This Sunday, May 5th, we are delighted to Welcome Dr. Deirdre Good as our preacher! Dr. Good serves on the faculty of the Stevenson School for Ministry in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania. She has been theologian in residence at Trinity Wall Street (2016-2018) and was Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Drew University from 2016-2017. Prior to her position at Drew, Dr.
Join us on Saturday, May 4, from 4-6pm in the Parish Hall for this book launch party. Ascension parishioners especially invited! Courage Beyond Fear is a collection of sermons from theologians and ministers who taught and studied at seminaries that underwent wrenching change, often when corporate-style governance was vaunted over theological education, spiritual insight, and community. This book, edited by Katie Day and Deirdre
This Sunday, April 28, join Liz Hill and Buff Kavelman for a Sanctuary Tour of the Angels in the street-level stained glass windows. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our beautiful and historic church. The tour will begin at the font immediately following the 11:00 service.
The Paschal Triduum (Paschal from the Hebrew פֶּסַח, transliterated as “Pesach,” meaning “Passover,” and triduum from the Latin for “three days”) refers to the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Easter Sunday. They are among the holiest days of the year for Christians and observed with great sincerity and preparation at the Church of the Ascension.
“In you, O Lord, I seek refuge,” the psalmist cries. Shelter, protection, sanctuary, and a haven of safety and security encompass the definition of the word “refuge.” I am struck that by adding one letter, we arrive at “refugee.” Is not the psalmist’s plea also our plea, one we share with every refugee?
As I read in the Gospel of John of the hours before the crucifixion of Jesus, I am always struck by the sounds of that day. There is the sound of Judas’s words of betrayal; the sounds of soldiers and officers carrying lanterns and torches and weapons; the sound of Pilate’s voice as he asks again and again, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
I have been wrestling with the fact that almost all mainline churches are shrinking. I believe Christianity has the best seat in the house: we have Jesus incarnate — fully divine and fully human. So then, what is happening? One of the reasons I believe the Church is shrinking is because somewhere along the way, the Church let doctrine and creed take the driver’s seat.
Though Judas is implicated here as the purported villain in the story, it is crucial and imperative to be reminded that this interpretation is shallow and mistaken. All of Jesus’ beloved associates and interested parties betray him. No one avoids culpability. None seem to be immune from the virulent, erosive social virus of fear.
In the Gospel, aware of his imminent nearing death sentence, Jesus freely shares that one cannot earn, strive, or possess hope, it just “is.” Rich or poor, Greek or Hebrew, Jesus came to make clear that humble hope — when paired with love — is the basis of God’s call to us on this earth and the basis for our salvation.
May it never be our lot to suffer as Jesus did for the choices he made. Lazarus too was deemed a bounder after his miraculous rise from death identified him as a Christ-enabler. His life too was threatened by the High Priests. And Mary, choosing to spend all that loot on frivolous nard to anoint her Christ, came in for hoots of disapproval.