Volume 14/11 Ascension & Holy Trinity, Episcopal Church 334 Burns Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45215 November 2014 NOVEMBER CONNECTIONS Vision: A vital and growing faith community, with overflowing worship services and Christian growth opportunities. A church with compassion-centered ministries through which all find a place and take God's love into the world. Mission: Ascension & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church lives to put God's love into action! WORSHIP SCHEDULE - 8:00am & 10am in the Church Children's Formation at 10am. Child care in the Nursery. On Wednesdays Holy Eucharist is celebrated at 10am (in the Memorial Chapel of Ascension & Holy Trinity) Contact the church: (513) 821-5341 | [email protected] “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK! - WE ARE AT 143 LIKES! Rev. Eric’s Blog: http://ascensionholytrinity.com/blog/ WWW.ASCENSIONHOLYTRINITY.COM A&HT WYOMING PRESCHOOL: 2YRS – PRE-K [email protected] More information under A&HT Wyoming Preschool tab on A&HT website. V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 2 News from the Pews 1. Debbie Esposito Jacob Stegman 4. Robin Hendley 5. Harrison Belew Christa Criddle 7. Anne Brack 9. Amy Getgey 10. Dana Irvine Jim Neumeister 11. Megan Neumeister Dorothy Poggiali 12. Kelley Hancock Bill Kent John Kuyath Steven Roschke 13. Robert Allan 15. 16. 17. 19. 20. 21. 22. 26. 30. Welcome! Jeb, Anne & Grace Brack 119 E Mills Rd., 45215 Deborah Lewis Emily Bence Ron Bence Kayle DeWitt George Harperink Sydney Oliver Rich Gómez Ross Gillingham Mary Criddle Ariel Miller Rolf Stottmann Andrew Gómez Henry Moore Carolyn Finke George Thiemann Shelley Morrison 15. Chris & Nikki DeWitt This month’s Meeting 7:30am ~ Friday, November 7th At Frisch’s 8383 Vine St., Hartwell location. For current calendar of events, please go to the church website: www.ascensionholytrinity.com And click on the ‘Happenings’ tab. V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 3 RECTOR’S REFLECTIONS It all started over two weeks ago. My cough had been sounding more wretched with each passing day. On a Friday morning Rosemary asked me what I had lined up for the day. I shared with her my litany of activities, including going to the gym. Rightly, she wasn’t pleased with that response and informed me I should be going to the doctor to get that cough checked out. I finally acquiesced and made my way to the doctor’s office. Bronchitis was the verdict. Rosemary wasn’t much surprised by that, nor was she surprised that when I asked the physician about my sore leg I was told I needed to give running a complete rest for two weeks—two weeks?! Did this doc know what she was saying to me?! Running is akin to breathing to me, and needless to say, I wasn’t happy about the two week hiatus. Before leaving the doctor’s office, though, I made certain I could still walk my dog for exercise, and I received the “all clear” on that front. Hence, I’ve been walking my dog kind of like a madman for the last couple of weeks. The first couple of times taking for a walk in my running clothes Grace (the dog) looked at me in expectation. “When are we going to quicken the pace, dad?” It didn’t take her long to get into the routine of walking without any running, though. I’ve noticed a good bit on this running sabbatical. I don’t notice much of anything when I run. To be certain, I keep my eyes and ears focused to keep Grace in line, especially as other dogs and their humans approach. Other than that, though, I’ve been on a kind of autopilot when running. Since walking I’ve appreciated the autumn foliage much more. Further, I’ve noticed one thing in particular: the leaves on our trees change rather quickly. I’ve been leaving the Wyoming “Village” area and walking up to the “Hilltop” area of Wyoming to get a fresh perspective. There are many beautiful trees on my new trail, and I’ve simply been amazed over how quickly their color has changed and how quickly their leaves have begun falling. The relative rapid rate of (Continued on page 4) V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 4 change got me to thinking. Do we truly notice those around us? How much time do we spend with things that matter, with people who matter? We say that family is important. How much quality time do we spend with our families? We say that our relationship with God is important, that the Church is important. How much of our time do we spend praying to God for one another or with one another as a faith community? These questions aren’t meant to be judgmental or offensive. These questions are to get us thinking, and as I’ve written above, I’m thinking more because of how quickly life changes, whether it be the fall foliage, our job circumstances, our relationships with those around us. For, the great reality is that life is changing all the time. More often than not we cannot direct the changes. Certainly, we can be the best we were created to be, but so many things are simply out of our control. Are we “seizing the day” as Robin Williams quoted to his students from “Odes” in the movie, Dead Poets’ Society. Or, are we living as if all will always be the same today as it was yesterday and the day before? Life changes, and I want to grow and change, too. I want to change for