Category: Newsletter

In this week’s newsletter, consider the humble worm. “Do you experience God’s image in unlikely creatures — the ugly, the frightening, the unassuming or strange?” the rector asks. “Do you find God’s image in your own depths and shadows as well as those of the natural world?” A poem by Gideon Heugh makes the case that, rather than the lion or the lamb, the common earthworm — “quietly making and remaking the ground beneath our feet” — is the most apt animal image of God for us to imagine, the one “creating, often unseen.” Consider, also, participating in one of the many Lenten worship opportunities, activities and moments for spiritual reflection at Ascension you’ll find listed here.

This week, the rector suggests we do a self-check to see how our Lent is going. Maybe you have settled into a rhythm of Lenten practice. Or maybe Lent feels disjointed to you this year. Maybe you are longing for rest and finding it hard to stop. “If you find yourself unmoored this Lent, remember that this season is not about doing everything right. Lent is an invitation to discover and trust in God’s grace.” At Sunday’s Forum, we welcome our friend the Rev. Sam Owen, who will share recent news of the New York Haiti Project, of which we are proud to be a partner parish, as well as the situation in Haiti. Please join us!

This week: The rector shares a Lenten prayer from Cole Arthur Riley’s book Black Liturgies. The Lent Forum discussion on Amy-Jill Levine’s book The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News continues this week following the 11 am service. And yet another book — The Ascension 2024 Lenten Devotional, made up of 40 personal reflections from members of the parish and clergy at Ascension — is available in the narthex; suggested donation: $5 to help defray production costs.

From the rector: “The first Sunday of Lent always features the gospel story of Jesus’ temptation, but of course each writer tells it differently. I think Mark’s version, which we will hear this Sunday, is my favorite. It is spare and short, and doesn’t tell us details of the temptations — which allows us to imagine Jesus’ struggles in light of our own.” Also this week at the Sunday Forum following the 11 am service, the start of a weekly discussion through Lent and into Eastertide based on the book (and videos) by Amy-Jill Levine “The Gospel of Mark: A Beginner’s Guide to the Good News.” Join us!

The rector writes: “As we stand at the threshold where the brightness of Epiphany gives way to the Lenten descent, I offer you this prayer poem from Jan Richardson. It speaks beautifully to themes of both seasons, intertwining in a pilgrimage both interior and unexpected. May it suggest ways to following Jesus deeper into the desert places, deeper into God’s call and the way of love.” Read the poem “The Map You Make Yourself” in this week’s newsletter, and join us for Ash Wednesday at either 8 am, Noon, or the service with full choir at 7 pm. Ashes will also be imposed at the front gate throughout the day on Wedesday from 9 am to 6 pm.

In recognition of the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Friday, February 2), Mother Liz shares a poem: “Candlemas” by Denise Levertov, which reflects on Simeon’s faith as he welcomes the “infant light” in his “ancient arms,” expressing the fulfillment of his heart’s desire, ready to depart in peace. On Sunday, we’ll hear from Cindy McCloskey, our candidate for the diaconate, as she preaches this week’s sermon. And after the service, the Sunday Forum participants will discuss her sermon and provide constructive feedback, all of which is a part of her training for ordination. Join us!

This week, in honor of the 80th anniversary of the first woman to be ordained a priest in the Anglican Communion, the rector shares the inspiring story of the life of the Rev. Dr. Florence Li Tim Oi. Also this week: Ascension’s annual parish meeting is this Sunday following the 11 am service. Come be a part of the conversation about the mission and ministry of our parish!

This week, as prelude to our reading from the book of Jonah on Sunday, the rector reflects on what it means to see through the eyes of others — “whales and Ninevites, enemies and foreign species” — and shares a portion of a poem, Humpbacks, by Mary Oliver. Also this week, the Sunday Forum will discuss: “What do our personal financial priorities say about our faith, and where does Ascension fit into your financial life?”

For this Sunday before the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, Mother Liz shares a prayer written by Dr. King for public worship at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. At the Sunday Forum following the 11 am service, we continue our reflections on the New Year with the question: How will you, and how will we, seek justice this year? The needs around us are many and the promise to strive for justice and peace is clear in our baptismal covenant. What are the particular issues, situations, relationships visions that call you to do justice in the coming days and months?

Since we’ll celebrate the Baptism of Jesus this Sunday (and have a baptism among our own congregation), the rector’s message this week talks about the feast that fell this year on the Saturday before it: Epiphany. Also this Sunday, we’ll hear the anthem “Honor, Honor,” a traditional African-American spiritual, arranged by composer Hall Johnson. You can read more about him — and about other activities taking place on Sunday and in the days and weeks ahead — in this week’s newsletter.