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TRANSCRIPT
Octo be r1 , 2019
Volume 5, I s sue 10
Ascension on the Mountain Newsletter
From the Rector
Contents
Parish Family Night, Core Values 1
Coffee, Bldg.& Grnds Workday 2
Upcoming events/Parish Picnic 2
Choir. Supper Clubs, All Hallow’s
Eve 3
Christian Formation, EYC/Youth
News, Adult Formation 4
EfM, E.C.W. Bake Sale 5
Fall Schedule, Caregiver update 6
Outreach, Ministries, AEK, etc. 7
Lectionary for the month 8
Sunday Service Personnel 8
The Re verend Jac k A l vey , Recto r
The Re verend Ja ne F. E l l i s , Deaco n - C le rgy A ssoc .
Upcoming Events
Parish Retreat, pg. 5
ECW Winter Meeting, pg 2
Children’s Schedule, pgs. 2 & 3
Adult Forma-tion, pgs. 2 & 4
Parish Meeting, pg. 3
The Right Reverend John McKee Sloan, Bishop of Alabama
Dear Friends,
On the last Sunday in September, our Greeter Ministry hosted a Newcomer Coffee for those who are visiting Church of the Ascension. During the meeting, we read Ascension’s five core-values which were adopted by the Vestry earlier this year. After we read the core-values, I asked, “Which of these core-values speak most to you?” One newcomer reflected on the second core-value saying, “I love how you value better questions over right answers.” Another newcomer referenced the third, fourth, and fifth core-values concluding, “I love how warm, welcoming, and inclusive this parish is.” Someone else noted the first core-value saying how much they loved the traditional liturgy and music.
I am proud to be a part of a parish who is faithful to how God is calling us to make Christ known by our love for all. In the weeks to come, the entire parish will be invited to explore the impact of these five-core values through our Annual Giving Campaign – To Make Christ Known By Our Love For All.
For starters, we will explore one of the five-core values at each gathering of Parish Family Night. Our first forum will feature, Michael Sparks, our Organist and Choirmaster, who will share how hymns and sacred music help articulate the mes-sage of the gospel. Amanda Austin, our Children’s Formation Director, will then present on Godly Play and how this new curriculum supports our core-value of “Theological Exploration.” Information on subsequent speakers will follow.
Following these presentations, participants will be invited to reflect in small groups and wonder how we might further live into what we value and who God in Christ is calling us to be. In the meantime, mark your calendars for five successive Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. beginning October 9th. We will begin with a catered dinner (for a small fee) at 5:30 p.m. with programming for all ages begin-ning at 6 p.m. Nursery will also be available.
If you cannot attend Parish Family Night, there will be other ways in which you can reflect on our core-values. The same people who present on Wednesday will share briefly their thoughts during the announcements the following Sunday morn-ing. In addition, there will be an infographic showing how our annual budget sup-ports each of our five-core values. Instead of simply looking at our budget from a dollars and cents point of view, you will be invited to see how your dollars and cents are used to support God’s mission through Church of the Ascension.
The infographic showing our mission-based budget will be available in your An-nual Giving Campaign packet which will be available for pick-up beginning Sun-day, October 13th. If you do not pick up your packet at the church by Sunday, Oc-tober 20th, we will mail it to your home address. The packet will also include a stewardship letter and a pledge card.
In the meantime, I invite your prayers and participation as God continues to use Church of the Ascension to transform lives through a Love that is relentless in its pursuit of assuring all people that they are beloved sons and daughters of God in Christ.
Faithfully,
Jack+
Mark Your Calendars
Saturday Supper Club Oct. 5
Blessing of our Pets
Oct. 6
Parish Family Night Begins Oct. 9
Parish Picnic
Oct. 13
Building/Grounds Workday, Oct 19
All Hallow’s Eve Party
Oct. 27
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“Loving Spirit, sometimes I’m eager to be here; sometimes, reluctant. You know my mood today. Please nourish me
with the Bread of Life to empower my serving in the days ahead.”
Reminders
Upcoming Events
October 5, Grace Works Presents Catfish and Karaoke.
Eat. Sing. Play. Saturday, October 5 from 1pm-5pm Willow Park Recreational Center. Large 9$6) and sall ($4) catfish plates, fish sandwiches ($2) available for purchase. Games and kids area. Open mic karaoke for kids and adults. Contest with prices for tope performers in 3 cate-gories. Learn more or purchase tickets at www.graceworksbham.org
October 6, 4:00pm.
