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Dear Parish family,
I had the very great privilege of spending June 10-20 in Eastern Europe singing with Portland's wonderful liturgical choir Cantores In Ecclesia. We sang concerts and liturgical services in Prague, Krakow, and Budapest, featuring music by G.P. da Palestrina, William Byrd, Maurice Duruflé, Olivier Messiaen, Zoltán Kodály, and many more wonderful composers. I also had the chance during my trip to research music from the countries we visited, so don’t be surprised if you see more Hungarian, Czech, and Polish organ music in the upcoming months' preludes and postludes!
Please enjoy this video of the choir singing the motet "Cibavit eos" by William Byrd in the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Prague!
Here is the piece's text, translated into English:
He fed them with the fullness of the wheat, alleluia:
and out of the rock, with honey he filled them, alleluia.
Rejoice in God our helper: sing joyfully to the God of Jacob.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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If you would like to hear more from Cantores in Ecclesia, I heartily invite you to join us for the William Byrd Festival, coming up in August! Of the many concerts and services listed in the full schedule, perhaps our Evensong on August 10, 5 P.M., at the Parish of St. Mark, might be of special interest!
I took far too many photos of my trip to share in this newsletter, but if you'd like to see any, catch me after any services at Ascension and I will be glad to give you a photo tour of beautiful Eastern European churches on my iPad!
Soli Deo gloria,
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Summer Mass Schedule
9 A.M. Mass Every Sunday
June 15 - September 14
1st Sunday of the Month: Said Mass
3rd Sunday of the Month in July and August: Family Mass
We return to our two-service Sunday schedule
(8am and 10am) on September 21
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This Week At Ascension
July 13, 2025
9:00 A.M.: Said Mass with Hymns with The Rev. Dr. SuEllen Pommier
Next Week At Ascension
July 20, 2025
9:00 A.M.: Family Said Mass with Hymns with The Rev. Dr. SuEllen Pommier
Please join us for an intergenerational celebration. We'll have a kids' play space with toys in the back of the sanctuary, a sermon for the whole family, kid-friendly Bible readings and hymns, and readings by kids! Families have the option of an unstaffed nursery for little ones.
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Ascension Barbecue & Potluck:
August 2, 4:00-6:00 P.M.
Mark your calendars! Bring friends, bring food and drink to share, and enjoy fellowship on our back patio. Look for a sign up sheet in the parlor in the coming weeks.
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Get to Know Chris
This month, get to know a little better Chris Dumm... parishioner, Palacsinta (Hungarian pancakes) master at this year's Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and Lay Eucharistic Minister (right, with son, Nic, and wife of 20 years, Sarah).
Where did you grow up and where have you lived?
I grew up in the Salem area in the vineyards and woods up on the hills. I moved to Portland in 1991 and have mostly lived here since, but I have lived in Eugene, Hungary, San Francisco, and Madison WI for extended periods as well.
What was your first job?
I worked in the vineyards and the bottling line as a teen but soon became a carpenter/woodworker, which I have been ever since.
Have you always been an Episcopalian?
I was raised Episcopalian, then turned away from the church many years… but I came back to Christ and the church about 10 years ago. I realized that He had never left me….
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What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about following Jesus on the pilgrim way home. Also, I love playing and listening to early and baroque music, and building wooden chairs and tables and such with hand tools. I play an instrument called a cimbalom from Hungary.
What are you really good at?
Making stuff. Cooking dinner for my family.
What are you really bad at?
Reaching out. Maintaining connections.
Hero?
Jesus, of course!
Favorite Portland restaurants?
Allora? Luce? C’est Si Bon? Navarre? All tasty with good atmospheres!
Favorite book?
That’s too difficult a question. But recently I’ve really been enjoying the poetry of John Clare and R.S. Thomas and the stories of Adalbert Stifter.
Favorite movies?
Over the past few years: “The Eight Mountains” and “I’m Still Here.”
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Beethoven or Beatles?
The Beatles were everything to me as a kid but at this point I’d have to go with Beethoven. Actually: Bach.
Greatest fear?
The darkness in the heart of humankind. But also: Plane crash…
Where would you go in a time machine?
Maybe a one way ticket to the high Alps somewhere in the 19th century for a life focused on cheese, woodcraft, roaring winter fireplaces and roaming the summer meadows and peaks with cows?
Favorite gospel story?
Matthew 14:22-33
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Last Sunday: Salon Series Concert
On July 6, Portland-based pianist Claire Forstman treated us to a recital of music by Robert Schumann, Claude Debussy, Lili Boulanger, and several exciting 20th century composers.
We are grateful to Claire for her beautiful playing on our lovely Chickering parlor grand piano in the Common Room!
Keep an eye out for future Salon Series concerts to be announced in the fall.
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An Invitation from Mother SuEllen
I would like to meet with all of you, individually or in small groups. Please know that these chats are important to me, and to the future of this church. We need to know where we are starting from so that we can go forward together.
I am at Ascension Parish on Tuesdays from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. I am also at the church Wednesdays through Fridays, when my schedule varies, so it is best to meet me by appointment. If you would like to schedule a specific time to meet with me, please give me a call at 971-200-0970. Remember, I do make house calls as well. I am here to be of service to you.
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From the Archives
In 1994, the Ascension Parish Cookbook Committee published Ascension Treasured Recipes. Some of you may have a copy. For those who don't, there are a few in the bookcase in the parlor. I thought it would be fun to share some classics....
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In Our Prayers
- Eloise Gibson
- Susan
- Moises Guimaraes
- Gene
- Quinland
- Bob Turner
If you would like to add a loved one or concern to our prayer list, please contact Kris Vanberg in the office.
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The Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Pentecost: July 13, 2025
O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lectionary Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Pentecost: July 13, 2025
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