Mother Posey writes: “This transitional season of remembering and celebrating the ancestors definitely got me thinking about the many ways of being present to and for others. We have been focusing a lot lately on the Spirit-filled fruitfulness of person-to-person connection, but here are some seasonal questions for us to ponder.” And speaking of personal connections: this Sunday, following the 11 am service, meet our new seminarian, Larisa Shaterian!
This week, Mother Posey describes an informal gathering of the Interfaith Center of New York held at St. John the Divine this past Monday: “Having our Cathedral host an event attended by lay people, rabbis, imams, pastors, and priests was a testament to the willingness of people of all faiths to work for enduring peace not only in Israel and Palestine, but here at home as well.” Ways to help serve people and peace in the Middle East are also included in this week’s newsletter.
Listen to the sermon preached by seminarian Larisa Shaterian on the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, October 15, 2023. The readings for this day: Exodus 32:1-14; Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23; Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:1-14.
In light of this past week’s horrific news and images of war and violence in Israel and Gaza, Father Ed offers text from a reminder in his office that demonstrates “there really isn’t anything too small in the ways of helping strengthen forces for good”:
Did I offer peace today?
Did I bring a smile to someone’s face?
Did I say words of healing?
Did I let go of my anger and resentment?
Did I forgive?
Did I love?
These are the real questions.
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Posey Krakowsky on the Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 8, 2023. The readings for this day: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20; Psalm 19; Philippians 3:4b-14; Matthew 21:33-46.
This weekend, in advance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Mother Posey writes: “The artwork that accompanies this letter is by Indigenous artist Patrick Dean Hubbell of the Diné people. It is titled ‘Within The Darkness, The Stars In The Night Sky Came To Reclaim Their Stories and Their Songs.’ Hubbell collects cheap, mass produced, counterfeit copies of Indigenous crafts and repurposes them into his work in order to reclaim their original heritage. As he states: he ‘intentionally transfigure(s) these colonial reproductions and furthers the conversation of Indigenous inclusion.’”
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Ed Chinery on the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, October 1, 2023. The readings for this day: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32.
We will celebrate the Feast of St. Francis — the saint who preached to the birds and called a wolf his brother — with the blessing of the animals following the 11 am service this Sunday, October 1. The blessing will be around 12:30 pm, giving those who live nearby a chance to go and get their animals; however, you are also welcome to bring well-behaved pets to church that day. Tell your friends!
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Posey Krakowsky on the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, September 24, 2023. The readings for this day: Exodus 16:2-15; Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Philippians 1:21-30; Matthew 20:1-16.
This Sunday: Welcome Back! Welcome back to Church of the Ascension after a long (and hot!) summer! We are so glad to have you back as we begin the new season. The Ascension Choir returns with all their joyous music … and don’t forget to join us for a special coffee hour after the 11 am service. We’ll also have a chance to learn more about what’s planned for the fall. Whether you’ve been away this summer or not, it will be a great day to welcome each other and the new fall season!