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Dear People of Ascension,
As you know, the federal government has been shut down since October 1, 2025. This has brought increasing hardship both to those who rely on government services and federal workers. Starting this Saturday, November 1, the government will cease to provide benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for as long as the shutdown continues. This will impact some 1.7 million people in New York City, 39% of them children.
On Thursday Fr. Ed and I participated in a clergy call with Bishop Heyd about the crisis created by halting these benefits. The Bishop shared that he met earlier in the day with Governor Hochul and other faith and civic leaders to work on how to respond. The governor is making some funds available for immediate support of emergency food programs, though NY State cannot make up the federal shortfall on its own. People of every faith and others of conscience recognize a core responsibility to help to feed our hungry neighbors.
Across the Diocese of NY, emergency food programs are thinking about how to scale up. At Ascension, we expect that we will see more people coming to the church in search of food, both during our regular pantry hours and at other times. We plan to provide bags of food on an emergency basis, oriented either to those who have kitchen facilities or who do not. In addition, we will provide grocery store gift cards as we can, so people can shop for themselves with dignity.
We invite you to contribute as you are able. You may make a gift to the Rector’s discretionary fund to help purchase the cards or bring non-perishable food to the church for the pantry bags. We have compiled this list of some of the most useful items. If you or anyone you know are in need of food, please reach out to the clergy.
Finally, we are working with the Diocese to advocate for the reinstatement of government benefits for those who rely on them. Stay tuned for ways that you can urge our representatives to provide food for our hungry neighbors. Thank you for your generous, caring hearts and actions.
As we celebrate All Saints Day this weekend, we recall our ancestors in faith. Like us, they met Jesus in the hungry, the thirsty, the naked and sick and imprisoned. May we be strengthened by their example to respond with mercy and justice.
Blessings,
Liz
| | Services at Church of the Ascension | | | | |
Daylight Savings Time Ends
This Weekend!
Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour this
Saturday Night!
| | 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, and Rural & Migrant Ministries. 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.
| | Episcopal Charities Tribute Dinner- Monday, November 3, 6:30 pm at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine- You are invited to join the Ascension table at this gala fundraiser for a vital diocesan ministry. Regular tickets are $800, and tickets for young professionals are $450. The church will pay up to $650 of the regular tickets, and up to $350 of the young professional tickets. It’s always a great evening, supporting a great cause in one of the most dramatic dining rooms in New York. Please tell Mtr. Liz if you would like to come. | | |
Tuesday, November 4
is Election Day
Remember to Vote!
The church will be open for quiet prayer and meditation from noon to 3:00
The Parish Offices will be closed to facilitate everyone being able to vote.
| | People Who Lunch, Wednesday November 5; 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! | | Climate Change and Christian Ethics Conversation, Thursday, November 6th; 6:30 p.m. - St Marks Church-In-the-Bowery (131 East 10th St. @2nd Ave.) Each year, representatives from nations around the world gather for a major conference on climate change and their national responses (COP). This year, international leadership encourages local communities to gather to share their thoughts on climate ethics and explore deeper engagement. On the eve of COP30, join us for a conversation about climate change and the ethics of how our nations are addressing this crisis. We'll explore current dynamics in climate policy, what climate justice advocates are asking for, and how a Christian lens can inform our engagement. Hosted by St Marks Church-in-the-Bowery, the Church of the Ascension, and the Creation Care Committee of the Diocese of New York. All are welcome. Click here to register. | | Ascension Forum November 8- 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 look forward to seeing you there!
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Diocesan Convention November 15 - Ahead of the Convention, there are several additional opportunities over the next weeks to discuss the budget and common mission share. Bishop Heyd and members of the budget committee will review select details of the 2026 Budget on these Zoom calls. They will also give an explanation and take questions on the Common Mission Share. Dates and registrations for the Zoom sessions below.
| | Prayer and Help for the People in Jamaica, and all in the path of Hurricane Melissa. To learn more, find prayers for, and see how you can help, Click here. | | |
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 8 & 22
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 2 – All Saints Day
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Festival Holy Eucharist with Baptism (Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – November 3
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.
Tuesday – November 4 – Election Day
Parish Office Closed for Election Day
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – November 5
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
People Who Lunch (Parish Hall) 12:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Building & Grounds (Hybrid) 6:45 p.m.
Thursday – November 6
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Climate Change & Christian Ethics (St. Mark’s in the Bowery) 6:30 p.m.
Friday – November 7
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 8
Food Pantry (12 West 11th St.) 8:30 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 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.
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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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