THIS WEEK AT ASCENSION + December 9, 2020 |
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"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
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Election of the XIII Bishop of Chicago
Saturday, December 12
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Please pray for the four candidates and members of their households, and for all electors from Ascension -- all clergy and our lay delegates, Gary Alexander, Kenneth Kelling (an alternate who will be serving due to a conflict that arose for Patrick Johnston) and Jay Peterson. Look for updates and, God willing, an outcome on our website home page or by way of Ascension's Instagram.
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Book of Common Prayer, p. 818
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This evening,
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Conception of the BVM
Evening Prayer - 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass: - 6:30 p.m.
Rosary following the mass.
Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, oil on canvas,
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770)
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Sunday, December 13
The Third Sunday of Advent
Gaudete Sunday
Sunday Morning Schedule
with links for virtual worship
Virtual Worship & Fellowship
9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. - Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. - Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
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Image: John the Baptist, detail from the Ghent altarpiece, Jan van Eyck, 1432 |
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Clarifications
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”
Dear people of Ascension,
Those of us ‘on the ground’ (or up in the loft) here at the church during masses have for nine months now adapted as needed to changes, obstacles and opportunities. My regular newsletter updates have covered some but not all related matters. Recent questions have led me to think that some of many of you may want answers to the following:
Can we use the high altar for live-streamed masses? Yes ... maybe. When masses were moved back into the church (after months in Wheeler Hall), we started with the free-standing altar due to sound/microphone limitations. Our technology has since improved. Subject to some pending sound tests, we may again try using the high altar. Our new technology systems, to be installed within a month now, will make it easy to use the high altar, and with excellent sound.
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What about incense? We've suspended incense in part because it can’t be smelled over the Internet (at least not yet). Some of you viewing remotely have told me that, even so, you would appreciate seeing incense. So be it! Some challenges will make it unlikely that we can use it for every mass, but plan to see incense with more frequency as we train additional lay ministers and work out safe-distance choreography.
How long before we return to in-person worship? The 2021 Ascension budget-in-process assumes returning to Sundays that resemble ‘normal’ in mid June 2021. We anticipate interim steps before then, but recent experience suggests caution in forecasting. Bishop Lee will continue to provide direction until his December 31 retirement. Prior to the consecration of a new Bishop, the diocesan Standing Committee will evaluate and provide guidance.
If you have other questions that may be of general interest and that I can reasonably answer, please let me know.
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Our Christmas mass schedule will be shared in a letter being sent tomorrow, December 10, and will also be shared in next week's newsletter (December 16). As a preview, masses will be celebrated on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Christmas Eve mass will be live at 4:00 p.m. (and available for view soon after conclusion) and will be preceded by the beloved 30-minute prelude with carols and other seasonal music. The Christmas Day mass will be live-streamed at 10 a.m.
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Farewell, Father Pruitt . We hope to see you again. |
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Father Alonzo Pruitt has asked that we share his heartfelt thanks to Father Raymond, to the clergy of the Church of the Ascension, and to the Wardens, Vestry, and People of the parish for the opportunity to have served as an Assisting Priest. After his return from a lengthy supply ministry opportunity in Hawaii after the New Year, he will be serving for the foreseeable future at Calvary Church in Lombard, given their former Rector’s acceptance of another position. He writes, “I will always be grateful to have been a part of the ministry of the Church of the Ascension”.
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December 6 Advent Lessons & Carols!
If you missed it ... you didn't miss it.
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It was a beautiful service, even (or especially) considering our limitations, and it has been beautifully preserved here on Ascension's YouTurbe channel. Special thanks to Organist David White, to our choir members for pre-recording music, to the five who read the lessons (David Govertson, Tiana Sorenson, Peter Wesoloski, Cassidy Smith and Enrico Bellomo), to Choirmaster Benjamin Rivera for planning, conducting, organizing and more, to our 'technical engineers' MB Hwang and Gary Alexander ... and to a number of you who have already sent notes of thanks. The sound quality of music in our liturgies continues to improve and I encourage you to find out for yourself by listening to the recording linked above.
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Outreach Challenge/Invitation #1
from Seminarian Bonnie Scott
Hello! As I mentioned in the previous newsletter, I've recently partnered with a friend in some uncomplicated but effective outreach to some of our city's many homeless. I asked who at Ascension may be interested in coordinating similar (creative, simple) efforts. Two of you have already responded, and plans are in the works for an initial effort next Tuesday, Dec. 15th. If interested in participating or being included in future communications, please reach out to me by email (and thanks for noting my updated, correct email address!).
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Don't all click at once
(but DO click!)
for stewardship information
A few points about financial giving and pledging to Ascension at this time:
NO, you don't have to be a member to make financial gifts to Ascension.
YES, we have sent out our 2021 stewardship appeal. Please contact the church office if you've not received yours.
NO, Ascension is not financially self-sufficient, as often rumored. We are blessed with more-than-usual reserves, in part because many folks like us remembered the parish in their estate plans. Please consider also doing so.
NO, we did not put a return envelope in the stewardship mailing; an error.
YES, you can use your own envelope and stamp, OR you can send your confidential pledge information to the Treasurer and you can click here for the appropriate email. Thank you!
