300 SW Nicol Road, Portland (on the campus of Oregon Episcopal School). It will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, followed by a free breakfast in the Ladehoff Room in the parish house.
The first meditation will follow that, with plenty
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of time to meditate privately or walk around the church and attractive grounds--weather permitting of course. Please bring a bag lunch as well. Freewill offerings will be accepted so that the work of the St Benedict's Guild, the sponsor of the day, can continue.
In all, there will be three short meditations, given by the Rev. Julia McCray-Goldsmith, Canon for Cathedral Life at Trinity Cathedral, Portland. Julia is now in her second year at Trinity and comes from the Diocese of California where she was on the staff of the Bishop for many years. She is a former missionary and non-profit fundraiser, and is fluent in Spanish. Her theological education took place at Creighton University in Omaha and CDSP in Berkeley.
She will offer three scriptural meditations in the Ignatian manner of contemplation, chosen to help us encounter and accompany Jesus on the way to his passion. The Quiet Day will end at 3:00 pm.
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Upcoming Events
March 18, 10:00 A.M.: Youth Art Class
March 18, 11:15 A.M.: Vestry Meeting
Ongoing:
Lenten Book Discussion, Sundays at 9:00 A.M., Reinhart Hall
Choir Rehearsal, Sundays at 9:00 A.M., The Sanctuary
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Parish Life
Sally LeBaron caught this sweet photo of an exciting chess match in Reinhart Hall, between Brad Mersereau and Willem A., while their fascinated audience looks on.
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Reflection
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Put off the task of confession and the mess will only get worse, leading to all kinds of trouble. But trust in the Lord - and that trust will often begin by trusting him with our saddest and darkest secrets - and we will find his love surrounding us. It's like going outside on the first spring morning where suddenly you realize it's not cold anymore.
Lent is a time for discipline, for confession, for honesty, not because God is mean or fault-finding or finger-pointing but because he wants us to know the joy of being cleaned out, ready for all the good things he now has in store.
- N.T. Wright, from
Lent for Everyone: Matthew Year A: A Daily Devotional
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Bishop N.T. Wright (born 1948)
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In Our Prayers
Janet Mersereau
The family and loved ones of Gerald Wolfsehr
Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer:
Bandon: St. John.
WE PRAY that each of us may be empowered and emboldened to use the gifts for ministry that have been bestowed upon each of us, and to be unafraid to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Beaverton: St. Bartholomew.
Jeff Littlefield, rector; Pippa Lindwright, assistant rector; Mikel McClain; Karen Tiegs.
THANKSGIVING for new clergy leadership and the opportunities that await us as we enter into new ideas and relationships. Pray that we may be open to what God has in store for us.
Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent:
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Final Smile:
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Why the February 14th combination of
Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day
was problematic...
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