This week, Mother Liz writes on the Transgender Day of Remembrance, honoring the lives of transgender people lost to hatred and violence and calling us to build a world where all genders are celebrated as reflections of God’s boundless creativity. She shares a moving prayer from the Corrymeela Community that gives thanks for the diversity of human identity and laments the harm done through fear and division. Together, we pray for courage to protect every person’s dignity, to live authentically, and to love in the fullness of Christ.

This week, Mother Liz invites us to reflect on stewardship — not only of our parish and shared life, but of our gifts, stories, and the fragile earth itself. She shares a powerful poem by m jade kaiser, a blessing that calls us to discover our unique way of embodying divine love “in this groaning and gorgeous world.” Whether as healing, courage, solidarity, or joy, God’s invitation is always near: to live as conduits of eternal love, saying “yes” to the sacred possibility within and around us.

This week, Mother Liz shares joyful news: Elizabeth Adams has been accepted by Bishop Heyd as a postulant for ordination to the priesthood in the Diocese of New York. This milestone affirms years of discernment, prayer, and faithful exploration of her call, supported by the parish and diocesan community. Elizabeth will begin seminary studies in fall 2026 leading to ordination, God willing, in 2029. Mother Liz celebrates Ascension’s ongoing role in nurturing vocations and invites the parish to hold Elizabeth in prayer as she continues her journey of joyful “yes” to God’s call.

In this week’s newsletter, Mother Liz addresses the federal shutdown’s immediate harm: the halt of SNAP benefits, leaving 1.7 million New Yorkers — 39% of them children — without food assistance. She outlines Ascension’s response alongside diocesan partners: scaling up pantry support, offering emergency food bags (for those with and without kitchen access), and providing grocery gift cards as funds allow. Parishioners are invited to donate to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund and bring nonperishables; advocacy for reinstating benefits is underway. As we observe All Saints Day, we’re called to meet Christ in the hungry and respond with mercy and justice.

This week, the rector reflects on the power and purpose of The Prayers of the People, a vital expression of our shared faith and compassion. Through these prayers, we lift up the needs of our world — those who are ill, grieving, or oppressed — and give thanks for the blessings that sustain us. She shares two urgent petitions from the wider church: for Ali Faqirzada, an asylum seeker detained by ICE, and Layan Nasir, a Palestinian Christian held without charge. Mother Liz invites us to persist in prayer for justice and to practice gratitude that strengthens and unites our community.