Dear People of Ascension,

I am writing to you on the Feast of the Epiphany- one of my favorite celebrations of the liturgical year.

I love the mystery of it, the guidance faithfully followed in stars and dreams, the welcoming of strange seekers to the home of the holy child, the way that they offer their gifts and their hearts with abandon and joy. I love the way this feast launches a season of epiphanies- manifestations- in which we see what we did not see before, most especially of God's presence in the world and in the depths of our own hearts. Epiphany calls us to seek and follow where the vision of divine love leads us. It is always an unexpected, uncharted road, where the Spirit broods and blows as she will.

Despite the wonder of this feast (or maybe because of it), it is not sentimental or facile. Right at the heart of the story there is danger, the power-hungry Herod threatened by the birth of the child, the lies and manipulation and terror that follow his fearful refusal to see. The holy family flee for their lives, the innocents of Bethlehem are murdered, and there are no easy guarantees of safety for those who follow stars or tell the truth.

it sounds remarkably contemporary, doesn't it? Insurrection, division, greedy power and big lies? Disease, bone weariness and fear. Do we also sense the presence of vulnerable, incarnate love- in care for one another, in unexpected gifts and hospitality for the wisdom of strangers, in beckoning opportunities for discovery, wonder, service, truth-telling and hope? Is something stirring us, stirring in us?

Prayers for the guidance of stars and Spirit, for unexpected epiphanies and the grace to respond bravely in this season.

Liz
How to Watch Our Live Stream Services
As the Covid situation changes, so does our ability to meet the needs of the parish. Thank you all for your prayers, patience, and flexibility! We are happy to provide two ways you can watch our services online and participate in the worship:

  1. Via Zoom - You can meet your co-worshippers online, watch the service, and stay for our online coffee hour, or
  2. Via our Webcasts page - You can watch our services on your own at a time convenient to you. After the service, you can click the link to join our online coffee hour.
Via Zoom
Via our Webcast Link
From your computer, laptop, pad, smart phone, or other device, click this link:

Our Zoom host will great you and broadcast the service.

Please stay online after the service and join our online coffee hour.
From your computer, laptop, pad, smart phone, or other device, click this link:


After the service (approximately 12:30), join our online Coffee Hour at:
How to Add Prayer Requests Online for Sunday Service - Go to Ascensionnyc.org/Prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them before the end of the sermon.
Please Stay online (or join us) for Coffee Hour after the service!

If you watched us via Zoom, then just remain online (or grab a cup of coffee first!) If you watched via the webcast, grab that coffee and click the Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday link.
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.
Quiet on the Set!

Our cameras and sound go live anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes before the service. Please be aware that sounds and conversations are picked up and broadcast during the pre-service time.
Temporary Schedule of Services
Only the Sunday 11:00 a.m. service is available at this time. Below, please note the expected dates to return to in-person services.

Sunday
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/ Music (Livestream only; In-person Resumes February)
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Resumes February)
6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament (Resumes January 23)

Wednesday
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Resumes January 26)
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 770 597 201.
Open Church Schedule
Open Church will resume for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Noon to 3pm, starting January 17.
Announcements
[NEW DATE!] Next Racial Justice Group meeting Thursday, January 20 at 6:30- We will begin reading Resurrection Hope: A Future Where Black Lives Matter by the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. Dr. Douglas is President of Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary, Canon Theologian at the Washington National Cathedral, and a leading authority on womanist theology and racial justice. The author of many books, she wrote this deeply personal one in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, responding to conversations with her son about how to persevere in hope for a just future. For this session we will read the introduction and chapter 1 (pp xi-55). Please join us!
Crochet Creations by Jeannette! Hello there, Ascensioners! Jeanette Shields is offering crochet hats, scarves, sweaters, dresses, baby's clothing, and other wares. They are colorful, attractive to the eye, warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and some can be quite dramatic! Visit her website.
From the Vestry:

Annual Parish Meeting - Sunday, January 30, following the 11:00 Service. In accordance with the Religious Corporations Law of the State of New York, the Annual Meeting of The Church of the Ascension in the City of New York will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022, immediately following the 11 a.m. service, for the purpose of electing a Warden for a term of two years and four Vestry members to the Class of 2025, for three year terms, and for the conduct of such other business as should come before the Parish. Candidates are: For Warden, David Cholcher; for Vestry, Elizabeth Adams, John Grimes, Steven Hubbard, Shana Kaplanov, Madonna Stack-Barker.

