Dear People of Ascension,

For the last two and a half years, some of us have gathered regularly to grapple with racism in our own lives, our church and our broader communities. Shocked into self-examination by the killing of George Floyd, initially we met almost every week. talking about our feelings, seeking resources. Gradually we have settled into a rhythm of monthly gatherings, knowing that we must be in this journey for the long haul.

We have read authors from Ibram Kendi to Kelly Brown Douglas, listened to podcasts about Black joy and contemplated art that expands our images of the divine, talked about our country's painful history, theology and whiteness, and our personal stories. A core group of folks attend faithfully, but many others have joined for a season and all are welcome. We have grown in trust and transparency, and there is so much more to explore and to do.

This weekend, when we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his prophetic legacy and the call to work for racial justice in our own day, participants in our Racial Justice Group will offer a forum after the 11 am service. We will share our experiences- what we have learned, what we hope for, what we are trying to do. We are certainly not experts, and we hope that our sharing will spark lively discussion in the wider community- and deeper growth, healing and fruitful action for us all. Please join us!

Liz

To join the forum with Zoom click here.

Say Thank You. If you watch our services online you may notice in the lower left-had corner you'll see the name of our producer, Jasmine B. She has been our producer a little over a month now and is doing a great job! Next time you're watching, be sure to give her 5 stars!

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.

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.

Open Church - Mondays through Fridays, Noon to 3pm. 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.

With the rise of respiratory illnesses, we strongly encourage everyone to be masked when indoors and to be sensitive to the concerns of others. Clergy, servers, and choir will remain masked during services.

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 29, 2023, 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 2026, for three year terms, and for the conduct of such other business as should come before the Parish.

Absentee Ballots for the Annual Meeting - Eligible voters may request absentee ballots from the church office by email (info@ascensionnyc.org) or by calling 212-254-8620. Absentee ballots not received in the office by noon on the Friday, January 27, or placed in the ballot box on the day of the meeting, will not be replaced or counted.

Nominee for Warden: Isabel Spencer

Nominees for Vestry: Kyle Cheseborough, Ned Fitch, and Michael Surabian

Vestry Draft Agenda for January 18. Click here.

Racial Justice Discussion Group – Thursday, January 19; 6:30 p.m. We will finish our discussion of The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature by J. Drew Lanham. Dr. Lanham is an ornithologist, professor and poet, and tells his own family story about land, race and the natural world. For this session we will read pp. 149 to the end. Please join us!

 (Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/87102788084)

The Bronx Council invites you to join them as they give thanks for the life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day's offering goes towards the Council's MLK Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Rt. Rev. Andrew ML Dietsche, Bishop of New York, Presider; The Rev. Yejide Peters Pietersen, Associate Dean and Director of Formation Berkeley Divinity School - The Episcopal Seminary at Yale,

Preacher. The celebration will take place at The Church of the Good Shepherd (4401 Matilda Avenue, Bronx) in person and Zoom.

The Diocese of New York Ecumenical and Interreligious Commission invites you to take part in a program "Same but Different," an ecumenical dialogue between leaders of Catholic and Episcopal Churches. For three Monday evenings, we will explore these two historic churches’ history, structure, and worship, highlighting their traditions and spirits. Join Father Brian McWeeney, D.Min. and Rev. Robert Flanagan, D. Min. for a lively, enriching presentation and discussion of the topics that define where we come from, who we are, and where we’re going.

We will meet on Zoom on Mondays in January/February (1/23, 1/30, and 2/6 from 7:30 to 8:45 pm). To sign up, please, contact Rev. Robert Flanagan or Father Brian McWeeney.

Same but Different is a program designed by the ecumenical dialogue leaders of the Archdiocese of New York and the Episcopal Diocese of New York and is the fourth in a series of programs that began during the pandemic. The Nicene Creed states, "We believe in one, holy, catholic, apostolic church." Many wonder how "catholic" applies to Roman Catholics and Episcopalians and the differences between the two denominations' beliefs, practices, and traditions. Also, what do they share, and how can they better welcome those outside their tradition by better understanding their identities? During the program's three sessions, leaders and participants will examine these questions and others to understand each denomination's identity and role in the wider church.

Light that Grounds and Guides Us - Life Together in This Transition Year - Click here to hear a message from Bishop Coadjutor Elect, The Rev. Matthew Heyd.

Have you made your pledge for 2023? Thanks to all who have pledged to support Ascension in the coming year. If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider doing so. We need everyone's participation, and depend on your commitments for our budget planning. When you pledge online you must make a new commitment for each new year. Thank you for your generosity and care for our church!

To make or pay your pledge online, please check us out at Ascensionnyc.org/Give to find out how easy and secure it is to give. You can also download the Abundant app for iOS or Android. When donating, please choose whichever purpose you intend for your contribution.

Help Asylum Seekers - Our friends at Judson Church (239 Thompson St.) have created a respite and mutual aid center for asylum seekers who have been bussed to New York from Texas. They are open every Monday from 10 am to 7 pm. You can help by volunteering time (Spanish speakers and those with medical, legal or social work training especially welcome), or by donating supplies. They need new (or like new) winter coats (men’s, women’s, & children’s), underwear (boxers preferably), and backpacks.

To learn more about volunteering, please contact the Rev. Micah Bucey at micah@judson.org. Donated supplies can be brought to Ascension, marked "mutual aid for migrants" and we will see that they get to Judson. Thank you!

Holy Eucharist (Church) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; (Church & Live Stream) 11:00 a.m.

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) After 11:00 service

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Reopening Taskforce (Zoom) 4:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

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.

Vestry Meeting, 6:45 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.

Food Pantry (12 W 11th St) 8:30 a.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 9:00 a.m.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; (Church & Live Stream) 11:00 a.m.

Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) After 11:00 service

Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.

The Church of the Ascension -- Fifth Avenue and Tenth Street

Clergy | Staff | Parish Leadership