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.”
On this, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the rector asks: “How do you name the God whose coming we await?”
O come, Wisdom from on high, ordering all things, teaching us the right path.
O come, Adonai, Majestic One revealed in burning bush and Sinai’s law. Blaze up in us with all your saving power.
O come, root of Jesse, source of all things, stand as a sign among the nations, come and deliver us.
O come, key of David, you open and none can shut; come and free the prisoners who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
O come, Dayspring, break upon us and chase away the clouds of gloom, call us to awaken.
O come, desire of nations, heal our divisions and bind our hearts in one.
O come, o come, Emmanuel!
This week, the rector writes about Our Lady of Guadalupe, beloved across Latin America and increasingly celebrated in the Episcopal Church, and the story of the appearance of the Virgin to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, an indigenous man in what is today Mexico City. And at the Sunday Forum following the 11 am service, we will consider Mary’s joyful and subversive song, “My Soul Magnifies the Lord,” through scripture study, music and art. Join us!
In this week’s newsletter, the rector asks: “How will you make the way ready for Christ who comes in mystery, in humility, in neighbors and strangers? What preparations are needed in our hearts, our closest relationships, our parish community to welcome the Beloved with joy?” One way we will do that is this Sunday, when we will have a “welcome brunch” party following the 11 am service for all parishioners and visitors, with the special intention of getting to know the most recent arrivals to our parish community! Join us!
This week, a prose poem by Truman Capote to lead us from Thanksgiving into Advent. Plus, several other upcoming activities and items to note for this not-yet-Christmas season.
In this week’s newsletter, the rector writes: “As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, we give thanks for all the ways we are nourished and sustained by our relationships with one another and the earth. We give thanks for God’s presence and bounty in good and difficult times. We pray that our gratitude may be part of a virtuous circle of giving back, especially when our hearts are broken open by both the wounds and the gracious goodness of our world and all we love.”
This week, an excerpt from “Life Goes On,” a poem by philosopher, theologian, educator, and civil rights leader Howard Thurman. And in this week’s newsletter, news of events and worship services that, indeed, feed and further the life of this parish. Join us!
In this week’s newsletter, the rector shares three recommendations for how we can dedicate ourselves to God’s care and the service of others while as a community we pray: “O God, the whole world is in your hands. Guide and protect us as we face the days ahead.”