the better, and in order to allow that change to happen I need to be mindful of those around me. I need to appreciate the gifts God gives me and the people in my life. That’s right, I need to appreciate those easily appreciated, and I need to somehow love those difficult to love and appreciate, for we are everyone of us God’s beloved. November is the secular month we focus on giving thanks. In many ways I love November for the beauty of family and friends gathered around on many occasions to give thanks. Ascension & Holy Trinity, I give thanks for the growth we have been making. I give thanks for the love and compassion and generosity so clearly bestowed and shared by you. It is my prayer that as we walk old paths and new paths together, we may give thanks for the rich variety of beauty and love all around us and that we may be willing to continually give back to the Creator of that beauty. Have a blessed month of November, and remember to give thanks. I’ll see you in the pews and on the streets. ! In God’s Grace, Eric L. Miller+ Rector V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 5 N PIANO PROGRESS 0 GOOD NEWS FROM THE MUSIC GUILD. It was very moving to see and hear the Steinway grand piano being played by David Belew at the funeral of his son Guy. And to hear Mark play during the funeral of Charlie Moore. This lovely piano, generously donated by a parishioner who asks to remain anonymous, is a 1931 model, from what is said to be the golden age of Steinway piano building. We are greatly blessed to be the guardians of such a classic instrument. As all can testify, the Steinway does produce a glorious sound, but it is 83 years old and in need of extensive (and expensive) refurbishing to regain its full glory. Before its installation in the Chancel, the Steinway served in the downstairs Choir Room for rehearsals, where it was appreciated, but not able to show off its potential in a confined space. Promotion to the Chancel realized its potential--but left a vacuum in the Choir Room. Ariel Miller, newly appointed as the Vestry liaison to the Music Guild, learned from friends Terry and Mary Sue Cheesman, that they were trying unsuccessfully to find a non-profit to accept donation of their Baldwin baby grand as they prepared to move into a smaller home. Miraculously Ariel heard about their dilemma the day before going to her first Music Guild meeting and learning of the need for a good piano for rehearsals. Ariel told the Cheesmans of the parish need and they were delighted to donate their piano, confident it would be put to good use. So we were again blessed through the donation of a treasured instrument, now installed in the Choir Room. The next step was to research refurbishing the Steinway and the needed maintenance on the Baldwin baby grand and on the Baldwin upright in the Parish Hall. Also, to be fully functional, we needed adjustable piano benches for the two grands and, for the Steinway, a piano cover and a dolly so it can be on "center stage", as it was for Guy's service. After reviewing three expert proposals, the Music Guild endorsed estimates totaling (Continued on page 7) V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 6 TAKING GOD’S LOVE INTO THE WORLD BY HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED Thanksgiving Boxes We are partnering with Wyoming Presbyterian and other Valley churches in giving Thanksgiving Boxes to the needy clients of Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center. This is the fourth year for this splendid cooperative effort. As last year, we at A&HT have agreed to provide funds for 30 boxes at $50 each for a total of $1,500. And we've again agreed to help with the packing and distribution of the boxes--an action-packed, uplifting community experience. Here's how you can help: ***Please share your 2014 Thanksgiving blessings by contributing to the $1,500 total we need to raise. Checks payable to Ascension & Holy Trinity, designated for "Thanksgiving Boxes" are tax deductible and may be placed in the collection plate or delivered to the church office. ***Plan to join the community effort to pack and deliver the boxes. This is scheduled for the morning of Saturday November 22 at Friendship Methodist. All ages are welcome to join in the good work. Annual Outreach Budget Disbursement Meeting. All in the parish family are invited to participate in the meeting we hold about this time of the year to develop a plan for sharing the funds in the annual Outreach Budget among the helping-our-neighbors-in-need ministries we support. We will meet in the Assembly Room at 7.00 pm on Wednesday November 5. Refreshments will be provided. Questions to Noel Horne (729-2173 or [email protected]) November Loose Change Our loose change offerings in November will contribute towards the $1,500 needed for our commitment for 30 Thanksgiving Boxes. Noel Horne, Chair, Helping Our Neighbors In Need Mission Group. (729-2173 or [email protected]). V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 7 Members of our Music Ministry with the Steinway (Continued from page 5) $11,295--a major sum and not provided for in the budget or in the capital campaign. So, how to pay for the therapy needed to get our valuable piano assets into peak playing condition? Pray for another miracle! Twenty