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Dear People of Ascension,
With great joy I write to tell you that Elizabeth Adams heard from Bishop Heyd today that he has made her a postulant for ordination to the priesthood in the Diocese of New York!
This is a significant milestone on a long and sometimes meandering vocational journey. Elizabeth began to explore her call about six years ago, through her own prayer and experience of ministry, conversations with me and eventually a series of meetings with our parish discernment committee. Over time, clarity has emerged: about Elizabeth’s own desire to serve God as a priest, that her unique gifts will grow and bear fruit in this ministry, and that those who accompanied her affirm her call.
The vestry voted to support Elizabeth last spring, commending her to the diocesan discernment process. This involved Elizabeth writing both a spiritual journey statement and an account of her ministries to this point, physical and psychological exams, numerous interviews and of course conversation with the Bishop. Today’s news means that the Diocese of New York also affirms her call and invites her into a formal process of preparing to become a priest.
Elizabeth will now apply to seminary and start a transition from her current career. She expects to begin three years of study in the fall of 2026, which means, God willing, that her ordination will happen in 2029. Though she will not be physically present at Ascension during much of that time, she will need our support, prayers and love, and we will be enriched by the unfolding of her ministry.
Ascension has raised up a number of clergy over the years. It is an honor to witness and nurture developing vocations, from first nudgings of the Spirit through questions and wrestling to a deep joy in finding how one is called to serve God and God’s people, and a willingness to say “yes". Such calls speak powerfully of the vitality and love in this community. Life at Ascension can spark a desire to be part of what God is doing, and a vision of what the church can be. Not everyone’s call is the same, but every one of us is called to serve. Thank you for your ministries, dear people of Ascension!
Because the Episcopal church is startlingly interconnected and everything comes full circle, Elizabeth will be guided during her ordination process by the newly named Diocesan Canon for Formation. She is the Rev. Tanya Wallace, who was once the Curate here at Ascension and helped create our own parish discernment process. I believe Elizabeth will be in excellent hands.
Please hold Elizabeth in your prayers as she continues on this path. As her call develops, may her “yes” bring deep joy to her and all those with whom she serves.
Blessings,
Liz
| | Services at Church of the Ascension | | Do you like to color? Especially for children and their families- we have copies of “the Sunday Paper” a cartoon version of our gospel each Sunday, along with crayons and clipboards available from the ushers. Please ask for one if your child would enjoy this during the service. | | |
Regular Service Schedule
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Side Altar)
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/ Music
(Church & Livestream)
6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament (Church)
WEDNESDAY
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Church)
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Evening Prayer Every Weekday Evening
via Zoom
Join us each weeknight at 5:30
for Evening Prayer & discussion.
Click this link to join: ascensionnyc.org/eveningprayer.
To call in (voice, no camera), dial 929-205-6099; the meeting ID is 880 1981 1224.
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Prayer for the Departed
Eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Give to your whole Church in paradise and on earth your light and your peace; and grant that we, following the good examples of those who have served you here and are now at rest, may at the last enter with them into your unending joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Long Term Prayers
Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Luz, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Rural & Migrant Ministries, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We pray for all devastated by the genocide in Gaza, and for a just peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and the Holy Land.
Please keep these people and intentions from our long-term prayer list in your own prayers. We hope to keep our intercessions in the liturgy both faithful and fresh, as we persist in prayer for those who need it.
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Prayers! Did you know you can submit your prayer requests online? Go to ascensionnyc.org/prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them. Requests submitted by noon on Thursday will be included in the Sunday bulletin. (Any requests after that will be included in the following Sunday bulletin.) | |
A Prayer for Spiritual Communion
If you are attending any of our services online, we invite you to use this prayer at communion.
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. Since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.
| | Ascension Forum This Sunday, November 9- Continuing the discussion on the Hobart Lecture. Our forum on Pádraig Ó Tuama's portion of the Hobart Lecture was very engaging and we don't want to lose sight of that energy and voice! Sunday, November 8, we will continue with Bishop Marian Budde’s presentation. We will watch the Bishop's part of the lecture together, or you can click here to watch it now. | | |
Harvest Dinner, Thursday November 13, 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall- Please join the Stewardship Committee as we celebrate our life together at Ascension! We will eat, drink, give thanks and (taking a note from our stewardship theme) talk about what is helping to liberate our souls in these times. There will be vegetarian and gluten free options, along with the traditional lasagna! Please let us know that you are coming, and bring a friend. We also welcome help with set up, serving and cleanup. To volunteer please contact the Parish Office. We look forward to seeing you there!
| | Diocesan Convention November 15 - at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The convention starts at 9:00 a.m. The following day, Sunday, November 16th, our clergy and lay delegates will report on the convention during our forum. | | Prayer and Help for the People in the Caribbean, and all in the path of Hurricane Melissa. To learn more, find prayers for, and see how you can help, Click here. | | SNAP Response – As we respond to the suspension of SNAP benefits we are accepting donations of money for supermarket gift cards and/or food to help us create grab-and-go bags. If you, or someone you know, is in need of food assistance, please speak to one of the clergy. | | |
Forward Day-By-Day - We provide Forward Day-by-Day (in English, Spanish, and large print) to parishioners as a simple and effective daily prayer practice. Each day features a Bible verse from the daily readings and a related reflection written by a different author each month, all in less than 200 words. It even includes the daily feast days, as well as prompts to take faithful action in your daily life. You can pick up a copy in the Narthex.
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Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- We are in the midst of our annual pledge drive at Ascension with this theme. Folks on our stewardship list have received a pledge card, brochure and letter from the rector, and will soon get a call from one of our canvassers.
If you are in this category, we warmly invite you to pledge to Ascension, and let us know about your experience, hopes and dreams for our parish. If you did not receive this mailing, we hope you too will support Ascension. The materials are in the back of the church; please take them if you are interested. We would love for you to pledge! If you are not able to make a regular commitment, we warmly invite you to give as you are able, one time or whenever you are here.
We need your help and are grateful for the support of everyone in our community! Thank you for your generosity, and may it be liberating for your soul!
To pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)
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Immigration Legal Support Fund – Recently our diocese announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. We're starting with a $50,000 contribution from the Bishop’s discretionary funds. Help us to match this amount to keep families together. With your support, we can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. You can contribute here. To learn more about the Immigration Legal Support Fund Click here.
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Your Pantry Needs You!
Ascension Outreach Inc. needs additional volunteer participation. The program is robust and developing in some great ways- and we need more hands-on help. Won’t you consider helping strengthen our service to our neighbors?
Friday opportunity: 3 to 4 pm the day before pantry, we set up the parish hall for pantry service.
Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month (except July which is 2nd and 4th Saturday because of the holiday).
Upcoming Dates: November 22, December 6 & 20
If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)
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Open Church Schedule
Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm (except as mentioned above). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Gretchen Dumler or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.
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Sunday – November 9
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music(Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – November 10
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Finance Committee (Zoom) 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday – November 11 – Veterans Day
Church and Parish Office Closed for Veterans Day
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – November 12
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist (in the Chapel) 6:00 p.m.
Needlecraft Guild (Hybrid) 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – November 13
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Harvest Dinner (Parish Hall) 6:30 p.m.
Friday – November 14
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Food Pantry Setup (Parish Hall) 2:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – November 15
Diocesan Convention (Cathedral of St. John the Divine) 10:00 a.m.
The Food Pantry is the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – November 16
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
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If you need information to connect to one of our Zoom events please call the church office at 212-254-8620 or email us at info@ascensionnyc.org
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