This Week at Ascension + November 8, 2023

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96

Wednesday, November 8

Saints and Martyrs

of the Anglican Communion

Evening Prayer on ZOOM at 6 p.m.

In-person and Live-streamed

Said Mass at 6:30 p.m.

Unction is available to those who wish it.

VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE

Image: Icon of the Melanesian Martyrs, in the Chapel of Saints and Martyrs of Our Own Time, Canterbury Cathedral, UK.

The Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, November 12, 2023

7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via ZOOM

9 a.m. Sung Mass

11 a.m. Solemn Mass -

In-person & Live-streamed

The 11 a.m. Order of Worship may be found here.

Image: Ten Bridesmaids, Jorge Cocco Santangelo,

Church History Museum, Salt Lake City, UT

Click to join us VIA YOUTUBE

or VIA FACEBOOK LIVE

From Parishioner Ellie Simpson 

Reflections on Christian Stewardship

Every month, when we received our $5 allowance my parents would give us one dollar in quarters. This was to ensure that we were able to put two quarters (10%) in the Church offering plate. This habit extended beyond the church; we shared the bounties of our giant garden with our neighbors, giving away substantial portions of our produce. And each Christmas, one of our family traditions involved selecting an organization together to donate to as a Gift to the broader world. These practices together with many others instilled in me the value of generosity.

As the child of a pastor, I was acutely aware of the significance of donations in sustaining the church. Like many congregations, ours relied on the contributions and benevolence of its members to keep the doors open and ministries flourishing. However, as I grew older, I came to realize that giving was more than just a financial necessity to keep our church alive; it has a profound spiritual act that enriched the giver's heart. When we practice giving consistently it fosters a spirit of generosity that extended beyond mere monetary contributions.

Giving is not merely a transaction; it is a means of participating in the opportunities provided by Christ to make a difference in the world. By actively engaging in acts of generosity, we shape our own character, becoming more Christ-like in the process. I am grateful that my parents instilled this sense of generosity in me.

Throughout my journey, I have continued to give in every church I have been a part of. I have contributed financially, dedicated my time, and shared my skills. One act of giving naturally leads to another, creating a ripple effect. As part of the beloved community, I have witnessed the personal and communal transformation that giving has, it really does allow us to live into the prayer to “let your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” My giving to Ascension is a symbol of my desire to see that prayer come to fruition in my own life and through our church.

As we embark on our 2024 Stewardship Campaign, please consider submitting a pledge card to support the work of our parish by or on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2023. Thank you for your unwavering care and support for this parish's work and witness.

—The Stewardship Committee of the Church of the Ascension

Guest Preacher & Guest Formation Leader

Sunday, November 12

This Sunday we welcome back Father Shane Gormley and Dr. Joshua Heath to Church of the Ascension. Father Gormley will be leading our formation series conversation and lunch, following the 11 AM mass, and Dr. Heath will be preaching at the 9 & 11 AM mass. Please make sure to give them a warm welcome!

Ascension Parishioner

at United Nations Climate Change Conference

Ascension parishioner Sean Hansen has been asked to serve as an Episcopal Church delegate at this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference. He recently shared with clergy, " I've been asked by Presiding Bishop Curry to serve as a delegate to COP28. I'll be working with international leaders and people of other faith traditions to develop policies that can help people and our planet in the face of climate-related crises." Sean has created a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-sean-to-cop28) to help him meet his fundraising goals. Please consider making a contribution.



Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Sunday, November 19

Last year we reinstituted our Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Based on what we learned in 2022 and in keeping with previous practices, the Outreach Committee wants to invite the entire parish to support this central outreach offering.

The Community Thanksgiving Dinner will take place on Sunday, November 19 from 3 - 4:30 PM. Guests will enter through the garden into Wheeler Hall, where dinner will be served in take-out containers. Please note that there are three distinct ways for you to support the Community Thanksgiving Dinner:

·         Sunday, November 19 from 10 AM – 1 PM Help prepare side dishes (mashed potatoes and green beans) and pre-pack desserts

·         Sunday, November 19 from 2 – 5PM Help set up, serve, and clean up from dinner service

·         Any time until Sunday, November 19 Make a monetary donation to help cover our dinner costs. Please include a memo on your check, envelope, or online donation indicating your contribution to the Thanksgiving Dinner.

If you have any questions or wish to learn more about the dinner, please contact Father de la Torre.

Vestry Nominating Committee Meeting

Sunday, November 19

The vestry nominating committee will be meeting on Sunday, November 19, following the 11 AM Mass. The committee will gather to nominate candidates to begin serving on vestry starting in 2024. We are presently looking for one parishioner to serve on the nominating committee.

