Please check the following websites for regular updates on information related to the COVID 19 pandemic:

• ascensionnl.ca
• anglicanenl.net (You will find the most recent weekly letter from our Bishop under our Bishop’s Writings)
• anglicanenl.net/home/covid19/
• mountpearl.ca
• who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/

• On-Line Church Service: This Sunday at 11 a.m., the Parishes of St. Michael and All Angels, St. Mary the Virgin, the Good Shepherd, and the Ascension are hosting Family Service/WWB. Come and join us at thetransmission.ca. You do not need to be on Facebook to view the live service.
• Resurrection Reminders: We are all seeing the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected individuals, families, communities, our country, and indeed the whole world. The social justice question is now a worldwide issue and it will take us to a higher level of respect for humanity. What more can we do as Church of the Ascension and individual parishioners to give hope and caring to the most vulnerable in our Society and our own way contribute to the social justice question? Our priests are doing their part but we as parishioners are not doing enough. We must share the love and compassion that most of us are capable of but most of the time our energies are directed on other matters. I constantly ask myself what can I do more than what I’m doing for the public good and enrich other people’s lives? I look forward to attending church every Sunday and being part of the choir. I pay more attention these days to the messages from scripture. We hear what a Christian should be doing every day of the week to fulfill spiritual values but are we really listening? We, the people of this province, have demonstrated over centuries that we are a caring and sharing people but we have allowed our core values to be submerged under 21st century individualistic pursuits with less concern for social order and working together. We need to speak out and be seen doing what we hear from our spiritual leaders of the Anglican community. Watching the COVID-19 virus spread throughout the world with a little sense of borders has brought to life the reality that we all share one common planet. I agree with the English writer and Philosopher who said, “there’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that is your own self.” (Gordon Slade)
• Greetings from the Lay Ministers’ Association: A very Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and granddads. Like many groups in our Parish, the activities of our Lay Ministers have been significantly impacted by the international pandemic that has shaped our lives in 2020. Our Worship Services saw swift changes in March that quickly took us from a well-planned and busy opening of the Lenten Season to a complete cessation of group engagement requiring physical distancing that effectively shut down our Lay Minister activities. We are so thankful to the leadership provided by the four Parishes of western St. John’s and Mount Pearl that continue to enhance our lives with online Worship Services. Many of our Lay Ministers have participated in the online Services during the spring and still many more will be participating over the coming summer months. We look forward to the day when we can all gather and share in the Eucharist again, always remembering John 6:35: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
• New Website and E-mail addresses for Church of the Ascension: The Ascension website was launched on Sunday, May 3. There are certain parts of the website that are under review/construction due to limited resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. We can now be found at www.ascensionnl.ca. Please visit us at this address for up-to-date information on church activities. Information regarding on-line services is available through the calendar on the new website. Here is a list of new e-mail addresses and helpful links you may find useful:
  • Reverend David Burrows - [email protected]
  • Reverend Lynn Courage - [email protected]
  • Ina Kearley - [email protected]
  • Office Administrator - [email protected]
  • Church Website - ascensionnl.ca
  • Link to view on-line services - thetransmission.ca
  • YouTube Channel - Parish of the Ascension NL
• Ministry Resources for Children: Included at the end of the Chimes are a number of colouring pages for children to help celebrate Father’s Day. Please feel free to print and encourage your children to colour them as a gift for dad on his special day. Each week we will celebrate a new topic and we will provide appropriate materials for the children.
• Historic Pictures of the Church: As many of you know, recently the Church of the Ascension has launched a new website. During the last month or so, a small group has been getting to together on-line to discuss the history of the Parish. We have reached a point where we have assembled considerable text on a number of issues but we do not have very much in the way of photographs. We would like as many of you as possible to dig deeply into your personal photo collections and search out pictures that you feel could add to the history of the Parish. You can forward electronic ones by email. Actual prints can be dropped off for scanning and we will return them to you unharmed. Please submit them to the Church Office over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, you may see some of them on our website down the road.
• Thursdays in Black: Many factors of isolation, inability to work, and challenges of mental health are apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this time, we lament acts of violence against women in the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick recently, and the violence that has occurred even in the city of Mount Pearl. The Anglican Church of Canada supports the initiative of the World Council of Churches Thursdays in Black, which advocates for the ending of rape and gender based violence. To this end, every Thursday, the Parish of the Ascension will host a zoom hour with the Rector, and there will be an offering of prayer, the lighting of a candle, and the opportunity for education from local resources from the St. John’s Status of Women Centre. Here is the link to attend the zoom meeting: us02web.zoom.us/j/85448642529?pwd=WjhveDRRMjZxQWp2bWhBODRCVnZXUT09. This past Thursday we had Canon Noreen Duncan as our guest. Check each Thursday as we hear from guests from across the country, around the world, and close to home. At this time, and at all times, gender-based violence and rape is unacceptable. As followers of Jesus, we believe in respecting the dignity of every human being, and advocating for justice, peace, and reconciliation. This will be streamed live to the Parish of the Ascension Facebook page
  oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/FaithGenderCovid19Statement_April2020.pdf.
• Memorial Service 2020: Our Memorial Services scheduled for July at Kenmount Road and Forest Road cemeteries have been canceled. Under present provincial COVID-19 policies, mass gatherings are not permitted. Instead, an online Memorial Service will take place on Sunday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Anglican Cathedral. The service will be conducted by Reverend Robert Cooke, Rector of St. Mark's; Reverend David Burrows, Rector of the Church of the Ascension; and Archdeacon Roger Whalen, Rector of the Cathedral. Our Bishop, the Rt. Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Peddle, will give the sermon and the blessing. The Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador Facebook Page will Live Stream the service. The link to this service is: facebook.com/AnglicanEastNL. We hope that this commemorative service will provide comfort for families and friends in honor of their loved ones that are interred in our cemeteries and for those who were unable to pay their respects
  at a funeral home or at the gravesite during the January 17- 25 local state of emergency and during the present COVID-19 Pandemic. Floral tributes may be placed in our cemeteries at your convenience.
• Outreach: This is a time for our faith community to come together to uplift each other. Please don’t forget to regularly check on your family, friends and neighbors. If you are in need of pastoral contact, or if you know of anyone who is struggling at this stressful time, please let one of the clergy know.
• Food First NL: Food First NL works with communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to ensure everyone has access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food. Please visit their website at foodfirstnl.ca/covid19 to find updates to NL Community Food Programs.
• Mount Pearl Foodbanks: Want to join us in making a difference? The Ministerial of Mount Pearl is raising money to benefit Foodbanks in Mount Pearl during the COVID-19 Pandemic. From April 1 to June 30, 2020, The Parish of the Ascension will be receiving money on behalf of all the congregations in Mount Pearl, for distribution to the three Mount Pearl Foodbanks. All donations will help make an impact. The City of Mount Pearl will match funds up to the first $5000. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to the clergy and people of the Ministerial of Mount Pearl! If you would like to help, please log in to gofundme.com and search Parish of the Ascension. Follow the prompts to make a donation. Thanks very much. Clergy Contact During the COVID 19 Pandemic: During the outbreak of COVID-19, the clergy will be reaching out to all parishioners. They will do their best to contact everyone, however our parish list may need to be updated. If you have not received a call or an e-mail since the closure of the church building, please e-mail your updated contact information to [email protected]. In the event that you do not have e-mail available, please call the parish office and leave a message.

