August 1, 2019 Volume 5, Issue 8 Ascension on the Mountain Newsletter From the Rector Contents Parish News 1 Upcoming Events 1 Rector’s Letter continued 2 Pasture Party 2 Bake Sale, EfM, Welcome 3 Christian Formation, EYC/Youth News, Adult Formation 4 Memorials, Reminders, Supper Clubs 5 Fall Schedule 6 Outreach, Ministries, AEK, 7 Lectionary for the month 8 Sunday Service Personnel 8 The Reverend Jack Alvey, Rector The Reverend Jane F. Ellis, Deacon- Clergy Assoc. The Right Reverend John McKee Sloan, Bishop of Alabama Dear Friends, Welcome to a new program year at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension! As we look forward to a new year together, I wanted to highlight both our theme for this fall as well as several important events coming up in the life of our parish. Mem- bers of the Vestry and parish are already working hard to equip the congregation to make Christ known by our love for all. Some of you might be wondering where the phrase “to make Christ known by our love for all” came from. In January at the annual Vestry Retreat, members of the Ves- try reflected on John 13:35 where we hear Jesus say, “they will know you are my fol- lowers by your love for each other.” From this conversation, the Vestry voted to make, “To Make Christ Known By Our Love For All” the parish’s official Vision Statement. During the Spring, that conversation continued and the Vestry committed to five core-values which are: Gospel-centered Worship, Theological Exploration, Generous Hospitality, Reconciling Community, and Relationship-based Mission. The sub-text of these values can be found on the website. As with any good Vision Statement and set of Core-Values, these statements reflect both who we are and who we want to be. With that being said, I want to highlight some of the ways we are already living into this vision and offer some more ways by which to grow into this vision. To Make Christ Known By Our Love For All Gospel-centered Worship: Over the last 10-months, our Average Sunday At- tendance has increased by 40% from 114 to 160 people on Sunday. While numbers don’t tell the whole story, I choose to believe this means that we are a community who is hungry to hear and take the gospel to a tired and lonely world. Theological Exploration: In addition to a renewed interest in Adult Education on Sunday mornings, seven members of the congregation committed to a weekend training this summer for a new children’s curriculum called Godly Play. This new program calls our children to “wonder about God.” Generous Hospitality: From nearly every visitor, I hear, “your congregation is so warm and welcoming!” “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels unawares.” Reconciling Community: We are a divided congregation…when it comes to politics and social issues. In a time when politics so easily divides, I am grate- ful to be a part of a congregation who can find common ground while stand- ing on holy ground. Our witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened when we love each other despite our differences. Continue on page 2 Mark Your Calendars EfM Information/ Recruitment Meeting, Aug. 8 Saturday Supper Club, Aug. 10 Blessing of Back Packs, Aug.11 Pasture Party, Aug 17 Camp McDowell Sunday, Aug. 18 Blackmon/Goettge Supper Club Aug. 24 Cursillo Sunday, Aug. 25
Transcript
August 1, 2019
Volume 5, I s sue 8
Ascension on the Mountain Newsletter
From the Rector
Contents
Parish News 1
Upcoming Events 1
Rector’s Letter continued 2
Pasture Party 2
Bake Sale, EfM, Welcome 3
Christian Formation, EYC/Youth
News, Adult Formation 4
Memorials, Reminders, Supper
Clubs 5
Fall Schedule 6
Outreach, Ministries, AEK, 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 Sche-dule, pgs 2 & 3
Adult Forma-tion, pgs 2 & 4
Parish Meeting, pg 3
Outreach, pg 7
The Right Reverend John McKee Sloan, Bishop of Alabama
Dear Friends,
Welcome to a new program year at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension!
As we look forward to a new year together, I wanted to highlight both our theme for this fall as well as several important events coming up in the life of our parish. Mem-bers of the Vestry and parish are already working hard to equip the congregation to make Christ known by our love for all.
Some of you might be wondering where the phrase “to make Christ known by our love for all” came from. In January at the annual Vestry Retreat, members of the Ves-try reflected on John 13:35 where we hear Jesus say, “they will know you are my fol-lowers by your love for each other.” From this conversation, the Vestry voted to make, “To Make Christ Known By Our Love For All” the parish’s official Vision Statement. During the Spring, that conversation continued and the Vestry committed to five core-values which are: Gospel-centered Worship, Theological Exploration, Generous Hospitality, Reconciling Community, and Relationship-based Mission. The sub-text of these values can be found on the website.
