In this week’s newsletter, Mother Liz shares a poem by Denise Levertov and has a series of questions for each of us to consider as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, colloquially known as “Candlemas.”

This week, the rector reflects on the sermon preached Tuesday by the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde at Washington National Cathedral — and the reaction to it. In light of many markers and milestones for our parish and the nation, Mother Liz asks: “What and whom do we love? What strengthens our love for God and God’s people? May our life together and our care for each other help us grow deeper into that holy love.” Among those markers: the annual meeting of the parish takes place this Sunday following the 11 am service.

In this week’s newsletter, Mother Liz reflects back on her ten years so far as rector at the Church of the Ascension. Also this week: parishioners who have pledged to support the church will receive email invitations to vote online in this year’s vestry and warden elections in anticipation of our 2025 annual meeting, which is always held the last Sunday of January: in other words, next week!

This week, Mother Liz lets us know about the risk of deportation for a friend of the parish, Ravi Ragbir, founder and director of the New Sanctuary Coalition, and what those of us who are moved to help can do.

This year, we’ll celebrate the second Sunday after Christmas as the Eve of the Epiphany (“We three kings of Orient are…”). In that context, Mother Liz says: “We have much work to do as we bear the light of Christ in the suffering, questioning, challenging places of our world. May we do it gladly and grateful for each other’s company — never forgetting to make music in our hearts.”