Volume 11, Issue #51
December 23, 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
As we celebrate Christmas Eve and birth of Jesus, I simply want to encourage you to participate in worship here at Ascension. The service times are listed in the newsletter and offer a variety of in-person and online options. This is one of the two holiest times of the year and it is good for our hearts to stop, kneel, and worship. My family and I wish you a safe, blessed, and joyful Christmas!
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With Joy,
Peter+
The Rev. Peter Doddema
502-661-2742
Sunday Bible Study classes will resume in person and via Zoom on January 9 after a holiday break.
Wednesday Book Study will resume via Zoom on January 12 to discuss our next subject of study. More information coming soon.
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NOTE
CLERGY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS
Father Peter, Deacon Rebecca, and Deacon Sue each has a discretionary fund that they use to help people in need. Sometimes this help can be for rent assistance, childcare costs, a tank of gas, or a bag of groceries. These clergy funds come only from specifically designated gifts and not from the general church budget. All expenditures are audited annually.
As you can imagine, with cold weather and the holidays there are greater needs in our community resulting in deacons' funds, in particular, being quickly depleted.
If you are able to contribute something to these funds, the deacons would be most grateful. Please write your check payable to Church of the Ascension. On the memo line note that your gift should go to either Deacon Rebecca’s or Deacon Sue's discretionary funds (or be split between them). Thank you for your care for our community!
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Christmas Eve:
Midnight Mass
Friday, December 24
Music starts at 10:00 p.m.
Service starts at 10:30 p.m.
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church.
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Christmas Day
Saturday, December 25
10:00 a.m.
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite I
OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church.
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First Sunday after Christmas:
Christmas
Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 26
10:00 a.m.
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite I
OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church.
ALSO today: Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy, online at 9:30 a.m.
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The parish office will be CLOSED from Monday, December 27, through Saturday, January 1, to give our clergy and staff a holiday break. If you have a pastoral emergency during this time, please leave a message on the office phone at 502-223-0557 for a prompt reply.
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Check our Online Calendar
See all services, events, meetings, and various activities that are scheduled on church property and social media. View the calendar as monthly, weekly, or an agenda list, with custom printing options. Keep an eye on what's coming up at Ascension! (During COVID, in-person events may be limited and must be pre-approved.)
Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
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MINISTRY TEAMS will rotate in order, weekly, as shown above. Individual and late changes may not be included here due to composing and publishing deadlines. If you are not able to serve as scheduled, please contact Leah MacSwords, verger, as soon as possible prior to the service to let her know that a substitute is needed (lcmacs@aol.com or 502-545-0437).
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Your participation is important!
NEW TEAMS will be assigned and scheduled in January upon election of new Vestry members.
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
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FOOD DRIVE
for the
The Emergency Community Food Pantry
of Franklin County
PLEASE BRING FOOD ITEMS TO ASCENSION
ON DEC 24-26 or ON JAN 2
FOR COLLECTION AND DELIVERY
(Note: The parish office/building will be CLOSED
during the weekdays of December 27-31.)
AND / OR: The Emergency Community Food Pantry of Franklin County is conducting a Virtual Food Drive: Instead of giving nonperishable items, they are asking for your financial contribution (which is also nonperishable!). They will use your donation to purchase the food needed to fill food requests. They purchase in bulk, therefore receive a better price per item.
How to Participate in the Virtual Food Drive:
or make out a check to the Emergency Community Food Pantry and mail it directly to PO Box 48, Frankfort, KY 40602.
Consider giving in these ways or in another amount that is comfortable to you:
- $10 will purchase macaroni and cheese for 5 families for a week
- $30 will purchase pasta and sauce for 15 families for a week
- $100 will purchase peanut butter for 40 families for a week
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SAVE THE DATE!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23
11:00 a.m.
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RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC:
CHANGES & CHALLENGES
The COVID transmission map from the CDC and both Franklin and Anderson counties are back in the 'high' transmission rate categories, along with much of the Commonwealth. Our current adjustments include:
1) Checking temperatures when folks arrive.
2) Asking everyone to wear masks indoors.
Please observe the latest recommendations from the CDC for your vaccinated or unvaccinated status. Note - if you are vaccinated:
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If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html 8/2/21
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Previous COVID-related strategies and guidelines still apply:
For the foreseeable future, Sunday worship will include both in-person and online worship. If you are comfortable attending live worship at the church, it is held at 9:30 a.m. If you are not yet comfortable attending worship at the church, we invite you to attend live worship through our Facebook page. One of the clergy will lead Morning Prayer on Facebook each Sunday, also at 9:30 a.m., and we will offer pre-recorded full services online as often as is possible/practical.
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is ongoing, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Signing in at the door, temperature checks, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas. Children are welcome in all services.
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ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff are spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home and 'round about the parish; personal meetings may be scheduled in advance. Church doors will remain locked if there is only one person in the building. However, full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages via the magic of cell phones, so please call 502-223-0557 whenever you need to reach us! (If we don’t answer immediately, please leave a message so we may return your call as promptly as possible.)
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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. Andrew, Fort Thomas - The Ven. Jeffrey Queen, Rector; The Rev. Joe Pennington, Priest Associate.
Recently in need of prayers: Anissa, Bill, Debbie, Frances, Harvey, Jesse, Jim, John, Linda, Martha, Richard, Robert.
Continuing concern: Angie, Barbara, Beverly, Bill, Dan, David, Deborah, Donnie, Ellie, Faye, Florence, Jan & Dale, Jinks, Josh, Julia, Kathy, Lynda, Mac, Maja, Marilyn, Mark & Norma, Mike & Susie, Mildred, Nancy, Patricia, Polly, Shannon, and Tandy. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, and Tanner.
Thanksgiving: for Christ's birth in the manger and in our hearts.
Birthdays: 12/28 – Virginia "Jinks" Barnard; 12/30 – Craig Aossey.
NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting us 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!
Please put ALL prayer requests in writing to Deacon Sue Kurtz
(email deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org or text 502-330-5358). Prayer requests must be received by end-of-day on Sunday to ensure publication in the next upcoming weekly newsletter and Sunday bulletin. ‘Recently in Need’ prayers will remain for ONE month only, unless requested again.
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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, Assisting 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 Administrator
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Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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