Volume 12, Issue #11 March 17, 2022 In the name of Christ, we embrace all people to be nourished and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love and serve the world.

FROM PETER'S PEN At Ascension we are busily traveling through the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days that prepares us to celebrate Easter - the reason for our faith!  From its beginning approximately 1500 years ago, Lent has been a penitential season. However, Lent can also be a joyful season. Lent is designed to be a guided process of letting go by recognizing the shame, failures, guilt, and sins that weigh us down and turning them over to God. Lent is a time of recognizing that you no longer need to punish yourself for the past. Rather, with God's help, you are strong enough to face it, to say no to it and let it go, and to follow God in a healthier direction.  Letting go of the past is such a gift. I was recently able to let go of something that had held me captive for 40 years. As this old garbage dropped away, I felt like a balloon shooting up into the sky - FREEDOM! How do we experience this freedom? Here are some practical ways to do this: 1. Pray. It really is that simple. Make time each day to pray. It can be as much time as you feel you need - 30 seconds or 30 minutes. Find a private place, take a deep breath, and talk to God like you would talk to a friend. Share what is on your mind and heart. Know that God genuinely loves you and that God is big enough to handle whatever you need to express. This includes excitement, anger, rage, joy, and simple boredom, too. God longs to hear from you. 2. Write. Take a few minutes at the end of the day to reflect. Make some notes or keep a journal. Ask yourself:  What went well today that needs to be celebrated? Make some space and celebrate it. Where did I make mistakes that need to be corrected? Make those corrections. Apologize if you need to. Do I have any lingering resentments? if yes, start handling those appropriately. Pray for God's guidance in interacting with anyone that has harmed you. Seek wise council from trusted friends. Do what you need to do, in healthy ways, to address and release those resentments. Finally: ask God directly what God wants you to notice. Listen for God's voice and take the time to reflect on what comes up. Often God will prompt us with memories of past events and relationships. These help to guide us into healthier spiritual life. Feeling freedom and joy takes work, but it is holy and good work. It frees us and fills us with peace that passes understanding. Through this work, God heals not only you, but also our community.  With joy, Peter + Father Peter Doddema Email: fatherpeter@ascensionfrankfort.org Cell: 502-661-2742 P.S. Here is a video I made in 2020 titled, "What Is Lent?" View and share! https://youtu.be/n1r-lceRYH8

LENTEN MEDITATIONS Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) works with Anglican and Ecumenical partners to create sustainable, transformational change in close to 3 million lives around the world each year. The 2022 Lenten Meditations will focus on that transformation. These reflections are organized into ERD’s priorities: Women, Children and Climate, and include a focus on Disaster Resilience & Response work. We invite you to read them throughout Lent and share with those close to you. As a part of ERD's goal to become a carbon-neutral organization, Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as downloadable PDFs. Both options are available here. We hope that the 2022 Lenten Meditations will give you a glimpse into our meaningful work happening across the globe. May we continue to work together for lasting change in the lives of those most vulnerable.

HELP UKRAINIAN REFUGEES “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…” Matthew 25:35

Three million refugees have now fled Ukraine in the last three weeks. Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD) is partnering with Anglican agencies and other ecumenical partners to provide humanitarian aid in response to this crisis. Please help us to supply needed items for displaced families and individuals who are fleeing the war to other parts of Europe.  As we pray for an end to violence and for those fleeing Ukraine, we also pray for ERD and other ecumenical agencies working to respond to the current crisis. Specific needs will change as the crisis evolves. As of right now, there is a need for food, water and shelter. Please consider partnering with ERD in this response by donating to the International Disaster Response Fund. Your support will help meet critical needs for people fleeing the violence including food, cash, blankets and hygiene supplies. Help today | Read more about the response

LETTERS OF ST. PAUL BIBLE STUDY Sundays at 11:00 AM This group meets on Sundays following the worship service, in-person and via Zoom (see link below). For Sunday, March 20, please read Romans, Chapter 14.

