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Witness
- September 2008
By Tom Pellaton
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I t is with some considerable joy that I write you in the first issue of the newly resurrected Witness. It has been some time since the last issue and I want to thank our new Parish Administrator and for taking on this very important ministry of communication. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed producing it.
It has been an equally joyous five months with you all as your new Rector. There is indeed, from my standpoint, much to celebrate. The Liturgy here is very moving, with the host of dedicated and and the superb work of our and playing such important roles. It is not surprising that we have been asked to provide the music for this year's Diocesan Convention in November. Certainly we enjoy some of the best music every Sunday that can be experienced in this Archdeanery. The new has proven to be an additional joy. A large and growing group has taken on this discipline and begun to form a very supportive group. I encourage anyone who has the time to join us on Tuesday morning for the Eucharist and study. And, if you can not make this group, consider the new that begins in October.
The Ascension enjoys also a great diversity in its demographics. I have enjoyed tremendously getting to know many of the young families and the Sunday School members. We hope, under the new leadership of , to grow this ministry and be a welcoming beacon to those searching for a church that values its young members. Remember that children are not the church of the future but the church of the present. And then there are some of our senior members who have given so much to this community and continue to grace it with their charm and their devotion. Yes, there is much to give thanks for here at the Ascension. And yet the story is not finished. God has much more in store for us here at the Ascension. Let me explain.
One of the things I have experienced here at the Ascension in the last five months is the diversity and richness of the talents God has given us in this community. There is a sense that we can grow and do more in living out our Baptismal promises to walk in the world as Christ would have walked. There are so many ideas of what the future might hold for us expressed by many of us, in our ministry to each other and to those in need in the greater community. It is clear to me that we are in transition from being a very large and loving family church to one of a program sized church that needs to develop some new structures to accomplish the goals and dreams of this place and to be responsive to the needs and concerns of a growing number of people in the community. I have selected a small group to begin a vision process that will try to identify goals and concerns for the parish over the next five years. The committee includes the S and . The Committee's work will go to the Vestry for their input and critique and then to the parish as a whole. It is hoped that through the power of the Holy Spirit working in the community, that God's will for this parish can be discerned, supported, and accomplished. We are at a very exciting crossroads in this parish. Change is necessary most likely but not in the sense of eliminating all the good that is already here in place but in the addition of new ministry and focus. We must keep all of us in prayer so that God's will can be discerned.
I promise to do my best as your Rector to see that all are heard and that all of us will grow in the love and hope that is the gift of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yours in Christ,
On Saturday September 27th at 11.00 a.m., the , Bishop of Long Island, will Institute the 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 will be the , Dean of the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, an old friend of the Rector. Ascension's choir will be singing music of Bach, Brahms, Parry and a Negro Spiritual. There will be a reception following the service in the parish hall.
In addition to the Saturday service, there will also be a special concert on Friday evening September 26th at 7.30 p.m. performed by friends and classmates of the Rector from his time at . The concert will begin in the Church as Emeritus Professor of Choral Conducting and Organ of Wooster College in Wooster, Ohio, , will perform works of Bach, Mozart and Widor on our Rieger organ. The second half of the concert will be performed in the parish hall, with , Alexander Twilight Artist in Residence at in Middlebury Vermont, singing a selection of Negro Spirituals. Professor Clemmons is well known as the Director of the Harlem Spiritual Ensemble and as "" on the Emmy award winning television program, "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood".
We hope you all will plan to attend both the concert and the service and join in this joyous celebration of Father Pellaton's ministry here at Ascension!
By Mark Weisenreder, Churchwarden
Under the wise and able leadership of , Ascension's property chairman, two very necessary but expensive property improvement projects were completed at The Church of The Ascension during the summer months.
During the first project, two new cellar doors were installed leading out to the parking lot from the Christian Education classrooms. The old metal doors were rusted through, leaking water, and represented a security risk. The new doors - 18 gauge commercial metal doors, new metal door frames and hardware were supplied by Elco Lock & Door, Inc. of East Northport and skillfully installed by Eastern Door Services Inc. of Farmingdale. We invite you to inspect these solid new doors which close with authority and feature new weather proofing.
The second project is designed to bring the fire emergency lighting system and illumination on stairways in the fellowship hall and basement into conformity with current Rockville Centre Code. In furtherance of that goal, Frank Electric, Inc. of Baldwin has been installing battery operated emergency fire exit fixtures with floodlights and new fixtures over previously unlit stairways. We thank Marge and the for spearheading these necessary safety improvements. As a follow-up to these two projects, we are seeking to replace all of the carpeting in the Christian Education area. If anyone would be interested in making a contribution to this worthy project, kindly contact , Ascension's Christian Education Leader, or , our Property Chairman.
