Volume 10, Issue #22 - May 28, 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
With both the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis and, closer to home, the hanging in effigy of the Governor this week, my heart is heavy as I write this. These violent actions can leave us confused, angry, numb, or even overwhelmed (e.g. "How can I make a difference? How can anything that I do impact this great evil?"). Here are a few reflections I have gathered, both from my own prayer and from discussion with wise colleagues.
1) These hate-fueled acts are not rational. They come from places of misery and terror: people literally living in hell here on earth. The family that I was raised in, though not partaking in these sorts of acts, was definitely mired in racism, homophobia, and a great fear of "the other." They were unable to understand the world around them, lacked even the most basic communication skills (so even if someone tried to talk with them, they were unable to listen or understand what was being said), and routinely misinterpreted what they read in the news. Any change was unsettling to them, and when society shifted in any large ways (e.g. changing demographics, greater inclusion of minorities and GLBTQ+ people in mainstream media, etc.) their sense of powerlessness and panic reached a crescendo.
2) We are people of faith and people of "the Book." Some of our dearest treasures are the Hebrew Scriptures, which show us the actions of our God up to 1,000 years before Jesus walked the earth. This means that 3,000 years ago, people were encountering the God that we worship and finding that God faithful. Recently, our Evening Prayer service included portions of Psalm 119, which at 176 verses is the longest of the psalms. That psalm is filled with the record of God's faithfulness to the Jewish people. Over and over, in spite of many political struggles and crises, these resilient, faithful people called on God and found God present. They witness to God walking with them through the good times and through the hard times. A God who watches over them like a mother hen watching her chicks, and a God who ultimately proves stronger than whoever or whatever the people are facing.
This is our God. This is our heritage. This God is much bigger than a few terrified, hate-filled people or actions.
3) In times of crisis, we are not expected to be adequate to meet every challenge. We are human and we have limits. No one person has succeeded in curing cancer, AIDS or in eradicating global hunger. When I read about the murder of my sisters and brothers of color, my heart sinks and I feel inadequate - I realize fully that I cannot solve this problem.
What we are expected to do is to get on our knees and pray. God is fully able to meet the challenges that confront us. AND the God who meets these challenges - the God who has proved faithful for 3,000 years - that God will guide us into any work to which we are called in response to these challenges. There is always work for us to do, but that work must be filled with and surrounded by God's wonderful grace (grace = that unexplainable, unfathomable good stuff that only God can do). In this way, the work is strengthened and able to succeed according to God's all-knowing plan. 🙂
Please pray with me for our country, for our leaders, for families that are grieving, and for God's grace to break through into the hearts of the people who feel that violence is appropriate.
With Love,
Peter+
cell 502-661-2742
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Reminder:
All Ascension videos 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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Hail Thee, Festival Day!
A Diocesan Celebration of Pentecost
Sunday, May 31
Following the success of the diocesan St. George's Day celebration last month, the Diocese of Lexington is planning a second diocese-wide service for Pentecost, to be shared with you on the morning of Sunday, May 31. Worship will include a service of the Word of God with Pentecost readings.
The service will be made available by video on
Sunday, May 31, on Facebook
and on other social media, as well as on the diocesan website at
d
iolex.org
.
We are looking forward to celebrating again with you. Please invite your friends!
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has joined other faith leaders in calling for a day of mourning and lament on
Monday, June 1
. This day is being set aside to recognize that here in the U.S., 100,000 people have died from COVID-19. We will be ringing Ascension's bell at 10:00 am. I ask that you join me, as you are able, at that time in prayer for those who have passed and for their loved ones.
- Father Peter
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NEW Book study for June/July:
LIVING JUDAISM
In June and July, Father Peter and Father Bill will team-teach an introductory class on Judaism. Father Bill lived, studied, and worked in Israel. Father Peter studied Judaism and Hebrew at seminary and traveled there in 2017.
The Jewish faith is, of course, the root of our own Christian faith. Jesus and his early disciples were Jewish, and they lived and worked in a Jewish world. Our hope is that by participating in this class, you will gain a deeper understanding of the Bible and fall more deeply in love with Scripture. (Plus, of course, it's going to be a ton of fun to learn together!)
