Volume 10, Issue #28
July 9, 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.
You are invited to attend an outdoor
Celebration of Life
in honor of

on Sunday, July 12
5:00 p.m.

Frankfort KY 40601

A time to gather outdoors, with appropriate social distancing, to honor the life of Brad George. Food and beverages are being catered. All are welcome!
From Peter's Pen

One of my favorite Bible passages is Matthew 25:34-42. This is where Jesus explains that by doing simple tasks such as: giving drink to the thirsty, feeding the hungry, etc., we please God and gain access to the Kingdom. Many of you make this sort of Christian witness a part of your regular life: it is a powerful form of evangelism and it feeds our souls.

Due to the pandemic, however, much of this work that we would normally do (e.g., Sunday breakfast at the parish) has been suspended. For our own safety, we have to (temporarily) stop the work that we feel called to do - to (momentarily) not help people who desperately need help!

This whole situation can cause a lot of mixed feelings: relief when we are healthy and safe; fear of becoming sick; worry for others; impatience to be back doing the work that feeds our hearts; etc. 

Some of us also feel guilt: guilt when we are safe and healthy; guilt that others are suffering and we are not able to help; the guilt that we should  be doing something  and can't...the list can stretch on endlessly.

All of these feelings are normal and healthy. Guilt, in particular (depending on how we use it), can be helpful or self-destructive. It is a potent emotion and needs to be handled with respect. Used well, it can get us "unstuck" and moving forward into healthy, Kingdom work. Overused, it becomes a consuming and destructive toxin that serves no healthy purpose and simply makes us crazy.

Remember that Jesus instructed us to: 1) love God; and 2) love your neighbor as yourself . We are to love our selves and our neighbors equally. "Love" as Jesus uses it here is the word "respect" - so he is calling us to have thoughtful, healthy care for ourselves and for those around us. If we are to engage in the work God calls us to, we have to be listening, prepared, and alert. We do this through the daily practice of prayer. At its simplest, prayer is taking a minute or two to list things for which we are thankful and things for which we have concerns. You can speak them to God like a conversation; you can write them down like a list or a journal and simply offer them to God in your thoughts. You can call someone and ask them to pray with you. 🙂 

THEN: you listen. You take time to quiet yourself inside (through meditation, through exercise, or anything that stills your inner voices) and make yourself open to God's voice in your life. Sometimes, God speaks inside in our hearts, granting us a knowing that can direct us onto healthy, right paths. Often, God speaks through the people and circumstances in our lives. We have to practice listening, a little more each day, so that we are alert when God speaks. 

One of the many great gifts that Ascension, as a parish, gives me, is that God often speaks through you. There are many times where you act, speak, pray or reach out to me. Unknown to you, God speaks to me in wonderful, diverse, and beautiful ways. Thank you for allowing God to use you for so much good!

This pandemic is bringing up a lot of emotions in us. I encourage you to take time to recognize what is happening inside of you, and to offer it to God. God gives us emotions and, used wisely, they can guide us into new avenues for ministry in this time where our normal ones are not available. 🙂

 With Joy,
 Peter+
502-661-2742

Join us for Online Worship

on Sunday, July 12

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost:
Proper 10, Year Two - BCP 975

Morning Prayer with Deacon Rebecca
Watch for the post on Facebook
Reminder: All Ascension videos - and several organ and piano performances by John Martin - 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!
PARISH DIRECTORY -
Have YOU submitted your Directory Response Form? You may just type the requested details in an email, if that is easier for you ( info@ascensionfrankfort.org), or leave a message to request a phone call (502-223-0557).


Please click on the link 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!

Book study:
LIVING JUDAISM

Our summer book study continues at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through July. The book we are using is Living Judaism: The Complete Guide to Jewish Belief, Tradition and Practice , by Wayne D. Dosick. We meet online via Zoom.  Please let Father Peter know if you're interested. 🙂
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.

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 ).

includes our church building!
MONTHLY RECEIPTS

7/3/2020: $5,513.21

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:

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 are meeting online via ZOOM. (Normally meets on the 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
This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
Intercessions for the Church: Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington - The Very Rev. Carol Wade, Dean and Rector; The Rev. Brent Owens, Associate Dean; The Rev. Dcn. Paula Ott; The Rev. Dcn. William Berry, Associate Rector for Young Adults & Families.

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: 7/12 - Claire Stapleton; 7/18 - Lucy Saunderson.

Anniversaries: 7/17 - Anthony & Jennifer Lee.

Recently Deceased: Brad George .

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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