Volume 10, Issue #13 - March 26, 2020 

In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.
From Peter's Pen
Dear Sisters & Brothers,

The transition to "online church" is going well. We have some form of worship available each day and hope that you will join in as you are able. Beginning tomorrow (Friday, 3/27/20) I will change the time of my online Evening Prayer to 6.30 p.m., so that this worship does not conflict with the Governor's daily address at 5:00. Even though we cannot physically gather together for worship, we can still come together as a community and lift one another up in prayer. 

At this time, Bishop Mark has indicated that our churches will be closed during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday. The Worship Committee and I are already working with Taylor Lun sford, our videographer, to record these services (with no congregation present) and make them available to you online. I will send out more information as it becomes available. 🙂

During this time, please know that you are remembered, cared about, and prayed for. Please let me or the Deacons know if you need prayer, etc. Please also remember to lift up one another and our leaders in prayer as we all travel together on this unusual journey!

God's Peace,
Peter+

cell 502-661-2742
P.S. Do you have a Book of Common Prayer at home? Would you like to have one? We are removing some well-loved and worn copies from circulation in the pews, replacing them with crisp new copies that have been recently donated. The old books have been blessed and so must be burned to be destroyed, but in most cases are still perfectly usable... if you could use one, let us know!
NOTE: Due to the Holy Week and Easter closings, we have cancelled our annual orders for palms and Easter lilies.

Pemberton's Greenhouses wants you to know that you may purchase Easter lilies at church prices (starting at $7.80 each) and pick them up via drive-through... in case you want some to take home, to cemeteries, etc. They are located at 555 Keller Court in Lexington; phone 859-254-6552.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Repeating some information shared last week, with updates:

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, direction from government officials, and leadership from our bishops, there will be no church services or group meetings in the church building until further notice. 2020 Holy Week and Easter Services will also be cancelled. This situation is unprecedented, and churches across the globe are facing similar challenges. Please read:


NEW FROM THE DIOCESE, 3/26/20:

...Join us on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m., after Noonday Prayer, for a live "fireside chat" with Bishop Mark and other Mission House staff - go to https://www.facebook.com/diolexky

Here we will share news and updates with you and answer questions you may have about our shared life during this time. This will be our primary means of communicating new information with you, so make a date to visit with us! If you miss the live stream, it will be archived on our Facebook page for later viewing. If you have questions or concerns you would like us to address in our weekly chats, please send them to communications@diolex.org

You will also want to visit our web page,  diolex.org , where we are maintaining a few pages of resources on all things related to our diocesan response to COVID-19, as well as links to live streams from churches around our diocese. Thank you for watching, and we will see you next week!


Ascension has some new and evolving capabilities for creating online content, such as videos and live streaming with Facebook and YouTube, as well as the ability to conduct group meetings/teleconferences with an online tool called ZOOM. Watch this space for updates about remote/virtual meetings and broadcasts, as well as suggestions and resources for alternative forms of worship, ministries, and outreach as they develop.

If you have questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions to share, or if you have needs that your church family might help to meet, please contact Father Peter to discuss (email fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org , or call 502-661-2742 ).

You may also email Deacon Rebecca Saager ( curate@ascensionfrankfort.org ) or Deacon Sue Kurtz ( deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org ).

ONLINE WORSHIP @ ASCENSION

  • Sundays: Father Peter will lead Morning Prayer at 9.30 a.m. through our Facebook Group Page. Please log in if you're able and invite others to "attend" as well: we can all use a little prayer and community during this time!

  • Sundays: Father Peter is continuing to lead Sunday morning Bible study (the Gospel of Mark) through ZOOM (after concluding Morning Prayer). Please text or email him if you want to be added to this group, providing your preferred email address.

  • Daily: Father Peter is leading Evening Prayer on our Facebook Group Page, along with making a few comments/updates. Through today, 3/26, this has begun at 5:00 p.m. Starting tomorrow, Friday 3/27, this worship will begin at 6:30 p.m., so it does not conflict with our Governor's daily address.

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: Deacon Sue is leading Compline on our Facebook Group page. Join her and say hello!

  • Wednesdays: Todd Elliott is continuing to lead the Lenten Book Study, beginning at 5:30 p.m., using ZOOM. Please text or email Father Peter if you want to be added to this group, providing your preferred email address.

