Good Morning Parish Family and Friends,
A busy morning in the office – hope you are all doing well. With Rev’d John heading out on vacation, we hope he has an enjoyable holiday.
A reminder that I am the keeper of all the information about the Holy Land Pilgrimage. I can send documents to you electronically if you are interested as well as provide hard copies. Those who are planning to go are already excited about the opportunity. Why not join in the fun?
Special thanks to the parish volunteers who are helping with the clean up of the parish hall – Sally and Brent Foreman were here this week along with Pamela leading the way. There is still so much to do, both inside and out, but we will get there eventually. We can’t seem to keep up with all the weeds that delightfully grow everywhere around the perimeter of the church and hall. Some volunteers quietly work away taking some away, but it certainly is a daunting task.
Have a truly fine weekend everyone,
Marie
Why did the skeleton decide to stay home from the school dance?
Because it had no body to dance with.
Did you hear about the guy who invented the knock-knock joke?
He won the “no-bell” prize.
The Rev’d Dr. John Stephenson,
Interim Priest-in-Charge
Vacation Schedule:
July 17th to August 8th
John+ will be on Summer holidays beginning tomorrow until Tuesday August 8.
During these weeks, the office will be open as usual. In case of a pastoral emergency, please call the office and on-call clergy will respond.
For the next 3 Sundays we will be blessed by the ministry of our Honorary Assistant, Rev. Canon Barry Randle
The Rev’d Canon Barry Randle, our Honorary Assistant, will be covering the Sunday Services for July 23, 30 and August 6.
The mid-week Wednesday service continues throughout the summer months as well.
THIS YEAR IN JERUSALEM!
An Advent Pilgrimage to the Lands of the Bible: Israel and Jordan – Nov. 24-Dec. 5
Our Pilgrimage is going forward.
If you would like to join us, brochures and registration forms are available on the table in the Nave or from the office.
If you have any questions, please contact John+ or Marie in the Office.
Vacation Bible Camp
The Church of the Ascension,
August 21-25, 2023
9:30 am to 3:00 pm
For children aged 5 to 12 years
Lunch provided. This is a free program.
Information brochures are available at the church.
Contact Karis Tees at karis.tees@gmail.com
Parish office: 905-527-3505
Lectio Divina/Bible Study
10:30 – 12:00 pm
Bible Study reconvenes Tuesday September 12.
Lectio Divina: July and August: First two Thursdays of each month (July 6 & 13; August 3 &10)
Contact Ministry Leaders: Dianne Mallion and Will Thwaites for more information.
Opportunities to Serve
Our Guilds need you!
Please contact John+ to inquire about sharing your gifts in the Altar Guild or the Servers’ Guild. These Guilds offer the blessing and privilege of joining in a great tradition with countless others who have led God’s people in worship for 2,000 years.
Stained Glass Window “Note Cards” available for purchase
Each package of 5 cards is sold for $25.00.
History: As a project to celebrate Canada’s 150th Anniversary, the Fundraising Team offered packages of Note Cards focusing on the very special windows that we have in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. These series of windows depict the work of the Holy Spirit in the Canadian church. Of special interest to those of us here in this area are two windows. One window shows Joseph Brant and another shows one of our former rectors, Bishop Renison.
During that time many packages were sold but now that we are recovering from our hiatus during COVID there are still several packages left.
Please feel free to visit the Chapel of the Holy Spirit following the service on Sunday to see these unique Canadian stained glass windows. I will be happy to accompany you on your visit. (There are also stained glass window self-guided tour pamphlets on the information table in the Narthex)
Your support of the Fundraising Team would be most appreciated as we seek to support our financial needs especially at this time.
Ruth Roberts, Chair of the Fundraising Team
Meetings
Wed. Aug 16 Pastoral meeting, 2:00 pm
Wed Aug 16 Fundraising Meeting, 7:30pm on ZOOM
Mon Sept 25 Parish Council, 7:00pm on ZOOM
Vacation Schedule: Rev’d John July 17th to August 8th
Memorial Altar Flowers
Please consider adding your name to the 2023 Memorial Altar Flowers chart situated on the back wall near the kitchen. Flowers will be placed at the altar in memory of your loved one, for a celebration or in thanksgiving for a blessing, Please PRINT your name clearly on your chosen date and we will be in contact with you closer to that time to arrange the flowers purchase and prepare text for the Sunday bulletin. Please see Shelley Waring for more details.
Scripture Readings for next Sunday, July 23, 2023
8th Sunday after Pentecost
GENESIS 28:10-19a; PSALM 139:1-11, 22-23; ROMANS 8:12-25; MATTHEW 13:24-30, 36-43
Food for the Hungry
Thank you to all who are supporting the Ascension’s food drive. The need for food in our community has increased dramatically this winter. Each week, plan to bring with you a non-perishable food item that we can share with the homeless and marginally housed.
Also, on a monthly basis the Ascension distributes a $10 food voucher to those in need. Line-ups begin forming at the John Street entrance before 8am with Shelley Waring beginning the distribution at 9:00am. Donations are most welcome for this program. Thank you!
A NEW INITIATIVE:
It’s summer: the homeless of Hamilton are now very visible on the streets as homelessness has reached crisis proportions in Hamilton.
Through the leadership of Pat Maynes, we are now distributing food directly to the homeless at their downtown encampments.
Here is a comprehensive list of what is needed on a regular basis: water, juice, Boost, Ensure, fruits, vegetables, granola bars, cereal and protein bars, fruit cups, baked goods, bread, peanut butter, jams, cheese and cracker packages, toilet paper, deodorant, tooth brushes and toothpaste, women’s sanitary products, basic first aid items including Polysporin, and books writing material and paper. For larger items such as tarps and tents, please see Pat Maynes.
Anything you could contribute would be warmly welcomed!
Each week, plan to bring with you something that we can share with the homeless and marginally housed. Thank you!