This Week at Ascension + September 15, 2021

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
"We should talk … about becoming Anglo-Catholic"
With seminarian Christopher Poore
This evening, 5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via Zoom
See additional information below.
This evening: Wed, Sept. 15th
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (transf.)

5:15 p.m. "We should talk ..."
with Christopher Poore
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer
6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass
Sunday, September 19, 2021

The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer via ZOOM
10:00 a.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass


Image: Kiss of Judas, Giotto, early 14th c.
From the Rector
Ember Days

O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.   - Book of Common Prayer, page 256

Dear people of Ascension,
Have you remembered that today is an Ember Day? Do you even know of Ember Days and their meaning? Maybe you once knew but will value a reminder.

Ember Days are found on the calendar of the church four times a year, always on a Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the same week. Fall Ember Days follow Holy Cross Day, September 14. Originally associated with earth’s cycles and seasons, in time Ember Days became particularly associated with vocations to ordained ministry: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” We’ll hear those words of Jesus (Matt. 9:38) at the October 16 ordinations here.

Those preparing for ordination traditionally write letters to the bishop, focusing on spiritual formation and questions, on Ember Days. Ordinations are often preferred on Ember Days. All Christians are urged to pray on these days not only for those already ordained but for vocations to ordained ministry. 

Please read this Ember Day message as a time-sensitive invitation. A remarkable number of young persons with recent and ongoing Ascension connections are asking about or actively pursuing ordination. For those eventually ordained, the path will include a seminary degree and a navigating a diocesan gauntlet. But a lot of what is widely called ‘discernment’ begins with and continues to involve the interest, listening, care and support of those of us in congregations.

We all know, I gather, that the Church is always in need of faithful, gifted priests. A number of gifted priests-in-the-making are, I believe, among us at Ascension. If you know or meet or hear of one or more of them, please show your interest, ask them questions, express your genuine support and, of course, pray for them. 
Also from the Rector
"We should talk … about becoming Anglo-Catholic"
With seminarian Christopher Poore
This evening, 5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via Zoom
Since Christopher spent much of two recent years with us at Ascension (during studies for a Master's Degree at U Chicago), he has ...

  • Received the ordination process support of his 'home' Episcopal parish, St. Paul's, Peoria (a 45-minute drive from his home in Galesburg, IL).
  • Been accepted into the MDiv program at Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, VA.
  • Spent the first year of seminary (academic year 2020-2021) without ever getting to VTS and participating 100% virtually from Galesburg.
  • Received grateful reviews for his relationship-building and smarts from the people of St. Augustine's Church, Creede, Colorado, where he thrived in a summer pastoral internship.
  • Finally made his way to VTS for this fall term!
  • Lined up a seminarian year at St. Paul's K Street -- a Washington DC parish with a lot of historical ties to Ascension. And as if that wasn't enough ...
  • Is newly the founder of Seminary Street Press. The 'About' section of the press' Facebook page seems a tantalizing lead into this evening's opportunity: "Anglicanism isn't a canon of texts. It's a conversation." 
Join us this evening, 5:15 - 5:55 p.m. via Zoom
See additional information below.
Upcoming Wednesday Connections at 5:15 p.m.

Wednesday, September 22, 5:15 p.m.
RefugeeOne: "Refugees--Afghanis and Others"

Wednesday, September 29, 5:15 p.m.
Angelology in Patristic Writings
(for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels)
Dr. Greg Wiebe, Canada Mennonite University

Also Upcoming at (or via) Ascension

Ascension Vestry Meeting
Thursday, September 16, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

Author talk: The Rev. Bryan Cones discusses his new book,
Tuesday, September 21, 7:00 p.m.
See Deacon Murphy-Gill's note below.

Solemnity of Michaelmas Sunday, October 3
Procession and Solemn High Mass, 10:00 a.m.
Organ Recital, 3:30 p.m.
Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:00 p.m.

All Souls Day, November 2
Requiem Mass TBA

Solemnity of All Saints Sunday, November 7
Procession and Solemn High Mass, 10:00 a.m.
Organ Recital, 3:30 p.m.
Choral Evensong and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 4:00 p.m.
If you anticipate or wish to inquire about Holy Baptism
on the Solemnity of All Saints, please inquire with
any member of the Ascension clergy.
Mask Reminders ...
  • Yes, they are or can be miserable to wear.
  • Yes, our cultural imbroglio about masks is disheartening.
  • Yes, we all wish we could all be mask-free all the time.
AND
  • Yes, we ask you to honor the best intentions of our own parochial mask requirements (those intentions being your best health + the best health of others) by wearing an appropriate mask and by appropriately wearing it.
As noted above, St. John’s Church, Chicago, will host an author talk with Fr. Bryan Cones about his book This Assembly of Believers -- next Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. I know Fr. Cones well and am hoping to have him participate in spiritual education at Ascension some time this year. I plan to attend the talk and would be delighted to have you join me. - Deacon Meghan
A Short Course in Suffering
by the Rt. Rev. Daniel Martins

