Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you

Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to know it and be known.

The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you.

Dear People of Ascension,

David Wagoner, a great poet of the wild Northwest, died in December at the age of 95, prompting me to revisit some of his words. This poem is a favorite. It presents as an elder's advice to someone lost in a forest (if you have ever been in those vast temperate rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula, imagine yourself in the midst of Sitka spruces and thick ferns). But for me it also evokes the journey of life, and the times, whether personally, communally or culturally, when we find ourselves "in the middle of a dark wood" (to borrow from another poet). The last two years have surely been such a time.

I appreciate Wagoner's counsel to orient ourselves- to listen, stand still, notice what the birds and bushes and other beings are doing. "Wherever you are is called Here..."

Blessings and courage, dear ones.

Liz

Click this link for this Sunday's bulletin & hymns.

As the Covid situation changes, so does our ability to meet the needs of the parish. Thank you all for your prayers, patience, and flexibility! We are happy to provide two ways you can watch our services online and participate in the worship:

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.

If you watched us via Zoom, then just remain online (or grab a cup of coffee first!) If you watched via the webcast, grab that coffee and click the Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday link.

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.

Our cameras and sound go live anywhere between 20 and 30 minutes before the service. Please be aware that sounds and conversations are picked up and broadcast during the pre-service time.

Join us for Online Coffee Hour at Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday

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 770 597 201.

Open Church will resume for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Noon to 3pm, starting January 19.

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 30, 2022, 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 2025, for three year terms, and for the conduct of such other business as should come before the Parish. Candidates are: For Warden, David Cholcher; for Vestry, Elizabeth Adams, John Grimes, Steven Hubbard, Shana Kaplanov, Madonna Stack-Barker. To read the candidate bios, go to Ascensionnyc.org/Nominees.

The Annual meeting will be held online this year. Balloting shall commence this Sunday, January 23, and end at 9 am on the Wednesday before the Annual Meeting, January 26. If a runoff is required, notice of the second ballot shall be given and balloting shall begin immediately, ending at noon on the Sunday of the annual meeting. All eligible voters will receive an email instructing them in how to vote online. For those unable to vote online, mail in ballots will be provided. If you do not receive an electronic ballot and you feel you should, please contact the church office (212-254-8620 or info@ascensionnyc.org) as soon as possible.

Go to Ascensionnyc.org/AnnualMeeting.

Or to attend by phone:

Dial by your location

    +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)

    +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

Meeting ID: 856 2121 8379

Recently some parishioners received a fake text (or email) that appeared to be from a member of the clergy or parish lay leaders. If you received such a message, do not reply, just delete it or move it to your spam folder. What is Phishing? Unscrupulous people send out an email or text pretending to be someone you know and trust. Usually they ask for money or to buy gift cards for some urgent need they are experiencing.

How to recognize Phishing –The first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t “sound” like the person you know. Their phrasing and choice of words are just a little “off”. Second, if you look closely at the sender’s actual email address or phone number it will be something strange and will not be any contact information you know for this person. What to do? The most important thing is do not reply. The best thing to do is to delete it or move it to your junk/spam folder. If you receive a Phishing text or email feel free to let the parish administrator know (212-254-8620 or apjones@ascensionnyc.org). Check out bit.ly/2TJwAYx for more tips.

Episcopal New Yorker: Against All Odds: Hope In Dark Times, By Stanley Weinberg, LCSW, BCD, You can read Stanley's article here. Click here to go to the article in "The Episcopal New Yorker."

[NEW DATES] The Roman Catholic/Episcopal dialogue subgroup of the Diocesan Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission is hosting a series of discussions on Zoom about “God’s Gift of the Eucharist” on January 25, and February 1 & 8, starting at 7:00 p.m. Our own Elizabeth Adams will be hosting along with Fr. Bob Flanagan, a priest in our diocese, and Fr. Brian McWeeney of the Catholic archdiocese of New York. Please do join in this fascinating and lively discussion of the sacrament that is central to our identity as Christians. The event is free but space is limited. For information, please contact Fr. Brian at brian.mcweeney@archny.org, or Fr. Robert at (growingasoul@gmail.com)

Have you ever wondered what happens at the Episcopal Church's General Convention? All people of the Diocese of New York are invited to an online session with our dioceses' deputies to learn about their roles and preparation for the upcoming General Convention in Baltimore this summer. On Monday, January 31, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., join via Zoom. Click here for more information.

Monday Evening Lectionary Bible Study -- Join us Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. This is an opportunity to read and discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. If you are interested in joining, please contact Sibyl Piccone.

Holy Eucharist w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Online only. Resumes February.)

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

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

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

Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) 6:30 p.m. If interested, please contact Sibyl Piccone

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

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

EfM (Zoom) 6:00 p.m.

Resistance Cinema (Zoom) 7:00 p.m.

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

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

Midweek Eucharist (Church) 6:00 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 w/ Music; 11:00 a.m. (Online only. Resumes February.)

Annual Parish Meeting (online) 12:30 p.m.

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

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

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