By Kristen Ochtera
Director of Christian Formation
The magic of September's "" time always renews my enthusiasm. !
 I don't know how it was in your house. But in mine, September didn't just mean back to school. For our family, Labor Day marked the time to change clothes and schedules. No longer free to run in shorts or a bathing suit all day long, it was time for school clothes or play clothes - no in between. Bedtimes were moved up. Old routines were re-established. There was a list of certain duties and chores that needed to be addressed daily. Work, school, and church - everything started up again.
In my new role as "grown-up", I recognize that the carefree days of summer are shelved to make way for the dutiful days of autumn. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun! I take great comfort in the fact that families across the country are switching gears right along with me. It is this time of year, much more so than January or springtime, that marks the time for new beginnings. New clothes, new routines, even new TV shows. Hey for the past 2 months it's been a free for all. Most of our decisions were punctuated with choruses of "What the heck, its summer!"
Now is a great time to make a fresh start. Join with me as we kick-off our Children's Formation program at will bring us together for family worship at . Registration will be held immediately following in the parish hall.
I look forward to joining with my Ascension family as we mark a new chapter in our history. This is an exciting time for all of us. Certainly the Christian formation program is no exception.
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Following the success of the Tuesday morning Bible study, the Rector would like to begin an evening Bible Study, beginning , at at the in . We will begin by reading, in three chapter portions, the Gospel of Mark. Mark is the central Gospel for Year B in our Lectionary which begins in December with the First Sunday in Advent. We hope that we will be able to meet every two weeks as we experience Mark's Gospel as a whole and not just in the selections heard on Sunday mornings. The study will last an hour followed by a light supper and fellowship. No expert knowledge of the Bible is required for this study, only an open and inquiring mind and the willingness to ask questions. If you are interested in joining this study group please see the Rector.
A number of both young people and adults have indicated that they are interested in investigating either being Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church at the service on , at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, in Garden City.
The Rector would like to have an organizational meeting of those interested on to plan a schedule of instruction. Dates and times of instruction will be arranged according to the needs of the group. Please join us for this important meeting.
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After a number of months spent searching for a new church Parish Administrator, we were pleased to acquire the services of . RoseMarie has been known to many of us for years now. As a good friend of Deacon Betty and Father James, she has come to Ascension for numerous events, services, evensongs. Cabarets, Friendship Fairs, etc. It is our good fortune that she recently took early retirement from her career in the stock market and we were able to entice her to join us here at Ascension in May. She has a very interesting and diverse background which we’ll feature in more detail in an upcoming Witness issue.
As an ordained Deacon, RoseMarie serves at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn so she won’t be here at Ascension’s regular Sunday services but, if you haven’t already met her, and are in the Parish Hall between 9-2 on weekdays, stop down to her office and say “Hi!
It is our great joy and privilege to congratulate the young men and women of our church family who have just graduated from this year.
It is important to give recognition for their important accomplishment, not only to them but to their parents who have also worked hard and sacrificed and worried and provided the example, the discipline, love, encouragement, support and guidance so necessary to the success their children are realizing.
So here’s a special “HATS OFF!” to the new graduates and their proud families.
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Fall is always an exciting time ~ there's change in the air; the hazy, lazy days of summer begin to give way to cooler weather and busier schedules; we're back from vacation and the kids are back at school. Church programs resume and activities abound.
Fall is even more exciting this year because we begin it with a new rector... There'll be a host of events and, to help you plan to take part in them all, we will list them each month in our newly revived Witness.
In keeping with our "British" tradition, the Rector and editorial staff decided to call this column: Forthcoming Events . Be sure to check it out and mark your calendars.. you won't want to miss out on any of the wonderful fun and fellowship that is the great strength and joy of our parish family.
Donations of Large Wicker Baskets; Cookie Tins; Bottles of Wine for the Gift Baskets; and any really good Xmas Items you'd be willing to part with the for the sale.
It is time to prepare for the harvest!
In our case, the harvest of good will that comes from making soup and delivering it to those who have none. Let’s begin by gathering the beans!
Please bring a bag of beans from the list below to our September 7th services.
The beans will be the center of our first Children’s Formation classes. The children will mix and package them and have them ready to give back to you to turn into our famous Circle 6 soup.
Every other month we are able to deliver gallons of soup to those in need of a good meal. Consider joining in this parish tradition and you to will earn the distinction of becoming a Super Souper!
| Barley |
Black Eyed Peas |
California Small White Bean |
| Cannelloni Beans |
Chili Beans |
Green Split Peas |
| Red Kidney Beans |
Lentils |
Large White Limas |
| Baby Limas |
Pinto Beans |
Lg White (Northern) Beans |
. is planning a production of two one act plays: by and , a premiere, by Nate Green will be directing the performances which will be presented here at Ascension on two weekends this . Ticket information and times will be announced in the next issue.
