This Week at Ascension + February 9, 2022
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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This evening: Feb. 9, 2022
Wednesday in the Fifth Week
after the Epiphany
6:30 p.m. In-person & Live-streamed Said Mass
Image: The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, 1599, Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614), National Gallery of Ireland
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Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022
The Sixth Sunday
after the Epiphany
9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
with Organ and Hymns
11:00 a.m. In-person &
Live-streamed
Solemn High Mass
Mass Setting: Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Mass in C, D. 452
Image: Sermon on the Mount, oil on canvas, 1896, Károly Ferenczy, Hungarian National Gallery, Budapest
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... things left undone ...
" ... we confess that we have sinned against you ... by what we have done and by what we have left undone ..."
Confession of Sin, Book of Common Prayer, p. 360
" ... having forgotten the magic formula that would make the broomstick stop carrying the water, he found he'd started something he couldn't finish."
Music critic Deems Taylor, explaining The Sorcerer's Apprentice scene in the 1940 film Fantasia.
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Dear people of Ascension,
In a phone call two days ago, our son Eliot said, "Dad! You only have two weeks and six days left!" To be honest, I hadn't been counting the days -- or hadn't been until then. Now it's two weeks and four days.
Eliot's comment led to a somber reckoning. I'm not going to be able to do all that I would like to do, all that I feel I should do, or even all the things that I've made commitments to do, before my last Sunday with you, February 27.
I won't be able to make all pastoral calls I should make. I won't be able to have all conversations I should have, whether to impart important parochial information, or to acknowledge relationships that have been blessings to me, or to thank all of you who have so faithfully and generously shared your faith and gifts for the good of others here at Ascension and beyond.
The panicky portions of the Sorcerer's Apprentice scene from Fantasia referenced above often haunts me these days.
I'm sharing this message now because, despite what I've written above, there's still time ... or so writes the ever-unrealistic optimist.
If there's a personal, pastoral or parochial matter to which you feel I should devote my attention in the next two weeks and four days, please do bring it to my attention (sooner rather than later if possible). I will do what I can. At minimum I will do my best to acknowledge the inquiry and let you know if I can do more than that.
Thank you for your understanding and support, and please pray for the parish during this time and for my wisdom in knowing the best devotion of my care and time, in my remaining time here, for your good.
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An brief but meaningful Installation of the Ascension Wardens and Vestry Members will take place at the 11 a.m. Mass this coming Sunday, February 13. Those interested in previewing the rite may click on the bulletin link provided above and scroll to the point just prior to the Peace.
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The first meeting of our new Vestry will take place Thursday evening, February 17, starting at 6:30 p.m.
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The excellent technology that allows us to live-stream masses is a year old this month! I've been asked to bless and dedicate it before I end my Ascension ministry. I've found nothing that might work in Fortescue! (Let the reader understand.) Maybe Ray Bradbury. (Let the readers of very different genres understand.) We are tentatively planning on a rite to be included in the 11 a.m. mass on February 20. Consider the double entendre when I say, Stay tuned.
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A reception is being planned following the 11 a.m. mass on February 27, my last Sunday with you. Please note that a Saturday, February 5, weekend newsletter announced that there would be no 2/27 reception. The error is hereby addressed. You'll be hearing more soon.
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Our Monday evening conversations on questions of Anglican, Episcopal and Anglo-Catholic identity and practice concluded this past Monday. Special thanks to all who took part in one, several or all of the gatherings and in particular to Fr. Robert Petite, for his significant part in planning, framing the issues and facilitating or co-facilitating the conversations.
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Neighborhood Outreach Strategy Meeting, February 16
I’m aware of a keen interest in doing more to provide some outreach in the neighborhood of Ascension, both in terms of service to those in need as well as collaborating with our fellow houses of worship and neighborhood organizations and sharing with our wider community what Ascension has to offer with regards to our music and liturgy.
I will be leading a conversion on Zoom next Wednesday, February 16, at 5 pm to talk about what our hopes are for outreach in the coming year and beyond. This will likely be the first of many conversations to come.
All are welcomed. I hope you’ll join us.
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Here comes Lent ...
I. Palms/Ashes Ash Wednesday will take place in the week immediately following Fr. Raymond's last Sunday at Ascension. I will be taking responsibility for preparing the ashes, traditionally made from palm crosses and fronds brought from home and elsewhere by parishioners. Please do bring them! We'll have a labeled basket available in the narthex for the next three Sundays.
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II. Devotional Invitation Now is the time to begin preparing for Lent. If you’re a long-range planner like I am, maybe you began those plans weeks ago, determining what you’re going to give up or do for Lent. This year, I invite you to plan to spend some time on retreat throughout all of Lent. Since most of us can’t take a weeks-long retreat during Lent, I invite you to spend some time alone each day during Lent for spiritual reflection and prayer. Just 10 minutes a day is enough to quiet your mind and listen for the Holy Spirit.
Guides such as devotionals are great for staying on track, which is why I’ll be reading Holy Solitude: Lenten Reflections with Saints, Hermits, Prophets and Rebels this Lent as well as hosting a lunchtime conversation every Monday at noon on Zoom, beginning March 7. We’ll reflect together on how our time in solitude each day is preparing us for Holy Week.
If you’d like to join me, I’ll have 10 copies available for $6 after Mass on Sunday, Feb 20. Copies are also available on Amazon or Indie Bound.
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Organ Repertoire for February 13, 2022 |
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ORGAN
Deux Méditations [1961]
Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
At the Entrance Procession
ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN
At the Offertory
DUKE STREET, 9 a.m.
MICHAEL
At the Communion
FRANCONIA
At the Retiring Procession
DUKE STREET
ORGAN
Épilogue sur un thème
de Frescobaldi [1951]
Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
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Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension
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Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
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Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
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Weekly Ascension Schedule
For connections:
SUNDAYS
9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass
11:00 a.m. In-person and Live-Streamed Solemn High Mass
MONDAY-FRIDAY
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Said Mass
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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!
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For our prayers: The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Taffy Wehe, Beth Hall, Sue Lenz, Ben, David D. Jones, Gina, Tom Baer, Edward Minieka, Brenda Martins, Claire Green, Carey Weiss, Larry Kimmel
Birthdays: Jonathan Galliher, 2/7; Adriana Luery, 2/8; Alexia Rivera, 2/8; Arthur Kreymer, 2/9; Patricia Johnston, 2/10; Tom Opferman, 2/11
Requiescat in pace: Robert Jeffrey Arnold, 2/6/2018, William Louis Gaines, 2/8/2005;
Emil Avimalq Malick, 2/9/2013; Walter S. Schlough, 2/10/1979; Roy G. Batson, 2/11/2009; Norman Peter Joseph, 2/11/2011; Joseph Stack, 2/11/2018; Roy Frederic Kehl, 2/12/2011
Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Elfie Christiansen Smith,
friend & former colleague of Mary Jane Kowalski.
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.
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The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
The Rev. Meghan Murphy-Gill, Curate
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Ken Kelling, Sr. Warden; LaVerne Rollé Saunders, Jr. Warden;
Ian Barillas-McEntee, Jim Lo Bello, Ken Cozette, Marlea Edinger, Sean Hansen, George Pineda, Joshua Simpson, Sam Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Vestry
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.
The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.
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