LENTEN BOOK STUDY Wednesdays at 5:30 PM March 9 - April 6 Father Peter Doddema is leading this study of The Desert: An Anthology for Lent, via Zoom (see link below). For our next meeting on March 23, please read through page 75.

ENQUIRER'S CLASS Saturday, March 19, 2022, 01:00 PM This class meets twice monthly, both in-person and via Zoom (see link below). On March 19, we will continue sharing stories of our spiritual journeys. As time permits, we will begin studying the Book of Common Prayer, exploring what is inside it, how it got there, and how it can apply to us today. For the next class on April 2, we will continue to explore the Book of Common Prayer.

BOOK STUDY: COMPARATIVE CHRISTIANITY This class in on break through Lent and Holy Week. The Synopsis and Class Notes are posted HERE on Ascension's web site in PDF format for you to view or download.

HERE IS THE LINK to join an Ascension ZOOM Meeting Meeting ID: 886 223 0557 Passcode: catfish Same for all meetings unless otherwise announced.

SAVE THE DATE! June 20-24, 2022

Come worship with us!

Third Sunday in Lent Sunday, March 20 9:30 a.m. with HOLY EUCHARIST, Rite II OPEN for live, in-person worship inside the church. Also, Morning Prayer with Ascension clergy online is on Facebook at 9:30 a.m.

LECTIONARY READINGS: Week of 3 Lent - Year Two - BCP 955 CLICK HERE for a bulletin to help you follow along with this service (PDF).

CLICK HERE for information about our protocols for health and safety, and current worship and study schedules.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube! 

Check our Online Calendar CLICK HERE to see the activities calendar on Ascension's web page. Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details (phone 502-223-0557 or email info@ascensionfrankfort.org).

MINISTRY TEAMS will rotate in order, weekly, as shown above. Individual and late changes may not be reflected in bulletins due to composing and printing deadlines. To notify of absence and request a substitute for the upcoming Sunday, please contact the Verger, Leah MacSwords, 502-545-0437 or lcmacs@aol.com (substitutes may include Suzanne Cox, Bryan Hendricks, Shannon Lancaster, Julia Tyson, Pauline Van Horn, Candy Charters, Jason Harrod).

Here is the Security Lockup procedure (PDF).

Your participation is important! To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager (email curate@ascensionfrankfort.org or call 502-316-8899).

Find the Diocese of Lexington online at https://diolink.org/diolex/ This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING normally meet on the FIRST Sunday of each month after the last service, and after Bible study. Contact Judith Spencer for details (jspencer254@yahoo.com).

Intercessions for the Church: Future Companion Relationship in the Anglican Communion. Seminarians: Izak, Carter, Thomas. Recently in need of prayers: Martha, Rena, Susan, and Will. Continuing concern: Anissa, Bill, Dan, David, Debbie, Donnie, Faye, Frances, Jesse, Jim, Jinks, John B., Laia, Linda, Lynda, Mac, Marilyn, Mike & Susie, Polly, Richard, and Shannon. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Josh, Nick, and Tanner. Thanksgiving: for this Lenten season of reflection, preparation, and renewal. Birthdays: 3/22 - Karen Cisler.   Recently Departed: Mildred Legg (mother of William Legg).  NOTICE: Part of the strength of this congregation is our care and concern for each other. Please help us to do this by letting us know when you are ill, hospitalized, or otherwise in need of prayer and/or visitation. We especially want to serve you during these times. Also, if we don’t have your birthday or anniversary on file, or if it appears incorrectly, please let us know!  Please put ALL prayer requests in writing to Deacon Sue Kurtz  (email deacon@ascensionfrankfort.org or text 502-330-5358). Prayer requests must be received by end-of-day on Sunday to ensure publication in the next upcoming weekly newsletter and Sunday bulletin. ‘Recently in Need’ prayers will remain for ONE month only, unless requested again.

CLICK HERE to learn about pre-planning for end-of-life arrangements.

2022 Vestry and Officers Clergy and Staff The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Assisting Priest Emeritus  The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish Administrator  Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton Email: info@ascensionfrankfort.org   Web: www.ascensionfrankfort.org Copyright © 2022 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.

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