" ... mercifully grant that we, walking the way of the cross,
may find it none other than the way of life and peace…"
Book of Common Prayer
Yesterday, Holy Cross Day, The Living Church published ‘A Short Course in Suffering.’ It’s a personal essay by Bishop Daniel Martins, the now-retired Bishop of Springfield who, with his wife Brenda, periodically joins us at Ascension. In the essay, Bishop Martins particularly delves into surprises, challenges, burdens and questions that have become increasingly acute for him and Brenda due to Brenda’s advancing Alzheimers-related dementia. A phone call with him yesterday confirmed my sense of his dual main intentions for writing and sharing the essay. He clearly wishes to reach others who experience the changes, questions and suffering often experienced in the context of long-term illnesses and long-term caregiving for a loved one. As much or more, he wishes to urge active theological and devotional engagement with themes of suffering that are central to our faith but to which too few Christians turn in times of trial. Bishop Martins’ ‘A Short Course in Suffering’ may be read here.  Any Ascension parishioner wishing to contact Bishop Martins may browse social media or contact the Ascension office. 
  • Fr. Raymond +
Some October 16 Ordination Updates

Plans for the October 16 ordinations to the priesthood of transitional Deacons Jo Ann Jean Lagman and Meghan Murphy-Gill are well underway. Pertinent information at this time includes the following:

  • The day's liturgy and surrounding events require coordination between Ascension, the Bishop's office, and the clergy and People of St. Mark's Church, Glen Ellyn (Deacon Lagman's sponsoring parish).
  • Registration will be required of all who will be seated in the pews and will tentatively become available to Ascension regulars by way of a link in the Wednesday, October 6, Ascension newsletter. Adequate seats should be available to those from Ascension but seats will also be allocated to St .Mark's parishioners, other clergy and laity from throughout the diocese, and designated guests of Bishop Knudsen.
  • Inquiries about helping with the outdoor reception that is to follow the liturgy (weather permitting) should contact either of our Wardens, Cheryl Peterson or Ken Kelling.
  • Inquiries about serving as a minister in the liturgy should be directed to Verger MB Hwang.
  • Planning may slow during the second half of September due to a trip planned by the (Ascension) Rector long before the ordination date was set.
The Rev. Deacon Thomas G. Harris
December 4, 1937 - September 8, 2021

The Rev. Deacon Tom Harris was Organist and Choirmaster Emeritus of the Church of the Atonement, having served as organist/choirmaster from 1960-2010. He is well known by many at Church of the Ascension.

Deacon Harris was a graduate of Northwestern University and Seabury Western Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the Diaconate on April 15, 1973, and served his entire ministry at Church of the Atonement. The funeral will be at Church of the Atonement at noon on October 23.

Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Organ Repertoire for September 19, 2021
ORGAN
Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr  BWV 662
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
 
At the Entrance Procession
Hymn 375  DU LEBENSBROT,
HERR JESU CHRIST
 
At the Offertory
Hymn 480 KINGSFOLD
 
At the Communion
Hymn 482 SLANE
 
At the Retiring Procession
Hymn 492 FINNIAN
 
ORGAN
Pièce d'Orgue BWV 572
Johann Sebastian Bach
About our 2021 Repertoire
As I develop a long-range plan for repertoire each year, I choose a theme or area of emphasis, often complete works or a complete large-scale work by one composer. During 2021, organ music by women composers and African-American composers is being and will be featured in voluntaries and recitals throughout the year. There are some little-known gems waiting to be discovered, as well as music by major composers, with whom works for the organ are not generally associated. Enjoy!
From Benjamin Rivera

Dear friends,

Our vocal music has returned to its usual (pre-COVID) summer format:
-congregational Mass Ordinary, hymns, and service
music
-chanted propers, solos, and/or motets sung by the
Schola

If you haven’t attended a summer Mass for a while, you may not be aware that many of these Masses feature a quartet or quintet of mixed voices. We hope you’ll join us in the building, or online if you’re unable to attend in person.

Peace be with you!
Benjamin

Between Masses, please don’t forget that our choir has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension

Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
Participate in Ascension masses at our YouTube Channel. (Look for other connections options soon.)
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).

SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour

MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe,
The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Andrew McLean and family, Beth Hall, Steven Upmeyer,
Sue Lenz, Ben, Thom Ehlen, David D. Jones, Carys and Joshua Williams, Mike Rieman and Alexandra Olsavsky, Chris and Beth Cole
 
Birthdays: Aaron Dahms, 9/12; John Lawler, 9/14; David Schrader, 9/15;
Christopher Raymond, 9/15; Marilyn Evans, 9/18
 
Requiescat in pace: Annamae Drury, 9/16/2009; John Simmons, 9/16/2018;
John J. Kobus, Priest, 9/17/2011,
 
Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of William L. (Bill) Flodin and for the repose of the soul of Rey Labasan Famanas
 
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector

The Rev. Meghan Murphy-Gill, Curate

Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Cheryl Peterson, Sr. Warden; Kenneth Kelling, Jr. Warden; Kelly Colomberti, Marilyn Evans, Lynette Hector, Jim Lo Bello, George Pineda, David Reeves, Samuel Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Amber Zelazny

Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.