As with any good Vision Statement and set of Core-Values, these statements reflect both who we are and who we want to be. With that being said, I want to highlight some of the ways we are already living into this vision and offer some more ways by which to grow into this vision.
To Make Christ Known By Our Love For All
Gospel-centered Worship: Over the last 10-months, our Average Sunday At-tendance has increased by 40% from 114 to 160 people on Sunday. While numbers don’t tell the whole story, I choose to believe this means that we are a community who is hungry to hear and take the gospel to a tired and lonely world.
Theological Exploration: In addition to a renewed interest in Adult Education on Sunday mornings, seven members of the congregation committed to a weekend training this summer for a new children’s curriculum called Godly Play. This new program calls our children to “wonder about God.”
Generous Hospitality: From nearly every visitor, I hear, “your congregation is so warm and welcoming!” “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels unawares.”
Reconciling Community: We are a divided congregation…when it comes to politics and social issues. In a time when politics so easily divides, I am grate-ful to be a part of a congregation who can find common ground while stand-ing on holy ground. Our witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ is strengthened when we love each other despite our differences.
Continue on page 2
Mark Your Calendars
EfM Information/ Recruitment Meeting,
Aug. 8
Saturday Supper Club, Aug. 10
Blessing of Back Packs, Aug.11
Pasture Party, Aug 17 Camp McDowell Sunday, Aug. 18
“The joy of the LORD is [my] strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). I am here to give thanks to you, God, and to be rejuvenated to live out your love in the world.
From the Rector page 1 continued
Relationship-based Mission: Members of the congregation serve dinner to the women and children at First Light every month. We do this not simply because Jesus told us to, but because we believe Jesus is most pre-sent with the least, the last, and the lost. We do this because our relationship with Jesus grows when we serve the poor.
This fall, we will further highlight how Ascension is both living into and striving to live into these core values through a special offering entitled “Parish Family Night.” For five consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning October 9 th, the entire congregation (children, youth, adults) will gather for a meal and program much like our Lenten Suppers. Like Ascension Groups, these conversations will take place within the context of small groups. In addition to this new of-fering, I hope you will also pay attention to a few additional offerings this fall. Beginning September 3 rd, I will offer a five-week book study on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. In addition, I will also begin holding a Men’s Fireside Chats on 3 rd Tues-days beginning September 17th where we will discuss a theme or topic relative to Christian theology and living.
As you hear more about the increasing impact of the ways Ascension is making Christ known by our love for all, I in-vite you to prayerfully consider how you can increase the impact of your ministry through Ascension. In your prayers and through your conversation with others, be mindful of how God is calling you to make Christ known. In the mean-time, please don’t hesitate to let Jane or me know how we can support you in your own journey to know Christ.
We Welcome into the Episcopal Church and the Ascension Family as a Confirmed Communicant
Christopher Lambert Christopher was confirmed July 28, 2019 during the Confirmation Service
St. Francis Chapel, Camp McDowell If you are not a member of the Ascension by letter, or a baptized or confirmed communicant and would like to be please contact our Rector, Jack Alvey, 914-5225 or the parish office at 822-3480 or ascen-
[email protected]. We will be glad to help request your Letter or Family Letters of Membership from your for-mer Church home. This will help them update their records, and us ours as well. If you would like to be baptized and/or confirmed or have someone in your family who would like to be please con-tact our Rector or the parish office.
Again, welcome and congratulations Christopher.
~ Ascension ECW Bake Sale ~
WOW - amazing that it’s time for another school year. Time goes quickly & before we know it, the holidays are here. That makes me think about goodies for our bake sale in December. It would be wonderful to include jams or other yummy treats from summer fruit. I hope this will be another successful year & with your help I know we
will succeed. Remember ~ it’s an all profit sale. Thanks in advance for your support !!!
Blessing of the Backpacks, August 11th. At 10am. Students of all ages and teachers are in-vited to bring their backpacks to mark the beginning of the school year with a special prayer
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) is taking a summer break and will resume the 3rd Sunday in September, the 15th.
Children's Sunday School classes meet from 9:00a.m. - 9:50 a.m. Parents will take their child(ren) to church at 10am. During the Gloria, children will process to Children’s Chapel. At the Peace, children will return to the Nave for communion.
