Volume 11, Issue #4
January 28, 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
There is so much to be thankful for at Ascension; I am writing this week to express that. We had a lovely annual meeting this past Sunday with a lot of laughter, some computer hiccups (which were eventually fixed), and overall, great news. The parish ended 2020 "in the black" financially, which is something to celebrate in the middle of this pandemic. Thank you everyone who contributed time, talent, and treasure over the past year. Much of our ability to meet our budget came from people donating time, energy, and services to the church so that we did not have to pay for outside contractors, etc. SO GRATEFUL for each of you!
We also celebrated leadership at our annual meeting: giving thanks for good work by outgoing vestry members and convention deputies and also welcoming new folks to these roles. Ascension is really blessed with a lot of talented, experienced leaders and with a lot of level-headed, common-sense folks who bring their wisdom and life experiences "to the table" to continually make us a better place. This is such a healthy congregation and it is a blessing to be your priest!
At the annual meeting, I briefly outlined my two congregational goals for 2021:
1) Grow our membership: God is doing a lot of great work here at Ascension and I strongly believe that we are called to share our healthy, healing parish with our wider community. This goal is easily, painlessly attainable through simple steps, even in a pandemic! For example, if you attend our online worship services, click the "share" button after you get tune in to worship. When you "share" the worship service on your own Facebook page, you are automatically inviting all of your Facebook friends to join you in worship. See: an easy and painless way to invite several hundred people to church, with the click of a button!
2) Fundraise and replace our 30-year-old HVAC system. At the meeting, we heard a good summary of this from Ron Gruzesky, our outgoing Junior Warden ("the property guy") and from Jim King, the head of our Finance Committee. The heating and air-conditioning systems at Ascension are beyond their lifespan and are regularly wearing out. The systems are old enough that parts are harder to find and often have to be fabricated, adding additional costs to repairs.
This is a good time to do this work: we are not currently worshiping in the sanctuary, etc. so this extensive, somewhat messy work can be done without disrupting services or aggravating people's allergies.
Some excellent background work has already been done on this: the cost of the equipment was negotiated to ~$38,000, a very good price. And, while there will be a capital campaign within our church (to which I plan to donate), 'outside' or legacy donors may be interested as well.
So: please keep these two goals in your thoughts and prayers, and please support them as you are able!
Again, as I said above, SO MUCH GOOD STUFF to celebrate at Ascension! Well done, everyone, for praying, caring, donating, and walking together through 2020. Please continue this good work as we look toward vaccines and continuing vitality and growth at our parish!
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
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Fourth Sunday
after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 31
9:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer
Please join us! This service will be streamed LIVE on Facebook.
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Finding us on Facebook sometimes causes confusion. We have TWO Ascension addresses on Facebook:
Visible to the public, posts may be made ONLY by Administrators; comments allowed from anyone. Please report any unsuitable comments to Father Peter or Mona. This Page is for general info and announcements for the public to see and comment.
Visible to the public but posts may be made by Administrators AND by all 'accepted' members of the Group (so anyone can share a photo, announcement, etc.); comments allowed from anyone. Please report any unsuitable comments to Father Peter or Mona. This Group is for the public to see and for group members to share posts.
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Sunday, January 31, 2021
11:00 a.m.
The Ordination of
Kenneth Allen Pierce
to the Sacred Order of Priests
Please join the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky for this holy service.
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Vestry Officers: The new Vestry met briefly after the general parish meeting and elected these officers for 2021: Julia Peavler Tyson, Senior Warden; Jim King, Junior Warden; Judith Spencer, Clerk; William Legg, Treasurer; Pauline Van Horn, Assistant Treasurer.
Election of Ascension Deputies and Alternate(s) to the 2021 Diocesan Convention: Our elected Deputies for 2021 are Julia Tyson (Senior Warden), Ginni Fox, Shannon Lancaster, and Leah MacSwords, with Judith Spencer as an Alternate.
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LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Starting Wednesday, February 3
Online via ZOOM
What happens when a priest (or a parishioner) gets disillusioned with the Church? How do they find their way?
Our Lenten book study features a book that wrestles with that. Barbara Brown Taylor, a famous Episcopal priest, preacher, and college professor, found herself burned out on Church. Her book, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, talks about how she faced this and gradually healed. The (completely unexpected) prescription for her faith crisis came from teaching a world religion class to Appalachian students at a local college.
We will begin this online book study on Wednesday, February 3. The book is available in paperback, Kindle, and audible; it is a warm and refreshing read.
Please let Mona know if you would like to participate (email info@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-223-0557). Watch your email in the last week of January for the ZOOM link.
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includes our church building!
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If you elected to give in 2021 by an automated bank donation (ACH), please be aware that NEW or CHANGED 2021 ACH payments will not start until February, so your January pledge payment(s) should be made by regular check(s). ACH withdrawals unchanged from 2020 will continue uninterrupted through January and the remainder of the year. Watch for and be sure to confirm the amount of your first 2021 withdrawal with your bank on the 15th and/or 30th of January or February, accordingly.
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.
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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. Thomas Church, Beattyville - The Ven. Bryant C. Kibler, Sr., Priest-in-Partnership.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Betty; Bill; Correll; Debbie; Donnie; Faye & Steve; Jennifer & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Kay; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Ruth; Scott & Kathy, Shannon, and Taylor.
Continuing concern: Barbara; Betty; Bobbie Lee; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; the Duncan Family; Edith & Marion; Erika; Fran & Doug; Gillian; Ginni; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Jean; Jinks; June; Mac; Mae & Frank; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; and Polly. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Thanksgivings: for recovery for those who have been ill or hospitalized, and for new vaccines; for birthdays and anniversaries; for all the friends and families who make up our congregation; and special thanks for the service of outgoing vestry members (Laura Buffenmyer, Ginni Fox, Ron Gruzesky, Rick Kurtz, and Shannon Lancaster), and for those who agreed to stand for election as incoming vestry members (Kristi Buffenmyer, Cynthia Campbell, Suzanne Cox, and Jim King) and as deputies to the 2021 Diocesan Convention (Ginni Fox, Shannon Lancaster, Leah MacSwords, and Judith Spencer).
Birthdays: 2/2 - Polly Coblin; 2/4 - David Gierlach.
Anniversaries: 2/5 - Richard & Ruth Feindel.
Recently Departed: Jack Hoover (husband of Karen Hoover);
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 © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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