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Services We are back to normal Sunday schedule of 8:00 AM Holy Eucharist in the Chapel, 9:00 AM Bible Study in the Library and 10:15 Holy Eucharist in the main Church . We are taking a break from our live-streamed services on YouTube and Facebook. If ther is sufficient interest we may resume on one or two Sundays a month. We also offer a Noonday Prayer service on Tuesdays an 12:00 pm on Zoom. Passcode: 420173 Music Our services include music lead by Mitchell Miller . Church of the Ascension is the home to one of Rochester's best organs; a Skinner organ donated by a parishioner who purchased it from the Rochester Auditorium more than 50 years ago. The organ has more than 3,500 pipes and attracts many talented musicians. Children's Programs Special programs are offered for children and teens including the Ascension Youth Choir, Sunday School, and after school tutoring programs designed to help each young person individually . Home Visitation For those who are temporarily or long-term unable to attend in-church services and receive the Holy Eucharist, home visitations can be arranged through the church office (585) 458-5423. Weekly Worship Schedule Noonday Prayer, Tuesday 12:00 pm Eucharist, Sunday 10:15AM Bible Study, Sunday 9:00AM Eucharist, Sunday 8:00AM

Collection Counters & Ushers Collection Counters are responsible for counting and depositing money received as pledges and other donations at all church services. Our team of Ushers always aim to greet members and visitors in a way that makes them feel welcome and included in our church family. If you are a newcomer please ask one of our ushers for one of our "Get Acquainted" information folders.

Ministries Church of the Ascension is a proud member of the community it serves. Our ministries focus on the health and well-being of every person. In Matthew 25: 35-36, Christ shared the measure of a true disciple saying, I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me. As disciples of Christ, we seek to offer Godly love, provide for, and share compassion with all people. Care Closet MEEK Food Ministry Prison Ministries Home Visitation

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September 26, 2021 October 3, 2021 October 10, 2021 October 17, 2021 October 25, 2021 Sunday Oct. 31st

Acolyte Guild In contemporary Anglicanism, acolyte is a general term which covers not only servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers, thurifers, and banner-bearers. It usually takes two years for Acolytes to learn all of their duties for the different Church services. Their jobs include the correct use of candles in the service, carrying the cross, assisting the clergy with the Eucharist and Baptism services, receiving the offering and sending people to the altar for Communion. Occasionally, they assist with wedding and funeral services. Upon completion of two years of faithful and dedicated service, a cross on a ribbon is awarded the Acolyte. For each additional year of service, a small cross is attached to the ribbon of the two-year cross.

Men's Group The men's group heads up parish clean-up days. They also put on the Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner (the night before Ash Wednesday) and help Kevin Gall with the annual Lobster Dinner.

January 3rd, 2021 January 17th, 2021 January 31st, 2021 February 14th, 2021 February 28th, 2021 March 14th, 2021 March 28th, 2021 Easter Sunday April18th, 2021 April 25th, 2021 May 9th, 2021 May 23rd, 2021 June 6th, 2021 June 20th, 2021 July 4th, 2021 July 18th, 2021 August 1st, 2021 August 15th, 2021 August 29th, 2021 September 12th, 2021 September 26th, 2021 October 10th, 2021 October 24th, 2021 November 7th, 2021 November 21st, 2021 December 5th, 2021 December 19th, 2021 January 10th, 2021 January 24th, 2021 February 7th, 2021 February 21st, 2021 March 7th, 2021 March 21st, 2021 Good Friday April 11th, 2021 Sarah Johnson, DMA Recital May 2nd, 2021 May 16th, 2021 May 30th June 13th, 2021 June 27th, 2021 July 11th, 2021 July 25th, 2021 August 8th, 2021 August 22nd, 2021 September 5th, 2021 September 19th, 2021 October 3rd, 2021 October 17th, 2021 October 31st, 2021 November 14th, 2021 November 28th, 2021 December 12th, 2021 Christmas Eve, Pageant Service December 26th, 2021

Food Ministry Feeding the body as well as the soul has always been an important part of life at Ascension. We host seven annual dinners: Summer Picnic in the Park, Seneca Park Zoo, August 7, 2022 Lobster Dinner, September, Date TBD Welcoming/Homecoming Sunday, late September Roast Beef Dinner, Saturday, mid-October Christmas Party, Sunday, mid-December Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday February 21, 2023 - 5:00 PM Pasta Dinner, Saturday, mid-March Chicken and Biscuit Dinner, Saturday, late April Please join us in fellowship and food!

Ascension Choir The Ascension Choir is a dedicated group of volunteers, joined by four Choral Scholars from the Eastman School of Music. Ascension has a long history of excellent choral music; the choir sings on Sundays at the 10:15 am service from the beginning of September until Pentecost, and currently rehearses on Wednesday s from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. Our Choral Scholars this year are: Maeve Berry Madelin Morales Adam Catangui The mission of the choir is to support and adorn the liturgy at Church of the Ascension through hymnody, Anglican chant, plain chant, and weekly anthems. Towards this goal we sing a wide range of repertoire sourced from the Renaissance to today, and often collaborate with the Ascension Youth Choir to encourage the next generation of musicians. We are always happy to welcome new choir members; please be in touch with Minister of Music Mitchell Miller if you are interested in joining or trying out the choir - all are welcome!

Prison Ministries Ascension has hosted several ministries recently, until COVID-19 put them on hiatus for an indefinite time. They include: SMART, a local association of agencies working on reentry issues "The Landing Strip", a part of the Alternatives to Violence program run by the Quakers for released prisoners Cephas of Western N.Y., a program going into the State Prisons Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministries, Inc. Ascension is the home of Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit charitable corporation. The work we do follows Four Spiritual Truths: Every inmate and prisoner is loved and lovable Every person is deserving of respect and acceptance Our true nature is fundamentally good and beautiful We are all needed in helping to heal our world Our mission is to bring this message to those whose lives are telling them otherwise. This is our calling. Our History Rochester Interfaith Jail Ministry was started in 1971 as an outreach of the Rochester Council of Churches. As the jails evolved and their needs changed, R.I.J.M. moved from serving as a ministerial resource to a missional project, bringing value to the inmates. Our Program We run our groups like a college seminar. The textbook is “Houses of Healing” by Robin Casarjian. Groups run 7–12 weeks, depending on the needs of the facility. Each inmate receives a copy of the text and a workbook, and is expected to read the assignments in them to prepare for each class. We watch a video made by Ms. Casarjian in a Massachusetts Prison and discuss. The program helps the students be aware of the foundations of their issues, to work on them and be more prepared to participate in society. Our Community Activity RIJM is a member of SMART (Safer Monroe Area Reentry Team) whose members offer help to people recovering from incarceration. (This agency is transitioning to become RAWNY ) Ascension offers former prisoners, their families, and friends a place to meet to deal with issues related to the Justice System. We send a representative to the County Criminal Justice Council Meetings. We offer a “Welcome Home” gift to be distributed by the State Parole office, containing toiletries for releasees. (They get food stamps, but any public assistance goes to their landlords.) We staff a table at the Parole “New Releasee Orientation.” Ascension/R.I.J.M. is an associated group of Kairos , an international prison visitation program. Ascension is an associated parish with the Episcopal Diocese of Florida’s prison ministry . Ascension is a member of Diocese of Rochester Prison Ministry Committee .