In 2024, there will be five vestry positions to fill:

·         3 three-year term positions

·         1 two-year term position

·         1 one-year term position

If you’re interested in serving on the nominating committee or you are interested in serving on vestry, please contact LaVerne Saunders: lavernerollesaunders@gmail.com



Announcing Ascension’s Fall Formation Program

In honor of the season of harvest and plenty, our fall formation and Christian Ed programming will include three consecutive weeks of conversation around food and faith. A tasty lunch will be provided for each gathering. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend for some delicious discussions.

Sunday, October 29 

Following the 11 a.m. Solemn Mass

Let Us Break Bread Together Week 1: The Extraordinary in the Ordinary, 

A Conversation with Mother Murphy-Gill, author of The Sacred Life of Bread

Copies of Mtr. Murphy-Gill's book are now available for $10 which will go to Ascension's monthly food pantry.

Sunday, November 5 

Following the 11 a.m. Solemn Mass

Let Us Break Bread Together Week 2: Food and Hospitality in the Old Testament

Sunday, November 12 

Following the 11 a.m. Solemn Mass

Let Us Break Bread Together Week 3: Eating Rituals in the New Testament

with Fr. Shane Patrick Gormley



The Prayers of the People

As part of our Sunday offering of the Mass, we bring to God our petitions and thanksgivings. As a community, we do this by bidding the parish’s intentions in the Prayers of the People. If you wish to have someone added to the Prayers of the People, please email Father de la Torre or Mother Murphy-Gill. You can also fill out the prayer request form in the link below. Names will remain on the prayer list for three weeks, unless otherwise requested.

Lord, hear the prayers of thy people; and what we have asked faithfully, grant that we may obtain effectually, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Share your prayer requests here.



Did you know that you can donate flowers for Sunday’s Mass? 

Donations may be given in memory of departed loved ones or in thanksgiving for a birthday, anniversary, or an important milestone. Flowers may be donated at the High Altar, the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Shrine of St. Michael, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. If you’re interested in donating flowers, please see the sign-up sheet in its new location: on the table in the back of the church closest to the door. 

You can also make a flower donations online by visiting Ascension's PayPal page. Once you’ve made your donation, please email the parish office any personal dedications.

The donation amount to cover the cost of flowers on the High Altar is $50 and for flowers on any one of the Shrines the amount is $30.

Winter Coats Needed

With temperatures dropping, migrants newly arriving in the city are in much need of warm coats. Consider this your cue to rummage through your coat closets and discern what you no longer need. We can take coats of all sizes and for all genders.

To arrange a drop off, please contact Liz Kohlbeck, coordinator of Chrys’ Closet at 920-254-4735.



For our prayers

Lee Gould, Lillian Alexander, Stephanie Henderson, Charlie Boemer, Robert Pischke, Derek Petite, Florence Jones Clanton, David Schrader, Leslie Smebak Gormley,

Jim Drury, Rachel Smolinski, Sarah Reece Glanman, Suzanne Dines, MB Hwang, Juanita Malone, David S. Jones, Richard Francis Tracz, Victor Fernandez,

Claire Green, Beth Hall, Sue Lenz, Brenda Martins

Birthdays

Pablo Illás, 11/10; Selina Walsh Juskiewicz, 11/10/2022

Requiescat in pace

Earmy Nailor, 10/31/2023; Chuck Kelley; Ronald Wilson, Dolly Cerny,

Betty Lee Cox, 11/6/2002; Gustav A. Norén 11/7;

C. Jeriel “Jay” Howard, 11/9/2011; Raymond A. Palmer, 11/9/2011

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.



Organ and Choral Repertoire for November 12, 2023

Between Masses, please don’t forget that The Choir of the Ascension has recorded upwards of 60 tracks that you can listen to anywhere you have an internet connection. They can be found here: https://soundcloud.com/choir-of-the-ascension

Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:

via Zoom (click here)

SUNDAYS

7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom

9:00 a.m. In-person Sung Mass

11:00 a.m. In-person and Live-Streamed Solemn High Mass

VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE

MONDAY-FRIDAY

8:00 a.m. Morning Prayer via FACEBOOK LIVE

6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS

6:30 p.m. Said Mass

VIA YOUTUBE or FACEBOOK LIVE

Wardens and Vestry of Church of the Ascension

LaVerne Rollé Saunders, Sr. Warden;

SeniorWarden@AscensionChicago.org

David Reeves, Jr. Warden;

JuniorWarden@AscensionChicago.org

Ian Barillas-McEntee, Jim Lo Bello, Ken Cozette, Marlea Edinger, Sean Hansen,

David A. Robertson, Elizabeth Simpson, Joshua Simpson, Samuel Sommers, Clerk



Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Finance@ascensionchicago.org

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office

Office@ascensionchicago.org

Approved minutes of Vestry meetings are always available online to parishioners who request the link. If you would like Internet access to these Vestry Minutes, please email the Parish Office and request the link. Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Vestry meeting minutes.

The link remains live indefinitely. Any parishioner who has the link will not need to request a new link from month to month.