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The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr.
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As with far too many things in life, the project seemed like a good idea at the time. Reflecting on an abundance of data to show the value of direct student feedback, I was inspired to ask a variety of OES Lower School children to share what they love most, and love least, about Lower School Chapel. The “sample set” ranged from age 6 to age 10, so their comments arrived both in word and picture format (see right).
Without a doubt, singing came across as the most beloved part of chapel. That was great and helpful feedback. The least favorite part, though, centered in the realm between “we sit too long” and “it’s boring.” Hmm.
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I wonder about the idea of being bored, in our busy digital age of nonstop entertainment. In her New York Times Article “
Let Children Be Bored Again
,” Pamela Paul suggests we are doing our children no favors by frenetically working to avoid having them feel bored. On the contrary, she suggests that some of the best creativity and inspiration lies just beyond any perception of boredom. I commend her article to you.
Children are a great reflection of adults. So, it’s a precarious balance preachers seek on Sunday mornings - to offer compelling and engaging sermons that aren’t “boring,” without handing the moment over to entertainment, all the while constructing formative and intentional liturgy, without people feeling that they “sit too long.” Alas, some moments are more successful than others.
I invite you to reflect on any occasion where you are sitting still, or being calm, or being quiet, or doing nothing at all. If you begin to feel bored, consider - and then measure - your response. You may be on the verge of inspiration. After all, it wasn’t until Elijah was beyond all of the noise and busyness of the world that he finally heard that still, small voice.
Blessings,
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From the Parish Administrator
Sally LeBaron
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Nature abhors a vacuum, or in modern speak, an empty inbox. And so it was, that when I returned to the office this week after emptying my inbox before my trip, I had many new messages welcoming me back, albeit, not directly.
I had a collection from our leadership and hospitality teams thoughtfully addressing how to celebrate both a farewell and a baptism coming up. I felt welcomed in the sense that I was included in a family of worshippers who want to celebrate each other and make time to do that. Ditto for our graduating seniors we will recognize this weekend with heartfelt acknowledgments of our appreciation for them and with our collective blessings we wrap around them as they go forth into a world without us.
I had bills, always welcoming with their eager pleas to open them! Acknowledge them! Pay them! Gratitude from them!
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I had emails from Emma, who seamlessly took care of my duties while also finalizing the new directory with Copyman, which looks like a game of email ping-pong with the back and forths- both in email and in-person- as we try our best to get information right. She was happy to welcome me back as her relief ping-ponger.
There were thankfully no crises or emergencies to welcome me, which I quite prefer, even when I’m in the office. I had an email confirming that my family made it to church without me and while the sender didn’t rat him out, I know which one was the squirmiest and let’s just say he’s also the biggest cookie consumer and he’s the only one who is taller than me at this moment.
I had emails telling me the building was too hot! Turn down the heat! The app I use to monitor such things doesn’t understand good weather and just thinks I’m overworking the furnace, and it welcomes any chance to tell me what a terrible thermostat regulator I am.
Underneath its frustrations, I heard the underlying message that good weather was welcoming me home and there’s nothing quite leaving a place where the humidity is just starting to steam things up and coming back to a crisp, sunny Portland day. Thank you for the welcomes, it’s good to be back. Now, back to my inbox...
Take care,
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From the Minister of Music
Emma Mildred Riggle, M.M.
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Dear Parish family,
I would like to invite you all to a lovely upcoming concert in which I have the privilege of singing. n June 1, Cantores in Ecclesia will offer a concert of Renaissance polyphony on themes from throughout the Easter season.
We'll be singing music for Easter, music for Ascensiontide, music for Pentecost and more, and the composers represented include Tallis, Byrd, Palestrina, Victoria, Sweelinck, and basically all your Renaissance all star favorites. Please come support one of the best liturgical choirs in the Northwest!
Tickets are available here.
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Sunday, May 12: Recognition of our Graduates
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At the close of the 10am Mass this Sunday, May 12, we'll pause to recognize and offer a blessing on our graduating High School Seniors:
- Kendall Duffie
- Meaghan Duffie
- Michael McPhee
Please come give thanks with us!
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All Are Welcome:
A Community Celebration of the Life of Marilyn Portwood
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The Portwood family warmly invites you to a celebration of Marilyn Portwood's life and beautiful legacy within the greater Portland community.
Dick and is family hope to see you there!
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On Sunday, May 5, we had the joy of blessing a gift of new Green vestments for Ordinary Time. They were beautifully handmade by the
Victor and Tatyana Bubnov,
parents of parishioner Kat Dominitz, and they joined us for the occasion. Many others from our Parish assisted with the project as well, and we want to offer our gratitude to all who helped bring us this wonderful gift, which will be of great blessing to our Parish for years to come.
