Volume 10, Issue #49
December 10, 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.
FROM PETER'S PEN

This second week of Advent is filled with Scripture and themes of God comforting his people. The prophetic reading for this week is from Isaiah 40.1 - 11. It is the inconic: "Comfort ye! Comfort ye my people," that Handel wrote into his oratorio "Messiah." This week reminds us that as we turn toward God, we discover that God is already turned to us, sheltering us in his arms and healing us of our wounds. 

More wonderful photos this week from Craig Aossey as well!

With Joy,
Peter+

Cell: 502-661-2742
“Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid.”
Isaiah 12:2
2021 Stewardship Campaign

2021 Pledges Are Now Due

Your stewardship pledges are needed now to enable the Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Vestry to plan a realistic operating budget for 2021 in time for vestry and parish meetings in January. With highly effective COVID vaccines now on the horizon, we hope that we will soon be returning to in-person worship, in addition to continuing online services and meetings. Ascension needs and appreciates your continuing financial support to handle ongoing bills, salaries and expenses to care for our historic building and carry out our mission and ministry. 

With the timing of Commitment Sunday coming right on the heels of Thanksgiving as we enter Advent and plan for Christmas, we understand that sending in your pledge may have fallen down a bit on your priority list. Please take a moment now to mail in your 2021 Pledge Forms - or send details of your pledge to Mona in the office.



Mail your pledge to the church, or email it toinfo@ascensionfrankfort.org

Your current pledge expires on 12/31/20;
it does NOT carry forward into 2021. 
If you have any questions, please call the office at 502-223-0557.

Thank you!
Advent 3
Sunday, December 13
9:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II
pre-recorded, inside the church
with Ascension clergy & organist

Find us on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/ascensionfrankfort

BCP 936


for you to view/print/download

to help follow along with the service.
The third Sunday of Advent in the Roman Catholic calendar of the church year is sometimes called Gaudete Sunday. This term is derived from the Latin opening words of the introit antiphon, "Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always." The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of the Christmas celebration, reflecting a lightening of the tone of the traditional Advent observance.

It was appropriate for the celebrant of the Mass to wear rose-colored vestments on this day instead of the deeper violet vestments that were typically used in Advent. This Sunday was also known as "Rose Sunday." This custom is not required in the Episcopal Church, but it is observed by some parishes with a traditional Anglo-catholic piety. This custom is reflected by the practice of including a pink or rose-colored candle among the four candles of an Advent wreath.
This year our in-person, inside-the-church services have been curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic since March. We had hopes of offering in-person holiday worship services inside the church, but the pandemic surge dictates that December services are planned to be online only – and whenever possible, recorded inside the church with liturgies, readings, and music of the season. When the pandemic numbers abate and we can safely add live, in-person services, in December or after, we will immediately post the news online.
for Advent and Christmas services (updated 11/24/2020)
GODLY PLAY ONLINE ON ADVENT SUNDAYS
Ascension's own Laura Buffenmyer will offer Godly Play sessions online, posted on Facebook at 7:00 p.m., every Sunday in Advent (November 29, December 6, 13, and 20).

Children of all ages delight in these lessons, and all family members are welcome. Stop by and see what it's all about! https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensionfrankfort
In this year of the pandemic and virtual/online services, our custom of donating poinsettias to decorate the church for the season is unfortunately not necessary. We will use only a few real flowers for show in recorded services. However, you are invited to remember and honor to your loved ones by dedicating a ‘virtual’ poinsettia. There will be no real flower to pick up after the season, but the dedications will be shared with the parish on a list published at Christmas-time.
Click here for instructions (PDF) to submit your dedication(s) by email or paper form (preferred), or since time is getting short, call the office at 502-223-0557.

Names for publication must be received by noon on December 16, 2020.
In past years Ascension has sponsored Christmas treats and festivities for the resident children and families of Simon House with Angel Tree gifts and a festive dinner party. This year, because of the COVID pandemic restrictions, we are not able to set up a tree with paper angels to guide your shopping, or to plan an in-person group Christmas party. Especially in this season of extra anxiety and disruption because of the pandemic, we still want to help make the holidays a little brighter for these families.

Many of you have responded very generously to this project in the past. We are asking you to do so again, and we offer two “socially distant” ways for you to participate:

1.     Make a cash contribution to this Angel Project. Deacon Rebecca and Simon House administrators will purchase modest gifts online and arrange for their safe delivery. In addition to the gifts and instead of a group party, we plan to provide each family with the basics for a festive holiday meal in their own home (lasagna, salad, bread).

100% of your contribution will go directly to Simon House residents – or, after being divided, any remainder will be donated directly to Simon House for other needs.

To help support Ascension’s 2020 Angel Project for Simon House, please make your check payable to Church of the Ascension, write “Simon House” or “Angel” in the memo area, and mail it to Ascension at 311 Washington Street, Frankfort KY 40601.

Your contribution must be received no later than Thursday, December 10, to allow time for online shopping and delivery of items.

2.     If you also or instead want to do some personal ‘angel shopping,’ you are most welcome to do so! Simon House administrators are suggesting mostly much-needed clothing for gifts this year. Please contact Deacon Rebecca personally to coordinate specifics. (Call 502-316-8899 or email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org). 
Did you receive your Ascension gift bags
for Advent and Christmas?
If not, please call Deacon Rebecca at 502- 316-8899.
Know that you are remembered in prayer.

