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Dear People of Ascension,
As many of you know I’ve recently returned from vacation meets retreat. I traveled upstate to a little town called Big Indian where I stay each October in a place at the foot of wooded hills that were filled with especially colorful foliage this year. A babbling brook runs alongside, swaths of stars decorate the night sky, and there’s a fire pit in the backyard where I spend hours gazing into flames that tell ancient and mythical tales. It was the perfect cap-off of our Creation Season, especially given the yearning I felt at missing the Blessing of Animals. One of the nights last week, however, I skipped the fire pit and instead gazed into the Aurora Borealis at the nearby Ashokan Reservoir. And what I found there was that the painted woods, the brook, the fire, the night sky – all of it touched me so genuinely that a fullness drew me into heart-spaces of more appreciation and grace than I can adequately convey. I thought of you all with such great affection that everything continues to vibrate in and around me. How does one make that last?
From that place of wonder I re-entered the rhythm of Ascension Life, and the gentle reawakening of love-language that both treasures and transcends words. After assessing the admin landscape, still giving thanks for God in all creation, I set about shoring up inventory for this week’s pantry. After that, I moved into prepping for Racial Justice discussion, and it was there I experienced another uptick in spirit during my exploration of the text at hand, The Crisis of Christian Nationalism, as developed by our church’s House of Bishops. There’s powerful material in this ultra-slim volume – too much to adequately cover here, though I commend it to each of you for your own discovery and the comfort that comes of caring guidance into truly beneficial soul searching. And given the resonances I’m still bathing in, I feel moved to offer what seems most immediate among the strands of spirit wanting connection between joy in all creation and a world of social crises borne of weaponized faith.
What parts of our baptismal covenant resonate most with you? (BCP p. 304-305)
Is it resisting evil? Proclaiming by word and example the good news? Seeking and serving Christ in all people? Loving neighbor as self? Striving for justice and peace among all people? Respecting the dignity of every human being?
They seem as foundational as creation itself. What do these covenantal statements mean to you – and how do you live them? Please don’t misunderstand me, I don’t mean that as an accusation. The God who commands our love isn’t one-sided about it – God holds themselves to the same command on our behalf – so it’s not an accusation or dare as much as an invitation.
Can we explore what it means to consciously connect our joy in all creation with what we say so many times each year in our baptismal covenant? Could that bring about a spirit-shift in us? And if so, might we come with joy to the next step in the process suggested by our Bishops?
How can we encourage one another to be bold in faith? Even in patriotism? Would that be how to make our appreciation of the glory in creation last?
- Ed
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Services at Church of the Ascension | |
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To watch this service via Live Stream
go to Ascensionnyc.org/Webcasts,
and select "The Church of Ascension - Funeral Service'
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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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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.
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Guest Preacher & Forum Leader | |
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This Sunday we welcome to Preacher and Forum Leader, Deirdre Good, ThD. as our guest preacher and Forum Leader. Dr. Good is a New Testament scholar, a retired seminary professor and a lay preacher in the Diocese of Maine.
Ascension Forum: Render Under to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God's. Taxes are the context of Jesus’ words in the gospels. On the other hand, we are in a context in which God has put us- so how to respond to the civic state is part of one’s relationship with God. We will explore how our God-given responsibilities to our civic environment are shaped by this moment.
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Last Chance for All Saints Memorial Names – Due to a family event from October 24th through the first weekend of November, Br. Andrew will need to collect memorial names for All Souls early. This coming Monday, October 21, is the deadline to submit your names. Please email your names to info@ascennsionnyc.org.
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20’s & 30’s Group – Next Thursday, October 24 at 6:30 pm: 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. | |
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Haunted Church is Right Around the Corner - and for it to happen this year we need YOU! This Halloween! Our Haunted Church will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 31, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. This is a fun time for neighborhood children and a great way to introduce others to the parish. but we need your help to make it happen. If you would like to help, please reach out to Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org).
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Are You Up-to-Date on Your Pledge? – As we start a new pledge campaign, it is important to remember we depend on your pledges all year round, so please, if you are able, keep your pledge up to date. This year, if you are able to increase your pledge a bit, we would be very grateful. To donate or pay your pledge online, go to ascensionnyc.org/give. Thank you very much for your support and generosity!. | |
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Baptism on All Saints Sunday, November 3- Are you interested in baptism for yourself or your child? The next great baptismal day, the Feast of All Saints, will be celebrated at Ascension on Sunday, November 3. If you desire baptism or would like to learn more, please speak to Mother Liz as soon as possible.
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Episcopal Relief & Development – Support Hurricane Relief Efforts. The highly-active 2024 hurricane season has caused an untold amount of destruction. Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the toll on individuals, families and communities has been devastating, and recovery will take years. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with partners throughout the southeastern United States to reach impacted people wherever they may be, including those who have been displaced from their homes.
Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund is an important tool for responding to immediate needs and supporting long-term recovery.
Please prayerfully consider how you might support those affected by making a meaningful gift to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Hurricane Fund. Your generous donation will help communities to rebuild the lives of those impacted by these storms.
Episcopal Relief & Development partners with faith and community organizations to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change. Inspired by our faith, we focus on four interconnected priorities: nurturing the potential of caregivers and young children, reducing violence against women and girls, strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitating humanitarian response to disasters.
Scan the QR code to make your gift online. Thank you for joining us in Working Together for Lasting Change
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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. | |
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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 pantry dates:
Nov. 2 & 16; Dec. 7 & 21
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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Support Church of the Ascension | |
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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.
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Tower Brownstone Update- The end is in sight! Workers have begun dismantling the scaffolding around the tower. They estimate this will take two to three weeks. We are very excited to see the church again in all its glory!
We still face additional costs due to prior delays and project overruns. 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 eager to complete this project and move forward in mission with our safe, restored tower. We are most grateful for any support you can give to put us over the finish line. Thank you for your generosity!
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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.
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Easy Way to Give & Support Church of the Ascension! Your generous gift is a meaningful way to support the ongoing mission and ministries of Church of the Ascension. Your contributions play a crucial role in maintaining the church's facilities, supporting our growth in faith, organizing our service and witness, and developing our sense of community. Use this QR code to make a one-time or recurring gift to the church... It's quick and easy. Your generosity and kindness are deeply appreciated!
Please note that to pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)
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Sunday – October 20
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) after coffee hour
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – October 21
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – October 22
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – October 23
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 – October 24
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
20s & 30s Dinner (Parish Hall) 6:30 p.m.
Friday – October 25
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – October 26
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 – October 27
Holy Eucharist (Side Altar) 9 a.m.
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 11 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Ascension Forum (Parish Hall) after coffee hour
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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