Today I find myself breathing a little deeper and moving a little slower in my being. It is as if the accumulation of the experiences of this year has finally caused me to stop, to falter, to pause. Somewhere, in the past twenty-four hours, the pulse of my being has changed. I am not sure about you, or others, but I recognize that experiences of a harsh winter, work and life commitments, anxiety, and concern for self, family, friends, society, and world have engulfed me in powerful ways this year. In all this, I am aware and deeply appreciative of the persons that join me regularly in my journey, the anchors that hold me upon a path of care, of justice, and of dignity for others and for the world.

In this slow-moving, deep breathing reality, I read the words of Scripture this week, from Matthew:

‘Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.’ Matthew 10:29 – 31

This passage highlights Jesus speaking about his relationship with Father, the Holy One. It is a passage that shares the reality of hardship, concern, and fear, while underlining the reality of care, dignity, and worth.

I am reminded in the media, and in prayer, it seems daily, of the challenges of living life. In so many circumstances I read and see hardship, fear, injustice, and lack of dignity offered to human beings, and indeed to all creation. In so many more circumstances, I read and see of acts of justice, peacemaking, advocacy, and care, such that balances of power, struggles of justice, and acts of dignity are slowly being made right. Truth is being offered, however painful it may be, and life and routines are not proceeding in familiar patterns because injustice, evil, and oppression is being named, identified, and combatted.

