Volume 10, Issue #39
September 24, 2020
In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.
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FROM PETER'S PEN
I write this article in the wake of the Breonna Taylor announcement, and frankly, my heart is heavy. My heart is heavy because of the enormous inequities in our society - Ms. Taylor's death is one more sign of this.
Earlier today, I was blessed to have lunch with two friends who are pastors in the AME Church; both are African-American. We had not seen each other face-to-face since March, and while this was largely a time to laugh, catch up on family and church news, etc., this is also, always, a reminder to me that we live in different situations. One of these friends is a police chaplain; he always has his badge hung from the rearview mirror of his car. In part this is so that when he is pulled over at routine traffic stops (something that I have never had to deal with), the officers who pull him over will see that he is law enforcement and the situation will de-escalate.
Both pastors worry about their children and grandchildren in ways that I do not. They live every day with the reality that they (or their families) could be the next Breonna Taylor, Jordan Davis or Vicki Lee Jones. That sits like a weight in the middle of our friendship and though we have built an awesome relationship over the past few years, that is a reality - an injustice - that we cannot fix on our own.
One of the central concerns of Scripture, from beginning to end, is justice. Whether we read the Mosaic laws of Exodus, Leviticus, etc., the prophets (e.g. Amos 5:24, where God cries out: "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream!") or Jesus' simple, profound restatement of Torah law: "Love God and love your neighbor as yourself," we see this over and over. It transcends time and culture and flows through the many books of Scripture like a powerful river.
In our own time, the blatant issues of injustice in our society go far beyond politics. We continue to see our fellow citizens murdered as they jog, sit in their cars, attend church, shop at the grocery store, etc. I strongly believe that God cares far less about what political party we support or what labels (liberal, conservative, independent, etc.) we attach to ourselves than about how we treat the people around us.
All of us are called to simply do what we can. We serve a God who sees far more than we do, has power far beyond our understanding, and who loves each of us deeply as his own unique, beautiful creations. We cannot take over for God, but we can pray, educate ourselves, and reach out to others. There are times where simply saying "hi" to someone at the store - simply acknowledging someone else's presence - can make all the difference in their day.
Please pray with me for an end to this inequality in our society. Please listen for God's call in your life, and act when God calls.
With Love,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
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Join us for Online Worship
Sunday, September 27
Facebook Live at 9:30 a.m.
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Seventeenth Sunday
after Pentecost:
Proper 21, Year Two
BCP 987
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Reminder: All Ascension videos - and several organ and piano performances by John Martin - are now available on our FREE "YouTube Channel." You may subscribe, get notifications, view playlists... click here for more information... or go directly to the Ascension YouTube Channel Page. This means you can conveniently find all Ascension videos all in one place, without having to scroll and sift through all of our other Facebook group postings. Kudos to Taylor Lunsford for creating and managing our videos!
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St. Francis Day on the Lawn:
Morning Prayer &
Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 4 - 9:30 a.m.
In person at Ascension
with COVID Precautions
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Ascension invites you - and your pet(s)! - to attend church in person at Ascension on Sunday, October 4 - St. Francis Day. The entire service will be held outdoors in the cloister garden or front lawn areas, in groups of no more than 10 - followed by the Blessing of the Animals. A special blessing will be added for people who have lost pets this year. All God's creatures are welcome, but please keep them leashed or caged for safety.
This is our first in-person gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to shut down in March. Baby steps. To simplify and shorten this first meeting, the Holy Eucharist will not be offered. There will be no singing, but John Martin will provide music. The presence of our beloved animals will help make this 'first day back' very special!
We understand that the virus is ongoing, and some of you may not be ready to return to church in person. We will continue to offer worship services online for those who choose to stay home. (We hope to offer in-person services at least twice monthly to start - right now, only in groups of no more than 10, but in larger numbers when our re-opening plan is finalized and approved by the diocese.)
Those who choose to attend in person will be asked to follow a number of specific instructions. If you do not feel able to comply with these instructions (e.g., wearing a mask is problematic), then please choose to join us for online worship instead, to ensure best protection of your health. When we physically come together, we need to display the utmost care and respect for each other by observing all precautions.
ATTENDANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(1) Register in advance (see below). We are limited to small groups; if you do not register, we may not have a spot for you. If your plans change, please call to let us know. Thank you!
(2) Wear a face mask and maintain social distancing at all times. Children are welcome and encouraged, but they must be masked (except infants) and stay with their family group at all times.
(3) When you arrive, locate an usher immediately. The usher will take your temperature (no-touch), write down your name and phone number, and provide instructions for entry, seating, and exit. If there is a line, please wait; do not bypass the ushers.
(4) BYOC - Bring your own chair and water as may be needed for yourself or your animal(s). Maybe also an extra sweater or lap blanket. Ushers will guide you to seating with social distancing between families or 'quarantine pods.'
The service will start promptly at 9:30 a.m. will last about 30-45 minutes. The church building will NOT be opened before, during or after, so please plan accordingly. If attendance warrants, we will organize multiple groups with different clergy in distant areas of the grounds. If you show up without registering in advance, we may not have space available for you to join a group. If your temperature is elevated, you will be asked to leave the grounds immediately.
REGISTRATION: We need to know how many people to expect, for planning purposes. For your convenience, different ways to register are offered - please provide your full name, phone number, and the number in your party:
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CALL Mona Proctor on the church number (502-223-0557) any time. Your call will automatically forward to her cell phone if she is not in the office; she will try to answer calls personally, but if you reach a recording, please do leave a message. OR
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EMAIL Mona at info@ascensionfrankfort.org. OR
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CLICK on the green button below to register now online (requires an email address). IMPORTANT: Either submit a separate registration for each member of your party, OR, after your last name, in the same box, add the number in your party in parentheses - e.g., Smith (1) or Jones (3). Thank you!
You will receive confirmation by phone or email within 24 hours.
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Father Peter and the Vestry are working with our diocesan leaders to plan for re-opening safely when the time is right.
Regular office hours remain suspended until further notice; clergy and staff are working (mostly) from home. Access to the building is limited and "Healthy at Work" guidelines apply to everyone who enters the building.
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includes our church building!
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MONTHLY RECEIPTS
9/4/2020: $1,790
9/9/2020: $167.53 from
9/11/2020: $4,591
9/15/2020: $3,097
9/18/2020: $2,374
Thank you for your continuing support. We are working to minimize expenses but still need to pay for upkeep, maintenance, insurance, payroll, etc. Click here to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the pandemic:
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This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
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Intercessions for the Church: St. Raphael’s Church, Lexington The Rev. Cn. Dr. Helen Van Koevering, Rector.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Barbara; Bill; Bob; Bobbie Lee; Candy; Correll; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Fran & Doug; Ginni; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh; Julia; Kay; Linda; Lynda; Madonna; Marilyn; Sandy; Scott & Kathy; Sidney, Suzanne, Tod, Blair & Grant; Will.
Continuing concern: Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Edith & Marion; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John & Willie; June; Linda; Mac; Mae & Frank; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Polly; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Birthdays: 9/27 - James King; 9/30 - Linda Word; 10/1 - MacKenzie & Reagan Napier; 10/3 - Cody Davis.
NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting the church office know when you are ill, hospitalized, or otherwise in need of prayer and/or visitation. We especially want to serve you during these times. Also, if we don’t have your birthday or anniversary on file, or if it appears incorrectly, please let us know! Call the office at 502-223-0557 (messages are checked periodically), or email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org
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Pre-Planning for End of Life
Rite I or Rite II? Eucharist or no? Burial service in the church, or only a graveside committal? Special music, songs, readings, people? Please consider writing your preferences on a “Funeral Information and Burial Instructions” form, for secure long-term storage in the parish office. This confidential information will serve as a guide to the church and your family after your death. A 'Kentucky Living Will Directive and Health Care Surrogate Designation' Form is also available. Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
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Clergy and Staff
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The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
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The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus
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The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
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The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
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Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
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Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator
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Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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