Volume 12, Issue #2
January 13, 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 the end of this month, some exciting work will happen. Canon to the Ordinary (the priest who assists the Bishop) Amy Chambers Cortright will lead our vestry in a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR).
This is a great time for our parish leadership to meet with our diocesan leadership. We will talk through the last year (What a year it has been!) to spotlight what has gone well and what needs improving. We will then think through good ways to navigate the world in which we currently live since Covid has rapidly changed so many aspects of “Being Church.” It is is a real gift to have Canon Amy leading our fabulous vestry and helping us to be as effective as possible.
One of the gifts of being Episcopalian is that we have a diocesan structure. This structure gives us extra levels of support and encouragement when we need it. We are not alone!
As always, please hold your vestry up in prayer. They do good, hard work in leading us through these times. Please also hold the January 29 Annual Vestry Retreat up in your prayers.
With Joy,
Peter +
Father Peter Doddema
Cell: 502-661-2742
|
|
It’s time for the MMR.
What’s That??
At the end of January during its annual retreat and work day, the Ascension Vestry will participate in an MMR.
An MMR is a Mutual Ministry Review, one part of the annual Mutual Ministry Cycle. Vital congregations engage in this intentional three-step process that begins with thoughtfully and carefully planning its work, then doing its work, and finally reviewing its work. The MMR is the last part of this cycle and happens at the end of the parish year.
The purpose of an MMR is to pause and take stock of the year that has passed. What have we done? What has gone well and what are we excited about? What can we celebrate? What new questions have arisen? Where might we have strayed off course and what did we learn? Did we do what we said we were going to do – why or why not?
The MMR is not a performance evaluation for either the clergy or the laity, but rather helps a Vestry identify ways in which the team engages successfully and how it might improve, expand, or right-size its work to meet its goals in serving the mission of the church. The MMR also gives a community the chance to look toward the next year and the hopes, dreams, and goals at hand.
The Vestry will welcome the Rev. Canon Amy Chambers Cortright, Canon to the Ordinary from the Diocese of Lexington, to its work day and MMR process.
|
|
NEW! ENQUIRER'S CLASS:
Saturday, January 15, at 1:00 p.m.
Father Peter will lead an Enquirer's Class here at Ascension. It is designed for people who are new to the church and want to learn more about Ascension and the Episcopal Church, and for people who have been a part of the Episcopal Church but want to brush up on their knowledge of it. The first meeting will be in-person and on Zoom. Please let Father Peter know if you are interested in joining the group, and bring your questions!
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY classes meet in person and via Zoom after the worship service; the topic for January 16 is Romans, Chapter 7.
WEDNESDAY BOOK STUDY meets via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Father Bill will begin a class of Comparative Christianity, looking at the beliefs of various Christian denominations.
|
|
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 16
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, on Facebook at 9:30 a.m.
|
|
Check our Online Calendar
See all services, events, meetings, and various activities that are scheduled on church property and social media. View the calendar as monthly, weekly, or an agenda list, with custom printing options. Keep an eye on what's coming up at Ascension! (During COVID, in-person events may be limited and must be pre-approved.)
Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
|
|
MINISTRY TEAMS will rotate in order, weekly, as shown above. Individual and late changes may not be included here due to composing and publishing deadlines. If you are not able to serve as scheduled, please contact Leah MacSwords, verger, as soon as possible prior to the service to let her know that a substitute is needed (lcmacs@aol.com or 502-545-0437).
|
|
Your participation is important!
NEW TEAMS will be assigned and scheduled in January upon election of new Vestry members.
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
|
|
Next Week!
ASCENSION'S ANNUAL
PARISH BUSINESS MEETING
will be held on
Sunday, January 23, 11:00 a.m.
Your attendance is encouraged and needed as we review the year just past, and make important decisions for the year to come. Please plan to attend. Watch your email for more details.
ABOUT THE DATE: Note that this meeting is confirmed for the FOURTH Sunday on January 23, in order to follow the regularly scheduled Vestry meeting which falls on January 20, the third Thursday.
ELECTIONS: The Ascension vestry will nominate four people for election at this meeting to serve on the vestry for the next three years. Deputies for the Diocesan Convention will also be elected at the annual meeting. Contact Father Peter or Senior Warden Julia Tyson for more information about the elections. Farewell and many thanks for the service of outgoing vestry members Tim Agne, Thomas Bemiss, Todd Elliott, and Zachary Horn.
