Volume 12, Issue #13
March 31, 2022

In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.
We regret to share news of the passing of long-time Ascension member Ann M. Peel. Visitation will be Friday, April 1, at the Church of the Ascension between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with the service at 1:00 p.m. and a reception following in the parish hall. Burial will be at a later date. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
FROM PETER'S PEN

Whenever I am ill, I am especially thankful for the gift of silence. Normally my head is full of thoughts, questions, concerns, ideas, insights, and distractions. It is a veritable three-ring circus in there!

Being ill tends to stop all of that noise and bring me to a place of blessed quiet. Last week, Nicole and I caught the stomach flu. Today is the first day where I have felt more like myself. Happily, the quiet inside of me is still with me. As I prayed Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 75 - 102, I was led to pray Psalm 100, also called The Jubilate. It begins with the words Be joyful in the Lord. As I prayed, I was filled with joy for Ascension and for my place here as your priest. 

The unfolding spring is a good simile for what is happening in our parish: a new Eagle Scout in Troop 281 (Congratulations Will!), new and brightly budding twisted lavender trees in the courtyard, approaching Easter, the nursery re-opening, and our Sunday breakfasts re-starting soon (God willing). 

And above all of this, I am grateful for each of us. As your pastor, I experience the Spirit at work in you and in us when we gather for prayer, work, and worship. There is such holy, healthy power and excitement here. I wake up filled with delight, drive, and purpose. 

What a joy to work, walk, and celebrate with you!

With joy,
Peter +

Father Peter Doddema
Cell: 502-661-2742
Easter Lily Orders

You are invited to dedicate a potted Easter lily to honor someone special in your life. White lilies will be used to decorate the church on Easter Sunday, and dedications will be listed in the Easter bulletin and eWeekly newsletter. A donation of $15 per lily is suggested. You may take your flowers home after the conclusion of the Easter Sunday service.

Look for the order form in Sunday's bulletin, or click here for a PDF form to print. Complete the form and drop it in the collection plate with your check, or mail it to the parish office. Write "EASTER LILY" on the memo area of your check. Submission deadline is Wednesday, April 13.
Making Meaning Through Story, Wonder, and Play

Godly Play is a program to help nurture spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children.  

The Godly Play curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us, adults and children, into scriptural and spiritual experiences. Godly Play practices teach all of us to hear what God is saying so we can make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives. The Godly Play method teaches Christian language as a way to know God and to make meaning in our lives.

Different from the traditional model in which a teacher tells us what we need to know, Godly Play can help us to understand how the stories of God’s people connect with our own experiences and relationship with God. 
 
We hope you and your child (if there is one in your life) will view this free video and allow yourself to ponder the wonder of our God in this story about Lent and Easter:  
LENTEN MEDITATIONS
Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as downloadable PDFs. Both options are available here.
HELP UKRAINIAN REFUGEES
“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”
Matthew 25:35
Over three million refugees have now fled Ukraine in recent days. Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is partnering with Anglican agencies and other ecumenical partners to provide humanitarian aid in response to this crisis. Please help us to supply needed items for displaced families and individuals who are fleeing the war to other parts of Europe. 

As we pray for an end to violence and for those fleeing Ukraine, we also pray for ERD and other ecumenical agencies working to respond to the current crisis. Specific needs will change as the crisis evolves. As of right now, there is a need for food, water and shelter.

Please consider partnering with ERD in this response by donating to the International Disaster Response Fund. Your support will help meet critical needs for people fleeing the violence including food, cash, blankets and hygiene supplies. Help today | Read more about the response.
LETTERS OF ST. PAUL BIBLE STUDY
Sundays at 11:00 AM
This group meets on Sundays following the worship service, in-person and via Zoom (see link below). For Sunday, April 3, please read Romans Chapter 15.
LENTEN BOOK STUDY
Wednesdays at 5:30 PM
March 9 - April 6
Father Peter Doddema is leading this study of The Desert: An Anthology for Lent, via Zoom (see link below). For our last meeting on April 6, please read pp. 92-107.
ENQUIRER'S CLASS
Saturday, April 2 & 30
1:00 PM
This class meets twice monthly, both in-person and via Zoom (see link below). On April 2, we will continue to explore the Book of Common Prayer. On April 30, we will talk through the bishop's visit and how to prepare for it.
BOOK STUDY:
COMPARATIVE CHRISTIANITY
This class in on break through Lent and Holy Week. The Synopsis and Class Notes are posted HERE on Ascension's web site in PDF format for you to view or download.

Meeting ID: 886 223 0557
Passcode: catfish

Same for all meetings unless otherwise announced.
St. George’s Day 2022:
April 30

The Cathedral Domain and the Cathedral Domain Board invite all parishioners, guests, staff and clergy to attend St. George’s Day at the Cathedral Domain on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Activities will include camp tours, hiking and caving, a bouncy castle, life-size Jenga and chess games, corn hole, arts and crafts, a silent auction. What a wonderful way for all the different communities within our diocese to come together as one family in a place none other than the heart of the Diocese, the Cathedral Domain. Look for the information sheet on church tables and in the newsletter, or click here for a PDF copy.
SAVE THE DATE!

June 20-24, 2022
Come worship with us!
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Sunday, April 3
9:30 a.m.
with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II

OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church. Also, Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy online is on Facebook at 9:30 a.m.

Altar flowers on Sunday are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Ann M. Peel, by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Check our Online Calendar

Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
(phone 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org).

MINISTRY TEAMS will rotate in order, weekly, as shown above. Individual and late changes may not be reflected in bulletins due to composing and printing deadlines.

To notify of absence and request a substitute for the upcoming Sunday, please contact the Verger, Leah MacSwords, 502-545-0437 or lcmacs@aol.com (substitutes may include Suzanne Cox, Bryan Hendricks, Shannon Lancaster, Julia Tyson, Pauline Van Horn, Candy Charters, Jason Harrod).
Your participation is important!
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
(email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-316-8899).
Find the Diocese of Lexington online at
This web site has an abundance of information and resources -
check it out!
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING normally meet on the FIRST Sunday of each month after the last service, and after Bible study. Contact Judith Spencer for details (jspencer254@yahoo.com).
Intercessions for the Church: Church of the Good Shepherd, Lexington - The Rev. Hendree Harrison, Rector; The Rev. Jon Hall, Assistant to the Rector for Pastoral Care & Newcomers; The Rev. Canon Christian Brady, Clergy Associate.

Seminarians: Izak, Carter, Thomas.

Recently in need of prayers: George, Ida, Jim, John M., Martha, and Rena.

Continuing concern: Anissa, Bill, Dan, David, Debbie, Donnie, Faye, Frances, Jesse, Jinks, John B., Laia, Linda, Lynda, Mac, Marilyn, Mike & Susie, Polly, Richard, Shannon, Susan, and Will. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Josh, Nick, and Tanner.

Thanksgiving: for the life of Ann Peel.

Birthdays: 4/4 - Heidi Hiemstra; 4/6 - Kathy Kimbel; 4/7 - Jesse Lee; 4/9 - Will McKee. 

Recently Deceased: Ann M. Peel.

NOTICE:
Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting us 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! 

Please put ALL prayer requests in writing to Deacon Sue Kurtz 
(email deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org or text 502-330-5358). Prayer requests must be received by end-of-day on Sunday to ensure publication in the next upcoming weekly newsletter and Sunday bulletin. ‘Recently in Need’ prayers will remain for ONE month only, unless requested again.

Clergy and Staff

  • The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
  • The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Assisting 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 Administrator 
  • Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton


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