This Week at Ascension + July 21, 2021

"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalm 96
Please note: Due to the absences of Fr. Raymond and Br. Nathanael from the parish offices in coming days, next week's newsletter (7/28) will mainly be confined to information about masses, music and the parish prayer list.

This evening,
Wednesday, July 21
Saint Mary Magdalene

6:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.
In-person &
Live-streamed Mass



Image: Noli me tangere, Antonio Correggio, Ca. 1525. Oil on panel transferred to canvas

Thanks to those who have noticed that Wednesday evening masses are now in-person as well as live-streamed ... and who are showing up!

Sunday, July 25, 2021 + The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer via ZOOM
10:00 a.m. In-person & Live-streamed Mass
Image: Jesus walking on the sea, 1866, Gustave Doré
From the Rector
A Reformation?
 
Christmas of 1899 was celebrated in the parish with the customary solemnities. With the regular choir supplemented by a string orchestra, the "Mass in E Flat" by Guilmant was sung. With the repeating of the same music at the eleven o'clock Solemn High Mass on Sunday, December 31, the parish marked the conclusion of the nineteenth century.

-From Chapter 3, History of the Church of the Ascension, Chicago, Illinois 1857-1982, George C. Giles, Jr.
Dear people of Ascension, 
 
The Solemn High Mass will be celebrated this coming Sunday for the first time in 16 months. If you have a sense of humor and can allow for a misappropriation, you could think of it as Ascension’s very own Reformation Sunday. We’re re-forming a rite, deeply embedded in Ascension’s history and identity, that has long drawn newcomers, liturgical tourists and those from Anglican parishes far and wide with similar rites, affinities and faith. 
 
A few notes of caution and clarification may be in order. For starters, be careful of expectations, whatever they may be. Those serving at the altar on Sunday, both clergy and lay ministers, will be as or more aware than anyone that 16 months have passed since the last Solemn High Mass. A few of the lay ministers will have not previously served at this liturgy. I regret that some personal travel, planned some time ago, will prevent me from being with you.
 
The Solemn High Mass will be celebrated for several upcoming Sundays. A primary parish leadership objective for August will be looking ahead to fall and addressing questions about adding more masses on Sundays, the forms they will take, and the times. I’ll do my best to update you.
 
Our focus on the outward form(s) and time(s) of the mass should not obscure our equal or greater attention to our best underlying faithful intentions for any mass, whatever its form, place or time -- to glorify God and to inform, enliven and sustain the faith of all who take part. 
 
Pray for the Church, for our parish and for the faithfulness of our worship and witness.

Patrick +

Image: The Mass of St. Gregory, Prayer Book of Queen Claude de France, ca. 1517,
The Morgan Library & Museum, New York
Also from the Rector
A Curate and more for the coming year?
At the Thursday, July 15, Vestry meeting, the Wardens presented a proposal aimed at present circumstances and opportunities relative to our leadership, ministry and pastoral care, and in the contexts of emerging from the pandemic and more effectively welcoming and incorporating newcomers. One key piece of the proposal -- approved by the Vestry with a significant 12-month supplement that will impact to 2021 and 2022 operating budgets -- is funding for a full-time curate. The Wardens and I won't share more about what's envisioned until specific plans becomes clearer, but we do welcome parishioners to contact the Wardens and Vestry members with questions. (Their names are always included at the bottom of every newsletter.)
Flowers, anyone?
I do hope you noticed and appreciated the flowers on the altar this past Sunday, lovingly arranged by the Hector sisters, Avril and Lynette. Among other features that I appreciate about the altar flowers at Ascension is their variety, dependent on the personal taste(s) of the arranger(s), seasonal or festal considerations and what's available where the day before. YES, you can join the flower guild! Just ask George Pineda, Ellie Roberts or Joshua Simpson, all of whom have taken part for the first time over the past year, and all of whom have come back for more. Usual service is once a month or less. For more specific information on flower guild opportunities, please contact Claire Greene.
Organ Repertoire for July 25, 2021
ORGAN
Pastorale, op. 18
(Six Pièces pour Orgue, 1860-62)
César-Auguste Franck (1822-1890)
                              