Balloting: The Annual meeting will be held online this year. Balloting shall commence on the Sunday before the Annual Meeting and end at 9 am on the Wednesday before the Annual Meeting. If a runoff is required, notice of the second ballot shall be given and balloting shall begin immediately, ending at noon on the Sunday of the annual meeting. For those unable to vote online, mail in ballots are available by request. Please contact the church office by January 16th to request your mail in ballot (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620). Completed mail in ballots are due to the office by Wednesday, January 26th.

Highlights from Recent Vestry Meeting:
  • A resolution was passed to recognize Juneteenth (June 19th) as an official holiday at The Church of the Ascension.
  • A resolution was passed to change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day. In official capacity the holiday will read as Indigenous People' Day [Columbus Day] as no government has made this change. 
  • The balcony above the Parish Hall will be converted into an office space for our new business manager, Kelli Long.
The Roman Catholic/Episcopal dialogue subgroup of the Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission is hosting a series of discussions on Zoom about “God’s Gift of the Eucharist” on January 11, 18, & 25 of 2022. Our own Elizabeth Adams will be hosting along with Fr. Bob Flanagan, a priest in our diocese, and Fr. Brian McWeeney of the Catholic archdiocese of New York. Please do join in this fascinating and lively discussion of the sacrament that is central to our identity as Christians. The event is free but space is limited. For information, please contact Fr. Brian at brian.mcweeney@archny.org, or Fr. Robert at (growingasoul@gmail.com)
Monday Evening Lectionary Bible Study -- Join us Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is an opportunity to read and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. If you are interested in joining, please contact Sibyl Piccone.
Support the Parish! Please check us out at ascensionnyc.org/give to find out how easy and secure it is. Click the envelope on the right to go the Ascension Website for more information and to give, whether a one-time donation, pledge payment, or make a new pledge.

Our parish can only continue its mission and ministry because of the generosity of parishioners, visitors, and friends of the parish and we are working hard to make our online giving as easy and seamless as possible.

(If you experience any issues with Abundant Giving, please email us at websexton@ascensionnyc.org)

A Note about Using Abundant Giving: When you donate and pledge through the Abundant Giving app or go through the website, you need to direct your donation to the correct category. There are multiple categories to choose from:
  • Offering Plate
  • Stewardship Pledge 2021
  • Rector's Fund
  • Memorial Gift
These categories change as we update categories during the year. (An example would be when we delete the Easter flowers category after Easter and add Christmas flowers for the weeks leading up to Christmas.)

To donate through your app or the website, click the link above. The next screen will prompt you: "How Much Do You Want To Give?" Next to that, is a drop-down list of categories. Offering plate is always listed first. Click on the little arrow and the list will appear. Click on which ever category you want your donation to be credited. It is important to identify which category you are donating to so that your year end statement will be correct.
This Week at Ascension
Sunday – January 9 – First Sunday after the Epiphany 
The Baptism of Our Lord
Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Online only. In-Person resumes February)
Join us for Online Coffee Hour at Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday

Monday – January 10
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m. If interested, please contact Sibyl Piccone

Tuesday – January 11
Reopening Taskforce (Zoom) 4:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
EfM (Zoom) 6:00 p.m.
Resistance Cinema (Zoom) 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday – January 12
Finance Committee (Zoom) 11:30 a.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Thursday – January 13
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Racial Justice Discussion Group (Zoom) 6:00 p.m.

Friday – January 14
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Saturday – January 15

Sunday – January 16 – Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Online only. In-Person resumes February)
Join us for Online Coffee Hour at Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday
Anyone entering the church must wear a mask and maintain appropriate physical distance. Please utilize the hand sanitizer stations.

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
Contact us
The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street
212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | www.ascensionnyc.org