A ‘Friends and Families of Ascension’ DIRECTORY was distributed with the Advent/Christmas gift bags. If you are NOT included in the directory, it means we did not receive permission from you to share your name and/or contact information. We tried to reach everyone with this request but some did not respond. So this booklet is essentially a 'first draft.'

Consequently, quite a few people are realizing they were not included in this booklet. We actually do have private details on file in the office for many who are not listed in this ‘first draft’ public directory. But we must have your permission to share your name and details with the congregation (you may specify which details are to remain private).

This new directory is becoming our guide to people who are currently active in the congregation - to use for sending U.S. Mail and email, publicly listing birthdays and anniversaries, broadcasting announcements, and more. So please do reply, even if you prefer that your contact details remain private.

We plan to issue an updated directory in the spring or summer of 2021. We hope that many people who are ‘missing but active’ now will be included then – but only if permission is provided. 

Here is a printable form (or you may email or call the office to request one be mailed to you). We need this form with your signature (or an email from you stating such permission) for inclusion in the next directory update, expected in spring or summer 2021. 

Photographs are optional. You may send a digital photo if you have one, or send a printed photo to be scanned. Maybe someday when we are meeting in person again, we might find a volunteer photographer to take photos...?
January 24, 2021
Ascension’s
Annual Meeting
will be virtual this year.
Mark your calendar now!


ASCENSION'S ANNUAL PARISH BUSINESS MEETING 
will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2021, online via ZOOM.
Watch your email for a ZOOM meeting invitation in January.

Your attendance is encouraged and needed as we review the year just past, and make important decisions for the year to come. Please plan to attend!

Reports: The budget for 2021 will be presented for review. Committees and organizations should submit annual reports for 2020 by Tuesday, Jan. 19. Email your Word or PDF format documents to info@ascensionfrankfort.org, or submit a print copy to Mona in the parish office. Reports received by Jan. 19 will be made available for viewing online.

Voting: In accordance with the bylaws of the Church of the Ascension, Article III, Membership and Parish Meetings, Section 1, Membership: “Qualified voters at a Parish meeting shall be: (a) All those who are confirmed communicants in good standing of the age of 16 years or older, and (b) Any other baptized persons of age 16 years or older who are regular worshipers in the Parish and who for six month immediately preceding the meeting have been regular contributors to the support of the Parish. (Canon 17.04, Diocese of Lexington)”

  • Election of Vestry Candidates: Individuals are being been identified as eligible candidates and recommended by the Nominating Committee (Julia Tyson, Chair). Qualifications are the same as for voting (above). The election will be held and tabulated online, during the ZOOM meeting. Watch for details coming soon.

  • Election of Ascension deputies and alternate(s) to the 2021 Diocesan Convention: Three lay deputies and alternate(s) will be elected; the Senior Warden for the calendar year is automatically the fourth lay deputy. Qualifications are the same as for voting and vestry candidates.) The election will be held and tabulated online, during the ZOOM meeting. (If you are interested in being a deputy, please contact Julia Tyson, Nominating Committee Chair –jspeavler@gmail.com or Father Peter (fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org). 

  • Absentee Voting: For those members who currently receive a print copy of the eWeekly (homebound and/or not a computer user), absentee ballots will be provided in January. Ballots must be received back in the office by Tuesday, January 19. Anyone who does not currently receive a print copy of the eWeekly, but wishes to receive an absentee paper ballot, may request a ballot by contacting Mona Proctor in the parish office (info@ascensionfrankfort.org or 502-223-0557), as soon as possible.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
UPDATE 11/19/20

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, Franklin County has entered a 'red' danger zone. Access to the church building is once again strictly limited to those with specific permission; all services and meetings, including small groups, are discontinued for now. We expect this situation to continue through December as we continue to pray for the victims, their families and loved ones, and each other. Ascension's tower bell rings daily at 10:00 a.m. in memory of COVID victims.

Regular office hours remain suspended until further notice; clergy and staff continue to work (mostly) from home. If you have questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions to share, or if you have needs that your church family might help to meet, you may call the church office at 502-223-0557, or contact Father Peter directly (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
12/4/2020: $7,660

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: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Winchester
The Rev. Jim Trimble, Priest-in-Charge.

Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Bill; Correll; Debbie; Donnie; Faye & Steve; Joe; Josh; Julia; Kay; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Mildred; Noreen; Ruth; Scott & Kathy, and Shannon.

Continuing concern: Barbara; Betty; Bobbie Lee; Collin; Dan; Darlene; David; Debbie; Dillard; the Duncan Family; Edith & Marion; Erika; Fran & Doug; Gillian; Ginni; Holly; Isaiah; James & Stella; Jean; Jinks; June; 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 birthdays & anniversaries; for this Advent season of hope and expectation; for all who work to make our parish a true community; and for recovery for those who have been ill or hospitalized; and special blessings for the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Doug & Fran Bradshaw on 12/12.

Birthdays: 12/13 - Laura Buffenmyer.

Recently Departed: Carleton, Cynthia, and Z.T. (friends of Father Bill Brown).

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



Copyright © 2020 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.