"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + August 19, 2020 |
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(Virtual) Town Hall Meeting
"Returning to in-person worship: When? How? Who?"
Sunday, August 23, 10:15 a.m. via Zoom
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More information is provided below, in today's message from the Rector. |
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This evening, August 19
Feria in Ordinary Time
Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass, 6:30 p.m.
Image: The Syrophoenecian Woman,
icon by Robert Lentz
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Sunday, August 23
Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. Town Hall Meeting
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
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Frustration & A Town Hall Meeting
You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place… - Dr. Seuss, 'O, the places you'll go'
"I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine." - St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 1:11-12
Dear people of Ascension,
A congenial tone at Sunday's virtual coffee hour turned bristly, I felt, just as we were ending. Questions arose, and comments were made, about when our doors would re-open for in-person worship. I admit to having felt defensive and thought but did not say,. "So much is being done to move us forward!"
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Later I realized: Nearly all of the communication about our situation has originated with me and has been one-way only. Many of you may naturally feel on the outside, not only literally but in terms of the pace of things and decisions.
My 'Aha!' leads me to feel a town hall meeting of sorts may be in order, and I welcome you to Zoom in on Sunday, 10:15-11:00 a.m. to share your thoughts and questions. I've asked the wardens to join me and I believe one or both will be available. Tomorrow I will also ask all of our task force members to be present if able. Some additional details are filled in, and additional background materials provided, below.
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The town hall meeting may or may not hasten our opening, but perhaps it will answer some questions and relieve some frustration. Even better, it may allow more of us to see how we're all in this together, aspiring to the same goal and working and praying to attain it. |
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With regard to Sunday's 10:15 a.m. town hall meeting ...
If you intend to actively participate in it, you may wish to be well-informed by previewing one or more of the following documents:
If you would like to submit a question in advance, please do so no later than
If you can't take part Sunday or can't/won't Zoom: Use the same email links above or make a phone call or use your carrier pigeon or ...
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"You saw it here first ..." |
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I'm guessing I may not be the only one losing some sleep lately...
I was recently revising a card with prayers that I sometimes share in pastoral care situations. Given the stress of these times, I thought a prayer for sleep might be a good addition, but I wasn't particularly drawn to the Collect for Sleep in the Book of Common Prayer. (Yes, there is one, p. 461.) I instead wrote and added this:
Creator of all days and nights and giver of life: bless me now with the precious gift of sleep; free me from all anxieties as I abide in your tender care; and renew my body, mind and spirit so that I may again rise to serve you in good health and with joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Requiescat in pace: Sr. Barbara Louise OSA
Following up, briefly for now, on Sister Barbara's August 11 death:
+ Plans have not yet been made for a requiem mass, mainly due to the obstacles and complications faced at and after the time of death in all cases at this time.
+ A Committal will take place, when the time comes, in the Ascension columbarium. (In one communication last week, I misleadingly included information about Order of St. Anne burial plots at a cemetery on Chicago's northwest side.)
For those wishing to communicate condolences:
Mother Judith Marie, OSA
Convent of St. Anne
1125 North LaSalle Drive
Chicago, IL 60610
or Sister Barbara's brother and her sister-in-law
Robert and Mary Drell
2172 Coral Lane
Glenview, IL 60026
(312) 636-8400
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An Alley Mystery Solved
The alley behind Ascension has been torn up a half dozen times since Memorial Day, in each case due to a search for a gas leak. It was finally discovered yesterday -- coming from what People's Gas workers call a 'phantom line,' in this case a defunct line from a system installed in the late 1800s and last servicing the A&P grocery store, torn down in the late 1960s, that had been adjacent to the Rectory.
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Aug. 22 'cleaning crew' invitation from Carol Noren |
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All who volunteered by way of the recent survey to take part in our cleaning crew are urged to attend an orientation session at the church at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 22nd. The session will last under an hour. Thank you for volunteering. I hope to see you -- with your masks!-- on the 22nd.
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I previously forgot to offer but do so now ...
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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. Another exception: your participation with a mask in the August 22 cleaning crew training. 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 Tuesday, September 8, for several hours beginning by 10 a.m. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org.