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FOR THE EMERGENCY COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
OF FRANKLIN COUNTY
OR
make out your check to "Emergency Community Food Pantry" and mail it directly to the Food Pantry at PO Box 48, Frankfort KY 40602.
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The Emergency Community Food Pantry of Franklin County is
doing a virtual drive to collect monetary donations through their web site and also by mail.
The pandemic has affected the food pantry’s operations; they are experiencing record-breaking numbers of requests.
The drive will last the entire month of May.
Donors may contribute as much or as little as they wish, but to offer perspective, a single donation of $32 feeds a family of two for a week.
The pantry’s goal is to raise $24,000 in the month of May, which would usually be enough to purchase two months of groceries for the pantry.
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CALLING ALL GRADUATES!
Let us know who “our” graduates are this year, whether from high school, college, or other significant program. We are compiling a list, and need your help to let us know if Ascension parishioners or family members are graduating in 2020. Tell us the graduate’s name, school/program/degree, and if desired, plans for future school or work, and name(s) of their parents or connection to Ascension. This has been a very different year for these graduates, because of COVID-19. Help us acknowledge and celebrate their hard work and accomplishments!
Please include a favorite photo of the graduate, if possible.
Email to
info@ascensionfrankfort.org
, or leave a message for the office at 502-223-0557.
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, direction from government officials, and leadership from our bishops, there will be no worship services or any group meetings in the church building until further notice. If you have questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions to share, or if you have needs that your church family might help to meet, please contact Father Peter to discuss (email
fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org
, or call
502-661-2742
). You may also email Deacon Rebecca Saager (
curate@ascensionfrankfort.org
) or Deacon Sue Kurtz (
deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org
).
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ONLINE WORSHIP @ ASCENSION
- Sundays: Check out Ascension's Facebook page on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Father Peter will lead Morning Prayer (live from his home) OR there there will be an increasing number of recorded video services (in the church, with clergy and organist). Please log in if you're able and invite others to "attend" as well: we can all use a little prayer and community during this time!
- Father Peter is continuing to lead Sunday morning Bible study (currently the Gospel of Matthew) through ZOOM, starting at 11:00 a.m. Please text or email him (contact info is above) if you want to be added to this group.
- Daily: Father Peter is leading Evening Prayer at 6:30 p.m. on our Facebook page, beginning with any announcements as needed. All are welcome!
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Deacon Sue is leading Compline at 8:00 p.m. on our Facebook page. Join her and say hello!
- Saturdays: Centering Prayer meetings are now held online via ZOOM every Saturday at 10:00 a.m., led by Scott Kimbel. Everyone is invited and welcome, whether you are new or practiced with this technique. If you would like to attend, please contact Father Peter for the meeting link and password.
FACEBOOK:
Check it out, and comment to let others know you're watching! We also post announcements, articles, and links of interest on this page, so check it often.
ZOOM:
After contacting the group leader to sign up, you will receive a specific email invitation for EACH meeting, containing a link to click from your computer or smart device for voice and video, or alternately, a number to call from any phone for voice only.
VIDEOS:
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includes
our church building!
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MEETINGS & OFFICE HOURS
Regular office hours remain suspended until further notice; clergy and staff are working (mostly) from home.
Group meetings of three or more people should NOT be held on church grounds until further notice. Investigate using cell phone conferencing, Facebook Live, ZOOM, or other remote meeting options. See status update from Father Peter, above.
Having a key does NOT mean that you are authorized to enter/use the building during this period of mandatory closure. If your group "needs to meet" - CHECK FIRST with Father Peter for authorization or options. Building traffic should be absolutely minimal.
Father Peter, Mona Proctor, and other clergy and staff may sometimes be working from home, or may be in and out of the office occasionally. Our Sexton, David Gierlach, and cleaning person, Anita Rogers, will continue their duties on their own schedules. Other people are asked not to visit the office/church building without prior authorization from Father Peter. "Healthy at Work" guidelines apply to everyone in the building.
Our clergy team continues to work to stay in touch with our members who are sick or homebound, but in-person visits will be kept to a minimum during this time.
Please note: Our antiquated phone system will not allow us to update the 'outgoing announcement' voicemail messages! We hope to have the problem corrected at some point, but even if the message you hear is outdated, you may still leave a message. We will hear it the next time we are in the building, whenever that may be. If your message needs immediate attention, please contact Father Peter directly
(email
fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org
, or call
502-661-2742
).
