Volume 11, Issue #22
June 3, 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.
FROM PETER'S PEN

Conflict: something that a few folks revel in and many folks have been raised to studiously avoid. 

I read something recently about conflict - how to think about conflict in healthier ways - that really spoke to me. I will share a brief version of it here.

It comes from Barbara Brown Taylor's book, "Always A Guest." This is a collection of public addresses and sermons that she has given over the years. This particular speech, Paralyzed By Polarization, was given in 2018; it notes that, while many of us are raised to avoid conflict or seek to permanently resolve conflict in our churches and lives, conflict is a part of life. It is not something that we can easily fix and then it goes away for good. 

Taylor says that conflict is often a way that God reaches us most deeply. When we are shaken up - taken out of our routines - we are sometimes able to hear God's voice more clearly and at a deeper level. 

She offers that conflict, at its best, can be where we learn that unity is about more than agreeing with each other. She notes that in conflict, we can learn that reconciliation has more to do with staying in the room than with winning.

She writes that, if we are willing to do the hard work of finding healthy living, even in conflict, we need to:

  • Remember who we are and what matters most to us, even in the middle of conflict.

  • Hold ourselves to a higher standard of engagement with others than the culture that surrounds us.

  • Love (agape) each other, even when we disagree.

It is not easy work, but it is rewarding and life-giving work. There are a lot of good ways to learn more about this. Two great options are: you can join our book study 🙂 (it meets Wednesdays at 5.30 pm via Zoom); you can explore groups like Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org), which is dedicated to helping people learn to listen to each other and live healthy lives in the middle of conflict.

Because our society is so divided at this point, there is an especial need for as many of us as possible to undertake this work. There is little that is more powerful that people living their faith and leading with agape (the respectful love that Jesus modeled and preached). Through them, God's Spirit does marvelous things!

With Agape and Joy,
Peter+

The Rev. Peter Doddema
502-661-2742
Come worship with us!
Second Sunday after Pentecost
June 6, 9:30 a.m.

HOLY EUCHARIST
Rite II

OPEN for live, in-person service inside the church.
Morning Prayer offered online
at the same time.



**********

Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:

(1) THE PAGE: Find Father Peter's Morning Prayer, links to recorded services and Father Peter 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Page" (public) at https://www.facebook.com/ascensionfrankfort

(2) THE GROUP: Find Evening Prayer, Compline, shared photos, links to recorded services and various lay/clergy 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Group" (public, with restricted commenting) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensionfrankfort
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
ALEX AOSSEY
Valedictorian, Frankfort High
Attending Northern Kentucky University
Majoring in Computer Science

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

VICTORIA GRACE SAAGER
Great Crossing High School, Georgetown
Attending Georgetown College
Ladies and Gentlemen of all ages:

Are you curious as to how the sanctuary is prepared for our Sunday worship service? Are you interested in knowing how the bookmarks at the lectern and the hanging on the pulpit get changed for each of our liturgical seasons? Yes, there are different colors for Advent, Lent, Eastertide and “Ordinary Time”. 

If you want to know the answers to these and other questions concerning “setting God’s table” for our Eucharistic meal, please join me for an informational meeting of the Altar Guild. We do need more help with this wonderful ministry. Please join me on June 19 at 11:00 in the parish library for an informational meeting about our wonderful Altar Guild.

Thanks,
Deacon Sue
The Rev. Deacon Sue Kurtz
Monday-Friday, July 19-23, 2021
at Church of the Ascension

Reading Camp needs a volunteer to join Deacon Rebecca on June 12 for Kids' Day at the Farmers' Market here in Frankfort. We will pass out Reading Camp brochures and speak with folks about this summer's event. Help is needed from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Also, since Reading Camp will be held mostly outside for safety, we are in need of four (4) canopy tents to use for “classrooms” on the front lawn. Please let Deacon Rebecca know if you have one to loan or if you would be willing to cover the cost of one. 

Our mission is to promote personal and academic growth and success of struggling and at-risk students through summertime educational opportunities. We are now accepting applications for 3rd-5th grade students in need of FREE reading strategies help this summer, offered through a fun day-camp week of fun activities, games, and learning in downtown Frankfort. Please contact Rebecca Saager or email Frankfortreadingcamp@gmail.com for more information or an application.
WORSHIP NOTES

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. Once we have a larger number of people attending worship (and enough usher volunteers to take temperatures), we will return to our normal two services: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 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. 
 
We are working on getting the technology to broadcast our services live from the sanctuary. We are intentionally taking our time to select the right options at the best price possible. We will update you once we have more information about this.
 
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is slowed, not gone, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Masks, signing in at the door, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas.

