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Dear People of Ascension,
The dog days of August have somehow been not quite as doggish as they might. Yes, it’s been hot and muggy, but not quite as oppressively so it seems. At least that’s the feeling I get as I walk the city streets these last few weeks catching up on pastoral calls. There seems to be more foot traffic. The city is in that quiet spell late summer brings, but it feels like there’s more people out and about during the day and, in rhythm with the city, there’s a quietude among us. We’re all walking slower than, say October, and street noise being what it is, in the lulls you can sometimes hear the handheld fans that have become more ubiquitous buzz-buzz-buzzing away.
It’s that low-grade buzz. That, and the faces. It’s not just the millennials, who seem to use the fans most (is that cheugy of them?). There’s a pensiveness. The buzzing and the faces. An energy that feels both passive and leaning in.
In my news feed this morning I couldn’t miss mention of White House endorsed candidates losing in a steady stream this primary season. The other side of that coin is the cascade of progressive candidates who have won against the (financial) odds. Then there’s our Mayor (did you see the bike helmet thing where he admitted he was wrong and promised to do better?). Maybe it’s just me but I can’t help leaving room for the possibility that maybe the communal trauma besetting us since 2016 is changing. For the good. I stopped prognosticating about politics a decade ago, but I can’t be the only person on our city streets who wants to connect some of these dots. (I’m beginning to wonder if my Roman Empire isn’t our nation’s politics. Okay, it’s really God, but always how God wishes to move in, around, and through us.)
I mentioned some of these thoughts to a well-intentioned friend who felt it their duty to bring me back from a tragically unrealistic state, so convinced are they that the last ten years have proven humanity is headed for violent extinction. I confess this gave me pause. But only briefly. Because I began to consider that at least some of my wonder about the buzzy-ness, the passivity and leaning in on city streets flows directly from a state of being shared among the members of Church of the Ascension. The dopamine and cortisol spikes resulting from doom scrolling are matched if not bested by the oxytocin and endorphins that come of worship and fellowship in faith community. The science supports this. And that’s enough to fill me with gratitude for each and every one of you. Enough for me to be convinced that it is truly right and good for us to continue coming together in the ways we do. In support of our shared hopes. And in anticipation, with cautious optimism but optimism nonetheless, that maybe the spiritual and energetic landscape we travel by way of the encouragement we find and create together could be, not only realistic, but more and increasingly imaginable.
Keep coming back – it works if you work it!
Ed
| | Do you like to color? Especially for children and their families- we have copies of “the Sunday Paper” a cartoon version of our gospel each Sunday, along with crayons and clipboards available from the ushers. Please ask for one if your child would enjoy this during the service. | | | |
Regular Service Schedule
SUNDAY
10:00 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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Long Term Prayers
Pray for: Pray for Allejandro and Jesus, Barbara, Brielle, Dorothy, Elaine, Ellen, Hannah, Judith, Jurek, Lucas, Stewart, Jen, Bishop Gretchen, Alice & the Kisiya family, Jennifer, Ketty, Sara, William Wynter, Eric, Eileen, Rural & Migrant Ministry, and New York Haiti Project and the St. Luke’s Episcopal School in Martel. We remember all who have been killed by ICE, or died in custody this year: Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Keith Porter, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Victor Manuel Diaz, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez-Cruz, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, Lorth Sim, Jairo Garcia-Hernandez, Alberto Gutierrez-Reyes, Emmanuel Clifford Damas, Pejman Karshenas Najafabadi, Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, Royer Perez-Jimenez, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, and Joan Sebastian Guerrero. We pray especially for a just peace in Iran, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Sudan, Cuba, and in our own country.
Please keep these people and intentions from our long-term prayer list in your own prayers. We hope to keep our intercessions in the liturgy both faithful and fresh, as we persist in prayer for those who need it.
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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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Summer Cookout, this Wednesday, August 26– We continue our summer tradition of a cookout the last Wednesday of the month! The church provides items to grill, both meat and vegetarian; please bring your favorite picnic sides and desserts to share! The Parish BBQ’s begin right after the Wednesday evening Eucharist (around 6:30pm). Come join us!
| | 20’s & 30’s Group will join with the Summer Cookout this Wednesday, August 26, instead of their usual Thursday evening time. | | |
Deacon Formation Program - Inquirers Zoom, Monday, September 14, 7:00 pm, via Zoom
Are you interested in exploring ordination to the Diaconate? Are you already in discernment for the Diaconate? Register for this Inquirers Zoom!
Archdeacon Denise LaVetty will explain how the program works, what's required of you, and other important details to help you discern how this ministry might be where God is calling you. You must register to receive the Zoom link. Register by emailing archdeacon@dioceseny.org.
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Summer's here and so are the scammers! This week we have experienced several phishing attempts. Please be extra careful and vigilant.
- Always double check the actual address of the sender.
- If the “voice” of a message doesn’t sound right, beware.
- Utility companies will never ask you to pay via gift cards.
- Clergy & Staff will never email you asking for gift cards.
- When in doubt check with someone.
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Coffee Hour Hospitality for Sunday Coffee Hours – Please consider serving all folks, including angels, this summer as a coffee hour host. It's very easy to do - just pick a date, sign up, and bring a sweet baked item on your Sunday. Everything else will be provided, and the sexton staff helps with setup and breakdown. Any questions, call or text 917-509-3117 or ask a clergy person for assistance.
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,
for by so doing some people have shown hospitality
to angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2
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Giving Liberates the Soul of the Giver- Our annual pledge drive has concluded, but it's not too late to pledge!
The materials are in the back of the church; please take them if you are interested. We would love for everyone to pledge! If you are not able to make a regular commitment, we warmly invite you to give as you are able, one time or whenever you are here.
We need your help and are grateful for the support of everyone in our community! Thank you for your generosity, and may it be liberating for your soul!
To pay your pledge, please continue using Abundant (ascensionnyc.org/give)
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Immigration Legal Support Fund – Recently our diocese announced a new Immigration Legal Support Fund to support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. We're starting with a $50,000 contribution from the Bishop’s discretionary funds. Help us to match this amount to keep families together. With your support, we can do more so that no one faces the system alone. Your contribution makes possible same-day response, family preparedness, limited-scope appearances, and urgent filings. You can contribute here. To learn more about the Immigration Legal Support Fund Click here.
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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?
Saturday opportunity: 8 to 9:30 am on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Upcoming Dates: September 5 & 19. If you have questions or wish to join us, please contact Fr. Ed: fatherchinery@ascensionnyc.org, or 732-910-7017.
| | Support Church of the Ascension | | |
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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Sunday – August 23
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 10:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
Meditation & Sacrament (Church) 6:00 p.m.
Monday – August 24
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – August 25
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – August 26
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.
Summer Cookout (Front Garden) 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – August 27
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Friday – August 28
Church open for prayer & meditation; Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Evening Prayer (Zoom) 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – August 29
For food assistance or to volunteer, please contact Fr. Ed (fatherchinery@ascensionyc.org).
Sunday – August 30
Holy Eucharist with Music (Church) 10:00 a.m.
In person and online (Ascensionnyc.org/Sunday)
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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