On behalf of the people of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hayward, Wisconsin, I welcome you to our parish family.  We are a vibrant community of Christians, dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to those both within our immediate community as well as to those throughout the world.  We are rooted in the deep and rich traditions of the Anglican Church but are committed to allowing those same traditions to breathe and inform our ministry to those living in today’s world.  Our worship is reverent but lively.  Our fellowship is warm and inviting.  We are devoted to extending God’s love both through our words and in very concrete actions.  We understand that our lives are a pilgrimage and that we are called to support and encourage each other as we walk in faith.  I invite you to explore the pages of our website to discover the many areas in which we are living into our lives as followers of Christ.  I encourage you to visit us in person or to contact us by email or telephone.  And I welcome you to join us on the journey.  It is really quite an adventure!

Father Arthur Hancock
Vicar

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ASCENSION PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS
for the week beginning 09.01.2019

FOOD SHELF DONATIONS THIS WEEK!!: On the first Sunday of each month, food which is collected throughout the month is blessed and taken to the Community Food Shelf. Collections, however, happen every day that the church is open! Donations may be placed in the baskets at the top of the stairs in the foyer. In these days in which many in our community are struggling financially, this is an excellent and effective way to reach out. We also pass second baskets around on the first Sunday of each month. Money that is collected in these baskets is given directly to local food shelves. Please consider giving generously.

OUR NEXT SUPPER CLUB EXPERIENCE: Our next Supper Club gathering will be held on 27 September, at the home of Melissa & Darren Winchester. A sign-up sheet and directions to Winchester’s will be forthcoming. Be there, or be L7! [SQUARE]

“Hatty told Matty, let's don't take no chance
Let's not be l-seven, come and learn to dance
Wooly bully, wooly bully
Wooly bully, wooly bully, wooly bully”

TO BE QUIET OR NOT TO BE QUIET, THAT IS THE QUESTION: Upon entering the Sanctuary on Sunday morning, one is presented with what many regard as a rather confusing situation. Should one remain quiet or is it okay to talk? The answer quite simply is, as it is with so many questions of our faith: yes! The Sanctuary is a special place set apart for the due worship of our God and as such it is fitting that we enter in reverence and quiet. This is particularly true when others may be in the Sanctuary saying their prayers in preparation for worship. On the other hand, those who gather together in the Sanctuary each Sunday are, in the truest sense of the word, family. For many of us, Sunday morning may be the only time all week that we see others in our parish family. Hence, it is only natural that we would want to greet each other and speak to each other about the joys and struggles of our lives. Certainly, the Sanctuary is a fitting place when we come before God and before each other with these joys and struggles. In the end, the answer is in the timing and in the manner of the greeting. In the fifteen minutes before worship and during the worship service itself, our attention should be primarily on the due worship of God. While relatively quiet and brief greetings are appropriate and indeed appreciated, longer greetings are best reserved for another place and another time. If one feels that one must speak with others more extensively in the few minutes prior to worship, we would ask that you do so either outside the front doors or in the Undercroft. The Peabody House is another splendid option as it has comfortable chairs and couches upon which to rest as we share in each other’s lives. The Sanctuary is also a suitable space in which to talk after our worship. Please do, however, get into the habit of stilling your body, mind and tongue before our worship as you enter the sanctuary.

CHECK-IN ON SOCIAL MEDIA!: Are you on Facebook? If so, then be sure to check-in to let your friends know you were here! Our FB link is @AscensionEpiscopalChurchHaywardWi

ADOPT-A-DOOR PROJECT: Take a moment to go next door to see what’s been going on in the Peabody House. The ceilings are being Closets will be getting trim and new doors! Want to help a project along? Consider if you would like to see the work progress even more swiftly by sponsoring a piece of the many projects. In the narthex you’ll find a list of projects waiting to be adopted. Want to know more? Talk to Rick Herdrich.

VESTRY MEETING: The Vestry hold its next meeting on Tuesday, 17 September @ 5:00pm. Ongoing business includes the status of the search for a rector, the Peabody House renovations, and necessary outdoor property projects and repairs. A work list will be developed and the opportunity for every member of the parish to take part in the different jobs around the physical plant will be encouraged. Charline Huwe sends the minutes to everyone electronically. If you’d like an update sooner, then talk to Sr. Warden Steven Salisbury, or Jr. Warden, Monte Lewis, or any other Vestry member! Meetings typically begin at 5:00pm and are completed by 6:00pm. Anyone is welcome to attend.

WE HOLD IN OUR PRAYERS:

Our Church Family:
In our city: the people of Hayward Wesleyan
In our diocese: The people and clergy of Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire
In our nation: The Diocese of Georgia
In the Anglican Communion: The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan

The Needs and Concerns of Our Congregation:
The world: Let love prevail in all places.
Our nation: May God lead the hands, hearts, and minds of its leaders
Our parish family: As we move into our future

The Sick and Needy:
Those in parts of the country dealing with the aftereffects, extensive property damage,
and lives lost, due to extreme weather
The people affected by extreme flooding
Military personnel deployed away from home, and their families
The ill in our parish family: those who are hospitalized, in skilled nursing facilities, those who are recovering from surgery, those who suffer from chronic conditions
All displaced people and refugees, especially children
Those who live alone
God’s people who are in any need, trouble, or distress

In Thanksgiving:
The consecration of Thomas James Brown, 10th Bishop of Maine
The consecration of Susan Brown Snook, 5th Bishop of San Diego
The election of Bonnie Perry, 11th Bishop of Michigan
The election of The Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean-Brown, 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Vermont
The consecration of Kym Lucas, 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado
The consecration of Phoebe Roaf, 4th Diocesan Bishop of West Tennessee
The love manifest in this congregation
Those with Birthdays or Anniversaries this week

The Departed:
The lives lost due to gun violence, especially those of the past week in El Paso, TX; Chippewa Falls, WI; Gilroy, CA; Philadelphia, PA

FUTURE EVENTS TO REMEMBER
September 10: Ascension leads nursing home worship
September 17: Vestry Meeting in the Undercroft @ 5:00pm
September 27: Supper Club at the home of Melissa & Darren Winchester @ 6:00pm