In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Creation, we will have a Blessing of the Paws and Claws (Pet Blessing) at 4 p.m. in front of the Memorial Garden. Weather permit-ting. Pets must be leashed or crated. If the weather does not cooperate we will meet in the parish house in Ware Hall.
October 9th, Wednesday. Parish Family Night.
This new offering is designed after our Lenten Dinners and will span five-weeks ( October 9th - November 6th). A catered dinner (a fee will be charged to cover meal) will be served at 5:30 p.m. with programming for adults, youth, and children beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m. A nursery will be available. The adult program will explore Ascension's five core val-
ues as adopted by the Vestry earlier this year.
October 13th immediately following the 10 o’clock services we will gather at
PreserveTown Hall, 601 Preserve Way, Hoover, AL 35226. The Village Green a perfect place for tossing a frisbee, throwing a football, or kicking a soccer ball. There is a full green for playground, and shady spots to set up lawn chairs and hammocks, so bring your gear and come prepared! The dress code for church that day will be picnic wear! You may wish considering carpooling from church. The main dish will be fried chicken and you
are asked to please bring a side or dessert. There is a sign up sheet posted on the Sign Up Central Board.
Coffee Mug Drive Complete
As a part of the Vestry’s commitment to be better stewards of the environment, the first phase of discontinuing the use of paper and Styrofoam materials is complete. Your re-sponse to our request for mugs has been overwhelming. Thank you. We will soon begin the next phase—the actual use of them for events. And yes, we’ll need some extra volun-teers to clean up after events. But our commercial washing machine makes that a snap if we all pitch in just a bit.
Call Carl Carter at 205-910-1952 if you would like to help and/or to learn more about other planned parts of our Environmental Stewardship Initiative (ESI)!
Building and Grounds Day —Mark your Calendars And join us on Saturday, October 19th for our Fall Work Day. We will be clearing over-grown trees and shrubs outside (bring yard tools) as well as doing projects inside the phys-ical plant. We will gather at 8 a.m. for breakfast and should be finished by 12 noon. Please contact Roger Etherington if you have a specific question or request.
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Supper Clubs Saturday Supper Club
The Saturday Supper Club usually meets for a meal eve-
ry month or two. This month the Club is meeting Sat-
urday, October 5 at 4 pm, at the Church. BBQ, buns, and
chicken nuggets will be provided, BYOB and bring a
side or dessert to share. Fun for kids and adults of all
ages! Contact Mary Beth,
[email protected] for more information.
The Goettge-Blackmon Supper Club
Our next meeting will be 6:30 PM October 19th at the
home of Ruth and David Snow with the Lounsbury’s
cohosting. Please let Ruth know whether you will be
attending or not and what you will be bringing. You can
email Ruth at [email protected] or call her at 383-
6727.
For more information or to add your name to the contact
list for the gatherings please touch base with Holly
Goettge at [email protected] or Cheryl Blackmon at
Even though it is still hot outside, our fall schedule for choir has started! Ascension Choir rehearses on Wednesdays in the choir room at 7:00 and warms up in the nave for the 10 AM service on Sundays at 9:30. All are welcome. Let us know if you need some accommodation, child care, etc. St. Cecilia choir began rehearsals on Sunday, Sep-tember 15 and is continuing thru the fall. We meet from 9:00 AM till 9:10 in the choir room. All children K5 thru grade 3 re welcome. St. Cecilia will sing on the following Sundays: Sunday, October 16 - Introit for the 10 AM service.
Sunday, November 3 - Introit for the 10 AM service
Sunday, December 15 - with the Ascension Choir and St. John’s, Decatur choir for Lessons and Carols at 5:00 pm
October 27
Please sign the list in Terrill Foyer
ESPECIALLY
if you are bringing a friend or friends
Gifts were given:
We hope to include each month in our newsletter gifts to the church in memory/honor of someone. If you do not want your donation listed please notify the parish office. For Bethany Village:
Leah Rawls Atkins in loving memory of George Atkins.
Jeanie and Doug Fortenberry in loving memory of Tim Wuska.
EYC Food.
Sign-up to bring food to the EYC group on Sun-day morning by clicking here!
Text Alerts
Sign up to receive text alerts featuring news and upcoming events by texting the word
“Events” (case sensitive) to 205.558.5845.
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Children’s Christian Formation Sunday Schedule
A professionally staffed Nursery is available from 8:55 – 11:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to accommodate adult and chil-dren’s formation.
St. Cecilia Choir (pre-k—3rd) meets at 9:00am each Sunday morning just prior to Sunday School. See page 3 for perfor-mance schedule.
Children ages 3K—3rd grade will begin Godly Play in the Merrie Player Room. Parents are invited to stay to observe if they wish.
Club 45 (4th & 5th Grade) will meet in the EYC Loft in Ware Hall.
To find out more about Godly Play:
Godly Play Foundation – www.GodlyPlayFoundation.org
Official YouTube Channel – www.YouTube.com/user/GodlyPlayFndn
Please contact Amanda Austin if you would like to help. Thank you to all for helping us keep our schedule of 9:00am for everyone.,
—Amanda Austin, Children’s Christian Formation Director and Media Coordinator 205-601-3723 or [email protected]
Christian Formation
EYC/Youth News Every Sunday we have Sunday school from 9-9:30
Every Wednesday we have EYC from 5:30-7
10/25. We hope to help serve at First Light
10/27 EYC Halloween party
Adult Formation
Beginning Sunday, September 8th. The Essentials: The Pentateuch Beginning this Fall, the Rector will begin hosting a series of classes called "The Essentials." The first edition of the class will explore the essential stories in the Pentateuch (also called the Torah) which contain the first five books of the Bible. This will be a six-week series running from September 8 - October 13. We will meet Sundays at 9a.m in the Sunshine Room.
Celebrating the Saints - Anticipating All Saints’ Day (November 1st), the Adult Forum will study the lives of selected saints on Sundays at 9 a.m. from October 27th - November 24th. See the notice below for the Sunday after All Saints’ Day.
Every 3rd Tuesday from 7:30 until 9:00pm Men’s Fellowship
This fellowship opportunity for the men of the parish is designed to engage men in conversations about how daily living intersects with Christian life. The group will explore a variety of topics which will be announced the week prior to the gathering. We will gather around a fire in front of Ware Hall. You are welcome to bring a lawn chair, beverage of your choice, and a willingness to talk and listen.
If you have a loved one who passed away in the last year (since November of 2018) and
would like him/her remembered on the Sunday after All Saints’ Day please add the
name(s) to the list in the parish office. The name(s) will be added to the bulletins of
November 3, 2019.
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All profit
Ministries of the Parish (see page 7 also)
What will be studied and discussed in our class during the month of October
All Years
Common Reading: Seeking Meaning
Year One (Old Testament):
Old Testament: Genesis 12-50, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers
Collins Text: Chapter 4: “The Patriarchs,” Chapter 5: “The Exodus from Egypt,” Chapter 6:
“Revelation at Sinai,” and Chapter 7: “Priestly Theology: Exodus 25-40, Leviticus
and Numbers.”
Year Two (New Testament):’
New Testament: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Powell Text: Chapter 6: “Matthew,” Chapter 7: “Mark,” and Chapter 8: “Lue.”
Year Three (Church History):
MacCulloch Text: Chapter 4, “Boundaries Defined,” Chapter 5: “The Prince: ally or Enemy?,
Chapter 6: “The Imperial Church,” and Chapter 7: “Defying Chalcedon: Asia and
Africa.”
Year Four (Theology and Ethics):
Ford Text: Chapter 4: “Living Before God,” Chapter 5: “Facing Evil,” Chapter 6: “Jesus Christ,”
and Chapter 7: “Salvation.”
With Focus On: Fellowship, fun, snacking, and lots of talking!!
If you would like more information about EfM or would like to sit in on one of our classes,
please contact Jim Busbin [205-482-3557 (c)] or Dick Lounsbury [205-602-2988 (c)]
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If your child could not be here on the 8th and would like to
have his/her backpack blessed please contact the parish office.
Many thanks to all who volunteered for our Pasture Party on
the 17th and who have given to support Ascension's commit-
ment to Bethany Village. Details on page 2.
NOTE: In October the Caregiver
Support Group will meet on the 5th
Thursday, October 31st rather than
the 24th. Regular schedule will re-
sume in November.
19 Building and Grounds Work Day
20 Election of our Delegates to Dioce-
san Convention in February 2020 and
for the Election of our 12th Bishop
of AL.
