Volume 11, Issue #5
February 4, 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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FROM PETER'S PEN
In celebration of Black History Month, I am writing a series of short articles on our neighboring African-American congregations. It is good to get to know our neighbors a bit, to hold them up in prayer during these difficult times, and to have them pray for us as well. I have been meeting with my fellow Pastors, as COVID allows, and reached out to them for their permission and input prior to writing these articles.
This week, our focus is on St. John AME Church, located near Ascension at 210 Clinton Street. St. John just celebrated their 181st anniversary!
AME = African Methodist Episcopal. When you read through their web site, there is a really nice explanation of the history and beliefs of the AME Church. Here is the link to their site (which gives their Twitter and FB links):
St. John AME is a vibrant and active part of the downtown community (as you can see from the photos on their Facebook page). Prior to COVID, I was able to worship with St. John and to begin getting to know their Pastor, Jermaine Wilson. He is originally from Versailles; he and his family live and work in Louisville.
I found St. John AME to be very welcoming and with excellent music and a vibrant atmosphere. Pastor Wilson tells me that they have some HVAC issues of their own, and so please pray for their heating and air conditioning system as you are praying for ours 🙂.
Over the past four years, I have been richly blessed through working and worshiping at several local AME congregations and have found them to be neighbors and fellow workers in God's vineyard. When our churches are able to resume meeting in person, my hope is that we can begin having occasional, shared worship services with St. John AME.
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
St. John AME, and the Wilson family:
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Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, February 7
9:30 a.m.
Morning Prayer
Please join us! This service will be streamed LIVE on Facebook.
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Finding us on Facebook sometimes causes confusion. We have TWO Ascension addresses on Facebook:
Visible to the public, posts may be made ONLY by Administrators; comments allowed from anyone. Please report any unsuitable comments to Father Peter or Mona. This Page is for general info and announcements from the church itself, for the public to see and comment.
Visible to the public but posts may be made by Administrators AND by all 'accepted' members of the Group (so anyone can share a photo, announcement, etc.); comments allowed from anyone. Please report any unsuitable comments to Father Peter or Mona. This Group is for the public to see posts and announcements from the church AND all group members.
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LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Started Wednesday, February 3
Online via ZOOM
What happens when a priest (or a parishioner) gets disillusioned with the Church? How do they find their way?
Our Lenten book study features a book that wrestles with that. Barbara Brown Taylor, a famous Episcopal priest, preacher, and college professor, found herself burned out on Church. Her book, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, talks about how she faced this and gradually healed. The (completely unexpected) prescription for her faith crisis came from teaching a world religion class to Appalachian students at a local college.
We began this online book study on Wednesday, February 3. The book is available in paperback, Kindle, and audible; it is a warm and refreshing read. Please let Mona know if you would like to participate (email info@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-223-0557). Watch your email for the ZOOM link.
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Lent 2021 begins on
Ash Wednesday, February 17,
and ends on Saturday, April 3.
Although we cannot have Ash Wednesday in person this year, we will broadcast an Ash Wednesday service on YouTube on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:30 p.m.
We do have ashes available at the church. Father Peter has individually bagged ashes for individual use; if you would like some for Ash Wednesday, they are available for pick up at the church, for self-administration only.
Due to the pandemic, there will be no Imposition of Ashes by clergy.
Please call or text Father Peter (502-661-2742) before coming to the church to pick up ashes, to be sure that someone will meet you at the door. Times for pick up are:
- Tuesday, February 9: between 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 10: between 10:00 a.m. - noon
- Tuesday, February 16: between 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 17: between 10:00 a.m. - noon
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Would you like to feel God’s presence more deeply? The Diocese of Lexington will offer a Zoom-based course that will introduce five ancient spiritual exercises that have helped Christians cultivate a more joyful and life-giving relationship with God and neighbor. The class will meet for five Monday nights in Lent, February 22-March 22, 7-8 p.m. Join us by registering with the link below!

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Kentucky Council of Churches announces
2021 Prayer In Action Days
KCC's annual Prayer in Action Days kicked off on February 2. This year will be a bit different since we cannot be at the Capitol, but you can still participate by tuning into the Facebook Live sessions. Each session will be held via Zoom and streamed on the KCC Facebook page so that you may watch it at the time it is happening, or come back to it at a later time.
“We will pray for our governor and legislators and call them to a higher moral agenda that puts the well-being of Kentucky’s people first,” said Rev. Dr. Donald K. Gillett, II, Executive Director of the Council. Each event will include prayer, education on issues, and a call to action. “We want to engage religious leaders and their congregants in direct justice advocacy.” Prayer in Action Days are inspired by Moral Mondays in North Carolina, where religious leaders created significant change in policies that oppressed the poor and people of color.
The Kentucky Council of Churches chose these issues based on policy statements approved by all eleven of the Council’s denominational members (to look at our policy statements, click here)The membership includes Protestant and Roman Catholic congregations. The Council works with other state advocacy groups and coalitions on issues, and many of them have committed to support the Prayer in Action Days.
All Prayer in Action events are interfaith and open to the public and media.
Schedule for Prayer in Action Days 2021
All sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m.
February 2: Kickoff
February 9: Criminal Justice
February 16: Healthcare and Disabilities
February 23: Fair Housing
March 2: Voting Rights
March 9: Death Penalty
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ASCENSION: Healthy at Work Poster
as of February 3, 2021
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If you elected to give in 2021 by an automated bank donation (ACH), please be aware that NEW or CHANGED 2021 ACH payments will first occur on February 15th and 30th. Watch for and be sure to confirm the amount of your first 2021 withdrawal(s) with your bank on the 15th and/or 30th of January or February, accordingly.
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.
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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 Our Saviour, Madison County (Richmond) - The Rev. Carol Ruthven, Rector.
Recently in need of prayers: Betty; Bill; Correll; Debbie; Donnie; Faye & Steve; Jennifer & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Ruth; Scott & Kathy, Shannon, Taylor, Tori, and the students and staff of Stewart Home School.
Continuing concern: Barbara; Betty; Bobbie Lee; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; the Duncan Family; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Gillian; Ginni; Isaiah; James & Stella; Jean; Jinks; Mac; Mae & Frank; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; 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 parishioners' recovery from illness and surgeries.; for God's Spirit, active in our midst; for a vital, vibrant church family.
Birthdays: 2/7 - Fred Kirchhoff; 2/11 - Scott Kimbel.
Anniversaries: 2/12 - Bob & Angela Bullock.
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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