Volume 11, Issue #39
September 30, 2021
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 hope you will join us at Ascension this Sunday, October 3, as we welcome Bishop Mark Van Koevering and also hold a special service for Blessing of the Animals.
My column is short and simple this week: what are some topics that you would like to hear in the Sunday sermons? What questions do you have about church, the Bible, how to pray, etc.
Please let me know so that I can begin planning sermons around some of these questions, as they tie into our Scripture readings.
Also, I want to send a big thank you to our Daughters of the King (DOK) members, John Martin, and Rick Kurtz for lovingly, carefully cleaning up the parish library, making books available for us to take home, and then moving the leftovers to the local public library for donation. We appreciate you and your work!
With Joy,
Peter+
The Rev. Peter Doddema
502-661-2742
P.S. Bible Study classes are meeting on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., in person AND via ZOOM.
Please contact Peter for the ZOOM links.
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Excess books from the parish library cleanup are headed for donation. Pictured L-R are Deacon Sue Kurtz; Deacon Rebecca Saager; Rick Kurtz; Ethel Lee; Judith Spencer, DOK President; and LeiLei. |
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REMINDER: Kroger Community Rewards accounts need updating every year - see the Treasurer's Corner below!
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Come worship with us!
Check our
ONLINE CALENDAR:
See all services, events, meetings, and various activities that are scheduled on church property and social media. View the calendar as monthly, weekly, or an agenda list, with custom printing options. Keep an eye on what's coming up at Ascension! (During COVID, in-person events may be limited and must be pre-approved.)
Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3
9:00 a.m.
St. Francis Day:
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
You and your pet(s) are invited to join Ascension clergy and Diocese of Lexington Bishop Mark Van Koevering on Sunday, October 3 - St. Francis Day - for a special blessing of all God's creatures.
A brief service will be held outdoors in the cloister garden / front lawn area (or in the parish hall in case of rain), prior to the regular worship service. A special blessing will be added for people who have lost pets. All God's creatures are welcome, but please keep them leashed or caged for safety.
Photo Memory by Jenny Neat: Harrison Bates Buffenmyer enjoyed a tender blessing from Mother Nancy Farley.
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Nineteenth Sunday
after Pentecost:
Proper 22
October 3, 9:30 a.m.
HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person service inside the church.
ALSO this week: Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy - online at 9:30 a.m.
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Schedule for Sunday,
October 3
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Lector: Candy Charters (sub for Gruzesky)
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Crucifer: To Be Determined (sub for Gruzesky)
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Ushers: Jim King & Rick Kurtz
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Security Lockup: Jim King
Individual and late changes may not be included here due to composing and printing deadlines.
If you are not able to serve as scheduled, please contact Leah MacSwords, verger, as soon as possible prior to the service to let her know that a substitute is needed (lcmacs@aol.com or 502-545-0437).
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Your participation is important!
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
The Lay Ministries schedule for coming weeks is posted above, included in Sunday bulletins, and also displayed on the window of the parish office.
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Diocese of Lexington
to hold 125th Convention
on October 30, 2021
The 125th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Lexington will take place Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Taylor Center at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Winchester.
Ascension will be represented at the Convention by our Clergy (Father Peter Doddema, Deacon Rebecca Saager and Deacon Sue Kurtz) and Deputies elected at the Annual Meeting back in January (Julia Tyson, Senior Warden; Ginni Fox; Shannon Lancaster; and Leah MacSwords).
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RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC:
CHANGES & CHALLENGES
The COVID transmission map from the CDC and both Franklin and Anderson counties are back in the 'high' transmission rate categories, along with much of the Commonwealth. Our current adjustments include:
1) Checking temperatures when folks arrive.
2) Asking everyone to wear masks indoors.
3) Offering bread only at the Eucharist.
Please observe the latest recommendations from the CDC for your vaccinated or unvaccinated status. Note - if you are vaccinated:
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If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html 8/2/21
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Previous COVID-related strategies and guidelines still apply:
For the foreseeable future, Sunday worship will include both in-person and online worship. If you are comfortable attending live worship at the church, it is held at 9:30 a.m. If you are not yet comfortable attending worship at the church, we invite you to attend live worship through our Facebook page. One of the clergy will lead Morning Prayer on Facebook each Sunday, also at 9:30 a.m., and we will offer pre-recorded full services online as often as is possible/practical.
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is ongoing, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Signing in at the door, temperature checks, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas. The nursery is currently on hold; children are welcome in all services.
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ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff are spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home and 'round about the parish; personal meetings may be scheduled in advance. Church doors will remain locked if there is only one person in the building. However, full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages via the magic of cell phones, so please call 502-223-0557 whenever you need to reach us! (If we don’t answer immediately, please leave a message so we may return your call as promptly as possible.)
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Ascension is seeking ONE MORE paid, part-time nursery attendant to work with a small group of children, ages 0-4, on Sunday mornings, 9:00-11:30 a.m., and occasionally for special events (usually a couple of evening or weekend hours). This position is paid hourly and is part-time with no additional benefits. Must be over 18 and have/arrange reliable transportation.
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UPDATE: The Kroger Community Rewards program just paid Ascension $171.97 for the period from May 30 - August 28, 2021, representing a percentage of purchases from 33 households.
You can participate by simply shopping at Kroger's and designating Ascension - here is how to do that - then earn rewards for Ascension every time you scan your Kroger Plus Card (free to you)!
EVERYONE MUST RE-ENROLL in the Kroger Community Rewards Program in August of each year (through Kroger), so make sure your enrollment is up to date now!
If you have any questions about donations or pledges, please contact Mona Proctor in the parish office: call 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org.
THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension
with your time, treasure, and talents!
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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. Mark’s Church, Hazard - The Ven. Bryant Kibler, Sr., Priest-in-Partnership.
Recently in need of prayers: Angie, Florence, Linda, Matt, Mildred.
Continuing concern: Barbara, Bill, Dan, David, Deborah, Donnie, Faye, Jan & Dale, Jesse, Jinks, John, Josh, Julia, Kathy, Lynda, Mac, Marilyn, Melissa, Mike & Susie, Nancy, Patricia, Polly, Shannon, and Tandy. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, and Tanner.
Thanksgivings: for the witness and leadership of Bishop Mark Van Koevering and for his visit with us on Sunday.
Birthdays: 10/3 - Cody Davis; 10/4 - Jan Stevens; 10/6 - Nicole Doddema; 10/8 - Mac Elliott.
Anniversaries: 10/8 - Joe & Cynthia Campbell.
NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting us 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!
NEW: Please put ALL prayer requests in writing to Deacon Sue Kurtz
(email deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org or text 502-330-5358). Prayer requests must be received by end-of-day on Sunday to ensure publication in the next upcoming weekly newsletter and Sunday bulletin. ‘Recently in Need’ prayers will remain for ONE month only, unless requested again.
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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, Assisting 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 © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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