Mother Liz shares Joseph Fasano’s poem on soul nourishment as she heads on vacation. The poem teaches that our souls need exposure to nature, beauty, holiness, and connection—that they require tending through rest, reading, and attention to what has been forgotten. It reminds us to, from time to time, let our soul kneel “in a place that is holy like the simple cathedral of the willows.”
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Liz Maxwell on the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, July 26, 2026.
This week, the rector reflects on Paul’s affirmation that nothing—death, hardship, corruption, violence, or our own failings—can separate us from God’s love in Christ. She explores how the Spirit sustains us in our weakness, interceding with sighs too deep for words. She invites us to consider how we might live differently if we truly believed this conviction shapes not only our ultimate fate but our daily struggles.
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Liz Maxwell on the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 19, 2026.
A parishioner’s reflection on Psalm 39 sparked a lively conversation about favorite psalms at Evening Prayer recently. Mother Liz shares her own favorite, Psalm 139, which moves her with its affirmation of God’s intimate knowledge and presence everywhere—comfort and challenge during suffering. She reflects on how these ancient prayers/poems can be lifelong companions across millennia, joining us with others who have prayed them. She invites us to find our own favorites.
Listen to the sermon preached by Elizabeth Adams on the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 12, 2026.
From this week’s newsletter: Ascension’s ancient parish hall air conditioners overheated during June’s hot weather, prompting replacement with newer, more efficient units. The installation process required removing portraits of past rectors, sparking a task force to consider additional renovations as the parish prepares for its 200th anniversary and the next century of ministry.
The Church of the Ascension is excited to welcome Dr. Alexander Little as our next Director of Music!
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Liz Maxwell on the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5, 2026.
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Mother Liz shares Lydia Wylie-Kellermann’s prayer poem that reimagines patriotic devotion. Rather than pledging allegiance to flag or nation, the poem redirects our commitment toward creation itself, toward the vulnerable and imprisoned, toward communities whole and loved. It asks: where is liberty and justice for those suffering? A forum discussion following Sunday’s 10 am service will invite deeper reflection.