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This Week's Featured Chorister:
Cassidy Smith, mezzo-soprano
Year of my first service at Ascension: 2018
One or two of my favorite Mass settings/motets that I’ve sung at Ascension: It's almost impossible to name a favorite, so I'll pick two that are standing out from recent memory. I loved singing Messe brève en l'honneur de Sainte Anne by Guy Ropartz with my fellow treble voices. As a mezzo-soprano who usually sings Alto 2, I am used to singing in the middle of the choral texture. In a treble choir there are no tenors or basses singing lower than us, so I get to enjoy the ensemble from a different perspective. But of course I love singing with the full might of the Ascension Choir too. Singing Hallelujah for double chorus, from Revelation by Patrick Hawes was a fun and invigorating challenge. The Ascension Choir can tackle just about anything, and Benjamin knows it! I love the wide variety of repertoire we sing throughout the year.
One of my favorite things about singing at Ascension is... the people! I feel so fortunate to make music with my amazing colleagues in the Ascension Choir. Everyone is professional and prepared, which allows us to have a good time. Certainly there are stressful moments (when making music at this level, there always are!), but we come through stronger as an ensemble and as friends. I'm also thankful for the amazing support of the Ascension community. From my first day in 2018, everyone at Ascension has made me feel welcome and appreciated.
What else do I do outside of Ascension? I sing with a number of local ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus and the Grant Park Chorus. I also tour with an education outreach company called Opera for the Young. This past year's tour of The Pirates of Penzance was cut short, but I'm looking forward to 2021 when we will hopefully be able to bring Hansel and Gretel to elementary schools throughout the Midwest. When I'm not singing, and there is snow on the ground, I'm skiing. I grew up in Colorado and as soon as I could walk, my parents put me on skis. Chicago isn't really known for its mountains, so I have to travel to find the good terrain, which is great because it usually means spending time with my family! During the long months between ski seasons I enjoy spending time by the lake, cooking, reading, puzzles, and attending concerts.
Cassidy will sing our Communion Solo on Sunday, August 23rd,
Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) Sperent in te
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Sunday's Organ Repertoire |
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Opening Voluntary
Entrée CFF 37 [ca. 1850]
César-Auguste Franck (1822-1890)
Hymn At the Offertory
LAUDES DOMINI
"When morning gilds the skies"
Closing Voluntary
Allegretto comme Offertoire CFF 41
(Cinq Pièces, 1863)
César-Auguste Franck
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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 the (stay-at-home) time being
All connections are
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).
SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Mass
10:15 a.m. Scripture reflection
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
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, Jim Lo Bello, Marty Stenson, Donna Neglia, Jessica, Maxim, Ted Long, Ken Kelling, David Byerly, Nicholas Carl, Leigh McDonald, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Larry Witry, Tony Payne, Sara, the Howard family, Susan
In Thanksgiving
Birthdays: Jim Caldwell, 8/19; Marvin Files, 8/19; Peter Frame, 8/20/2003; Elizabeth Way McLaughlin, 8/20; The Rev. Shane Gormley, 8/20
Anniversaries: Benjamin & Alexia Rivera, 8/22/2010; John West & David White, 8/23/1999
Requiescat in pace: Joann Bruce Montgomery, 8/20/2013; Lucy Valla, 8/21/2014;
Father James Dunkerley, 8/16/18; Dave Norén, 8/22/2010
Prayers for the departed:
Mary Lou Devens, 8/5/2020, Sr. Barbara Louise OSA, 8/11/2020,
James Govis 8/12/20, Mike Lazos, 8/16/20
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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A longtime personal friend, conservatory faculty member and church musician,
Dr. Tony Payne, recently shared with me his text for a new hymn, below. Because the hymn awaits completion of a tune and publication, and for other reasons, Dr. Payne asks for particular respect of his copyright but was also pleased to honor my request to share it with you as a prayer particularly fitting to this time we now share.
- Fr. Raymond +
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GREAT PHYSICIAN, TEND
Tony Payne
Great Physician, tend
Every stranger, every friend
Heal and comfort, now restore:
Virus, curse no more
Sanction every breath
Free us from the fear of death;
Let us only breathe pure air,
Safely everywhere
Even now, Renew
Homes and schools and churches, too
Help us rediscover love,
Hope and faith and truth
Unify us, Lord
Heal us through your glorious Word;
By your mercy, let us be
Vessels of your peace.
Refrain
Great Physician, tend
Every stranger, every friend.
God, Creator, Christ the Son,
Do your work as one!
Copyright 2020 by Tony Payne.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. Do not duplicate.
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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