Opening Day of our Fall session will be September 8 with our new curric-ulum Godly Play. Thank you to all who attended training for Godly Play (22+ hours worth), Jessica Wiley, Jamie Grimes, Kelly Sorrell, Mary Beth Basu, and Chris Lambert. And a huge thank you for a very generous donation of supplies and materials for Godly Play from Holy Apostles Hoover providing us with most everything we need in materials to get started. Thank you also those who made quick work of moving all the materials from Holy Apos-tles - Bob Carr, Sam and Sharon Linton, Christine and Christopher Lam-bert, Loring Jones III, Kelly Gould.
To find out more about Godly Play:
Godly Play Foundation – www.GodlyPlayFoundation.org
Official YouTube Channel – www.YouTube.com/user/GodlyPlayFndn
We still need teachers and subs. Please contact Amanda Austin if you can 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 Sundays with Roger. 9:00am in the EYC Room. 334-412-8712 OR [email protected] Wednesdays with Eva. 5:30pm in Ware Hall or the Foyer. Eva Byrum . Wednesday meeting taking summer break.
Adult Formation Late Summer, Early Fall Schedule
Adult Formation - Fall Schedule @ 9 a.m. Sunshine Room or Ware Hall
August 11th - Spiritual Needs for Women - All Invited August 18th - Bethany Village at Camp McDowell Presentation August 25th - Feed My Sheep Presentations: Cursillo & First Light Shelter September 1st - Bible Jeopardy for all ages
Please see page 6 for the Fall Formation Schedule for all ages.
Many, many thanks for your gener-osity of donations of clothes, house-hold items and linens for 55th Place. You are great. The Thrift Store is located just off 1st Avenue North and 55th (5 55th Place) near
Grace Church, Woodlawn and is open Wednes-day—Saturday, 1:00am03:30pm. Please keep in mind the store can always use volunteers es-pecially during their busiest time of Noon to 3:30. Call 591-4631 for more information or to volunteer. Even an hour once a day, a week or a month would be much appreciated.
The Collection Hampers for 55th and for Urban Ministry are located in the hallway next to our kitchen.
Supper Clubs Goettge-Blackmon Club.
August 24th. The Club will meet August 24th at the home of Mary Elizabeth and Charles Jourdan with Carolyn and Mike Eike co-hosting. Please RSVP to Carolyn Eike for August 24th.
Contact Cheryl Blackmon or Holly Goettge for more information about the club.
Saturday Club.
August 10 at 10:30 am - 1 pm, Kyle and Amanda Austin are hosting at Birchtree Swim Club- 3583 Burntleaf Lane. Bring swimsuits, towels and a side or dessert to share. Burgers and hot dogs are on the menu! No alcohol is permitted at the pool. Contact Mary Beth Basu for more information
Newcomer Coffees
If you are visiting Ascension and looking to find out
more, connect with other newcomers, and meet some of
the parish leadership, please join us for a Newcomer
Coffee. We have 4 a year and the next will be Sunday,
September 29. Please contact Mary Beth Basu or the
Rector to RSVP or if you have any questions about the
church.
Reminders
Ascension Choir UPDATE
Ascension Choir will take a much deserved break the last Sunday of August and the first Sunday of Septem-ber before resuming our regular schedule for the fall. All are welcome! St. Cecilia Choir UPDATE St Cecilia choir will resume rehearsals September 15th, the 3rd Sunday in September at 9:00am. All youngsters Pre-K through 3rd Grade are invited to par-ticipate.
Gifts were given:
In Memory of Jean Jeffery by Obera Currin June 28, 2019.
Special Music Fund In Loving Memory of David Shawn Manning by Charlotte Manning July 2019.
Discretionary Fund Michael Sparks Michael and Carolyn Eike Bill and Martha Oyston We hope to include each month in our newsletter gifts to the church in memory/honor of someone. If you would prefer your donation not to be listed please notify the parish office.
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 up-coming events by texting the word “Events”
Many thanks to all for keeping your pledges and contributions up to date this summer. It has been a huge help in allowing us to keep our bills paid on time especially the power bill. This is turning out to be a very hot summer. If you should ever have any questions about your contributions/pledge contact our CPA Holly DuBois Cell: 256-777-8367 Home: 205-434-4474 Email: [email protected]
Food for Urban Ministry.