27 All Hallow’s Eve Party
Fit into your October Calendar
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55th Place and Urban Ministry
Hallway next to the kitchen
Firehouse Shelter & First Light
Next to double doors leading to parish offices and AEK
Thank you for keeping your pledges and contributions up to date.
Recently pledge/contribution statements were mailed or emailed. If you did not receive one, or if you have any questions about your pledge/contributions, or if you need an update of your donations please contact our CPA Holly DuBois at
Or our Treasurer Len Skelton at
Page 3 of 4
““[Lord,] when we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. ... We are filled with the good things
of your house” (Psalm 65:3-4, NIV).
Outreach, Inreach First Light Shelter – Be the hands and feet of Je-sus and serve dinner to the women and children
at First Light Shelter. Upcoming Dates that need help: October 25, November 15, December 6. Sign-up at the church at
Sign-Up Central or by accessing https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0448a9ad28a5f49-first1. Con-
tact Eileen Dawson at 205.223.4731 for more information.
More Ministries of the Parish
AEK, Links and Anniversaries
Len & Annie Skelton, 2nd J.T. & Lori Ennis, 7th
Ladd & Colleen Baird, 9th Clyde & Elizabeth Smith, 10th
John “JT” & Olivia Thompson, 17th
AEK Pictures on October 9th and 10th in either the Sunshine Room or the Merrie Player Room depending on space needed. A reminder please:
Carpool times are: “Drop off” 8:45 to 9:15am and “Pickup” 11:45—12:15 with lunch bunch M-F “Pickup” from 1:45 to 2:15. During those times you may see mothers walking children across the parking lot. Please watch for them and drive safely.
Acolytes. [email protected]. Open
to youngsters grades 3 through 12 and adults. Contact Mrs. Caltrider, 823-5345, if interested in serving.
The Altar Guild. There are 4 teams, each responsible for a particular weekend and following week setting
up for Communion services and cleaning up afterward. In you are interested in this ministry of the parish please contact the our Rector [email protected] or Sue Busbin, Chair [email protected] or 492-3661.
Choir. Wednesday rehearsals 7pm. Warm-up on Sundays 9:30am. All are
Ushers. Jon Hornbuckle 915-2644 to volunteer for one or more Sundays.
LEM’s (Lay Eucharistic Ministers). [email protected] and/or Ben Chas-tain, [email protected]
Flower Guild. Teams of 2 or 3 are scheduled for each Sunday to purchase and arrange the flowers for the service and then remove before the Wednesday ser-vice. If you would like to be a member of
the Guild please contact Lori Ennis, (205)908-2867.
Pastoral Care Team. Mary Anne Hornbuckle, 529-2884 or [email protected].
Welcoming Committee. Contact Mary Beth Basu for details. [email protected]
Freezer Ministry. Contact Marie Graves, 408-1524 to help or sign the list posted on the freezer.
Covered Dish Lunch in October is our annual parish picnic. See page 2. Beverages provided.
Please Sign the list in Terrill Foyer and Bring your favorite side dish to share.
.
Transfer of Membership(s)? Call the parish office, 822-3480. We can help.
Brown Bag Bible Study Mondays at 11am. Bring a sandwich. Beverages and dessert provided.
Thursday 8am Bible Study led by the Deacon. Class does not meet on holidays.
The Intercessary Prayer Guild. Contact the parish office if you like to be a member of this guild. Or come
by or call the office if you want to add a name or initials to the list for prayers.
Knitwits. New members are always welcome. Contact Marguerite Han-
dlin 822-3621.
Cursillo , a worldwide movement of the Christian Church provides individ-
uals who are already active in their Parish with an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal. For information about Cur-sillo please contact Chris Lambert, [email protected] &/or (205) 212.0585. See page 5.
Links you might find useful:
www.cursillo.dioala.org/
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Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! Special Dates 2019
Lectionary Links for Sundays in Oct. 2019, Track 2
Sunday Service Personnel October 2019
Collect for The Ascension
Almighty and Eternal God, you call us together as the Ascension family and bind us in Christian love and wit-ness. So focus our hearts and minds upon Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and guide us to know your Ho-ly Spirit in the life of our parish, that we may realize that our similarities are greater than our differences. Help us to recognize your image in all peo-ple as we work together as one body in Christ to the glory of your King-
dom now and forever. Amen.
