Volume 10, Issue #25
June 19, 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.
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From Peter's Pen
Evangelism: what is that?
For some, it brings to mind strategies for "growing our church's membership!" Going door-to-door, inviting people in their neighborhood to attend church with them; passing out literature; putting together mailers or email blasts; holding special events (concerts and revivals) at the church.
For others, it's an odd word that they have never heard, that has no meaning for them.
And, for some of us, it may be confusing: the Episcopal Church traditionally doesn't do evangelism, yet our current Presiding Bishop makes it a regular part of his message: "We're the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement..."
Regardless of which church you attend, evangelism here in the U.S. often focuses on "getting more people in the pews."
But in the Gospels and in the early Church (e.g. the Book of Acts), Jesus and his followers treat evangelism very differently. The word "evangelism" means "to share the Good News," and that's precisely what they did. Jesus and his followers taught, healed, fed, and gave people hope. They went where God led them, doing the work God put in front of them, and let God be responsible for the results. Acts 8 gives us a tremendous example of this: Philip the Deacon was called to stand in the desert and wait...eventually an Ethiopian came by and the Spirit nudged Philip to go and speak with him. The two men talked, the Ethiopian was moved to be baptized, and Philip did this. After that, Philip was whisked away by the Spirit to continue working elsewhere and the Ethiopian continued on his way, rejoicing.
That's evangelism: going where God leads; doing the work God puts in front of you; letting God be responsible for the results.
Today, God leads us in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are unable to do many of the "normal" things that give us comfort and purpose (e.g. attending a physical church; volunteering for Reading Camp; Breakfast Team; etc.).
God has led us online and we are faithfully following. Online worship is different than in-person worship, but in this time and place online worship is also incredibly effective. Many people who don't go to church (or who go to church in other cities and states) are tuning in to our Facebook and YouTube broadcasts.
By participating in and sharing worship services on your Facebook page, you are doing vital, early Church evangelism. Online worship allows us to bring a word of hope into people's lives right where they are. It lets people know that they are known, loved, and cared for. That they may be at home alone, but that they are not alone. It allows us to share true Good News and it gives us a chance to practice "letting go" - allowing God to be responsible for the results of this evangelism.
You are loved and prayed for by your clergy. Please pray for all of us who lead Ascension's online worship. It is a beautiful and blessed way of serving and sharing: please pray that we will hear God's voice clearly and follow where God leads.
With Joy,
Peter+
cell 502-661-2742
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Join us for Online Worship
on Sunday, June 21, at 9:30 a.m.
Third Sunday after Pentecost:
Proper 7, Year Two -
BCP 973
Rite II
in the church building
with Ascension Clergy & Organist
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Jennifer Lee will be our preacher this Sunday. She offers this timely resource list for study of faith and race issues:
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Reminder:
All Ascension videos are now available on our FREE "YouTube Channel." You may subscribe, get notifications, view playlists...
click here for more information
... or go directly to the
Ascension YouTube Channel Page
. This means you can conveniently find all Ascension videos all in one place, without having to scroll and sift through all of our other Facebook group postings. Kudos to Taylor Lunsford for creating and managing our videos!
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Two projects are in process to help us all stay in touch:
PHONE SYSTEM UPDATE -
we are
about to
install a new modernized church phone system. Old telephones in the building will be removed, replaced by a few cordless handsets. Once installed, we will also be able to connect to the church phone system remotely, using a cell phone app... from home, or anywhere! Even better, the system will REDUCE our monthly cost for local phone service by half or more. This will help clergy and staff to update messages and respond to incoming calls in a much more timely manner, especially when office hours in the building are limited. Installation was approved by the Vestry on June 18, and will begin soon!
PARISH DIRECTORY -
WE NEED YOUR HELP with this project
to create an up-to-date contact directory to share within the congregation. This will be done completely in-house using existing computer resources, with no extra cost involved for the church or parishioners. To be clear, this is NOT a project to bring in photographers or make sales.
This IS a project to create a print and digital directory containing contact information and family details (name / address / phone, birthdays and anniversaries, next-of-kin contacts) that each person included approves sharing within the congregation. When the directory is published, print copies will be available (only) to parishioners, and all digital copies will be password-protected. A cell phone app containing the directory info will also be available - giving instant access to details as they are updated over time.
Parishioners may also choose to provide details to the parish office that are
not
shared in the directory. ALL information provided will be used by Ascension only for stated purposes of maintaining contacts within the parish; no information will be shared with third parties, nor will any marketing be conducted around or contained in the directory.
SO, we need to hear from each person/family who wants to be included in the directory
- all those who "identify as" part of the Ascension parish. Even if you've 'been around forever' - we need to confirm data we have on file for you, AND we need your written permission to participate. That's a big job, a lot of names. We are starting by offering an online form that you may print and return (or just provide answers by email). If we don't hear from you after a bit, we will start calling / emailing to ask you about your directory preferences. You are also encouraged to provide a photo (one per family unit) to be included in the directory!
You don't have to be a baptized/confirmed "member" of Ascension to join the directory. This is just a way to help folks recognize faces and stay in touch, so if you're hanging around Ascension - in person or online - please send in a form!
Please click on the link below to print the response form, OR call the parish office (502-223-0557) and leave a message asking for a personal call to review your details. Remember that
only
those who do respond and give permission will be included in the directory!
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Book study:
LIVING JUDAISM
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no worship services or any group meetings in the church building until further notice. Father Peter and the Vestry are working with our diocesan leaders to plan for re-opening safely when the time is right.
Regular office hours remain suspended until further notice; clergy and staff are working (mostly) from home. Access to the building is limited to those with specific permission, and "
Healthy at Work
" guidelines apply to everyone who enters the building.
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includes our church building!
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MONTHLY RECEIPTS
6/5/20: $3,310
6/12/20: $6,467
Thank you for your continuing support. We are working to minimize expenses but still need to pay for upkeep, maintenance, insurance, payroll, etc. Click here to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the pandemic:
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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:
Walnut Hill Church, Lexington - The Rev. Michael Ward,
Pastor.
Recently in need of prayers:
Adrianna; Barbara; Bill; Candy; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Ginni; Gus; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh;
Lara;
Linda; Madonna; Mae; Marie; Rodney;
Scott & Kathy;
Shirley; Sidney, Suzanne, Tod, Blair & Grant.
Continuing concern:
Betty; Carrie & Shawn; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; Doris; the Duncan Family; Erika; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Janet; Janice; Jean; Jinks; John; Julia; June; Linda; Mac; Marilyn; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Natalie; Polly; Sherri; and Tom. We also pray for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Mary Jo, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
Birthdays:
6/21 - Dave Obradovich; 6/22 - Agnes Parman; 6/23 - Kristi Buffenmyer; 6/24 - Erin Campbell; 6/26 - Jane Bates, Mia Smith; 6/27 - Noah Campbell.
Recently Deceased:
Tony Charters.
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
- 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
Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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