Dear People of Ascension,

Every seven years, clergy in the Diocese of New York are entitled to 3 months of sabbatical, a time for refreshment and renewal. After the intensity of the last two pandemic years, our Bishops have particularly urged us to take this time, which is separate from our regular vacations.

Both Fr. Ed and I are due for sabbaticals (in fact Ed is overdue). Not wanting to be away from the parish at the same time, we have decided to divide our time, with me taking one month this year and two more in 2023, and Ed taking two months this year and a final month next year. We are very grateful to Mtr. Posey, who has agreed to provide extra pastoral support when each of us is away.

I will be on sabbatical from immediately after the Feast of Pentecost (Sunday, June 5) until Tuesday, July 5. My plan for the month is truly to rest- to spend time in nature hiking and on the water; to sleep; to read, reflect and pray; and to spend some time with good friends, my daughter and of course Finn. I will mostly be out of the city in either upstate New York or New England but will come and go as the Spirit moves me. I look forward to it very much.

I know that the parish will be in excellent hands in my absence, with my clergy colleagues managing pastoral, liturgical and program matters, the wardens in charge of canonical and business decisions, and our fine parish staff continuing to do their usual fine jobs day to day. I am grateful to them all, as well as to the vestry for their support in making this sabbath time possible. I trust that I will return to you with new energy and inspiration for our ministry together.

Wishing for all of us the blessings of deep rest and renewal,

Liz

Click this link for this Sunday's bulletin & hymns.

Since the majority of online parishioners access our services via our Local Live link, and since our Zoom host has graduated NYU and returning to Arkansas, we are replacing the Zoom Sunday service with the Local Live livestream.

Sunday coffee hour and Evening Prayer will still continue on Zoom.

How to Add Prayer Requests Online for Sunday Service - Go to Ascensionnyc.org/Prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them before the end of the sermon.

Please join us for coffee hour in in the front garden (weather permitting.)

If you watched us via Zoom, then just remain online (or grab a cup of coffee first!) If you watched via the webcast, grab that coffee and click the Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday link.

In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Sirkka Kyle or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620

Masks must be worn at all times while indoors

Vaccination is strongly encouraged.

Celebrate Sirkka This Sunday, May 22nd, after the service- We are sad that our dear Sirkka Kyle is moving to Vermont to live with her daughter Meg! Today we will gather after the 11 am service to wish her Godspeed, and celebrate her 68 years at Ascension, her myriad contributions to this community and our abiding affection across miles and years. Please plan to join us, and if you would like to contribute to the festivities, please speak with David Cholcher (dwcnnyc@yahoo.com) or Matt Vermedahl.(mtverm@gmail.com).

Racial Justice meeting- this Wednesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm. We continue with our discussion of Fortune by Lisa Sharon Harper; please read Section 2, Degradation and Resistance, pp.95-162. In addition, in light of the massacre in Buffalo last weekend, we will include discussion of "replacement theory" and commend this podcast and short article for your listening and learning:

by Heather Cox Richardson

Yesterday, an 18-year-old white man murdered 10 people and wounded three others with an AR-15. The shooter traveled more than 200 miles to get to a predominantly Black neighborhood, where he put on heavy body armor and live streamed his attack as he gunned down people grocery shopping. Eleven of those he shot were Black.

[Click here to read the full article)

The Daily

Over the weekend, an 18-year-old man livestreamed himself shooting 13 people and killing 10. The suspect wrote online that he was motivated by replacement theory. What are the origins of this theory, and how has it become simultaneously more extreme and more mainstream? Guest: Nicholas Confessore, a political and investigative reporter for The New York Times.

[Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts]

Please join us on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 26 at 7:00 p.m., when the Rt. Rev. Andrew M. L. Dietsche will be with us to celebrate, baptize, and confirm on our special feast day.

Each year at Pentecost various parishioners join in the reading for the Acts passage with languages they know. Would you like to help the clergy coordinate this? Do you speak another language that you’d like to share in this service? Please contact the church office if you would like to assist at info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.

Our Pantry Needs Volunteers - Since March 2020 our pantry program has enjoyed the robust participation of highly committed volunteers. And while we anticipate this will remain the case to great extent, it happens that on Saturday May 21, 2022 – schedules being what they are – a critical mass of our regulars is unable to be with us due to work and play. Could you spare a couple of hours that morning? We begin at 8am and work until around 9:45am. Please consider joining us. It’s a very enjoyable and fulfilling time of service and fellowship. If you are feeling moved to join us, or have any questions, please let Fr. Ed know. (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org)

Many thanks! May is AAPI month and our service population is majority Asian immigrant! What a great way to show solidarity!

The situation in Haiti is difficult at this time, and Fr. Sam Owen asked Fr. Phanord of St. Luke's in Martel what we in New York could do for their community. Fr. Phanord asked first for our prayers, and then for help purchasing equipment to help their music program. As Fr. Sam said, in times of crisis, music is more important than ever, and he wondered whether we at Ascension might be especially moved to help with this need.

   The goal is to raise $3,850 to purchase a piano, speakers, a mixer, generator and batteries. At our April meeting Ascension's vestry designated $1500 towards music for Martel, with the hope that our congregation might be able to match it. If you would like to help, you can do so through abundant giving (be sure to designate "NY Haiti Project") or through a check to the Ascension with "NY Haiti Project" in the memo line. Many thanks for your generosity!

Helping Ukraine - Here are two ways you can help with the crisis in Ukraine:

New! Electronic Credit Card Receipts - Do you pay your pledge with your credit card? If so, you will now be receiving a receipt from the bookkeeper via email or text message on your phone. This is not spam or phishing. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 212-254-8620

The news has reported heightened security alerts for possible computer hacks from Russia. For your personal systems and accounts, the absolute best protection falls to you. Here are some excellent ways you can secure your systems:

If you received a phishing message, do not reply, just delete it or move it to your spam folder.

How to recognize Phishing –The first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t “sound” like the person you know. Their phrasing and choice of words are just a little “off”. Second, if you look closely at the sender’s actual email address or phone number it will be something strange and will not be any contact information you know for this person. What to do? The most important thing is do not reply. The best thing to do is to delete it or move it to your junk/spam folder. If you receive a Phishing text or email feel free to let the parish administrator know (212-254-8620 or apjones@ascensionnyc.org). Check out bit.ly/2TJwAYx for more tips.

Monday Evening Lectionary Bible Study -- Join us Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is an opportunity to read and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. If you are interested in joining, please contact Sibyl Piccone.

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Church & Online)

Reception for Sirkka Kyle following the service

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m. If interested, please contact Sibyl Piccone

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

EfM (Zoom) 6:00 pm

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Racial Justice Discussion Group (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Ascension Day Service (Church) 7:00 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

The Food Pantry meets the 1st & 3rd Saturdays of the month. If you are in need of assistance or would like to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org)

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Church & Online)

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street

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