THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + November 11, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Join the Conversation with our Bishop candidates
Friday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m.
Follow up parish conversations: Sat. & Sun. November 14-15
More information below.
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Notice of Attendance Restrictions
Attendance for in-person masses at Ascension was recently limited to 18 spots in the pews. Further restrictions may be necessary. Parishes in some regions of our diocese have been directed to reduce total in-person presence in church buildings to 10 persons. Some of these parishes have voluntarily suspended all in-person worship. We will continue to follow the direction of our bishop, governor and mayor, and I will timely report any direction that will further affect us at Ascension. Please stay safe. - Fr. Raymond +
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You will be able to see how many spots, if any, are still available.
A note on HOW TO CANCEL may be found in conjunction with the information below for the coming Sunday.
The full schedule for Sunday, including virtual worship and connections,
may be found below.
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This evening, November 11
Commemoration of Martin,
Bishop of Tours
Evening Prayer, 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass, 6:30 p.m.
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Sunday, November 15
Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Virtual and In-Person Schedule
with links for virtual worship and in-person reservations
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Virtual Worship & Fellowship
8:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. - Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. - Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
11:00 a.m. In-Person Mass - Reservation Required: Click here
Image: Parable of the Talents, Andrei Mironov, 2013
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Notes on Attending, Registering and Cancelling
If you need to CANCEL your reservation: CLICK the link by which you registered, then CLICK on the pink text "you have registered for this event." You will be given the option "Remove Registration." CLICK on that option and your reservation is removed.
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" ... the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity ..."
XXXVI. Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers.
The Book of Consecration of Bishops, and Ordering of Priests and Deacons, as set forth by the General Convention of this Church in 1792, doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordering; neither hath it any thing that, of itself, is superstitious and ungodly. And, therefore, whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to said Form, we decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated and ordered.
- From the Articles of Religion, Book of Common Prayer, page 875.
"The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task."
- 1 Timothy 3:1
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Dear people of Ascension,
The Articles of Religion, including Article 36 above, are included among the Historical Documents of the Church in the 1979 Prayer Book. Bear with me as I explain the present relevance.
Ten Articles promulgated in 1536, during the reign of Henry VIII, grew to 39 by 1571, in the reign of Elizabeth I. They sought to define the Church of England relative to (autonomous from) the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), and relative to (interdependent with) the English monarchy, and relative to competing Protestant theologies and movements of the time.
The revised Articles now in our Prayer Book were “… established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church ... in the Year of our Lord, 1801.”
Significant here for the moment is Episcopal, from the Greek word, episcopos (ἐπίσκοπος), commonly rendered as bishop. Among churches known as Protestant in 1801, we uniquely retained the ministry and authority of bishops--manifestly tempered and shared, however, by the Clergy, and the Laity.
So it continues in the Episcopal Church today. Our bishops are not appointed by a national Archbishop or by our House of Bishops. They are elected by the clergy and laity of each diocese. As explained in my letter last week, our next Bishop will be elected December 12 by majorities of separate votes (sometimes requiring a few or many ballots) by lay delegates and clergy.
I’m sharing this with you a month prior to encourage your interest and participation as the Laity. Imagine the XIII Bishop’s visitation here on a future Ascension Day. Which might feel most at home with Latin chant and incense? Whose sermon might nourish your faith? Whose message of reconciliation might ring truest? Whose ring might you prefer to kiss? Why?
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Ways for the Laity to participate in the election of our XIII Bishop.
A fifth step, of course, is prayer. The Collect from the Book of Common Prayer for the election of a bishop may be found (and prayed) below. Pray as well for our Ascension electors and for the candidates. And, in a larger context of election fatigue and uncertainty, pray that goodwill, clarity and hope may prevail.
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Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 818
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The Other Convention, November 21,
and Our Other Delegates
In addition and prior to the December 12 special convention to elect our new bishop, the annual convention of the Diocese of Chicago will take place (via Zoom) on Saturday, November 21. Ascension will be represented by Ken Kelling, LaVerne Rolle Saunders and Bonnie Scott, appointed in October by the Vestry. (Our three electing convention delegates, above, were elected by parishioners at our January 2020 annual meeting.) I'll include a bit more annual convention information in next week's newsletter. But if you just can't wait, click here to be taken to the Convention page at the Diocese of Chicago website.
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And speaking of LaVerne (and Ted) Saunders ...
... they were united in Holy Matrimony at Ascension on October 7, 1989, and have been blessed by a discipline of sharing in a mass every year on their anniversary. Being prevented this year, we arranged for a sacramental moment via Zoom yesterday, November 10, that included a renewal of their wedding vows. Please let me know if I can be present for a pastoral conversation, by phone or Zoom, or to arrange for a virtual blessing or other rite (insofar as appropriate in the context of the Canons, reason and circumstances). - Fr. Raymond +
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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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The following opportunity is brought to our attention by Richard Laibly, whose knowledge of the church is wide-ranging and whose perspectives on the church are often sagacious. Saturday conflicts will prevent my own participation, but some of you, I know, have aligned interests. The seminar is free but pre-registration is required. Click on the image to learn more. - Fr. Raymond + |
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On this Veterans Day, let us remember, give thanks and pray for those who have served and those who continue to serve.
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP, p. 839
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Sunday's Organ Repertoire |
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Organ Voluntary
Corrente Italiana WSC 155
Juan Bautista Cabanilles (1644-1712)
At the Offertory
ORGAN Tiento primer tono lleno WSC 74
Juan Bautista Cabanilles
At the Offertory 9AM
HYMN 598 MIT FREUDEN ZART
At the Offertory 11AM
ORGAN Tiento primer tono lleno WSC 74
Juan Bautista Cabanilles
Organ Voluntary
Toccata de quinto tono à 4 WSC 337
Juan Bautista Cabanilles
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Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
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I regret having to remind you that visits to Ascension, other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, are 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. They will next be here Thursday, December 3rd, for several hours beginning by 10 a.m. 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:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).
SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
11:00 a.m. in-person mass
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: Charley Taylor, 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
Our Thanksgivings
Birthdays: Pablo Illás, 11/10; Juan Soria, 11/13; James Jimason Robinson, 11/13;
Jett McAlister, 11/14
On Veterans Day we pray for those who have served our country in war or peace, living or departed, giving thanks for their service and sacrifices.
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:
C. Jeriel (Jay) Howard 11/9/2011
Raymond A. Palmer, 11/9/2011
James Avery King, 11/10/2009
Jean Waterhouse, 11/14/2017
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 information ...
To read the announcement of Bishop Candidates by the Standing Committee of the diocese, click here.
To read about the canonical 'Petition Process' that provides an opportunity for additional Candidates to be considered, through Monday, October 12, 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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The aftermath of the November 3 presidential election and still-unresolved election questions led me to conclude Sunday's Prayers of the People with the following prayer. It's an adaptation of the Collect for Sound Government from the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 810-811. I'm sharing it below to satisfy anyone's curiosity and because the same prayer may remain timely for awhile. - Fr. Raymond +
O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to all other nations of the earth.
To our President Donald and Vice President Mike, to our President-elect Joe and Vice-President-elect Kamala, to Cabinet members, Senators and Representatives, to Governors and Mayors, to all members of our Judiciary, to all who are entrusted with open and fair elections and peaceful and effective transitions of government, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Teach us all to rely on your strength and to accept our responsibilities to our fellow citizens, that we may devote ourselves to the well-being of our society, faithfully serve you in our generation, and in all things honor your holy Name. Amen.
Below: American and Episcopal flags fly over Park Avenue at St. Bartholomew's Church -- locally known as 'St. Bart's' -- New York City.
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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