Ask an usher about the current availability of Nursery services and Godly Play classes for youth. 

Beginning in MAY, we will allow the in-person congregation to say prayers and responses aloud, as long as:
 
1) people are socially distanced, and
 
2) people are wearing masks.
 
Congregational singing, of course, is still not allowed. Work is being done at the diocesan level to reincorporate this; we hope to hear more soon.
Father Peter and the Ascension Vestry have approved
Reopening the Church Building
for Group Meetings

We ask that groups observe the normal COVID precautions:
 
1) To ensure access and availability for church meeting spaces, please contact Mona Proctor in the parish office to schedule all meetings in advance: call (502) 223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org

2) Wear masks and practice social distancing (depending on the size of your group, you may need to consider meeting in the parish hall for now).
 
3) Keep a list of who is physically present in case there is a need to trace contacts; take temperatures with a no-touch thermometer, ask questions about recent symptoms, and deny admittance to anyone with a high temperature or recent symptoms. (The church has two thermometers, blank attendance roster pages and a checklist which may be used if returned to their original location immediately after your meeting.)
 
4) Continue to offer online attendance options (ZOOM, etc.) for people who are not yet comfortable attending meetings in person. (ZOOM meetings can be set up by anyone for free, with certain restrictions. For church-related meetings expected to last longer than 40 minutes, ask Father Peter or Mona Proctor about scheduling under the church's paid account.)

ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff will begin spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home; personal meetings may be requested in advance. Church doors will remain locked when there is only one person in the building. Full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages, so please call 502-223-0557 when you need to reach us!
Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend are being observed nationwide, June 4-6.

Wear Orange is dedicated to honoring the lives of people in the United States affected by gun violence and elevating the voice of those demanding an end to gun violence. Wear Orange demands a future free from gun violence. Orange symbolizes the value of each person’s life; it is worn to honor those taken and wounded by gun violence, and to call for an end to this crisis.

Access to a gun makes it five times more likely that an abusive partner will kill his female partner. Additionally, many child homicides occur as a result of gun violence in the home.

Frankfort Moms Demand Action is particularly concerned with supporting victims of intimate partner and domestic violence. As part of our observance of Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend, Frankfort Moms Demand Action will be collecting needed supplies for The Sunshine Center, which is devoted to serving the needs of people of all ages who are victims of abuse and neglect.

Items most needed are Clorox wipes, Good Start formula, Kroger cards, copy paper, baby wipes, and canned goods.

Donation boxes will be available at Ascension from May 23-June 6. You may also make a donation at the drive-by collection site, which will be located outside the Kings Center at 202 E. Third Street, Frankfort, from 10am-2pm on Saturday. June 5.

You may also participate by wearing orange on June 4-6 to honor victims and survivors and demand an end to gun violence.
Ascension is seeking two paid, part-time nursery attendants to work with a small group of children, ages 0-4, on Sunday mornings, 9:00-11:30 a.m., and occasionally for special events (usually a couple of evening or weekend hours). This position is paid hourly and is part-time with no additional benefits. Must be over 18 and have/arrange reliable transportation.

For a complete job description and application form, see Deacon Rebecca Saager (curate@ascensionfrankfort.org) or call 502-223-0557.
If you have any questions about donations or pledges, please contact Mona Proctor in the parish office: call 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org.

Click here to learn how to give online, and to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the ongoing pandemic: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/donations

THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension w
ith your time, treasure, and talents!
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.
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING normally meet on the FIRST Sunday of each month after the 10:30 service. Contact Judith Spencer for details (jspencer254@yahoo.com).
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at www.diolex.org
This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
Intercessions for the Church: Summer Camp Programs in the Diocese of Lexington: Cathedral Domain Youth Camps, grades 1-12 (106th year) - Andy and Cindy Sigmon, Directors; Reading Camp-Literacy Camps, grades 2-4 (18th year), Sarah Harcourt Watts, Director.

Recently in need of prayers: Allen; Angie; Arnold; Bill; Correll; Darlene; George A.; George S.; Jan & Dale; Kathy; Linda P.; Lynda R.; Marie; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Patricia; Ruth; the students and staff of Stewart Home School; and also, the victims of recent flooding in our city and state. 
 
Continuing concern: Adrianna; Ann; Barbara; Dan; Debbie; Dillard; Edith; Faye & Steve; Ginni; Jinks; John; Mac; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Nancy; Polly; Rena; and Sue. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, Seth, Tanner, and Walter.
 
Thanksgivings: for our graduates.

Birthdays: 6/8 - Charlton Benners, Faye Thacker; 6/9 - Roman Doddema.

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

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
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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