Returning to in-person worship at Ascension?
Join us via Zoom this evening for
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer and 6:30 p.m. Low Mass
The Nativity of John the Baptist
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4th Sunday after Pentecost June 28
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
10:15 a.m. Scripture Reflection
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour
ALL VIA ZOOM
(See connection information below.)
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Last Judgment
, Master of St. Severin, c. 1488,
now in the collection of the Wallraf–Richartz Museum, Cologne
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Goodbye, thank you, and godspeed to Mother Anna Broadbent and Father Shawn Evelyn
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People of Ascension,
With both excitement and sadness I am writing to bid farewell for now to the Church of the Ascension community. On July 1
st
, I will start a new role at St. James Cathedral, ending my time as Curate and become Associate for Outreach Ministries.
Additionally, my husband Shawn Evelyn and I are moving this week to an apartment in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. This will put us about halfway between St. James and St. Edmund's (at 6105 S. Michigan Avenue), where, in March, Shawn began a three-year appointment as priest-in-charge.
My promotion at the cathedral comes with a bittersweet change in my relationship with Ascension. Being a part of the Ascension community these past two years has been a wonderful experience. You received me with open arms as a brand-new deacon, fresh from seminary in the summer of 2018. Many of you showed up for my Sunday morning ordination in December 2018, and again o
n the Feast of Absalom Jones, in February of 2019, when you allowed me to be the first woman to celebrate the mass at Ascension.
You and your faith and worship have become woven into the priest I continue to become.
My experiences here at Ascension will remain with me wherever my ministry takes me. You have supported me both professionally and personally. After Shawn and I married last September, Ascension's coach house became our first home. We are so grateful for your prayers and support over these past two years. We will continue to be in relationship as diocesan colleagues, so in addition to
good-bye
I'll also say
see you around!
Ascension has been and will continue to be in my prayers. Thank you for loving me and Shawn, supporting us and allowing us to be a part of your community.
With Gratitude,
Mother Anna Broadbent
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- With regard to the Ascension coach house ... and the vacancy created by Mother Broadbent's and Father Evelyn's departure this week ...
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- Our Sexton, George Panice, will take care of or supervise any needed cleaning or repairs (as can arise with any residential turnover).
- We've known for a few years that the coach house needs a new roof. We hope to have one soon.
- In the event that you don't know, the two-storey coach house has two bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs, along with three other rooms suitable for an office, library, nursery or sitting room. The downstairs includes a combined kitchen, dining and living area and a full bathroom. A thorough renovation in 2014 followed extensive damage from a burst pipe and flood.
- The Wardens, Vestry members and I will start a discussion at our meeting this coming Saturday about occupancy options. We're unable to use it as a rental (because it might jeopardize our non-profit property tax exemption). I have personally wondered about welcoming a retired priest or website and social media whiz who might provide service to Ascension in exchange for a home.
- Feel free to share any thoughts or questions about the coach house with me or either of our Wardens.
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How long, O Lord?
Returning to in-person worship:
Good news and bad news
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The good news:
our pandemic task force met yesterday and began to ask when and how we might resume in-person worship at Ascension.
The bad news:
re-opening will be challenging and require us to put in place a number of measures to assure a safe worship environment.
The bad news:
Our task force members, including the Wardens and I, do not have a very clear idea of
your
thoughts on re-opening and whether or not you would show up and under what circumstances.
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In case you're scanning and missed it ...
But before you do ... please read the following:
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Your thoughts about returning to Ascension for in-person worship and how you respond to the survey may be shaped by knowing that, initially, in-person worship will be unlike past ‘normal’ Sundays (as will other worship, music, gatherings or meetings). In compliance with direction from our bishop, mayor and governor, the following protocols and limitations will pertain from the time we resume in-person worship until further notice (likely for months):
- All individuals entering the church will provide name, telephone number and email address (in the event we need to contact you if someone at the service you attended develops COVID-19).
- All worshipers in the church, including clergy, organist and any other ministers, will be required to wear masks or have another appropriate face covering. (We will provide masks for those without.)
- Worshipers will only sit in designated seats in the pews, to allow for appropriate social distancing. Attendance at any one worship service will be limited to 45 persons in the pews.
- No singing (choir, soloist, hymn singing, chanting by priest, organist or others) will be included in any in-person worship. Research and recent super-spreader incidents suggest that singing indoors significantly increases the risks of transmission by anyone (symptomatic or not) with COVID-19.
- There will be no common Communion chalice and very likely no opportunity for the People to share in Blood of Christ.
- Until circumstances change, there will be no indoor coffee hour or receptions and no nursery care provided. Any socializing will be informal, outdoors and with safe social distancing.
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Is there more information that you would like in anticipation of returning to in-person worship at Ascension? You will be able to ask for it in the survey ...
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Yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, I was called by Fr. George Monroe, asking for prayers from all at Ascension for
Fr. Gregory Norris, 14th Rector of Ascension, 1971-1993. Fr. Norris is in an ICU at a hospital in Dallas (his home) due to progression of heart disease. As of the call, he is on life support and doctors reported his chances of survival seemed slim. The photo is from Fr. Norris' last visit to Chicago in early November 2019 for the Visitation and Requiem for Bishop James W. Montgomery, X Bishop of Chicago.
“
Deliver your servant, Gregory, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set him free from every bond
...”
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Organ Repertoire for the
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, June 28
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Opening Voluntary
Chorale Dorien
[rev. 1938]
Jehan Ariste Alain
(1911-1940)
Hymn At the Offertory
"Take up your Cross"
Closing Voluntary
Pièce d'Orgue
BWV 572
Johann Sebastian Bach
(1685-1750)
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Dear friends,
As we move into the summer, I would like to thank our choir members for all they have done this season, both in person and remotely. I would also like to thank you—the congregation, Vestry, and Wardens—for your understanding and forbearance as we’ve done our best to navigate these completely uncharted waters. I am looking forward to being with everyone again when it is safe to do so. In the meantime, I thought you might like to hear from our wonderful singers! I will be publishing these short “interviews” one at a time over the next several weeks. I hope you enjoy them!
