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Dear People of Ascension,
I write to you on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, keenly aware of the threat to our trans siblings in these days, and of those trans people, beloved of God, who have lost their lives through hate and violence. Let us pray and work for a world and a church in which we celebrate all genders as expressions of the wild creativity and love of God and protect the dignity and wonder of every human being.
I commend to you this prayer for the Transgender Day of Remembrance, adapted from the Corrymeela Community in the UK.
Liz
"God of all creation, your wisdom and love are boundless.
You, of many names, are beyond all distinctions of gender.
We, in our selves, our souls and bodies, are created from your love
and in your love find our true selves revealed.
We give you thanks for the colorful spectrum of sexual and gender identities that live and grow within the human family by your design.
We lament the forces that cloud and manipulate the beauty of your creation,
And the divisions within your human family that we too easily reinforce by our fear and negligence.
As we remember those transgender people who have been killed, taken their own lives or been injured, help us to honor them for who they were.
Help us to create a world where everyone can live with authenticity, integrity, and dignity.
Help us all to live our own lives in true fulfilment of our identities, in communion with each other and in the Love of Christ. Amen."
| | Services at Church of the Ascension | | | | Do you like to color? Especially for children and their families- we have copies of “the Sunday Paper” a cartoon version of our gospel each Sunday, along with crayons and clipboards available from the ushers. Please ask for one if your child would enjoy this during the service. | | |
Regular Service Schedule
SUNDAY
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Side Altar)
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist w/ Music
(Church & Livestream)
6:00 p.m. Meditation & Sacrament (Church)
WEDNESDAY
6:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Church)
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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 880 1981 1224.
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Long Term Prayers
Pray for: Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Luz, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Rural & Migrant Ministries, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We pray for all devastated by the genocide in Gaza, and for a just peace in Ukraine, Sudan, Haiti, and the Holy Land.
Please keep these people and intentions from our long-term prayer list in your own prayers. We hope to keep our intercessions in the liturgy both faithful and fresh, as we persist in prayer for those who need it.
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Prayers! Did you know you can submit your prayer requests online? Go to ascensionnyc.org/prayers and type in your prayer request. Be sure to add them. Requests submitted by noon on Thursday will be included in the Sunday bulletin. (Any requests after that will be included in the following Sunday bulletin.) | |
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.
| | Ascension Forum this Sunday: The Gospel according to Matthew- Next Sunday, we begin year A, reading primarily from the Gospel of Matthew. Join us today after the 11 am service for an introduction to the first gospel and some of its unique themes and stories- from the visit of the Magi to the sermon on the Mount to the parable of the sheep and the goats! | | | | |
The Church and Parish Offices
will be closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday & Friday
November 27 & 28
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Deacon Formation Program – Inquirers Zoom; December 1, 7:00 p.m. – Are you interested in learning more about the Diaconate program or the ordination process, or are already in discernment? Then this Zoom call is for you! Archdeacon Denise will explain how the program works, what’s required of you, and other important details to help you discern how this ministry might be what God is calling your to do. To receive the Zoom link, email archdeacon@dioceseny.org.
| | SNAP Response – SNAP benefits are being restored, but we still are accepting donations of money for supermarket gift cards and/or food to help us create grab-and-go bags. If you, or someone you know, is in need of food assistance, please speak to one of the clergy. | | Coming up in Advent at Ascension | Advent Wreath Making, November 30 - We’ve got all the supplies at the ready for an Advent Wreath Making Clinic! On Advent 1 – November 30 - we’ll gather in the parish hall after 11am worship and play around with creating our own Advent Wreath! It’s sure to be a fun way to start the season for one and all! | | Advent Quiet Morning, Saturday, December 13, 10am- 1 pm - Are you looking for old-yet-new ways to pray and reconnect with God in the busy end-of-year season? Join us for a peaceful Advent Quiet Day. This year’s theme, “Waiting with Beads of Hope,” invites us to prepare our whole body in this holy season of waiting using prayer beads. Together we will learn the rhythm of contemplative prayer and action, discover the meaning of Anglican Prayer Beads, and even make our own set to take home. Led by Intern Yunjeong McSeol. | | |
‘Tis the Season to go Phishing! It’s Holly Jolly Scamming Time, so be extra careful and vigilant.
• Always double check the actual address of the sender.
• If the “voice” of a message doesn’t sound right, beware.
• Utility companies will never ask you to pay via gift cards.
• Clergy and Staff will never email you asking for gift cards.
| | The Nominating Committee for Vestry Elections invites you prayerfully to consider whether you are called to serve on our parish Vestry. Members of the congregation may also nominate candidates for Vestry. Vestry members serve for three-year terms. The elections will take place at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 25th, 2026. To be eligible to stand for election you must be: (1) 18 years of age or older, (2) a member of the parish who has made a financial contribution to the parish for at least the past 12 months, and (3) able to attend Vestry meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in standing for election to Vestry or nominating someone, please contact Vin Knight who is chairing the Nominating Committee: 212-727-9757; vin@panix.com. | | |
Hurricane Melissa Relief - Episcopal Relief & Development is working closely with partners to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Hurricane Relief Fund (https://bit.ly/4rgf4KQ) is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery. Please contribute to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund to support these efforts.
| | The Ascension Advent Calendar has enough contributors! Thanks to all who have volunteered. Watch our social media to participate in this Advent devotion. | | |
Have you finished paying your pledge for 2025? As the year draws to a close, please be sure your pledge is paid in full your pledge so you can receive your tax credit for this year, and Ascension can meet its budget. If you have any questions about your pledge payments or want to change your pledge, please contact the parish office. Thank you!
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Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- Today we conclude our annual pledge drive at Ascension with this theme. Folks on our stewardship list have received a pledge card, brochure and letter from the rector, and will soon get a call from one of our canvassers.
If you are in this category, we warmly invite you to pledge to Ascension, and let us know about your experience, hopes and dreams for our parish. If you did not receive this mailing, we hope you too will support Ascension. The materials are in the back of the church; please take them if you are interested. We would love for you to pledge! If you are not able to make a regular commitment, we warmly invite you to give as you are able, one time or whenever you are here.
We need your help and are grateful for the support of everyone in our community! Thank you for your generosity, and may it be liberating for your soul!
To pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)
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Immigration Legal Support Fund – Recently our diocese announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. We're starting with a $50,000 contribution from the Bishop’s discretionary funds. Help us to match this amount to keep families together. With your support, we can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. You can contribute here. To learn more about the Immigration Legal Support Fund Click here.
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Your Pantry Needs You!
Ascension Outreach Inc. needs additional volunteer participation. The program is robust and developing in some great ways- and we need more hands-on help. Won’t you consider helping strengthen our service to our neighbors?
Friday opportunity: 3 to 4 pm the day before pantry, we set up the parish hall for pantry service.
Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month (except July which is 2nd and 4th Saturday because of the holiday).
Upcoming Dates: November 22, December 6 & 20
If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)
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Open Church Schedule
Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm (except as mentioned above). If you would like to volunteer for this ministry, please contact Gretchen Dumler or contact the church office (info@ascensionnyc.org or 212-254-8620.
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Sunday – November 23
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music(Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – November 24
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – November 25
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – November 26
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Thursday – November 27 - Thanksgiving Day
The church and parish offices are closed for Thanksgiving
Friday – November 28
The church and parish offices are closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday – November 29
The Food Pantry is the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – November 30 – First Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music(Church) 11:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
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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
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