"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96

11:00 a.m., Sunday, November 1

(Click here)

11:00 a.m. In-Person Mass - Reservation Required: Click here

Image: Communion of Saints, by Philippine artist Notitzki Tremonto

Please note: if you have not yet taken part in an in-person mass, please click here to be linked to the September 23rd newsletter with information you will want to know before registereing, upon arrival and during and after the mass.

New reduced attendance limit for in-person worship, effective immediately. An email last night from a senior member of Bishop Lee's staff now directs that, due to rising COVID-19 cases in Cook County, attendance numbers for all Chicago Episcopal churches be reduced to no more than 25 persons in the building at any one time. To reach this number, and taking into account ministers in the sanctuary, the organist and the usher/greeter team, we will be reducing the number of available spots in the pews to 18 (as reflected in the links from this newsletter for Sunday, November 1). The letter from the Rev. Courtney Reid may be read here, and a link to a Tribune story about Governor Pritzker's related executive order may be read here.

A Conversation with our Bishop candidates on Friday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m. represents one of the next steps in the Diocese of Chicago Bishop search. The conversation noted is only one of several in which you may participate but has been specially earmarked for Chicago North Deanery and Chicago South Deanery congregations and ministries. I'll provide additional information in the next two weeks' newsletters. Meanwhile, numerous related links are provided in a feature toward the end of this newsletter. Allow me to remind you as well, that December 12 bishop electors from Ascension will include Gary Alexander, Patrick Johnston and Jay Peterson, in addition to all ordained clergy. If you have thoughts about any candidate(s) please do share them.

I continue to have little specific information to provide with regard to either worship services or outreach commitments for Thanksgiving through Christmas. In the absence of volunteer leaders for a Thanksgiving outreach effort, the Vestry decided at its October 17 meeting to devote the related funds to the food pantry, where the needs are steadily increasing. An opportunity for an outreach project in December is still possible but would also be subject to leadership. Please contact me if your hand is raised.

Separately, I had a lengthy Zoom meeting on Tuesday with clergy and staff as well as seminarian Bonnie Scott. We all recognize that many souls will be eager to connect during the holidays and that present circumstances call for improvisation. In the coming week, I will present the same group with a draft plan for holiday masses. We hope to refine it and communicate it to you soon thereafter. Thanks again for your patience.

... apropos of Deacon George's muse ...

"Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." - BCP page 822

I will let Choirmaster Benamin Rivera give you more information another time, but you may now find some Choir of the Ascension recordings at soundcloud.com. Click here or on the image to the left. I can heartily commend the recording of Tallis' If ye love me at the top of the list!

Our All Souls Requiem Mass for all the faithful departed will be live-streamed (only) on Monday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. (preceded by Evening Prayer, also live-streamed, at 6:00 p.m.). Those wishing for the names of the departed to be included in the necrology that will be read read at the requiem should send an email to Br. Nathanael Rahm in the parish office or call him at (312) 664-1271, no later than Noon on Thursday, October 29. Look for more information in next week's newsletter.

Can you help host a virtual coffee hour? We started our Sunday virtual coffee hours almost immediately after pandemic restrictions took effect. For many, they have provided a meaningful connection opportunity at a time where meaningful connections are hard to come by. Those of us who hosted prior to the start of in-person worship are no longer able to be present or host. We'd love to identify a half dozen hosts who would serve on a rotating basis. This role is low-tech (if you are already able to Zoom) and high reward. Training is available. Please contact me or either warden.

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 Thursday, November 5th, for several hours beginning by 10 a.m. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org. 

For the Novice, Newbie, or tech-challenged: It may be easier than you know. We've simplified instructions on the sheet that you can view by clicking here. Please know that you can block your camera (and don't need one to start with), and you could join our Scripture study or Virtual Coffee Hour, for instance, without having to say a word. Give it a try.

For our prayers: Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda, Charlene MacDougal, Marty Stenson, David Byerly, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Nicholas Carl, Sara, the Howard family, John, Owen Raymond, Diane Burnett, Sandra, Rhea, Doreen Rao, Steven Wallis, Fr. Lawrence Larson

Birthdays: Cynthia Perrizo, 10/30; Fr. Robert Petite, 11/2; Olive Milewczyk, 11/3

Bishop Candidates: The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark, The Rev. Edwin Daniel Johnson,

Requiescat in pace: David L. Brooks, 10/25/2008; Jean D. Gehrke, 10/26/2007;

To read the announcement of Bishop Candidates by the Standing Committee of the diocese, click here.

To read about the canonical 'Petition Process' that provides an opportunity for additional Candidates to be considered, through Monday, October 12, click here.

To read about the four present Candidates and their impressive and diverse qualifications as presented by the Bishop Search Committee, click here.

To learn about ground already covered in the bishop search or about the upcoming Candidate Conversations or December election, click here.

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p. 818

A poem on the theme of elections seems right for today's Last Word. I almost did not read, and was hesitant to include, Vachel Lindsay's 2005 poem, below, because of it's title, Why I Voted the Socialist Ticket. But I did give it a chance and found it to be as or more theological than ideological. Hope it may strike a chord with some of you.

- Fr. Raymond +

From Collectyed Poems, 2005, Kessinger.