Volume 10, Issue #37
September 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
Listening: how do we do this? I mean real listening, not just registering noise or kind-of hearing the words people are saying.
How do we really listen???
Case in point: at the moment, I have a Cannonball Adderley album ("Somethin' Else") playing in the background. He put together some of the best jazz musicians of his time to create this album, and it shows. Art Blakey shines on the drums; Sam Jones is superb on the bass. Miles Davis does things that only Miles could do, and Adderley is his usual, stunning self on saxophone. As I write this, Hank Jones is doing incredible piano work. I have heard this track ("Autumn Leaves") many times, but I have not really listened to it. I follow the general flow of the music and can easily pick out one or two of the musicians when I hear them, but I have not actually paid attention to what is happening - focused intently on the music being created all around me.
What that means is that now, as I pay closer attention to it, as I begin to really listen to it, I am transported by what is really happening. Jones' piano work is an excellent example: I have never heard his playing quite like I am hearing it this morning, as I choose to pay close attention to it. Truly listening is rewarding me with a deeply satisfying, spiritual experience!
In the same way, one of the words used in the Bible for listening ("shma" - Deuteronomy 6.4; Proverbs 18.13; etc.) means a lot more than just hearing sounds, noises, or words. It means:
-to hear with intent - to make the choice to pay attention.
-to discern intelligently - to reflect on what one is hearing before responding.
-to hear deeply - to the heart of the matter.
We are going to be talking more about this in the coming weeks (a little later this year, we will spend a few weeks of our book study learning more about how to listen), but I want to begin the conversation now. With so much noise surrounding us: political ads, Covid statistics, information on how to deal with life right now (e.g. what steps do I have to take to safely get a new ID?), etc. it is easy to grow callous and deaf - to lose the ability to listen. Some of this is necessary self-preservation: if we listened intently to everything that was broadcast our way, we would break down completely.
However, as we will learn, good listening begins with clear intentions (e.g. "What is God calling me to hear today?") and involves carefully, deliberately selecting what we do and do not listen to. Good listening helps to create healthy disciples and a healthy parish (both inside of the church and beyond it in the world around us).
I encourage you to take a few minutes to look up "healthy listening" online and see what you find. And, whether you are connected to the internet or not, I encourage you to begin, right now, thinking about what you're listening to and whether or not you are selecting healthy or unhealthy things to hear and absorb. The Christian life, especially in these difficult days, demands that we take in healthy input, both for our own well-being and for the health of our family, friends, and the world around us.
Blessings,
Peter+
Email: fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org
Cell: 502-661-2742
P.S. Don't miss the BOOK STUDY announcement below!
|
|
Join us for Online Worship - Sunday, September 13
posted/viewable at 9:30 a.m.
|
|
Fifteenth Sunday
after Pentecost:
Proper 19, Year Two
BCP 985
Morning Prayer with Father Peter Doddema
|
|
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!
|
|
New Book Study!
Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. via ZOOM
starting September 16, 2020
|
|
"Renowned biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine, author of The Misunderstood Jew, and general editor for The Jewish Annotated New Testament, interweaves history and spiritual analysis to explore Jesus’ most popular teaching parables, exposing their misinterpretations and making them lively and relevant for modern readers."
|
|
The quick and easy online signup button above will immediately put you on the email list for the book study class. As the class start date approaches, watch for an email with the ZOOM invitation and password. Please obtain your book from Amazon or any other source (copies are not being ordered through the church office). If you need assistance or have questions, contact Mona in the the parish office (info@ascensionfrankfort.org or 502-223-0557)
For the first meeting on September 16, please read the book's introduction:
How We Domesticate Jesus's Provocative Stories.
|
|
Walk in Love is an exciting opportunity provided by the Diocese of Lexington to learn more about our Episcopalian way of life. Leading theologians will teach us about the liturgical year, habits of daily prayer, Anglican spirituality, and how prayer shapes our beliefs.
We will meet five times on Zoom, Monday nights from 7-8:30 pm September 21—October 19. Each meeting will include short teaching sessions from leading theologians and small group discussions designed to help us see our faith in new ways and live more fully into it. There will be the opportunity to break out into parish groups with sufficient numbers, and we can help your faith community set up a small group within the course.
Once you register we will send you confirmation of your registration as well as a participant packet that will have a detailed schedule, a link for the Zoom meetings, simple instructions on how to sign up for a free Zoom account, and the discussion questions we will use.
Schedule for Walk in Love:
Monday, September 21 — The Sacramental Journey
Monday, September 28 — Marking Time
Monday, October 5 — Basic Beliefs
Monday, October 12 — The Church
Monday, October 19 — The Trinitarian Life
We hope you will join us for this life-changing opportunity! Registration deadline: September 20.
|
|
Many Episcopalians blanch when they hear "The E Word" . . . Evangelism. But the imperative to share the good news as disciples of Jesus is all over the gospels, in our baptismal rite, in our diocesan vision. We might wonder how can we do evangelism now, during the chaos of a pandemic, especially if we're already uncomfortable with the idea!
The Diocese of Lexington will offer a five-session class on evangelism to a small group of lay and/or clergy people with a strong interest in knowing more and in taking what they learn back to their faith communities. The Rev. TJ Azar and The Rev. Sherilyn Pearce will facilitate this video/discussion series via Zoom. Class meeting days/times will be negotiated when participants are identified.
|
|
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, in-person worship services inside the church are still suspended. 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 and "Healthy at Work" guidelines apply to everyone who enters the building.
|
|
includes our church building!
|
|
MONTHLY RECEIPTS
9/4/2020: $1,790
9/9/2020: $167.53 from
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:
|
|
This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
|
|
Intercessions for the Church: St. Francis’ Church, Flemingsburg - The Rev. Mary Kilbourn-Huey, Priest-in-Partnership.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Barbara; Bill; Bob; Bobbie Lee; Candy; Correll; Daneen; Debbie; Donnie; Edith & Marion; Fran & Doug; Fred; Ginni; Heidi & Ian; Greg; Joe; Jon; Josh; Julia; Kay; Linda; Lynda; Madonna; Mae & Frank; Marilyn; Sandy; Scott & Kathy; 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 & Willie; June; Linda; Mac; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; 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: 9/17 - Debbie Gilbert, Beth Wollaeger; 9/19 - Jane Bartram, Ian Pinkerton.
Recently Departed: Jane Minter (wife of The Rev. Larry Minter).
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
