Volume 11, Issue #2
January 14, 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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EVOLVING NOW: A special Diocesan prayer event is being planned, to be led by Bishop Mark Van Koevering, virtually from Church of the Ascension in Frankfort - tentatively on Sunday, 12/17. Bishop Mark will lead special prayers specially dedicated to our state and national governments in this time of crisis and change. Watch for details to be posted on Facebook pages of the Diocese and Ascension.
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FROM PETER'S PEN
We will begin our usual schedule for a Lenten book study on Wednesday, February 3 - see details below.
Just prior to that, on Wednesday, January 20, and Wednesday, January 27, we will do something a little different:
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Nicole Doddema and Julia Tyson will offer online forums focused on mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Julia works as a school counselor for Jefferson County Schools and Nicole works as a social worker for the Department of Public Advocacy, so both are experts in these areas.
I encourage everyone to attend, as there will be a lot of really helpful information and opportunities to learn. Their presentations will help make sense of things like unusual behaviors that we see in people we meet on the street, at the church's Sunday breakfast, etc.
It is also a chance to learn and gather resources if you have family members with mental, emotional, or behavioral challenges. So often, when challenges like this arise within a family, we can feel trapped or stuck. Julia and Nicole can offer suggestions for support and give advice on how to handle some situations.
This will be offered online via Zoom, so if you wish to attend, please let Mona or Father Peter know so that we can send you the link.
If you have specific questions or topics you'd like to know more about, please also let Mona or Father Peter know, so that we can pass this along and the ladies can prepare.
Ultimately, we have a lot of great, knowledgeable, caring folks at Ascension. Please attend if you are able; learn and grow, and know that you're supported!
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
P.S. If you elected to make new or changed 2021 pledge payments via ACH (automatic transfer from your bank), please see the note below about starting in February - so your January pledge payment(s) should be made by regular check(s). If your 2020 ACH pledge is unchanged for 2021, it will continue uninterrupted through January.
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Second Sunday
after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 17
9:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
pre-recorded inside the church
with Ascension clergy and organist
Please join us! This service will be posted on YouTube with a LINK shared 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 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 and for group members to share posts.
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HELP!
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into 2021, Deacon Rebecca Saager is struggling to plan for Reading Camp at Ascension in the summer of 2021. She needs some creative minds to join her as a Steering Committee to help formulate ideas and options for Frankfort Reading Camp at Ascension in the continuing pandemic environment.
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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 in the week before the meeting for a ZOOM invitation with attached documents for the meeting. 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!
CALL FOR REPORTS: If your church-related group would like to submit a written report to the congregation for this meeting, please submit it no later than Sunday, January 17, to Mona in the church office (email info@ascensionfrankfort.org).
Voting Method: This year, voting by the general congregation will occur online, during the virtual meeting, as allowed by the recently amended bylaws. Mother Elise Johnstone will visit and assist with conducting the online voting.
Paper absentee ballots will be provided to our current mailing list of homebound and non-computer-user members, and to any qualified voter who requests a paper ballot no later than January 17 (request by phone call to Mona at 502-223-0557).
Qualified Voters: 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 months immediately preceding the meeting have been regular contributors to the support of the Parish. (Canon 17.04, Diocese of Lexington)”
Election of Vestry Candidates: Four individuals have been identified as eligible candidates and recommended by the Nominating Committee to serve on the vestry for the next three years. They are: Kristi Buffenmyer, Cynthia Campbell, Suzanne Cox, and Jim King. Click here to see more information about the Vestry candidates.
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Election of Ascension Deputies and Alternate(s) to the 2020 Diocesan Convention: Three lay deputies and two 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.
Candidates for seats as Deputies or Alternates are currently Ginni Fox, Shannon Lancaster, and Judith Spencer (plus the Senior Warden, who will automatically be a Deputy), for election at the same parish meeting. You may still volunteer to be a Deputy or Alternate - two more people are needed. Contact Father Peter to learn more, and watch for more information to come about the election.
Farewell and many thanks again for the service of outgoing vestry members Laura Buffenmyer, Ginni Fox, Ron Gruzesky, Rick Kurtz, and Shannon Lancaster.
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LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Starting 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 will begin 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 in the last week of January for the ZOOM link.
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includes our church building!
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Thank you for your continuing support through the challenging year. 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:
2020 DONATIONS, PLEDGES & STATEMENTS: As of December 31, all 2020 pledges are reset to zero, including any 'unpaid remainders.' New 2021 pledges took effect on January 1. ALL pledge payments and other donations received on or after January 1 will count toward 2021, not 2020 (if you need a personal exception to that rule, please contact Mona in the parish office as soon as possible). Watch your email this week for a final “2020 Pledge Progress Statement.”
LATER this month, by January 31, 2021, you will receive a separate, itemized statement listing all of your 2020 total giving – THIS will be a print document sent via US Mail, suitable to use for tax purposes (NOT your pledge progress statement).
If you elected to give in 2021 by an automated bank donation (ACH), please be aware that NEW or CHANGED 2021 ACH payments will not start until February, so your January pledge payment(s) should be made by regular check(s). ACH withdrawals unchanged from 2020 will continue uninterrupted through January and the remainder of the year. Watch for and be sure to confirm the amount of your first 2021 withdrawal 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: St. James Church, Prestonsburg - The Rev. Sister Judy Yunker, Priest-in-Partnership.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Bill; Correll; Debbie; Donnie; Faye & Steve; Jennifer, Ellen & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Kay; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Michele and family; 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 recovery for those who have been ill or hospitalized, and for new vaccines; for birthdays and anniversaries; and for all the friends and families who make up our congregation.
Birthdays: 1/16 - Ruth Feindel; 1/18 - Bobbie Lee Wilson; 1/20 - Don Peck, Kerry Lamb; 1/23 - Candy Charters, Jenny Neat, Chris Smith.
Anniversaries: 1/23 - Scott & Michal Mello.
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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