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OUTREACH
While the church is closed, our tradition of serving breakfast on Sunday morning is also suspended. However, there are still other ways that we can continue our mission of outreach. Monetary donations are always helpful, but not the only option.
Rather than focusing on WHEN we can start doing outreach again in the way to which we have become accustomed, give some thought to HOW you (and we, Ascension) might expand or innovate other methods of outreach in this difficult time. Talk to Father Peter or one of the deacons or a vestry member about your ideas.
And don't forget to reach out to each other!
Always in mind is
Simon House
, which we work to support throughout the year. They are in desperate need of household supplies and food items. Here is their current wishlist:
https://www.simonhouseonline.org/Our_Wishlist.htm
Note: During this critical time, donations should go directly to Simon House, NOT to the church.
Always call first to arrange a drop-off: 502-223-2138.
With all three of the city’s homeless shelters at or near capacity, Simon House is also coordinating a
new temporary emergency shelter
that can house up to 40 people - now up running at F.D. Wilkinson Gymnasium at 315 Ewing St. They are in need of food, supplies, and volunteers. Contact Simon House (above) for more details.
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MONTHLY RECEIPTS
5/1/20: $1,860
5/8/20: $3,575
5/15/20: $4,102
5/21/20: $5,408
We hope that our continuing video-produced and live services are providing you some spiritual fulfillment during these difficult times. Please note the schedule for our continuing services on Facebook and our web site. We commend all clergy, staff, and lay parishioners who are generously giving their time and talents to these digital endeavors.
We know this is a time of uncertainty and difficulty for all of us. As you take care of yourselves now, physically and financially, you will be able to help others later. If you have lost a job, need money for groceries or housing, or face some other hardship due to the pandemic, please feel free to talk with Father Peter, Deacon Rebecca, or Deacon Sue. They are 'plugged in' to channels for finding assistance that you might not know.
Please note that during this critical time, obligations of your Parish continue. We must continue to pay for payroll, utilities, facility maintenance, insurance, and more. We want to make sure that our doors can reopen when this crisis is eased. Our 2020 budget is already quite lean, and your gifts of time and treasure are crucial to the mission of the Episcopal Church of Ascension, Frankfort, Kentucky.
In recent years we worked and prayed together to meet serious financial challenges. Please continue your pledge payments and make other donations as you are able.
Address any payments sent by U.S. Mail to Church of the Ascension, 311 Washington Street, Frankfort KY 40601. If you are out of envelopes or stamps to send a paper check, we will be glad to mail you a supply. Email info@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-223-0557.
You may drop offerings and other paperwork, contained in an envelope, into the locked church mailbox. It is a brass box located on the parish hall porch that is nearest the main church door, mounted on the brick wall to the right of the steps.
If you would like to give "automatically" by authorizing a regular monthly deduction from your bank account, contact the office to get that started.
You may also donate to Ascension online: using a credit card at
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ascensionfrankfort
(You do NOT need a PayPal account to do this - just a credit card. Only PayPal sees your credit card number, not anyone at Ascension. This is considered to be a very safe, secure way to give online.)
If you have questions about the church budget or expenses, talk to any 2020 Vestry member, or to William Legg, Treasurer, or Mike Oder, Assistant Treasurer, or Jim King, Finance Committee Chair.
Please take care of yourselves and shepherd your resources. May God bless us all.
William Legg
Treasurer
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for Summer 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19.
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This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
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May 31, 2020
Daily Office Lectionary
Day of Pentecost, Year Two - BCP 965
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Intercessions for the Church:
The Anglican Communion - The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby,
105th Archbishop of Canterbury,
The Most Rev. Michael Curry,
27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
Recently in need of prayers:
Barbara; Bill; Candy & Tony; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Ginni; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh;
Lara;
Linda; Madonna; Mae; Marie; Shirley.
Continuing concern:
Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Scott & Kathy; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Birthdays:
6/2 - Jeff Laird; 6/3 - Don Saager; 6/5 - Frances Bradshaw.
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
- The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
- The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus
- The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
- The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
- Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
- Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator
- Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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