two years ago, in 1992, Geoff Place retired from P&G. He and his wife Jan were long time members of A&HT and committed, talented members of our choir. Upon retirement Geoff and Jan moved to South Carolina and, as a parting gift, donated $5,000 in P&G stock to A&HT with the instruction that the dividends on the stock be used to purchase sheet and book music for the choir. Their gift resulted in our having a very well-provisioned choir music library, for which we are very grateful. The terms of their gift did not specify what we could, or could not do, with the capital. Valued at $5,000 when donated, thanks to the strong performance of P&G over the ensuing 22 years, the capital value of the stock has grown to about $33,000. Another miracle! Geoff and Jan have agreed we may sell some of the stock to pay for getting our pianos into peak playing condition. For their gift that keeps on giving, we are again very thankful. Sadly, we learned that Jan's health has deteriorated and she is now wheel-chair bound and in the nursing care section of their retirement community. Geoff agreed we should add Jan's name to our prayer list. So we ask that you pray for Jan, give thanks for their gift and enjoy the blessings of our pianos. V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 8 During the month of October, we learn about fire safety. We learn to crawl low under smoke, to stop, drop, and roll if our clothes are on fire, to never play with matches, lighters, or fireworks, and to get out of a building if the fire alarm goes off. To highlight our unit, we had the Wyoming Fire Fighters visit our school. The following are some pictures from their visit. Bryant Davis and Father Eric were a few of the firefighters who helped with the presentation. V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 9 V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 1 0 PRAYER CONCERNS: Ronald Vanoss, Dan Albright, Julie Stegman, Nancy Shaw, Richard Cotterill, Sue Gorman, Margadette Demet, George Thiemann, Richard Strange, Leslie Munz, the Timco Family, Jerry Hanson, Bob Kent Sr., Jeff Moore, Phil Glarin, Grigg Fountain, Mary Jo Everhart, Ellianna Ludka, Eloise Roberts, Noland Aidan Haeger, Brenda Johnson, Jennifer Blevins, Nick, Trey Baker, Doris Shaneor, Sallie, Nancy Hobson & Family, Roger Scroggin, Jerry & Judie Hanson, Norann Amos, Dan Dace, Dona Turpin, Becky Bond, Madalyn Humphrey, Teresa Walters, Marjorie Walmsley, Alan Fischoff & family, Jim & Nancy McCue, Carolyn Whittle, Craig Cluxton, Jay Anstoy, Eric Tisdale & Family, Joyce, Jerry Osner, Marlys Rutledge, Bev Cody, Colin Crane, Malik David Strange, The Moore Family, Jim Rembold, Jan Place, Joseph Munz, Doug Parrish, Mary Boenning. PRAYER LIST—Please call the Parish Office to add, remove or update a name. Names remain on the list for three months. Prayers are offered verbally during Sunday services for those added within the last month, and for all on the list at staff Morning Prayer and Wednesday Eucharist. The Lectionary for November: Track 1 - Year A changing to B on Advent 1 November 9 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 November 16 Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30 November 23 —Christ the King Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Ephesians 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46 November 30 Year B—Advent 1 Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37 December 7—Advent II Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8 [Day Old Testament reading Psalm Epistle Gospel] V O LU M E 1 1 /1 4 C O NNE C T I O NS PA GE 1 1 Did you know that Ascension & Holy Trinity has Eucharistic Visitors? Each Sunday during our 10:00 Holy Eucharist we bless more bread and wine than is needed for the number attending worship. We bless this extra bread and wine so that our sick and shut-ins are able to participate in virtually the same Eucharistic feast we participate in any given Sunday. Our Eucharistic Visitor is commissioned near the end of the service with the words, “In the name of Ascension & Holy Trinity, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s Body and Body.” The congregation responds, “We who are many are one body because all share one bread, one cup.” You’ll notice that the Eucharistic Visitor is given a little communion kit contained the blessed wine and bread. What happens after the Eucharistic Visitor has been commissioned and leaves church? Thanks for asking! Well, this person is to go for a short visit with one of our shut-ins who has been scheduled beforehand. The visitor brings a bulletin from our worship service and says some prayers from a pamphlet with the individual, and then the visitor and the person receiving the visit share communion together. We are looking for more Eucharistic Visitors. This is an amazing ministry to be a part of, and my personal experience is that I always feel more blessed than the individual I’m visiting. I can train you for this meaningful ministry and would love to do so. Please contact me or the parish office for more information. Rev. Eric + Ascension & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 334 Burns Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45215 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
© Copyright 2024