CALL FOR REPORTS: If your church-related group would like to submit a written report to the congregation for this meeting, please submit it no later than Sunday, January 16, to Mona in the church office (email info@ascensionfrankfort.org).
PAPER ABSENTEE BALLOTS will be provided to our current mailing list of homebound and non-computer-user members, and to any qualified voter who requests a paper ballot no later than January 16 (request by phone call/voice mail message to Mona at 502-223-0557).
QUALIFIED VOTERS: In accordance with the bylaws of the Church of the Ascension, Article III, Membership and Parish Meetings, Section 1, Membership: “Qualified voters at a Parish meeting shall be: (a) All those who are confirmed communicants in good standing of the age of 16 years or older, and (b) Any other baptized persons of age 16 years or older who are regular worshipers in the Parish and who for six months immediately preceding the meeting have been regular contributors to the support of the Parish. (Canon 17.04, Diocese of Lexington)”
|
|
RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC:
CHANGES & CHALLENGES
The COVID transmission map from the CDC and both Franklin and Anderson counties are back in the 'high' transmission rate categories, along with much of the Commonwealth. Our current adjustments include:
1) Checking temperatures when folks arrive.
2) Asking everyone to wear masks indoors.
Please observe the latest recommendations from the CDC for your vaccinated or unvaccinated status. Note - if you are vaccinated:
-
If you have been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you do not have symptoms. You should also wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html 8/2/21
|
|
Previous COVID-related strategies and guidelines still apply:
For the foreseeable future, Sunday worship will include both in-person and online worship. If you are comfortable attending live worship at the church, it is held at 9:30 a.m. If you are not yet comfortable attending worship at the church, we invite you to attend live worship through our Facebook page. One of the clergy will lead Morning Prayer on Facebook each Sunday, also at 9:30 a.m., and we will offer pre-recorded full services online as often as is possible/practical.
As we return to physically attending services inside the church, no advance registration is needed. But please remember that the pandemic is ongoing, and not everyone has been vaccinated. Signing in at the door, temperature checks, and social distancing are still required. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas. Children are welcome in all services.
|
|
ABOUT OFFICE HOURS
Clergy and staff are spending more time in the office while continuing some work from home and 'round about the parish; personal meetings may be scheduled in advance. Church doors will remain locked if there is only one person in the building. However, full-time coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages via the magic of cell phones, so please call 502-223-0557 whenever you need to reach us! (If we don’t answer immediately, please leave a message so we may return your call as promptly as possible.)
|
|
This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
|
|
Intercessions for the Church: St. James Church, Prestonsburg - The Rev. Sister Judy Yunker, Priest-in-Partnership.
Recently in need of prayers: Anissa, Bob, Debbie, Frances, Jesse, Jim, John, Julia, Linda, Martha, Nancy, Richard, Robert.
Continuing concern: Angie, Barbara, Beverly, Bill, Dan, David, Deborah, Donnie, Ellie, Faye, Florence, Jan & Dale, Jinks, Josh, Kathy, Lynda, Mac, Maja, Marilyn, Mark & Norma, Mike & Susie, Mildred, Nancy, Patricia, Polly, Shannon, and Tandy. We also pray for those affected by the COVID pandemic, and for those on active duty in the military: Daniel, Houston, Nick, and Tanner.
Thanksgiving: for new opportunities to serve our community.
Birthdays: 1/16 - Ruth Feindel; 1/18 - Bobbie Lee Wilson; 1/20 - Don Peck.
Anniversaries: 1/14 - Dan & Nancy Walton.
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.
|
|
Pre-Planning for End of Life
Rite I or Rite II? Eucharist or no? Burial service in the church, or only a graveside committal? Special music, songs, readings, people? Please consider writing your preferences on a “Funeral Information and Burial Instructions” form, for secure long-term storage in the parish office. This confidential information will serve as a guide to the church and your family after your death. A 'Kentucky Living Will Directive and Health Care Surrogate Designation' Form is also available. Return the completed form(s) to Deacon Rebecca, Deacon Sue, or to the parish office.
|
|
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
Copyright © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