FACEBOOK:
you can tune in LIVE to a service, or watch it later as your schedule permits. Go to
Check it out, and comment to let others know you're watching!

ZOOM:
after contacting the group leader to sign up, you will receive a specific email invitation for EACH meeting, containing a link to click or alternately, a phone number to call.

VIDEOS:
Also watch for updates to Father Peter's VLOG (on Facebook and our web page ) and Ascension's new YouTube channel , featuring short, topical videos produced by Father Peter and Taylor Lunsford.

  • The first video featured Father Peter discussing, "What is Lent?"

  • The second video was posted this week, featuring Father Peter hosting a discussion with his wife Nicole, a social worker, and Kristi Buffenmyer, of Everyday Matters LLC, regarding AUTISM AWARENESS. There is some really great information here about welcoming and interacting with people at church and elsewhere - please watch!

ONLINE RESOURCES




  • Free Resources for Our Elderly and Homebound Members from Hometouch Ministry: "Our homebound members have been on our minds through this trying time, including those who live alone or are unable to leave their homes due to the ever increasing shelter at home orders. As a way to try and stay connected, we are providing 4 days worth of devotions and activities to send to the loved ones in your lives. We've also included a template that you may want to send to families in your congregation who would like to color a picture and send a note to those who might feel isolated. You may download these free resources for unrestricted, re-distributable use."



Find more resources listed on Ascension's web site, here:
CHILDREN

For families with children, consider having them create a scrapbook or journal about this historic event. Teach them to pray, to look for the helpers, and to express their questions, their fears, and their gratitude.

Godly Play is offering some resources for free or at a reduced cost around the theme of Courage and Kindness .

Ascension's Godly Play teacher, Laura Buffenmyer, says, "I love the first paragraph about the story of this time in our lives, “I wonder what your favorite part might be?” or the one that I have thought about most if I were teaching during this pandemic is, “Where do you see yourself in this story?” Those two “wonder” questions are generally the same with every story, along with, “I wonder if we could leave out any part of this story, and have everything we need?”

The responses to those questions are always so interesting from a young person’s point of view. This is a trying time for everyone. I can only imagine the questions the young members of our congregation have at home right now. This is a great way to keep Godly Play going on the home front during Lent. This precious time of reflection is so important."

OUTREACH

While the church is closed, our tradition of serving breakfast on Sunday morning is also suspended. However, there are still other ways that we can continue our mission of outreach.

First to mind is Simon House , which we work to support throughout the year. They are in desperate need of:
  • sanitization items
  • cleaning supplies
  • soap and other hygienic items
  • baby formula
  • baby food
  • diapers and wipes
  • toilet paper - we have almost 20 people living in the shelter!

Simon House is also being overwhelmed with applications from the community for food boxes, and their residential house full of adults and children all need to eat. Residents do have their own kitchens to prepare food, and Simon House also works to help feed others in the community in cooperation with the Food Pantry, Men's Shelter, and other organizations. Food items including fresh meat, non-perishable foods, single-serving easy-open foods, breakfast supplies, drinks and snacks for kids would be helpful.

Note: During this critical time, ALL donations should go directly to Simon House. Note the delivery location of their new office, next to the Singing Bridge. To avoid delays and complications, remember to call ahead; DO NOT take items to the residence house on Campbell Street OR to Ascension, and do not "drop off" items without handing them directly to someone. (If desired, you may put "from Ascension" in the check memo field to let them know a donation is from an Ascension parishioner.) Thank you!
MEETINGS & OFFICE HOURS

Group meetings of three or more people should NOT be held on church grounds during this time. Investigate using cell phone conferencing, Facebook Live, ZOOM, or other remote meeting options.

Having a key does NOT mean that you are authorized to enter/use the building during this period of mandatory closure. If your group "needs to meet" - CHECK FIRST with Father Peter for authorization or options. Building traffic should be absolutely minimal.

Regular office hours are suspended until further notice.

Father Peter, Mona Proctor, and other clergy and staff may sometimes be working from home, or may be in and out of the office periodically. Our Sexton, David Gierlach, and cleaning person, Anita Rogers, will continue their duties on their own schedules.

Other people are asked not to visit the office/church building without prior authorization from Father Peter. If you do enter the building for any authorized purpose, remember the six-foot social distancing rule at all times. Soap and hand sanitizer is readily available throughout the building - use it!

