This Week at Ascension + April 21, 2021

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25

9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer via ZOOM
10:00 a.m. Live-streamed Mass

Following the mass (about 11:15 a.m.)
Virtual Coffee Hour via ZOOM



Image: Dopo il temporale (After the storm), ca. 1884, Giiovanni Segantini (1858-1899)
 

Note: After clicking on the link, you will be able to see how many spots, if any, are still available for a particular mass.

When you register online, you will be sent an email confirming your online registration. This same link will also have a
blue CANCEL THIS RESERVATION tab.
Please note: if you have not yet taken part in an in-person mass, please click here to see some basic information that you will want to know before registering, upon arrival and during and after the mass.

From the Rector
Charley
Dear people of Ascension,

The names Church of the Ascension and Charley Taylor are not synonymous. But for some long connected here, the names may seem inseparable, or very closely connected. 

Responding to news of Charley’s death, one member wrote to me: “He was a fixture during my 1997 sojourn into life as a gay man at Ascension.” The entire sentence bears repeating, I believe, though it would suffice to say of Charley, “He was a fixture … at Ascension.” He seemed to know everything and everyone. He could be prickly and hurtful but also funny, insightful and kind. Contradictions notwithstanding, his devotion to Ascension was unwavering. 

Another longtime member observed to me that Charley was a ‘lightening rod.’ The loss in January 2015 of his job and ministries as parish administrator and treasurer was a trauma and partly fueled the ensuing parish-wide imbroglio. After the worst of it had eased for many, some of Charley’s wounds remained raw. Even so, he knew and named how blessed he continued to be by many good Ascension souls. His devotion to Ascension endured.

When asked how these matters will or will not be named in this evening’s requiem, I realized others must be wondering. In answer: I believe this letter to be a better starting point, at least. Any risks of naming here what has partly been parochial trouble and sorrow are outweighed, I pray, by the hope that some may find some comfort or resolution.  

These matters will also, inevitably, be named in this evening’s requiem, even if not overtly. The rite addresses our individual and collective human frailties, failures, gifts, sorrows and fears ‒ whether we be Ethel Martin (whose requiem we shared a month ago), or Charley Taylor (this evening), or whenever the hour may come and the requiem may be offered for you or me.

Charles 'Charley' Morgan Taylor
April 25, 1949 - April 10, 2021

Requiem Mass
In person and Live-Streamed
Wednesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m.


Contributions toward flowers and music will be gratefully received.
Whether by check or through our website,
please indicate 'Charley Taylor memorial.'
Thank you.
Also from the Rector
A few additional Charley Taylor Notes ...

Pre-registrations spots to take part in this evening's requiem filled up faster than those for Easter Day. (Hmmm?) As this newsletter is sent, 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, an additional six spots are being made available. Please click on the appropriate link in the service announcement above.

A variety of pastoral considerations have led me to believe that we should provide an opportunity for fellowship in St. Michael Hall after the requiem and committal. I'll be imploring any and all who choose to take part to observe appropriate social distancing and other pandemic safety measures.
An excellent obituary with an Ascension emphasis was kindly and excellently authored by Judy Mintel. She insisists that she received information and valuable insights from many others. The obituary will be included at the back of the order of worship for this evening and may also be read here.

The photo to the left (and alongside the letter above) was a favorite of Charley's and captured a moment during his many years of employment, prior to Ascension, at Henry-Lee and Company, Chicago.
LGBTQ+ (?)

  • The letter and invitation authored by Junior Warden Ken Kelling and included in last week's parish newsletter may be read here. (It's a link to the entire newsletter; scroll down!)
  • The Zoom conversation during which Ken hopes to hear from members and newcomers about any LGBTQ+ matters, thoughts, hopes or questions will take place tomorrow evening, Thursday, April 22, starting at 7:00 p.m. Zoom here.
  • Ken has asked me to make clear that one not need identify with any of the letters LGBTQ to join the conversation Thursday evening.
  • I will not personally be taking part, though not due to lack of interest or support. After talking with Ken, we agreed that conversation may flow more freely and openly without the presence of the rector. Deacon Meghan Murphy-Gill will be joining the call and has agreed to co-facilitate the conversation.
Organ Repertoire for Charley Taylor Requiem,
April 21
ORGAN
Master Tallis' Testament [1940] Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
 
Elegie, op. posth. [1918]
C. H. Hubert Parry (1848-1918)
 
At The Offertory
Hymn 625 DARWALL'S 148TH
 
ORGAN
Toccata in C  BWV 564a
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Organ Repertoire for the Fourth Sunday of Easter,
April 25
ORGAN
Prelude-Fantasia for Eastertide [1903]
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
 
Pastorale on St. Columba [1949]
Henry George Ley (1887-1962)
 
Hymn at the Offertory
645 ST. COLUMBA
 
ORGAN
Toccata in d minor  [1905]
Charles Villers Stanford
About our 2021 Repertoire
As I develop a long-range plan for repertoire each year, I choose a theme or area of emphasis, often complete works or a complete large-scale work by one composer. During 2021, organ music by women composers and African-American composers is being and will be featured in voluntaries and recitals throughout the year. There are some little-known gems waiting to be discovered, as well as music by major composers, with whom works for the organ are not generally associated. Enjoy!
Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
Please visit SoundCloud and listen to our playlist! There are currently 40 tracks, and several more will be added each month.

Benjamin Rivera, Choirmaster

Forward Day by Day

Copies of the May-June-July 2021 Forward Day by Day: Daily Devotions for Disciples are now available by emailing the parish office. We have both regular and large print editions while supplies last.

You may also find them on the Forward Movement website.
Other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, visits to Ascension are presently to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm. Thank you for your understanding.
Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org. 
Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
Participate in Ascension masses at our YouTube Channel. (Look for other connections options soon.)
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).

SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour

MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ...
For the Novice, Newbie, or tech-challenged: It may be easier than you know. We've simplified instructions on the sheet that you can view by clicking here. Please know that you can block your camera (and don't need one to start with), and you could join our Scripture study or Virtual Coffee Hour, for instance, without having to say a word. Give it a try.
Please give generously as you are able.
Treasurer Susan Schlough has asked me to remind you of Ascension's ongoing expenses at this time. To the extent that you are able, payment on your pledges or the offering of Holy Day or other special gifts will be greatly appreciated. You may still write a check and mail it to the church, or online payment is possible through the buttons at various places on our website. Thank you!
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, David Byerly, Steven Wallis,
Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe, Carnola Malone, Marvin Files, Amy Peterson, Stephanie
 
Birthdays:
DiAnne Walsh, 4/20; Bill Wilson, 4/20; Joshua Heath, 4/20; David R. White, 4/21;
R. Gary Alexander, 4/23; Deacon Gordon Stanley BSG, 4/24; George Panice, 4/24
  
Requiescat in pace:
Charles ‘Charley’ Morgan Taylor, 4/10/2021; Augusta Leigh McDonald, 4/10/21;
Carl Thomas Ginwright, 4/18/1990; James W. Faber, 4/22/2007

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them;
May their souls and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector

Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Cheryl Peterson, Sr. Warden; Kenneth Kelling, Jr. Warden; Kelly Colomberti, Marilyn Evans, Lynette Hector, Jim Lo Bello, George Pineda, David Reeves, Samuel Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Amber Zelazny

Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes. In addition, if you click on the subscribe button at the top right, you will be given email notice whenever a new set of approved minutes is added. The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.