Volume 11, Issue #37
September 16, 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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FROM PETER'S PEN
This week we celebrate one of the more unusual feasts of the Church: the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which happens each year on September 14.
In the early 300's, St. Helena, on a visit to Jerusalem, was reputed to have found pieces of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Some of this wood was kept in Jerusalem, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, until the year 615, when it was carried off as a spoil of war.
In 630, the cross was returned to Jerusalem. The Feast on September 14 celebrates its return. Legend has it that the Emperor who returned the cross to Jerusalem (Emperor Heraclius), was making his way into the city with the cross, when the stones of a city gateway collapsed in front of him, barring his way. An angel appeared, holding a cross, and pointed out to Heraclius that Jesus had entered Jerusalem in humility. At this point, the Emperor climbed down off of his horse, removed his imperial vestments, and prepared to walk into the city as a common person. At that point, the fallen stones are supposed to have moved, allowing him to pass and to return the cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Though not a major event in the Episcopal Church, this Feast is celebrated in some places. There are specific Scripture readings for it, which we used during Tuesday's online Evening Prayer.
Though our modern, skeptical minds may question the reality of the events surrounding this celebration, it is certainly a time to reflect on how our individual lives are changed because of Christ's sacrifice and the coming of God's Spirit into our lives by baptism. We are a renewed, holy people: not because of anything we are or have done, but rather because God chose you and me to be his own. His Spirit indwells us and it transforms us daily more and more into his image.
With Joy,
Peter+
The Rev. Peter Doddema
502-661-2742
P.S. Bible Study classes have resumed, meeting on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., in person AND via ZOOM.
Please contact Peter for the ZOOM links.
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Seventeenth Sunday
after Pentecost:
Proper 20
September 19, 9:30 a.m.
HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II
OPEN for live, in-person service inside the church.
ALSO this week: Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy - online at 9:30 a.m.
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Schedule for Sunday,
September 19
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Lector: Frances Kirchhoff
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Crucifer: Shannon Lancaster
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Ushers: Frances Kirchhoff & Jim King
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Security Lockup: Jim King
If you are not able to serve as scheduled, please contact Leah MacSwords, verger, as soon as possible prior to the service to let her know that a substitute is needed (lcmacs@aol.com or 502-545-0437).
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Your participation is important!
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
The schedule for Lay Ministries for August and September is posted above and also displayed on the window of the parish office.
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The Daughters of the King's reorganization of the church library has resulted in numerous adult and children's books being made available to the congregation completely FREE OF CHARGE!
Please stop by the Parish Hall after services on Sunday morning, September 19 and 26, to take your pick!
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Nominations Now Being Received for Diocesan Leadership Roles
Are you called to serve as a leader in our diocese? Our diocesan nominating committee invites you to consider this question. We are seeking faithful leaders to help guide our diocese as we follow God’s call to “Be the Church and Be the Change.” We seek nominees for the following officers:
Standing Committee:
1 Clergy person (3-year term) and
1 Lay person (3-year term)
Each Diocese of The Episcopal Church has a committee of lay and ordained members who serve as the Bishop’s Council of Advice, and in the absence of a diocesan bishop, represent the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. Pre-COVID, the Standing Committee typically met monthly, often on a weekday. Coming out of COVID, the schedule going forward is still under discussion. (Terms of office begin at the conclusion of the October 30 Diocesan Convention.)
Executive Council:
2 Clergy persons (3-year term) and
4 Lay persons (3-year term)
Each Diocese has a body of lay and clerical members who serve between annual diocesan conventions to oversee the mission and programs of the diocese. Pre-COVID, members typically attended 6 - 8 meetings per year, either on Saturdays or weeknights. Typically, there was an overnight retreat for all EC members within a few months of convention. During the pandemic, shorter, monthly meetings via Zoom were scheduled. Coming out of COVID, the schedule going forward is still under discussion. (Terms of office begin at the conclusion of the October 30 Diocesan Convention.)
Sewanee Trustee:
1 Lay person (3-year term)
Are you an alumnus of Sewanee? Maybe you have enjoyed Sewanee programs like Education for Ministry (EfM) or Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC). Or maybe you have an interest in higher education. As one of the owning dioceses of St. Luke’s School of Theology at the University of the South, the Diocese of Lexington is privileged to elect members to the Board of Trustees for Sewanee. This year we will elect 1 lay trustee who will attend meetings, encourage the mission of the school, and participate in fundraising. (The term of office is July 2, 2022 – June 30, 2025.)
The Nominating Committee would appreciate receiving all nominations by September 15. According to “The Rules of Order for the Conventions of the Diocese of Lexington,” nominations received after September 30 would have to be presented from the floor of Convention on October 30.
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RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC:
CHANGES & CHALLENGES
7/31/21: The COVID transmission map from the CDC and both Franklin and Anderson counties are back in the 'high' transmission rate categories, along with much of the Commonwealth. Our current adjustments include:
1) Checking temperatures when folks arrive.
2) Asking everyone to wear masks indoors.
3) Offering bread only at the Eucharist.
4) We will hold off on resuming the Taize service (previously scheduled to resume on August 7), due to the amount of singing involved.
Please observe the latest recommendations from the CDC for your vaccinated or unvaccinated status. Note - if you are vaccinated:
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If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive.
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Previous COVID-related strategies and guidelines still apply:
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. 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., and we will offer pre-recorded full services online as often as is possible/practical.
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is ongoing, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Signing in at the door, temperature checks, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas.
The nursery is currently on hold; children are welcome in all services. Godly Play classes are expected to return in the fall.
Singing and saying prayers and responses aloud will be handled by announcement at individual services.
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ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff are spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home and 'round about the parish; personal meetings may be scheduled in advance. Church doors will remain locked if there is only one person in the building. However, full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages via the magic of cell phones, so please call 502-223-0557 whenever you need to reach us! (If we don’t answer immediately, please leave a message so we may return your call as promptly as possible.)
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Ascension is seeking ONE MORE paid, part-time nursery attendant 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.
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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 Order of Bishops: The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop; The Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering, Bishop of Lexington.
Recently in need of prayers: Allen; Andrew; Angie; Bill; Bob; Claudia; Correll; Darlene; Deborah; Florence; George S.; Jan & Dale; Jesse; Linda P.; Lynda R.; Marie; Marilyn; Michele and family; Mike; Noreen; Ronnie; Ruth; Tandy; and the students and staff of Stewart Home School.
Continuing concern: Adrianna; Ann; Barbara; Dan; Debbie; Dillard; Edith; Faye; Ginni; Jinks; John; Kathy; Mac; Mary; Melissa; Mike & Susie; Mildred; Nancy; Polly; and Rena. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, and Tanner.
Thanksgivings: for sunshine and cooler weather; for new members and new HVAC systems!
Birthdays: 9/19 - Ian Pinkerton; 9/20 - Julie McGehee; 9/21 - Katie Daugherty, Catherine Hatchett, Charlotte Saunderson;9/22 - Wagner Elliott; 9/23 - Abe VanHouten V; 9/24 - Roger Stapleton; 9/25 - Nancy Robertson.
Anniversaries: 9/22 - Jack Bates & Iris Skidmore.
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!
NEW: 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.
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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, Assisting 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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