7th Sunday of Easter - June 1, 2025

The Church of the Ascension

in the City of New York

12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011

212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | ascensionnyc.org

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Dear People of Ascension,

This morning as I walked through Washington Square Park with Finn, I saw a crew of people arranging benches all around the fountain. The benches were painted with vibrant murals and messages about topics like gun violence, ecology, immigration, mental health and peace-making. I learned that the artists are students in NYC Public Schools, grades 3-12. The exhibit, called Benchmarks, opens in Washington Square for just a few days and will move to other city parks from June 7-September 14.

I was enchanted- both by the creativity and the power of young New Yorkers publicly expressing the world they want to see. I’m so glad schools are encouraging both. I’m reminded that colleagues and friends are gathering every week in several different contexts to express their hopes for our country and protest policies that threaten our immigrant neighbors, our social security, our first amendment rights and more. There too, creativity, public witness and acting together all play a part. It’s part of what nourishes our hearts and our communities.

Does this have anything to do with Ascension Day, the feast we celebrated last night and will continue for the next ten days as we move towards Pentecost? This may be a stretch, but intuitively I feel a connection. The Ascension tells us of Jesus returning to the heart of God, absent from the disciples in the flesh but present in a new, mysterious and intimate way. The ascended Christ fills all things and sends the Spirit to infuse the world with the creative energy of God. The Spirit makes justice, beauty and love; she is the life-giver and the holy source of all that encourages our hearts. Could Benchmarks be an expression of that?

Joyous Ascensiontide, dear people of Ascension!

Liz

Services at Church of the Ascension

To watch our services via Live Stream

go to Ascensionnyc.org/Webcasts,

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)

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.

How to Watch Online

Is there a problem with the live stream?

If you notice a problem with the livestream (such as it's not listed, the sound isn't working, the camera isn't on) contact our livestream team (Local Live) right away - that's the best and fastest way to get it resolved. You can email them at Support@locallive.tv or call them at (877) 355-6225.

Long Term Prayers

Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Luz, and Stewart.

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.

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.

Announcements

Diocesan Celebration of Ministry Honoring Bishop Glasspool

A Journey of Faith and Service

Saturday, May 31, 10:30 am

The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

1047 Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY

Join us as we give thanks for the faithful and inspiring ministry of The Right Reverend Mary Glasspool, Bishop Assistant of the Diocese of New York, as she prepares for her retirement on June 30, 2025. We will honor her 45 years of service in ordained ministry, her unwavering commitment to God’s people, and the love and wisdom she has shared throughout our diocese.

Eucharist service will be followed by a reception. Click here to RSVP.

People Who Lunch, Wednesday, June 4; 12:30 p.m. Are you at home during the day or working near the church? Please join us for lunch on the first Wednesday of every month for some simple food and good conversation. Please let us know you are coming (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620)) so we know how much food to prepare! (You are also welcome to bring your own lunch if you prefer; we will have coffee, tea and water on hand.) We hope to see you there!

Dinner, Discussion with the Rev. Canon Leyla King, and Prayer for Justice in Palestine, Saturday, June 7 at 7 pm- Please join us to hear from Canon King about her debut book, Daughters of Palestine which tells the story of five generations of her family, and to share food, conversation and prayer together. Advance copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Click here to see the flyer.

To register, click here.

Episcopal Charities Sunday, June 8 - Since 1996, Episcopal Charities Foundation has made hundreds of grants and our own Ascension Outreach, Inc., has been a grateful beneficiary almost every step of the way! Episcopal Charities proudly states that “every program we support is free of religious content, welcoming one and all” – a statement echoing our own goal!

YOU CAN HELP - Starting this Saturday, June 7! Speak to Fr. Ed about volunteering to help with our Food Pantry – the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month (with opportunities on the preceding Fridays to help set up!) Click here to read more about Episcopal Charities or check out their flyer here. Use this QR to donate to Episcopal Charities.

Evensong with the Installation of Archdeacon Denise LaVetty - Sun, June 15, 2025; 4:00 pm, at

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. Celebrate the installation of the new Archdeacon of the Diocese of New York at this special choral service. Reception to follow. All are welcome. For more information, click here.

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: June 7 & 21

If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)

Support Church of the Ascension

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.

Easy Way to Give & Support Church of the Ascension! Your generous gift is a meaningful way to support the ongoing mission and ministries of Church of the Ascension. Your contributions play a crucial role in maintaining the church's facilities, supporting our growth in faith, organizing our service and witness, and developing our sense of community. Use this QR code to make a one-time or recurring gift to the church... It's quick and easy. Your generosity and kindness are deeply appreciated!

To pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)

This Week at Ascension

Sunday – June 1

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 11:00 a.m.

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Monday – June 2

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.