More information on the new technology will be shared in coming weeks. Meanwhile, questions may be asked of Senior Warden Gary Alexander,
Verger Mary Beth Hwang, Choirmaster Benjamin Rivera, or me.
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Organ Repertoire for Sunday, Dec. 13 |
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ORGAN
Fantasia à 4 PV 14
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
(1562-1621)
Hymn At the Offertory
BONNEMERE
Herald, sound the note of judgment
ORGAN
Toccata ut sol fa mi PV 24
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck
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Choir of the Ascension:
Now on Soundcloud!
Please visit our Ascension SoundCloud! There you will find recordings made by our choir, including one motet for every Sunday and all three choral works included in our Advent Lessons & Carols service. We hope that these offerings minister to you during this time of the choir’s—and currently the parishioners’—physical absence from the church.
Benjamin Rivera, Choirmaster
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Reminder: All In-Person Worship and Gatherings at Ascension (and at all parishes in the Diocese of Chicago) were suspended again as of Monday, November 16.
Our Interim Sunday and Weekday Worship Schedule and Connections are as follows:
All masses live-streamed from the church.
Sundays
9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer—Zoom
11:00 a.m. Coffee Hour—Zoom
Weekday Mass: Wednesday Evenings
Daily Offices continue as before:
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
6:00 p.m. Monday-Friday—Zoom
Special/Upcoming
Advent Lessons & Carols, December 6
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Day, December 25
Feast of Epiphany, January 6
More information will be provided as these dates and opportunities near.
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Other than for urgent or essential matters or for brief personal devotion in the church, visits to Ascension are presently to be avoided. Any (other) visit should be arranged in advance with Br. Nathanael Rahm. Thank you for your understanding. |
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Due to COVID-19, Church of the Ascension’s Treasurer and Bookkeeper are limiting the amount of time they spend working in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 4-6 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at [email protected].
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Ascension Connections
Below
(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:
except for Morning Prayer,
SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:10 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom
WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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Yes, but I still haven't Zoomed ... |
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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: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Dean Pineda, Charlene MacDougal, Marty Stenson, David Byerly, Bonnie Joseph, Catriana Patriarca, Robert Devens, Richard Laibly, Nicholas Carl, Sara, the Howard family, John, Owen Raymond, Diane Burnett, Sandra, Rhea, Doreen Rao, Steven Wallis, Fr. Lawrence Larson, Michael, Donna, Sarah Ponder, Cheryl, Emily, Anna Marie Piwko
Birthdays and an Anniversary:
Florence Clanton Jones, 12/13; Susan Schlough, 12/14; Alban Mark Galliher, 12/15
Fr. Gary Lawler, Anniversary of Priesthood, 12/17/1989
Bishop Candidates:
The Rev. Canon Paula E. Clark, The Rev. Edwin Daniel Johnson,
The Rev. Dr. Fulton L. Porter III, The Rev. Winnie Varghese
Requiescat in pace:
Tom Piwko, husband of Anna Marie, who died of Covid-19 in Dallas, TX on 12/5/2020
James Ronald Clark, 12/18/1988
Erik C. Muñoz, 12/18/2007
Irene Thompson Malick 12/19/2011
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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Anticipating Saturday's election of the XIII Bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, I'm naturally led to contemplate all of the nature and challenges of any bishop's ministry and what is at the heart of that calling. In so doing, I came across a 2003 sermon by The Most Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III, X Bishop of Chicago (1987-1998) and later Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (1998-2006). Following are the opening paragraphs of a 2003 sermon preached at Washington National Cathedral, five years after Bishop Griswold's 1998 investiture as Presiding Bishop. You may read the entire message here if you wish.
- Fr. Raymond
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January 12, 2003
Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA
Five years ago, on the morning of January 10, 1998, I stood in this pulpit. It was a Saturday, and the day before we observed, as we do this morning, the Baptism of our Lord. The occasion was my investiture as the 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
I vividly remember standing outside the West Door prepared to knock three times with the base of my crozier on a spot that had been carefully marked with black tape lest I damage the bronze. Had the door not been opened I guess I would not be with you today.
On that day I told of an experience I had several months earlier in Italy, in Assisi, which had occurred not long after my election. In a very unexpected way, words addressed to St. Francis by the crucified Christ became words addressed to me: Francesco, va ripara la mia chiesa; “Francis, go rebuild my church.” These words felt like a personal word as I looked ahead to the new ministry I had been called to exercise on behalf of the church here in the United States and beyond. Francis, go rebuild my church.
What I said from this pulpit five years ago I say again today. The work of repair, rebuilding, and renewing is a work that involves us all, all who have been baptized into the death and resurrection of Christ. It involves us all, and it is never complete. Because the church exists in the world, and because those of us who are limbs and members of Christ’s risen body through baptism are all too human, constant scrutiny and repentance are needed. Repentance is needed if the church is to be built up into an agent and manifestation of all that God desires for the full flourishing of the world and the whole creation God not only brought into being but deeply loves.
God sent his only Son among us to embody that love, even to the point of extending his arms on the “hard word of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of [his] saving embrace.” Christ’s saving embrace endures, and through the resurrection and the perpetual motion of the Holy Spirit, extends to every age. God’s saving embrace enfolds all history and can contain all the complexities, struggles, distortions and divisions which challenge and afflict us ...
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector
Susan Schlough, Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
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