Volume 11, Issue #16
April 22, 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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There are times in all of our lives where we feel emotionally and spiritually dry, worn out, and thirsty. This can feel like a subtle itch at the back of your heart or mind that cannot quite be scratched. It can appear like a deep, intensive need for which there is no immediate, clear answer.
It is important to know that this is a normal part of the spiritual life. Everyone I talk with goes through this, often several times in the course of our lives.
It can be especially frustrating if you are attending worship during this season. It is Easter, and the themes of this season are all about life, light, renewal, and God's Spirit doing a new thing in our lives. It can be very difficult to make sense of these ideas if your spirit feels like it is dry as a bone.
I have been through these times in my own life. While the experience was not very pleasant, these were times of great change inside of me. I did not always realize it at the time (I was too busy feeling uncomfortable), but when the times of "dryness" ended I was changed. God's Spirit was at work inside of me the whole time: renovating and upgrading me heart, my mind, & my perspective. I found myself prepared for new work and, more than that, new work that satisfied and delighted me. New work that brought out some of the best in me and fulfilled some of my deepest longings as a child of God.
So: if you feel emotionally or spiritually dry, please know that God is at work inside of you. You are being prepared for good, new work: for work that will bring you joy.
Please know, too that you are not alone, that you are understood, and that you are held up in prayer. 🙂
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell 502-661-2742
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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. Only the church itself will be open at this time.
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.
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The Ascension Vestry has approved
Reopening the Church Building
for Group Meetings
as of May 1
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 first when you need to reach us!
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Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 25, 9:30 a.m. - Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person service
inside the church.
Morning Prayer will be offered online
at the same time.
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Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:
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SPRING BOOK STUDY
Starting Wednesday, April 28
and continuing on Wednesdays
at 5:30 p.m.
Online via ZOOM
Our popular book studies continue with another selection from Barbara Brown Taylor: Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Reading Camp is ON at Ascension
for Summer 2021
Monday, June 19 thru Friday, June 23
For details, contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
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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.
THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension w
ith your time, treasure, and talents!
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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: The Church of St. George the Martyr, the Cathedral Domain - Lay Canon G. Andrew Sigmon, Facility Director;
The Venerable Bryant C. Kibler, Sr., Priest-in-Residence; Lay Canon of the Cathedral of St. George the Martyr, Kat Luchtefeld.
Recently in need of prayers: Allen; Bill; Bob & Linda; Correll; Darlene; Faye & Steve; George; John; Kathy; Linda; Lynda; Marie; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Ruth; Sue; 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; Gillian; Ginni; Jinks; Mac; Mae & Frank; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Rena; and Polly. 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 blessings of the Easter Season; for the beautiful spring weather; for the ability to resume worship in-person; and for answered prayers.
Birthdays: 4/25 - Hannah Lee; 4/27 - Brenda Osborne; 4/29 - Jordan Masters; 4/30 - Ginni Fox.
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
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The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
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The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Associate 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 & Financial Administrator
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Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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