Come to the Harvest Dinner

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Join us for the Parish Dinner!On November 20th, Thursday evening at 7 p.m., please join us for a conversation and dinner as we welcome Virgil de Voldère, owner and operator of La Petite Ecole, the new day school that will open in January at the Church of the Ascension. Come and hear about the plans and learn more about the complete Rectory project.

  • 7:00 p.m. Cocktails, followed by conversation with Virgil in the Church
  • 7:45 p.m. Dinner in the Parish Hall.

Please RSVP to Andrew Jones in the Parish Office.

About La Petite Ecole

La Petite EcoleThe mission of La Petite Ecole is to immerse children in French language and culture, and develop their verbal, motor, social and critical thinking skills through a developmentally appropriate, arts-integrated curriculum.

Imaginative, hands-on projects are facilitated by native French-speaking educators, incorporating the artworks of acclaimed, visiting contemporary artists from around the world.

La Petite Ecole is a nurturing environment with an educational philosophy based on children’s interests combining:

  • French language immersion
  • Arts-integrated curriculum
  • Collaboration with critically-acclaimed artists

About Virgil de Voldère

Founder & Director, La Petite Ecole

Virgil de VoldereVirgil is the co-founder of the Virgil de Voldère Gallery a private contemporary art gallery. From 2005 to 2012 the VDV Gallery was a primary market gallery located in Chelsea representing a group of young and mid-career artists working across various media. These artists have gone on to achieve international recognition and exhibit their works in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris and at the Venice Biennale.

In September 2008, Virgil launched a French dual-language program at P.S. 84, a public school on 92nd Street and Central Park West, with the help of the NYC Department of Education, the French Embassy, EFNY (Education Française New York), and a team of active parents. P.S. 84 currently offers classes in K-5th grades and a French after school program for children and adults, providing over 300 families with French dual-language education.

From 2009 to 2011, Virgil has held a seat on the Upper West Side Community Education Council (CEC3, former School Board) and concentrates on promoting second language education in public elementary and middle schools. Since 2013 Virgil is now on the board of EFNY (Education Francaise New York) to help promote the creation of new French Dual Language Porgram in NY City public school.

Virgil de Voldère has a BA in Art History and Intellectual History from the Gallatin School, New York University. Born in Paris, Virgil moved to New York in 1998 and lives on the Upper West Side with his family.

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Newsletter

Parish News: February 16

In this week’s newsletter, our rector reflects on a recent visit to the Whitney Museum’s Edges of Ailey exhibit, a vivid tribute to the life and work of Alvin Ailey. The experience sparked deep gratitude for the beauty of Black culture, as well as concern for the future of Black History Month amid efforts to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The rector reminds us that honoring our shared, diverse heritage is both a spiritual and societal imperative — one that calls us to celebrate the richness of all God’s people with courage, inspiration, and joy.

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