Volume 11, Issue #19
May 13, 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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Braver Angels is a national grassroots organization that works to depolarize our society by getting folks from different political perspectives to sit together and thoughtfully listen to each other.
I was contacted by this organization in March to see if I would lead a group in participating in a Braver Angels workshop. I was also asked if Ascension would host this workshop, to which I said "YES."
The event happened last Saturday, and was a definite success. Farmdale Baptist Church brought several "reds" (more conservative-voting folks), and we provided "blues" (more liberal-voting folks). The moderators led us in reflecting on our own political perspectives (e.g., "What stereotypes do others believe about my political viewpoint? Is there a kernel of truth somewhere inside of the stereotype?") and then sharing them with the group.
It was a lot of work to take my feelings and distill them into coherent thoughts. We had great moderators who were trained to help with this.
We are waiting for the feedback from participants, but hope to do more of this work and to have it help our community (and ourselves) learn to listen a little better and react a little less. See the link above to read the local newspaper article about our event.
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The courtyard/cloister garden at Ascension was recently replanted, courtesy of Martha Moore. Old vegetation and trees were removed and new weeping/flowering trees and flowers were planted. The gardeners just finished the work, and it is gorgeous. When you are at the church, I encourage you to take a few minutes to visit and appreciate the lovely, replanted space.
Thank you, Martha, for beautifying this lovely space!
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell 502-661-2742
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WORSHIP NOTES
For the foreseeable future, Sunday worship will include both in-person and online worship. If you are comfortable attending live worship at the church, it is held at 9:30 a.m. Once we have a larger number of people attending worship (and enough usher volunteers to take temperatures), we will return to our normal two services: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
If you are not yet comfortable attending worship at the church, we invite you to attend live worship through our Facebook page. One of the clergy will lead Morning Prayer on Facebook each Sunday, also at 9:30 a.m.
We are working on getting the technology to broadcast our services live from the sanctuary. We are intentionally taking our time to select the right options at the best price possible. We will update you once we have more information about this.
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is slowed, not gone, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Masks, signing in at the door, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas.
Ask an usher about the current availability of Nursery services and Godly Play classes for youth.
Beginning in MAY, we will allow the in-person congregation to say prayers and responses aloud, as long as:
1) people are socially distanced, and
2) people are wearing masks.
Congregational singing, of course, is still not allowed. Work is being done at the diocesan level to reincorporate this; we hope to hear more soon.
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Father Peter and the Ascension Vestry have approved
Reopening the Church Building
for Group Meetings
We ask that groups observe the normal COVID precautions:
1) To ensure access and availability for church meeting spaces, please contact Mona Proctor in the parish office to schedule all meetings in advance: call (502) 223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org
2) Wear masks and practice social distancing (depending on the size of your group, you may need to consider meeting in the parish hall for now).
3) Keep a list of who is physically present in case there is a need to trace contacts; take temperatures with a no-touch thermometer, ask questions about recent symptoms, and deny admittance to anyone with a high temperature or recent symptoms. (The church has two thermometers, blank attendance roster pages and a checklist which may be used if returned to their original location immediately after your meeting.)
4) Continue to offer online attendance options (ZOOM, etc.) for people who are not yet comfortable attending meetings in person. (ZOOM meetings can be set up by anyone for free, with certain restrictions. For church-related meetings expected to last longer than 40 minutes, ask Father Peter or Mona Proctor about scheduling under the church's paid account.)
ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff will begin spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home; personal meetings may be requested in advance. Church doors will remain locked when there is only one person in the building. Full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages, so please call 502-223-0557 when you need to reach us!
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Seventh Sunday
of Easter
May 16, 9:30 a.m. - Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person service
inside the church.
Morning Prayer will be offered online
at the same time.
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Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:
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Long-time Ascension nursery workers Catherine Hatchett and Mia Smith have resigned their positions as nursery attendants on Sunday mornings. We wish to express our heartfelt thanks for their dedicated service through the years, and wish them the very best in future endeavors!
Ascension is seeking two paid, part-time nursery attendants to work with a small group of children, ages 0-4, on Sunday mornings, 9:00-11:30 a.m., and occasionally for special events (usually a couple of evening or weekend hours). This position is paid hourly and is part-time with no additional benefits. Must be over 18 and have/arrange reliable transportation. For a complete job description and application form, see Deacon Rebecca Saager (curate@ascensionfrankfort.org) or call 502-223-0557.
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SPRING BOOK STUDY
Starting Wednesday, April 28
and continuing on Wednesdays
at 5:30 p.m.
Online via ZOOM
Our popular book studies continue with another selection from Barbara Brown Taylor: Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home.
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Diocese called to pray
Thy Kingdom Come
May 13-23
Bishop Mark is once again inviting the diocese to participate in Thy Kingdom Come, a global prayer initiative that calls on Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. What started in 2016 as an invitation from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the Church of England has grown into an international and ecumenical call to prayer.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Reading Camp is ON at Ascension
for Summer 2021
Monday, JULY 19 thru Friday, JULY 23
For details, contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
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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.
THANK YOU
for continuing to support Ascension w
ith your time, treasure, and talents!
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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 University of the South - Reuben E. Brigety II, Vice-Chancellor; The Rt. Rev. Robert Skirving, Chancellor;
The Rev. Canon James F. Turrell, Ph.D., Dean, School of Theology.
Recently in need of prayers: Allen; Angie; Arnold; Bill; Correll; Darlene; George A.; George S.; Jan & Dale; John; Kathy; Linda P.; Lynda R.; Marie; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mildred; Noreen; Patricia; Ruth; the students and staff of Stewart Home School; and also, the victims of recent flooding in our city and state.
Continuing concern: Adrianna; Ann; Barbara; Dan; Debbie; Dillard; Edith; Faye & Steve; Gillian; Ginni; Jinks; Mac; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Polly; Rena; and Sue. 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 our parish as we celebrate Ascension Day; for a successful Braver Angels event; for our Vestry; for our newly replanted garden.
Birthdays: 5/17 - Andrew Bates; 5/19 - Ellen Thorsen; 5/20 - Hayden Hoover.
Anniversaries: 5/16 - Don & Rebecca Saager.
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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