Volume 11, Issue #6
February 11, 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.
FROM PETER'S PEN

Continuing my theme of introducing local, African-American churches during Black History Month, this week I draw our attention to First Baptist Church, located on Clinton Street. Like St. John AME, First Baptist is located just a few blocks from Ascension. The church was founded in 1833, so is nearly the same age as our own parish (we were founded in 1836). Their current, beautiful building was raised in the early 1900's, after a protracted battle for the right to build at all. VisitFrankfort.com adds the following, illuminating note:
 
"The impressive brick structure and beautiful stained-glass windows are a reminder that members, who at that time were typically earning less than fifty cents an hour, raised thousands of dollars to build their beloved church. Many members were masons and donated their services." 
First Baptist recently called Pastor Rosby Glover as their new Senior Pastor. I hope to meet him soon and to begin building a solid relationship between our two congregations.

With Joy,
Peter+

Cell: 502-661-2742
Last Sunday
after the Epiphany
Sunday, February 14
9:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist, Rite II
pre-recorded inside the church with Ascension clergy and organist. Posted online on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. on YouTube, with link to the service on Facebook. Please join us!

Featuring a powerful sermon in music and black composers - not to be missed!



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Finding us on Facebook sometimes causes confusion. We have TWO Ascension addresses on Facebook:

(1) THE PAGE: Find Father Peter's Morning Prayer, links to recorded services and Father Peter 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Page" at https://www.facebook.com/ascensionfrankfort

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.

(2) THE GROUP: Find Evening Prayer, Compline, shared photos, links to recorded services and various lay/clergy 'live,' and more on our Facebook "Group" at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ascensionfrankfort

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
Continues Online via ZOOM

We began this online book study on February 3. The book is a warm and refreshing read. Please let Father Peter know if you would like to participate.
LENT 2021 BEGINS

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
with Holy Eucharist
February 17
posted online at 6:30 p.m.  

Pre-recorded inside the church with Ascension clergy and organist.
Posted online on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. on YouTube,
with link to the service on Facebook.
Please join us!


IMPOSITION OF ASHES

Due to the pandemic, there will be no Imposition of Ashes by clergy.
However, 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.

Please call or text Father Peter (502-661-2742) in advance, 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
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! 


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.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/kycouncilofchurches to see each session. If you are not a member of our KCC Facebook group, just request to be a member in advance of the Prayer in Action Days. 

“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.

For more information contact the Kentucky Council of Churches at KCC@kycouncilofchurches.org, 859-269-7715, or visit the KCC website: www.kycouncilofchurches.org

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
Walk in Love: Episcopal Beliefs and Practices
course to be offered again
March 9 - April 6
7:00-8:30 p.m. via Zoom

"Walk in Love" is an exciting opportunity 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 follow these short teaching sessions with small group discussions designed to help us see our faith in new ways and live more fully into it. We will meet on Zoom, Tuesday nights from 7-8:30pm March 9 - April 6. We hope you will join us!

COVID-19 PANDEMIC
REMINDER as of February 3, 2021

The Church Building Remains
CLOSED
NO ENTRY
unless pre-approved by Father Doddema
(502-661-2742)

Entry only by clergy, staff, contractors or others by appointment, or as specifically authorized for brief, single-person tasks. No in-person group meetings are allowed on the premises at this time, and no in-person worship services are scheduled inside the building until further notice. 

If you do have an approved reason to enter the building, please remember: 

NO in-person group meetings are allowed on the premises at this time.

DO NOT ENTER if you have felt sick in the last 24 hours. Check your temperature and get tested if you have symptoms.

MASK REQUIRED: Please provide your own mask and keep it ON, covering your mouth and nose, as you move about the premises (even if you think you are in the building alone, you may encounter others at any time). You may remove your mask only when working alone in a single confined space; put it back on immediately if anyone enters that space. WASH YOUR HANDS.

GLOVES: Disposable gloves are readily available on the kitchen counter – for use when touching any objects frequently touched by others (such as door knobs, money, equipment, etc.). WASH YOUR HANDS.

DISINFECT Restrooms, Kitchen, Office and Other Shared Spaces: Disinfectant gel and wipes are provided throughout the building. Please disinfect all touched surfaces thoroughly after using/touching. WASH YOUR HANDS.

SOCIAL DISTANCE: Stay at least 6 feet apart, including in the church, at the altar, in meeting rooms, kitchen, hallways, and offices. Dr. Stack says the rule is Mask PLUS Distance, not one or the other!

LIMIT face-to-face interaction: use virtual meetings, email, etc., whenever possible. Keep any personal encounters SHORT. 
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.

Click here to see a letter from our Treasurer regarding the ongoing pandemic: https://www.ascensionfrankfort.org/donations
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: The Episcopal Church Women, Carol Mize, President-Elect; The Episcopal Men of the Diocese, Randy Railey, President.
 
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; 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 miracles, large and small, happening in our midst during this blessed Epiphany-tide; for the upcoming season of Lent and the healing and renewal that it brings.
 
Birthdays: 2/11 - Abby Hodapp, Scott Kimbel; 2/13 - Lynda Roberts, Tori Saager; 2/14 - John Roberts; 2/15 - James Russell; 2/17 - Jennifer Lee; 2/18 - David Bemiss; 2/20 - Alex Aossey, Bill Brown, Bob Gable. 

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



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