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A Miraculous Catch of Fish at Ascension Art Class
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On Sunday, May 5, our Sunday School students enjoyed an excellent class with our Artist in Residence, Andrea Rosselle. They learned about the Gospel lesson for the day, the disciples' miraculous catch of fish at the word of the risen Lord from John 21.
As you can see, the miracle was reenacted in Reinhart Hall with some excellent kid-made fishes. The miracle in this case may be that fact that the disciples were apparently able to catch lobsters, sharks and piranhas in the Sea of Galilee.
We're so grateful to Andrea for the wonderful work she does with our young people, and also to Meaghan and Kendall Duffie for their invaluable help!
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It Takes Two ... Or Three
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While a couple of you have volunteered to clean up after the 10am Mass Social Hour, we still need someone for the second, third and fifth week. Hint: there are not many months with five Sundays so you would get a lot of gratitude without a lot of work. Not that that’s the point, but...if you can stay and put away the treats and clean out the coffee urns, please let us know.
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Next time you visit the coat closet and Counting Room, you will notice an Automatic Electronic Defibrillator hanging upon the coat rack.
This vital emergency device was graciously donated to our Parish by Emily and Alex Guimaraes. We're so grateful for this valuable addition to our parishioners' peace of mind!
There will be more info to come about how our new AED will be in service to our parish.
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This Month
May 19, 10:00 A.M. - Youth Art Class
Next Month
June 2
- 8am Baptism of Dominic Huffman
- 10am Art Class
- 11am Reception for the Lloyd Family
- 4pm Beth Wood Poetry Reading
June 16, 9:00 A.M. - Art Class
June 23, 10:00 A.M. - Vestry Meeting
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Ever wonder what exactly your Vestry members are up to? Here's Vestry member Alex Guimaraes when he is not at church: at New Orleans Jazz Fest.
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And if you're curious about what Parishioners' families do out in the wild, enjoy this photo of Ray and Barbara Anderson's granddaughters, Lily and Rose Gottlieb, who joined us for worship on Christmas Eve, and
who belong to St George's Parish, Church of England, in London. Here they are as Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter for Book Week in London!
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Do you have a photo of life at Ascension or parishioner adventures outside our walls? Send it to the
View editor
to be featured in Parish Life!
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This Sunday: May 12, 2019
: Easter IV: Good Shepherd Sunday
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8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector:
Jeff Krum
10:00 A.M. LEM:
SuEllen Pommier
10:00 A.M. Lectors:
Xander Dominitz, Emily Guimaraes
10:00 A.M. Usher:
Terry Horley
Sacristans:
Susan Bodin, EllaKathryn Craig, Kat Dominitz, Shirleen Horley, The LeBaron Boys
Refreshments:
Susan Bodin, Alex Guimaraes
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Next Sunday: May 19, 2019:
Easter V
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8:00 A.M. LEM & Lector:
Bob Howard
10:00 A.M. LEM:
Fritz Hummelt
10:00 A.M. Lectors:
Xander Dominitz, Alex Guimaraes
10:00 A.M. Usher:
Susan O'Hollaren
Sacristans:
Eloise Gibson; Pam Howard; Diane Hussey, Shoshawna & Mia Rainwater
Refreshments:
Kim Kraft, Eloise Gibson
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Charity and Justice
“What I love about the ministry of Jesus is that he identified the poor as blessed and the rich as needy...and then he went and ministered to them both. This, I think, is the difference between charity and justice. Justice means moving beyond the dichotomy between those who need and those who supply and confronting the frightening and beautiful reality that we desperately need one another.”
― Rachel Held Evans (1981-2019)
A
Year of Biblical Womanhood
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- Our graduates
- Our mothers, and all who mother us
- Becky Dimond’s sisters Barbara and Katie
- Becky Dimond’s friends Toni & Toni’s husband John, recovering from heart surgery
- Fred Friedle
- Eloise Gibson’s niece Bella
- Eloise Gibson’s friend Richard
- Richard Jester
- Richard Reinhart
- Brice Rosen
- Janet Mersereau
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Today in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer
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- Lake Oswego: Christ Church. Allison Schultz, priest-in-charge; Iain Stanford, curate; Carol Hull; Linda Goertz, deacon
- Lebanon: St. Martin. Melodie Kimball, rector. PRAY for God’s blessing on our congregation as we grow in our stewardship of time, talents and treasure. We also pray for continued growth in faith and as a community. We give thanks for the variety of ministries at St. Martin’s and for increasing outreach opportunities. We give thanks for the shared vision and cooperative ministries of the Mid-Willamette Valley Episcopal churches.
- Lebanon: Samaritan Community Hospital: Wes Sedlacek, chaplain
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The Collect
for the Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday
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O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
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Ascension Episcopal Parish | 503-227-7806 | office@ascensionepiscopalparish.org www.ascensionepiscopalparish.org
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