Peace,
Benjamin
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This Week's Featured Chorister:
Alexandra Olsavsky, soprano
Year of my first service at Ascension
: 2015-2016
One or two of my favorite Mass settings/motets that I’ve sung at Ascension
: One of my new favorites is Gabriel Jackson's
Missa Triueriensis
! I love floating on top of those dense chords (particularly the Sanctus). The other has to be
Faire is the Heaven
by William Henry Harris for all of the rolling double choir motion and his text painting.
One of my favorite things about singing at Ascension is
: The music has always felt like a cherished part of the community here at Ascension - this, in turn, makes me feel like a cherished part of the community! I genuinely look forward to Sunday mornings when I get to sing next to my friends who I respect as people and artists, be led by Benjamin who always puts so much care into his programming, hearing David's beautiful (and sometimes joyously bombastic) playing on the organ, and am greeted by Father Raymond and the rest of the community at Ascension. It is one of the best parts of my week, without question.
What else do I do outside of Ascension? Business
: I am the Director of Operations of the Chicago chamber music group, Fifth House Ensemble, as well as a founding member of female-forward unaccompanied vocal trio, Artemisia. Pleasure: Distance running, composing music, cuddling with my dog (or cat, or husband!), watching objectively awful reality TV, or planning another traveling adventure.
Pictured above
: a typical work-from-home setup during quarantine! :)
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Ascension Connections
(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 the (stay-at-home) time being
All connections are via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer, via Facebook (click here).
SUNDAYS
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Mass
10:15 a.m. Scripture reflection
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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Musical offering for Corpus Christi
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WEEKDAY MORNING PRAYER
Join us for Morning Prayer, Mondays through Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. on Facebook Live. We've created
a dedicated group as part of Ascension's Facebook page here
where you can find these videos. (Or navigate from the Ascension Facebook page by clicking on "Groups" at the left side of the screen.) Pray with us while watching live or while visiting the videos later. If, having seen these, you find that you'd like to officiate, please reach out to
Br. Jonathan Wheat, SMJ
(pictured here) or
MB Hwang
.
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Mondays-Fridays, 6:00 p.m.
Please note the addition of
Evening Prayer on Fridays!
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Zoom this evening, June 24:
Evening Prayer 6:00 p.m.
Low Mass for The Nativity of St. John the Baptist,
6:30 p.m.
Please note the new starting time -- 6:00 p.m. -- for Evening Prayer.
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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 all businesses, schools, public institutions, and especially at this time all religious congregations facing questions of opening, welcoming, timing and safety.
For our individual and shared courage and wisdom in addressing matters related to race and racism and for the reconciling witness of the Church.
For our prayers
: Charley Taylor, August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Ethel Martin, Kuni Sakai, Dean Pineda, Carnola Malone, Charlene MacDougal, Patricia Johnston, Mary Drell, Jim Lo Bello, Mary Lou Devens, Marty Stenson, Donna Neglia, Jessica, Maxim, Ted Long, Ken Kelling, Beth Hall, David Byerly, Nicholas Carl, Sal Martinez, Salem
In Thanksgiving
:
- Recent/Upcoming Birthdays: Kelly Colomberti, 6/1; Owen Raymond, 6/1; Jim Wilson, 6/2; Trevor Taylor, 6/2; Judith Cook, 6/4; Pedro Illás, 6/4; Bill Flodin, 6/11; Jim Lo Bello, 6/11; Katie DuClos, 6/12; Jim Lenz, 6/13; Fr. Gary Lawler, 6/13; Christopher McKee, 6/14; Ricardo Avila, 6/15; David Knox, 6/20; David Allen, 6/25; David Jones, 6/28; Michael Malone, 6/29
- Anniversaries: The Rev. Carol Norén, ordination as UMC Deacon, 6/4/1974 & ordination as UMC Elder/Presbyter, 6/17/1979; Marriage of Victor & Marjorie Lofgreen, 6/20/1993; Baptism of Michael Haile Zelazny, 6/25/2017
- Graduations: Including Christopher Poore, MA, UChicago Divinity School.
Requiescat in pace
: Fr. Edward Allan Larrabee, 10th Rector, 6/13/1924; Charles L. Mezger, 6/1996; Bp. Albert William Hillestad, 12th Rector, 6/14/2007; Carol L. DeVries, 6/14/2014; Bill Ball 6/15/2017; Emily Lodine Overgaard, 6/17/2019; Alfred John Landwer, 6/19/1987; Lorraine Leonard Burita, 6/20/2004.
Prayers for the departed
:
All who have died due to complications of COVID-19
For all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
For all who have been unjustly killed as a result of law enforcement misconduct.
and for
The Rev. Canon Edgar F. Wells (6/7)
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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Last week's solstice and other passages and phenomena bring to mind the following Joni Mitchell 'classic,' and the words pair well with Hildegard von Bingen's well-known depiction of the cosmos.
-
Fr. Raymond
+
Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and dawn
We're captive on the carousel of time
We can't return we con only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game.
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when you're older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round ...
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him,
Take your time, it won't be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round ...
So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur
Coming true
There'll be new dreams, maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through.
And the seasons they go round and round ...
Artwork below
:
13th-century illustration modeled on a design by Hildegard von Bingen, depicting the four seasons of a spherical Earth, State Library of Lucca
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The Very Rev. Patrick Raymond,
Rector
Susan Schlough,
Treasurer
Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG,
Parish Office
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