At the Entrance Procession
Hymn 404
OLD 124th
 
At the Offertory
Hymn 635
WER NUR DEN LIEBEN GOTT
 
At the Communion
Hymn 51
DECATUR PLACE  
 
At the Retiring Procession
Hymn 448
DEUS TUORUM MILITUM
 
ORGAN
Final, op. 21(orig. ver.)
(Six Pièces pour Orgue, 1860-62)
César-Auguste Franck
About our 2021 Repertoire
As I develop a long-range plan for repertoire each year, I choose a theme or area of emphasis, often complete works or a complete large-scale work by one composer. During 2021, organ music by women composers and African-American composers is being and will be featured in voluntaries and recitals throughout the year. There are some little-known gems waiting to be discovered, as well as music by major composers, with whom works for the organ are not generally associated. Enjoy!
From Benjamin Rivera

Dear friends,

Our vocal music has returned to its usual (pre-COVID) summer format:
-congregational Mass Ordinary, hymns, and service
music
-chanted propers, solos, and/or motets sung by the
Schola

If you haven’t attended a summer Mass for a while, you may not be aware that many of these Masses feature a quartet or quintet of mixed voices. We hope you’ll join us in the building, or online if you’re unable to attend in person.

Peace be with you!
Benjamin

Between Masses, please don’t forget that our choir 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

Ascension parishioner George Pineda is pleased to announce the wedding of his sister Chanderlane Pineda to Dustin Tavener this past weekend in Chicago.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen. (BCP p. 429)
The Treasurer and Bookkeeper continue to limit time in the parish offices. All checks received at Ascension via the United States Postal Service, not always a reliable service in our area, will be bank deposited approximately every 3 weeks. You may contact the Treasurer by email anytime at Finance@AscensionChicago.org. 
Ascension Connections
(with your click and God's help)
Participate in Ascension masses at our YouTube Channel. (Look for other connections options soon.)
Meeting ID:
792 031 7452
Password: 1133
Join-by-Phone Option: (312) 626-6799
Weekly Ascension Schedule

For connections:
via Zoom (click here)
except for Morning Prayer,
via Facebook (click here).

SUNDAYS
9:30 a.m. Virtual Morning Prayer
10:00 a.m. Live-Streamed Mass
11:00 a.m. Virtual Coffee Hour

MONDAY-FRIDAY
6:00 p.m. Evening Prayer via Zoom

WEDNESDAYS
6:30 p.m. Low Mass
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!
THE PARISH PRAYER LIST
For our prayers: August 'Augie' Alonzo, Jim Berger, Steven Wallis, Sarah Ponder, Taffy Wehe, Amy Peterson, Stephanie, Gwen Clark-Mason, The Rev. Canon Paula Clark, Lee Gould, Maria, Beth Hall, Claire, Inez Bahena, Gina, Catherine C., Steven Upmeyer, Sue Lenz, Ted Long, Ted Saunders

Birthdays: Xiomara Greene, 7/18; Barbara Susman, 7/21; Jim Berger, 7/22; Joyce Keaton, 7/24   

Marriage: For the marriage of Chanderlane Pineda to Dustin Tavener
Anniversaries: James Baran & David Robertson, Marriage, 7/18/2013   

Requiescat in pace: Jack Simmerling, 7/18/2013; Margaret Whybrew, 7/20/2007;
Taylor Hope Homko, 7/22/2004; Abbott Butler, 7/14/2021

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.

The Rev. Patrick Raymond, Rector

Susan Schlough, Treasurer

Br. Nathanael Deward Rahm BSG, Parish Office
Vestry of Church of the Ascension
Cheryl Peterson, Sr. Warden; Kenneth Kelling, Jr. Warden; Kelly Colomberti, Marilyn Evans, Lynette Hector, Jim Lo Bello, George Pineda, David Reeves, Samuel Sommers, Enrique Vilaseco, Amber Zelazny

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.

Mass of St. Gregory, ca 1550-1560, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York