Volume 12, Issue #3
January 20, 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.
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FROM PETER'S PEN
During my Sunday sermons, we are exploring the letter of First Corinthians, which was written by the Apostle Paul around the year 53 (about 20 years after Jesus returned to Heaven).
Corinth was a busy seaport in Ancient Greece and had a large (for the time) cosmopolitan population. Many different cultures and religions blended together here, so forming a church from this wildly diverse population would have been both exciting and a bit challenging. The two surviving letters of Paul to the Corinthians (scholars think there may originally have been four letters) tackle the challenges of encouraging the congregation in some areas and correcting them in others.
The section of First Corinthians that we are studying examines different types of spiritual gifts. Paul tells the church that God gives everyone different types of gifts for building up the community and then lists a few of these gifts.
This Sunday, we will spend some time looking at what gifts were considered helpful in this ancient church (e.g., the gift of speaking in tongues...), and compare it to some of the gifts God has given to Ascension for building up our community. It should be fun and instructive - please join us!
With Joy,
Peter +
Father Peter Doddema
Cell: 502-661-2742
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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 a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR).
An MMR is 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.
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ENQUIRER'S CLASS
Father Peter is leading this class, which is designed both for people who are new to the church and want to learn more about Ascension and the Episcopal Church, and also for people who have been a part of the Episcopal Church but want to brush up on their knowledge of it.
Here is the ZOOM link:
Topic: ENQUIRER'S CLASS
Time: Feb 5, 2022 01:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 886 223 0557
Passcode: catfish
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY: This class will not meet on Sunday, January 23, because of the Annual Parish Meeting. Class will resume on Sunday, January 30, with discussion of Romans 8 and also the last five pages of Chapter 8 of “What St. Paul Really Said.”
WEDNESDAY BOOK STUDY: This class meets weekly via ZOOM at 5:30 p.m.; check with Father Peter for the link. Father Bill is leading a class of Comparative Christianity, looking at the beliefs of various Christian denominations.
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Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 23
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.
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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 by Father Peter.)
Contact the church office for calendar reservations and details
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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).
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Your participation is important!
To inquire about serving as a lector, crucifer, chalice bearer, or usher, please contact Deacon Rebecca Saager
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This Week!
ASCENSION'S ANNUAL
PARISH BUSINESS MEETING
will be held on
Sunday, January 23, 10:45 a.m.
immediately following the worship service
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 stay with us for a brief meeting after the worship service.
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.
If you cannot be with us in person, please join us via ZOOM, where online voting will be available. Here is the link:
Topic: ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Time: Jan 23, 2022, 10:45 AM
(immediately following the worship service)
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 886 223 0557
Passcode: catfish
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)”
From The Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Church, 2012: Communicants in good standing: All communicants of this Church who for the previous year have been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God, are to be considered communicants in good standing. (I.17.3)
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New! AA Traditions Workshop
Saturday, January 29
in Ascension's Parish Hall
Hosted by Jason and Meagan Harrod; please keep them in prayer as they do this vital work. For more information, you may email jason.harrod123@icloud.com.
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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.
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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. Please check in personally with an usher when you arrive before taking a seat in the marked areas. Children are welcome in all services.
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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 when there is only one person in the building. Full-time workday coverage is provided for telephone calls and messages via the magic of cell phones, so please call 502-223-0557 when 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.)
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This web site has an abundance of information and resources - check it out!
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Intercessions for the Church: St. Peter’s Church, Paris - The Rev. Keila Thomas, Priest-in-Charge, The Rev. Deacon Paula Ott, Deacon.
Recently in need of prayers: Anissa, Bob, Debbie, Frances, Jesse, Jim, John B., John M., Laia, Linda, Martha, Mildred, Nancy, Richard, Robert, Sandy, Will.
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, 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 our healthy, loving parish and for the excellent candidates who have agreed to serve on the Vestry and as Diocesan Convention deputies.
Birthdays: 1/23 - Candy Charters, Jenny Neat.
Anniversaries: 1/23 - Scott & Michal Mello; 1/24 - Kristi & Laura Buffenmyer; 1/25 - Jane & Jim Bartram.
Recently Departed: Julia Bookout.
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.
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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.
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Clergy and Staff
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The Rev. Peter Doddema, Priest
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The Rev. Dr. William G. Brown, Assisting Priest Emeritus
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The Rev. Deacon Rebecca A. Saager, Curate
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The Rev. Deacon Susan E. Kurtz, Deacon
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Mr. John B. Martin, Director of Music & Organist
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Ms. Mona Landrum Proctor, Parish Administrator
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Mr. David Gierlach, Sexton
Copyright © 2021 Church of the Ascension. All Rights Reserved.
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