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At least, for a little while . . . but, fortunately, long enough to give us another "Master Class" in what great jazz sounds like . . . was a longtime member of Ascension (and our choir) until moving to Florida two years ago. For those of you who've been here for a while; you know what a treat is in store when "LJ" and her ensemble perform and, for anyone who hasn't been here in the past . . . you this evening of soulful, sensuous, stirring, sensational music when LauraJeanne steps up to the microphone for another of her legendary "Jazz Cabarets"!!
Tickets are: (includes light refreshments) and, , LJ donates all the remaining proceeds to Ascension (what a "class act"). Hope we'll have another rousing turn out to welcome her home!
By now, you've undoubtedly read the letter you received from Messrs. Telecki and Weisenreder regarding our taking place on And, surely, you have already lined up to purchase a bushel...uh....scores.uh.....dozens of tickets?.. No! ...Well what are you waiting for ? Carpe Diem! Seize the day (and perhaps the winning ticket) and contact either George or Mark to buy a chance.
The evening is great fun !! ....There will be wine and cheese and entertainment by our Choir. You'll be contributing to two very worthy causes and. who knows...maybe you'll become a "thousandaire".
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By Mark Weisenreder, Churchwarden
Many parishioners are unaware that The Church of The Ascension possesses a set of chimes. Unfortunately, they are not used as the electrical wiring to the chimes and the striking-mechanisms within are so old and brittle that they represent a fire hazard. Additionally, the chimes are almost inaudible because they are housed in the crawl-space behind the high altar and the sound is impeded by a solid plaster wall.
Fortunately, the late William Schwender provided both an inter-vivos gift and a bequest in his Last Will and Testament to fund the relocation and restoration of the chimes. In mid-Summer, The Church of The Ascension signed a contract with Foley-Baker, Inc. of Port Jefferson Station, New York, to move the chimes to the corner of the north ambulatory, cover same with decorative cabinetry to prevent curious little fingers from striking the shiny tubes, incorporate digital striking-mechanisms and install a volume control button on the organ console. This project will provide much needed color to our musical offerings - think "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve. Also, the tacky school fire bell manually struck with a mallet by the organist at the Consecration will be abandoned in favor of the sounding of the chimes.
At the time of dedication of the restored chimes, a plaque in memory of William and Mary Ellen Schwender will be affixed to the chime cabinet as a thank offering for their lives and for this generous gift.
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By Ken Dyer, Organist and Choirmaster
As the summer comes to a close the Ascension choir is looking forward to an exciting beginning to the new choir year. We will immediately begin practicing the very challenging music that Fr. Tom has chosen for his installation service on September 27th. We are going to have a guest organist to share my burden at the bench that day, and when he is playing I will be directing the choir. The music for that service includes pieces by Brahms, Parry and Bach as well as a spiritual. We will also be using the mass setting that I composed two years ago and it will include a "Gloria" setting which I am currently composing for that special day.
In addition to the service that day we will be treated to an organ recital the night before by our guest organist John Russell. Other musical highlights for this fall include: the entertainment for the 50/50 drawing, an evensong in honor of Christ the King at the end of November, and our choir has been given the honor of singing at the diocesan convention's Saturday morning Eucharist in Melville on November 15th .
I am also looking forward to hiring a paid alto section leader this fall since the Rector and Vestry have generously approved this new position. Our first choir rehearsal will be on Thursday Sept. 4 at 8PM in the parish hall, and our first Sunday will be on Sept. 7th. See you then!
During one of my regular visits to at the Rockville Center Rehab Center, she presented me with five small plastic bags filled with nickels which she had won at Bingo. She wanted me to give them to the church for some sort of ministry. We talked about it and decided that we would start a fund to raise money for the long talked about but never achieved goal of making the church wheelchair accessible. You all may have seen a large plastic jar, poised on the piano in the parish hall.
We are encouraging donations of any amount for this project. We have already collected over . We quite honestly do not know how much this project will cost or what it actually will entail, but we hope that this project will raise awareness of the problem and spur us on to working on a solution. Keep the project in your prayers and empty your pockets.
The Rector
Now that our Fall schedule is back in full swing, we hope that you will, once again, make it your habit to bring in weekly contributions for the Food Basket . The Long Island Council of Churches relies on donations to help feed those in need. Please bring non-perishable goods and deposit them in the basket by the steps leading to the Parish Hall.
Thank you for your wonderful support !
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