The Church of the Ascension

in the City of New York

12 West 11th Street, New York, NY 10011

212-254-8620 | info@ascensionnyc.org | ascensionnyc.org

Dear People of Ascension,

As part of my observance of this Season of Creation, I am slowly reading This Sweet Earth: Walking with our Children in the Age of Climate Collapse by Lydia Wylie-Kellermann. Although my own daughter is a young adult now, this deceptively short and simple book resonates deeply with many of the experiences we have shared and the joys, fears and hopes awakened by my relationship with her. Wylie-Kellermann is a poet, a story-teller and a prophet. She challenges her readers to speak honestly with the children in our lives about the reality, grief and danger of the climate crisis- and to nurture fierce hope in the tattered beauty of the world- in community, walks with a curious child, gardens, creativity, the birds and trees you can know by name.

At the end of the gospel for this Sunday, Jesus takes a child in his arms and says to his fractious disciples, “whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Mk. 9:37). Truly welcoming the children in our lives- our own by blood and love and choice, our families, friends, students, god-children, fellow parishioners, neighbors and more- opens us to the Holy One in a particular way. Kids can help us experience God in vulnerability, open-hearted presence, wonder, need, startlingly honest questions and fresh ways of seeing. How have you met the divine through little (and then bigger) ones? Sometimes our love for our (in the most expansive sense of that word) kids can deepen and fuel our love for “this sweet earth” and determination to do all we can to cherish, protect and care for her for generations to come.

One of Wylie-Kellerman’s chapters is entitled “Can’t Save What You Don’t Love”, evoking both our children and the natural world. What loves fuel your life and practice? How can we support each other in learning, caring and loving?

Each chapter of the book ends with a short poem and blessing. Here is the one from that chapter:

“A Blessing for Transformation

May you ride

on the wings of curiosity.

May wonderment

lead to listening

lead to learning

lead to loving.

And let that change

everything.”

May it be so-

Liz

This Sunday, September 22- We Welcome Allegra Lovejoy as Our Guest Preacher and Forum Leader. Allegra Lovejoy is a staff member at the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and has been involved with faith-based climate activism since 2014. She is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and Yale School of the Environment, where she studied the intersection of faith, culture, and environment. During the forum, she will share perspectives on environmental ethics from Eastern and Western environmental philosophers and update us on current issues in climate and environmental policy. 

And looking ahead as we continue to celebrate the Season of Creation:

• September 29 forum: “Trees and the Sacred”. Join Mark Larrimore, Professor of Religious Studies at the New School, for a wide-ranging discussion of trees and the unique, sacred relationships we share with them.
• October 6- Celebration of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals. All animals and their people are welcome!

Bountiful God, you call us to labor with you in tending the earth: Where we lack love, open our hearts to the world; where we waste, give us discipline to conserve; where we neglect, awaken our minds and wills to insight and care. May we with all your creatures honor and serve you in all things for you live and reign with Christ, Redeemer of all, and with your Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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)

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.

Lectionary Bible Study returns Monday Evening, September 23 at 6:30 via Zoom. If you are interested, please contact Sibyl Piccone.

20’s & 30’s Group –Next Thursday, September 26; 6:30 p.m.: If you are in the 20’s & 30’s age bracket, please join us for our monthly dinner in the Parish Hall. (Please enter through the parish hall at 12 W. 11th St.) Please let us know if you are coming (info@ascensionnyc.org), if you can, so that we know how much food to prepare. You are welcome to bring friends as well.

Memorial Service for Rick Sygar will be next Saturday, September 28 at 12:00 p.m.

Blessing of the Animals; Feast of St. Francis, Sunday October 6 – We will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis - the saint who preached to the birds and called a wolf his brother –with the blessing of the animals following the 11 a.m. Sunday, October 6. The blessing will be around 12:30, giving those who live nearby a chance to go and get their animals; however, you are also welcome to bring well-behaved pets to church that day. Tell your friends! 

Meet Richard Sewell, Dean of St. George's College Jerusalem; Monday, September 30 (at Cathedral of St. John the Divine) or Tuesday, October 1 at St Bartholomew). The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, The Very Rev. Patrick Malloy, and The Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe invite you to meet The Very Rev. Canon Richard Sewell, Dean of St. George's College Jerusalem. Dean Richard will be hosted at two receptions while visiting New York City. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear a first-hand update about the current situation in Israel/Palestine and learn of the work of St. George’s College, the Anglican Center for Pilgrimage, Education, Hospitality and Reconciliation in the Holy Land. We hope that you can join us for one of these two events. Feel free to bring a friend. For more information and to register, click this link.

Flowers for Church - Sponsoring flowers for the Sunday service is a great way to remember loved ones now past and to celebrate joyful moments in life. If you would like to sponsor flowers, please email the parish administrator (info@ascensionnyc.org) or call the church office (212-254-8620). Please indicate the date you would like to sponsor them.

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 pantry dates:

October 5 & 19

November 2 & 16

If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org – or – 732-910-7017 (c)

Open Church Schedule

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.

Tower Brownstone Update- We are coming to the end! Our architect did an inspection on the rods and stars work early this week and the work is substantially done. There are a few “punch items” to complete which should be finished quickly. We hope to be able to remove the scaffolding shortly. 

Due to delays and other overruns on this project, we are still seeking funds for it. If you have not yet pledged to the tower or if you can increase your contribution, it would greatly help us manage these unexpected expenses. We are so grateful for your generosity and understanding during this critical time!

Use this QR code to quickly pledge or give to the Tower fund.

Remember, if you pay by check, put “Tower Brownstone” in the memo line. If you pay through Abundant, select “Manton matching grant” from the drop-down menu.

Sunday – September 22

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m. 

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Join us for Coffee Hour following the Service

Ascension Forum (Hybrid) After coffee hour

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

Monday – September 23

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

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

Tuesday – September 24

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

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

Wednesday – September 25

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

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

Personnel Committee (Parish Hall) 5:30 p.m.

Holy Eucharist (Church) 6:00 p.m.

Thursday – September 26

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

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

20’s & 30’s Group Dinner (Parish Hall) 6:30 p.m.

Friday – September 27

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

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

Saturday – September 28

Rick Sygar Memorial Service (Church) 12:00 Noon

The Food Pantry normally operates on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery @ascensionyc.org).

Sunday – September 29

Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m. 

Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m. 

In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)

Join us for Coffee Hour following the Service

Ascension Forum (Hybrid) After coffee hour

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