IT’S CURIOUS that traditional Lenten behavior should be self-centered — as in self-abasement, penance, self-denial. Sections of scripture, such as the three for today, clearly enjoin us to not settle for self-involvement and sacrifice, but to make ourselves useful: “to loose the bonds of wickedness … to share your bread with the hungry.”
AS I LIVE, by choice, in the sophisticated, educated and often jaded society that prevails in this city, friends are surprised that I maintain the spiritual beliefs that were instilled in me at an early age. What can an intelligent, thinking person gain from adhering to old stories and rituals when science provides insight into our creation, psychology explains our behavior, and popular moral standards fluctuate like the stock exchange? And yet, I still go to church.
Our savior, who calls us always to draw nearer, closer still in the movement that informs our lives, sustain us in our struggle to give ourselves wholly to thee. Help us, we pray, to increasingly make all that we are called to be have only thee at our center.
In the past, the Spiritual Development Committee has occasionally published one or two previous years’ entries in the annual Lenten Devotional booklet. In doing so, it allows the reader to not only reflect on parishioners’ thoughts and perceptions from the past, but also to recognize and remember members of our parish family who are no longer with us. The committee has chosen 2013 as
The Search Committee is organizing two hour-long Round Table discussions, one following the 11 a.m. service on March 3, and the second following the 11 a.m. service on the March 17. These discussions are designed to supplement the Questionnaire you recently received as a means of gathering information for the Parish Profile, which is an important step in the search process for a new
Dear Members of Ascension, As we begin our search for the next rector, we are undertaking a self-study of the parish. The link below will connect you to an online questionnaire we have compiled, which is a crucial part of that process. As you review the questions, please give them careful and prayerful consideration. We ask that you submit the completed questionnaire by Sunday,
The Ascension Search Committee held its first meeting on Sunday, January 6, to begin the process of calling a new rector. The first step is to undertake a self-study that will be used to create a comprehensive profile of the parish. Everyone will have an opportunity to participate in the self-study process. News of these opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. Committee
Third Advent The symbolism of the Advent wreath is beautiful and has been a part of our Christian tradition for centuries. The light itself signifies Christ, the Light of the world. The wreath is made of various evergreens, signifying continuous life. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the
A committee of Vestry members continues to search for an interim pastor to work with Mother Shelley and the congregation during our transition period. This is in addition to the formation of the Search Committee for our next Rector which we recently announced. To date, the committee has reviewed numerous resumes and has interviewed two candidates in person. At this time, the candidate we
Dear Fellow Parishioners, The Vestry of the Church of Ascension met last week to select the members of our Rector Search Committee. The selection was made by a unanimous consensus of the Vestry. The response to our call for applications was truly awe-inspiring both in terms of the number of people who have offered their service to the church, and in the wealth of