Items needed for Urban are canned meats and vegetables, flour, corn meal, sugar, soups, cereals, powdered milk, baby for-mula. Please do not bring foods in glass containers or home canned foods. The 4th Sunday was set aside a long time ago as collection Sunday for Urban but items may be brought at any time and put in the box marked URBAN MINISTRY in the kitchen hallway.
Page 3 of 4
I love you, Lord, with all my heart, soul and mind. Help me also to love my neighbors as myself. (See Matthew 22:37, 39.)
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: September 13, 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 Altar Guild
Anniversaries Robby & Anna Colvin, 2nd
Lori & Rich Manak, 4th
Vincent & Roseanne Stuedeman, 9th
John & Jackie Clark, 15th
We have 1 more AEK Summer Camps
August 13-15 All children ages 3-7 are welcome! Contact Laura Maddox at [email protected] for more information. Opening day of Fall school session is August 28.
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
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 Septem-ber. Entrée and beverages provid-ed. Please Sign the list in Terrill
Foyer and Bring a side dish. For August see page 2-Pasture Party.
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 al-ways welcome. Contact Marguerite
Handlin 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.
Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! Special Dates 2019
Lectionary Links for Sundays in August 2019, Track 2
Sunday Service Personnel August 2019
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Birmingham, AL
PERMIT 1571
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 celebrat-ing a birthday or anni-versary we do apologize and ask that you contact the parish office with the information. John Gillespie, Sr. 3rd Grace Johnson, 3rd Jeannie Duke, 4th Mary Beth Franklin, 5th Olivia Thompson, 5th
David Surber, 6th Zac Campbell, 8th Sand Daugherty, 8th Luci Sherrod, 8th Eva Austin, 9th Mary Nunnally, 9th Priscilla Eggleston, 10th Nancy Kirk, 11th Devin Surber, 12th Ron Mitchell, 15th Pearl Ennis, 17th James Couey, 18th Chris Cochran, 19th Sarah Holbrook, 19th
Ruth Snow, 19th Dorrance Wedell, 19th Bobby Lee, 21st Lee Ann Fielselman, 22nd Steve McCain, 22nd Jon Hornbuckle, 23rd Katherine Manush, 23rd Tom Cochran, 24th Kathy Lounsbury, 24th Will Sparks, 24th Minty Brooks, 25th John McDaniel, 25th Charlie Sharbel, 25th
Robbie Wright, 25th Roxanne Coleman, 27th Sue Busbin, 28th David Murphree, 28th Robby Colvin, 29th Hagen Gould, 30th Savannah Weidman, 30th Ann Carr, 31st Lynn McGuffey, 31st Ross Parker, 31st
ANNIVERSARIES PAGE 7
August Admit You're Happy Month Family Fun Month Dog Days of Summer - July 3 - August 11 International Clown Week - always August 1-7 National Catfish Month National Eye Exam Month National Golf Month Peach Month Romance Awareness Month Water Quality Month National Picnic Month
The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-11, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21 The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 15:1-6, Psalm 33:12-22 , Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Luke 12:32-40 The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 23:23-29, Psalm 82, Hebrews 11:29-12:2, Luke 12:49-56 The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 58:9b-14, Psalm 103:1-8, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17
August 4 LEMs: Busbin Carter, Dawson Altar: Dawson-E. Smith- Sharp-Stringfellow-Skelton-Carter Flower Guild: Jan, Carolyn The Altar Flowers will be given by Marie Graves
August 11 LEMs: Oyston Wilson, LaGrone Altar: McGuffey/Haberstroh/Poarch/Hartley Flower Guild: Paula, Sandra, Kathy The Altar Flowers will be given by The Bringmans
August 18 LEMs: Poehler Loop, Duke Altar: Busbin-Chase-Oyston-Goettge Flower Guild: Kitty, Helene, Maribeth The Altar Flowers will be given by Glenn & Virginia Creamer
August 25 LEMs: Lounsbury Cursillo Group Altar: Eike-Higgenbotham-Johnson-Thompson-Miller-Davidson
Flower Guild: Laura, Jamie, Sarah Elizabeth The Altar Flowers will be given by Jean H. Smith
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Worship with us on Sundays — 7:30am, 10:00am Christian Formation, 9:00am ● Cursillo Reunion, 8:30am
Please bring canned or dry packaged food.
The Forward Day by Day daily devotional booklets for August-
September-October are now available in regular print and in large
print. We have a limited number of the large print. If you pick up a
copy and would like to help defray the costs add $.50 to a $1.00 to the