Our clergy team continues to work to stay in touch with our members who are sick or homebound, but in-person visits will be kept to a minimum during this time.

Please note: Our antiquated phone system will not allow us to update the 'outgoing announcement' voicemail messages! We hope to have the problem corrected at some point, but even if the message you hear is outdated, you may still leave a message. We will hear it the next time we are in the building, whenever that may be. If your message needs immediate attention, please contact Father Peter directly (email fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org , or call 502-661-2742 ).
MONTHLY RECEIPTS
3/1/2020: $4,886
3/8/2020: $2,721
3/15/2020: $5,934
3/22/2020: $65.00

This is so important.
Finances are critical for everyone right now.

First, we know this is a time of uncertainty and difficulty for many. If you have lost a job, need money for groceries or housing, or face some other hardship due to the pandemic, please feel free to talk with Father Peter, Deacon Rebecca, or Deacon Sue. They are 'plugged in' to channels for finding assistance that you might not know. Take care of yourself, first, so you will be able to help others later.

That said... during this critical time, Ascension's bills continue. We have obligations for payroll, utilities, upkeep, insurance and more, that simply must be paid so that our mission may continue and our doors may reopen when this crisis is eased. Our 2020 budget is already quite lean, and a steady level of income is crucial to our survival.

In recent years we worked and prayed together to meet and master a serious financial challenge. Now we are debt-free, and it is crucial to continue our commitment to each other, to our community, and to our historic and beloved church. Please continue your pledge payments and make other donations as you are able.

MAIL: Address any payments sent by U.S. Mail to Church of the Ascension, 311 Washington Street, Frankfort KY 40601. If you are out of envelopes or stamps to send a paper check, we will be glad to mail you a supply. Email info@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-223-0557 .

OR y ou may also drop payments or other paperwork, contained in an envelope, into the locked church mailbox. It is a brass box located on the parish hall porch that is nearest the main church door, mounted on the brick wall to the right of the steps.

OR if you would like to give "automatically" by authorizing a regular monthly deduction from your bank account, contact the office to get that started.

OR you may also donate to Ascension online using a credit card at https://www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ascensionfrankfort
(You do NOT need a PayPal account to do this - just a credit card.)

If you have questions about the church budget or expenses, talk to any 2020 Vestry member, or to William Legg, Treasurer, or Mike Oder, Assistant Treasurer, or Jim King, Finance Committee Chair.

 Do take care and shepherd your resources well; please keep Ascension as a priority as you are able.
THE BROTHERHOOD OF ST. ANDREW meetings are currently suspended. (Normally meets every other Saturday, in the parish library at 10:00 a.m.) Contact William Legg ( wleggwork@msn.com ) for details.
CENTERING PRAYER meetings are currently suspended. ( Normally meets every Saturday morning, 10:00 - 10:30.) For more information, contact Scott Kimbel, kskimbel@yahoo.com
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING meetings are currently suspended. (Normally meets (FIRST Sunday of each month, in the parish library after the 10:30 service.) Contact Judith Spencer for details ( jspencer254@yahoo.com )
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at www.diolex.org 
March 29, 2020
Daily Office Lectionary
Week of 5 Lent, Year Two - BCP 957
OR go to www.lectionarypage.net and choose by calendar date.
Intercessions for the Church: Church of the Resurrection, Jessamine County (Nicholasville) - The Rev. Margaret Shanks, Rector, The Rev. Deacon Kenneth Pierce. 

Recently in need of prayers: Barbara; Bill; Bob & Angela; Candy & Tony; Daneen; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Jon; Josh; Linda; Marie.

Continuing concern: Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Ginni & Vic; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Lara; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Scott & Kathy; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.

Birthdays: 3/31 - Peyton Heady, Dan Walton; 4/1 - Stuart Brown; 4/2 - Alex Bullock; 4/3 - Bert VanHouten IV; 4/4 - Cindy Aossey, Heidi Hiemstra.

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
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.

Ask in the office or one of the Deacons for a blank form, or download from our web site at: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/links

Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
Clergy and Staff

  • The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
  • The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate Priest Emeritus 
  • The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
  • The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
  • Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
  • Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish & Financial Administrator 
  • Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton



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