Recent Events at Ascension

• The Institution of Reverend Thomas Jean-Pierre Pellaton
• September 26, 2008 Concert with John Russell and Francois Clemmons
• Laura Jeanne's Cabaret

On Saturday September 27th at 11.00am, the Rt. Rev. Orris G. Walker Jr., Bishop of Long Island, instituted the Rev. Thomas Jean-Pierre Pellaton as the 8th Rector of The Church of The Ascension in Rockville Centre. The Preacher for this Service of a Celebration of a New Ministry was the Very Rev. Joseph Britton, Dean of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, an old friend of the Rectors. Ascension's choir sang music of Bach, Brahms, Parry and a Negro Spiritual. There was a reception following the service in the parish hall.

As part of the celebration there was a concert on Friday evening September 26th at 7.30pm performed by friends and classmates of the Rector from his time at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. The concert began in the Church as Emeritus Professor of Choral Conducting and Organ of Wooster College in Wooster, Ohio, John Russell, performed works of Bach, Mozart and Widor on the Rieger organ. The second half of the concert with Francois Clemmons, Alexander Twilight Artist in Residence at Middlebury College in Middlebury Vermont, singing a selection of Negro Spirituals. Professor Clemmons is well known as the Director of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and as Officer Clemmons on the Emmy award winning television program, "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood".