Volume 11, Issue #8
February 25, 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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The February 2021 winter storm which devastated communities in Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond, continues to wreak havoc. The ice and snow are melting and power has been restored to many, but the region continues to deal with burst pipes, lack of safe water supply and uninhabitable housing. The US Disaster Team at Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting affected dioceses as they respond. Please donate today. (Please put 'Church of the Ascension' in the 'Donor Organization' field.) Your gift will help provide emergency shelter, groceries and other supplies in affected areas.
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FROM PETER'S PEN
For my final article on local African-American congregations, I am choosing to write about our sister parish, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Lexington. It is located at 401 N. Upper Street, across the road from Transylvania University.
St. Andrew's was established in 1880, originally as a mission of Christ Church Cathedral. The history of the parish can be accessed through the church's website: CLICK HERE
St. Andrew's has been a nurturing and tenacious congregation: raising up a number of leaders, lay and ordained, throughout its 141-year-history. As history shows, it has faced many challenges over the years, and has surmounted all of them with steady strength and grace.
When I have visited St. Andrew's, I have always been moved by the wide diversity of the congregation. It embraces people of many races and also a mix of native-born citizens and immigrants/refugees. In my experience, this provides a breadth and depth of worship and parish life that many churches do not experience.
St. Andrew's is also vitally engaged in outreach to its downtown Lexington community. These neighborhoods continue to be in transition, with people in poverty living side-by-side with newer neighbors who are gentrifying sections of the community. St. Andrew's reaches out to all with its steady, strong, grace-filled presence.
Our own David Gierlach serves as Music Director at St. Andrew's, and during this COVID-tide he broadcasts music live for the Sunday services.
With Joy,
Peter+
Cell: 502-661-2742
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Second Sunday in Lent
February 28
Diocesan Virtual Worship Service
Hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington
FREE online event - available on demand on February 28
Premiere broadcast at 10:00 a.m.
Join us this month for another diocesan virtual worship service, led by the congregations of our Lexington metro region. As with previous services, the video will be available for viewing on demand beginning at 8:00 am, and we will also offer a 10:00 am premiere showing on Facebook for those who wish to organize watch parties around the broadcast. (The link is also posted on Ascension's Facebook pages.)
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Ascension has TWO addresses on Facebook:
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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.
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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!
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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.
“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.
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
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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!
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REMINDER:
The Church Building Remains
CLOSED
NO ENTRY
unless pre-approved by Father Doddema
(502-661-2742)
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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 with 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: Theological Sunday - Seminarians, Postulants and Candidates of the Diocese of Lexington.
Recently in need of prayers: Adrianna; Bill; Correll; David; Debbie; Deborah; Donnie; Faye & Steve; Jennifer & Ronnie; Joe; Josh; Julia; Linda; Lynda; Marilyn; Marilyn; Matt; 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; 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 the upcoming season of Lent and the healing and renewal that it brings.
Birthdays: 3/2 - Ryan Peavler; 3/4 - George Robertson, Nancy Caudill; 3/5 - Maggie Wunderlich; 3/5 - David Rossman.
Recently Departed: Randall Kimbrough
(only sibling of Jim Kimbrough, in Alabama)
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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