If we are missing your name or the name of a family member cele-brating a birthday or anniversary we do apologize and ask that you contact the parish office with the infor-mation. David Manush, 1 Ann Van Sise, 3 Dana Porter, 4 Shirley Womble, 5 Daphne Marcum, 6
Jean Smith, 6 Georgia Haggerty, 8 Richard Stratton, 9 Carolyn Woodson, 9 Elizabeth Smith, 10 Matthews Brown, 10 Glenda Lee, 10 Elizabeth Smith, 10 Eileen Dawson, 11 Susan Hopton-Jones, 11 Katie Vance, 11 Shelby Patrick, 12 Elizabeth Patrick, 13
Laura Morgan, 14 Pat Poer, 14 Jackie Clark, 15 Anna Pierce Ireland, 17 Leslie Charbel, 18 Beth Chancellor, 19 Issa Scott, 19 Lori Webster, 21 Brian Patrick, 21 or 22 Ashley Vann, 24 Caroline Hottle, 24 Virginia Creamer, 25 Virginia Holbrook, 25
Cheryl Blackmon, 27 Lissa Lutenbacher, 29 “Doc” Porter, 29 Nate Campbell, 31
ANNIVERSARIES PAGE 7
• World Communion Sunday, October 6, • Reformation Sunday, October 27 • Reformation Day, October 31 • Blessing of Pets, October 6
• Parish Family Wed. Nights Out begins Oct 9
• Parish Picnic, October 13
• Stewardship Packets Available, October 13
• Bldg & Grnds Work Day, October 19 • Election of Diocesan Convention Delegates,
October 20 • All Hallow’s Eve Party, October 27
The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4, Psalm 37:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:1-14, Luke 17:5-10
The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c, Psalm 111, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19 The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 121, 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, Luke 18:1-8 The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Sirach 35:12-17, or Jeremiah 14:7-10,19-22, Psalm 84:1-6, 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18, Luke 18:9-14
October 6 LEMs: Busbin Carter, Dawson Altar: Dawson-E. Smith- Sharp-Stringfellow-Skelton-Carter Flower Guild: Jan, Carolyn The Altar Flowers will be given by Susan/Rick Phillips
October 13 LEMs: Oyston Denton-Trujillo, LaGrone Altar: McGuffey/Haberstroh/Poarch/Hartley Flower Guild: Paula, Sandra, Kathy The Altar Flowers will be given by John Wilson
October 20 LEMs: Lambert Poehler, Posey Altar: Busbin-Chase-Oyston-Goettge Flower Guild: Kitty, Helene, Maribeth The Altar Flowers will be given by
October 27 LEMs: Lounsbury Basu, Wilson Altar: Eike-Higgenbotham-Johnson-Thompson-Miller-Davidson
Flower Guild: Laura, Jamie, Sarah Elizabeth The Altar Flowers will be given by Donna Miller
Like ... Like Us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ascensionepiscopal
Follow us on http://Twitter.com/AscensionEpis and to http://Instagram.com/AscensionEpiscopal
Visit our website http://www.ascensionepiscopal.org Contact us [email protected]; Phone us 205-822-3480 ; or Fax us 205-822-9866 Give to us http://ascensionepiscopal.org/giving/
Worship with us on Sundays — 7:30am, 10:00am Christian Formation, 9:00am ● Cursillo Reunion, 8:30am
Please bring canned or dry packaged food.
September 22. LEMs: Lounsbury/Duke, Loop; Altar Guild wk. 3; Flower Guild: Billye Ann, Holly. The Flowers will be given by The Snows.
Advice from a Pumpkin
Be well-rounded. Get plenty of sunshine. Give thanks for life’s bounty. Have a thick skin. Keep growing. Be outstanding in your field. Think big! —Ilan Shamir
O God, we pray for a broader vision of the needs of humanity, and a deeper compassion to fill those needs; for a planting of the seeds of concern for all humanity in our hearts; for a tapping of the wells of generosity. May we live together as people who have been forgiven a great debt. May we be gentle, walking softly with one another. May we be understanding, lest we shall add to the world’s sorrow or cause to flow needless tears. May we be as anxious for the rights of others as we are for our own. May we be as eager to forgive as we are to seek forgiveness. May we know no barriers of creed or race or sex, that our love may be like Yours — a love that sees all people as Your children and our kin. May we be ministers of humanity. —Peter Marshall