The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.
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Dear Parish Family,
"Keep the faith." While the apostle Paul may get original credit for this phrase in his letter to Timothy, I'll forever choose to assign both these three words and the fortitude behind them to Dick Portwood. Over these past three weeks, it's what he has said to me every single time I have departed from his presence. Truthfully, he has said, "Keep the faith, Father Phillip."
Words fall short in reflection of this season in the life of our parish. We have gathered to give thanks for the life of Jonathan Lloyd, and we have gathered joyfully at our Annual Meeting. Now we prepare to gather in celebration for the life of Marilyn Portwood. Importantly, we also gather every week. There we remember what draws us in, and what binds us together. That would be our love for one another, and the undeserved grace and rich blessings of our loving God.
So, we press on. And we share the good news. And, of course, we keep the faith.
Blessings,
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From the Parish Administrator
Sally LeBaron
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Marilyn
Not seeing SuEllen’s email telling us otherwise, I may have spent most of the Annual Meeting last weekend fervently praying she wouldn’t call on people to give their updates. But if pressed, I was prepared to say that while I know the core of my job here is the bookkeeping, the payroll, the torturous ROTA, even the crafting of a blurb for this newsletter- my greatest joy is interacting with the people of Ascension.
I LOVE getting to chat with folks about their lives- both the epic and minute. I lost one of these lovely people as Marilyn Portwood passed away last week. She was such a joy and had a wonderful ability to share stories of the epic and minute varieties in equal measure. Her stories resonate into my life. My neighborhood run goes by the house she lived in as a girl; Georgie goes to the school that was just woods when she was little. Because she shared that history, my life, and my stories are richer.
But let’s not overlook the mighty minute details. She led our legendary Cookie Committee that provides goodies after Mass, and she also awed me with her divine cinnamon bread and ever so moist brownies that she brought for her shift the third Sunday of the month (for after the 8am Mass, naturally). Not one to mislead, she admitted with a twinkle in her eye that they were from Costco, although in her defense, she did have to make the brownies- the bread she just froze until she realized that oh my goodness, it’s the third Sunday again!
I am so grateful to know Marilyn, even as little as I’m sure I did. She let people into her life by sharing hers. She would send me an email just to share a story of hers about an article I wrote. I certainly didn’t expect that but was touched that she took the time to reach out. May we all be blessed to have the courage to share ourselves without the shadows of doubt that can keep us from doing so. May we be blessed to joyfully proclaim our good, epic, and even minute news. Just like Marilyn.
Take care,
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From the Minister of Music
Emma Mildred Riggle, M.M.
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Dear Parish Family,
It's almost time for our Ascension Choir rehearsals to resume in preparation for Holy Week! This year, the choir will sing on Maundy Thursday at the 7:00PM Mass, and on Easter Sunday at the 10:00AM Mass. I've already selected some lovely works for us to learn - tentatively, we'll sing music by Gabriel Fauré, and beloved Anglican anthems by Erik Routley and William Harris.
There's still time to sign up to sing this season! The choir is open to singers aged teen and up, and we will rehearse most Sunday mornings at 9:00 A.M. from March 3 - April 21. It's alright if you can't make all the rehearsals, too! If you're interested in singing and haven't told me yet, please let me know by February 15 or so in order for me to prepare a folder for you, and to make sure I've selected music that fits our group!
Soli Deo gloria,
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Celebration of the Life of Marilyn Portwood
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On January 28, parishioner Marilyn Portwood went home to glory, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Plans are underway for a Celebration of Marilyn's life at Ascension. Please keep her husband Dick, and all her family and loved ones in your prayers.
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Marilyn Gail Walker Portwood
December 16, 1936 ~ January 28, 2019
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our
prayers on behalf of your servant Marilyn, and grant her an
entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of
your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, page 493)
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Upcoming Directory Update
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If you're a parishioner at Ascension, watch your email inbox for an invitation to update your directory entry! This is your chance to alter any of your contact information before we print our 2019 Directory later this Spring.
There will also be Directory Update forms available in the Common Room if you would prefer to update your information on paper!
Thanks for helping us keep our Parish Directory up to date!
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This Month
February 10, 8:00 A.M. - Celebration of the Life of Marilyn Portwood
Looking Ahead
March 3, 9:00 A.M. - Choir Rehearsals Resume
March 3, 10:00 A.M. - Youth Art Class
March 3, 11:00 A.M. - Vestry Meeting
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Art Class Hiatus in February
We are incredibly grateful for the excellent work that Andrea Rosselle, our Artist in Residence, does with our Sunday School youth in her bi-weekly art classes. During the month of February, Andrea is taking a much-deserved rest from teaching art classes at Ascension while she takes a bit of time off for health reasons.
Please keep Andrea in your prayers while she recovers. We look forward to seeing her for art class again, Lord willing, on March 3!
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This week we got a dusting of snow on the hill of our beloved Chapel. We were tickled to see this little snowman who appeared on the corner of Spring Street and 19th, who appears to be gesturing toward the church.
We like to think he's inviting the neighborhood to come worship with us.
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Would you like to share a photo of life at Ascension, or parishioner adventures outside our walls? Send them to our
Communications Coordinator
to be featured in
The View
!
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This Sunday: February 10, 2019:
Epiphany V
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8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector:
Bob Howard
10:00 A.M. LEM:
Emily Guimaraes
10:00 A.M. Lectors:
Emily Guimaraes, Quinland Porter
10:00 A.M. Usher:
Terry Horley
Sacristans:
Susan Bodin, EllaKathryn Craig, Kat Dominitz, Shirleen Horley, LeBaron Boys
Refreshments:
Sally LeBaron, Judy Hecht
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Next Sunday: February 3, 2019:
Epiphany IV
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8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector:
SuEllen Pommier
10:00 A.M. LEM:
Gary Hecht
10:00 A.M. Lectors:
Ian Miller, Xander Dominitz
10:00 A.M. Usher:
Susan O'Holleran
Sacristans:
Eloise Gibson, Pam Howard, Diane Hussey, Shoshawna & Mia Rainwater
Refreshments:
Eloise GIbson
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We May Laugh Together Yet
“There is a place called ‘heaven’ where the good here unfinished is completed; and where the stories unwritten, and the hopes unfulfilled, are continued. We may laugh together yet.”
- J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973), from a letter to his son Michael during the Second World War
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- Barbara Anderson's friend Tracy
- Becky Dimond's sister Barbara
- Eloise Gibson’s niece Bella
- Eloise Gibson’s friend Richard
- Richard Jester
- The family and loved ones of Jonathan Lloyd
- The family and loved ones of Marilyn Portwood
- Richard Reinhart
- Andrea Rosselle
- Janet Mersereau
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Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
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- Gardiner: St. Mary. PRAY for the communities of Gardiner and Reedsport and for us as we strive to be active witnesses of God’s love. Pray that we can celebrate the Holy Eucharist together, live the covenant of baptism in our daily lives and inspirit one another in ministry.
- Gold Beach: St. Matthew. PRAY for a vision of the Gospel that will empower our mission with strength of purpose and active outreach.
- Grants Pass: St. Luke. Ernestein Flemister, rector; Joani Bristol, deacon. PRAY for discernment for a new rector.
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The Collect for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
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Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Ascension Episcopal Parish | 503-227-7806 | office@ascensionepiscopalparish.org www.ascensionepiscopalparish.org
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