Bishop Singh to Visit Ascension Sunday 1/24

Next Sunday, Rt. Rev. Dr. Price G. Singh, Bishop Rochester will be at our services and visit with us. This visit is one week following Church of the Ascension's Annual Meeting. D. Taylor was re-elected as warden. Elected to the vestry were L. Phillips, J. Crosby, J. Nash and D. Gay.

Don and Nancy led the meeting and we heard from Rev. C. Lumbard, who explained her role at Ascension for the next six months as a "coventanted supply priest" and also to provide emergency pastoral care. Don and Nancy, (as wardens) are the main go-to people for parish needs. Joyce spoke to the financial state of the parish and, all thing considered, our finances are in good shape. Don spoke about our partnership with the Diocese regarding identifying full-time candidates to be Ascension's next Rector, and how to pay them. That work will continue during the first half of 2010.

Somewhere in the midst of the warden's report, there was a voice from the back of the room that made a motion to THANK, both Don and Nancy and the Vestry and parish leaders for the GREAT JOB that they have been doing through the all the changes. This motion was quickly seconded and rousingly applauded. We have much to be thankful for.

We'd love to have a big congregation on Sunday services and to meet with the Bishop. If you think of someone who's not been to church in a while, give them a call. We can try to arrange for rides to church if there is a need. Contact Paul at 747-9119 for rides. This week's Bible Study groups will look at Luke's Gospel reading slated for this coming Sunday. Feel free to join either the Tuesday or Thursday Groups when you can. No homework, no exams, no pressure, just a chance to share your thoughts on the lessons with others. If you like to plan ahead, think about Bible Study as a way to draw closer to God during Lent.

Please pray for the people in need in Haiti and all of those who are providing help and assistance. I've seen that Wegmans has set up a way to donate at checkout and of course the Red Cross and Episcopal Relief and Development can get help sent.

Luke 4:14-21

Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:

'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to let the oppressed go free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Blessings and Peace, See you on Sunday !

If you have ideas or interest in contributing to upcoming
Ascension Happenings, please let me know, and we'll work them in.

Church of the Ascension
2 Riverside St.
Rochester, NY 14613
585-458-5423