#ThursdaysinBlack #BlacklivesMatter #MMIWG and so many other hashtags are being offered so that I can breathe more deeply and move more slowly in my actions, thoughts, and living. I am forced to examine and re-examine my place in the world, in society, in culture, community, and family, and see if I bring humility, justice, care, and love, or if I carry racism, oppression, privilege, and hate. I know sparrows and hairs are not as valuable as my presence to the Holy One; Do I believe and understand and live the reality that the life, the name, the being of other humans is just as valuable? Their hairs are my hairs; their breath is my breath. Their life is my life.

This weekend is Father’s Day weekend. I remember my role as father, and the presence of many fathers in my life. This weekend is the observance of Indigenous Peoples. This weekend is a reminder for me and for others of the value and blessing of each one’s name, being, presence, and value in all of creation. I was
reminded of that on Thursday, as I observed #ThursdaysinBlack with my friend Noreen Duncan

I am reminded of that in the words from Matthew we are all valued; The National Bishops of the Anglican and Lutheran Canadian Church sum up this value quite profoundly:

A call to face our fears, whatever they may be;
A call to honour the dignity of each one and the value of every one;
A call to notice birds and nature with open hearts for the Creator’s wisdom;
The assurance that God is with us in all that we face.

As I breathe deeply and move slowly,
may I honour, value, and include all whom I encounter.
May I face pain and injustice and address it.
May I live gently within Creation,
believing and knowing the Creator within and all around me.

Peace,

• Donations to Ministry: If you are interested in continuing to donate to the parish ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are a variety of ways for you to do so.
  • Church Envelopes: You may still use your envelopes during this time. You may drop them in the mailbox at the main entrance of the church or you can put your givings in the mail.
  • Pre-authorized Givings: You can have your givings automatically deducted on a schedule that works for you. If you are interested in setting up pre-authorized givings, please contact the church office at 368-5693.
  • Canada Helps: You can sign up to make donations to Canada Helps through our parish website.
  • Food Bank Donations: The need for food donations is still great. If you are able to donate to the food bank, we ask that you drop your donation directly to St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank at either St. Peter’s Parish Hall on Ashford Drive or Mary Queen of the World on Topsail Road. All donations are gratefully appreciated.

For fathers everywhere, who have given us life and love, that we may show them respect and love.
Holy God, hear this prayer for our fathers.

For fathers who have lost a child through death, that their faith may give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them.
Holy God, hear this prayer for our fathers that mourn.

For men, though without children of their own, acted like a father and have nurtured and cared for us.
Holy God, hear this prayer for our father figures.

For step-fathers who have assumed that role with love and joy, who have loved the children of another as their own, and created a new family.
Holy God, hear this prayer for step-fathers.

For adoptive fathers, who have claimed the child as a precious gift from God.
Holy God, hear this prayer for adoptive fathers.

For fathers who have been unable to be a source of strength, who have not responded to the needs of their children, and have not sustained their families.
Holy God, have mercy on absentee fathers.

For fathers who struggle with temptation, violence, or addiction, for those who do harm, and for those whom they have harmed.
Holy God, have mercy on fathers that struggle.

For new fathers, full of hope. For long-time fathers, full of wisdom. For the fathers yet to be, and fathers soon to be.
Holy God, hear our prayer for the fathers of your Church.

For those that have shaped our lives without claim of family or kinship. For those who have taught us, guided us, shaped us, and molded us into servants of Christ our Lord.
Holy God, hear our prayer for the fathers of our faith.

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things.
Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth.
Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect. Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Andrea, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Breandon, Carl, Charlie, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, Claude, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Edith, Elaine, Elizabeth, Erin, Esther, Finnley, Frederick, Flo, George, Georgina, Gerry, Gilbert, Gordon, Harry, Herb, Ike, Ina, Jack, Jason, Jenny, John, Josephine, Junior, Kevin, Kim, Laura, Leo, Leonie, Lori, Madeline, Marina, Marion, Maurice, Maxine, Maxwell, Melissa, Melvin, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Scott, Sean, Stan, Stephen, Tina, Todd, Valerie, Verna, Wayne and Woodrow.

Collect

Creator God,
from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name.
You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love,
and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love,
and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness.
Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership,
may be strengthened and guided to help one another
to grow into the full stature of Christ,
who is our light and our life. AMEN

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah

To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God’? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:25-31

Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

Psalm

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. R One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another. R
Althought they have no words or language and their voices are not heard, R
Their sound has gone out into all lands,
and their message to the ends of the world. R
In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun,
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course. R
It goes forth from the uttermost edge of heavens
and runs about to the end of it again;
nothing is hidden from it burning heat. R
The law of the Lord is perfect, and revives the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. R
The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, and gives light to the eyes. R
The fear of the Lord is clean, and endures for ever; the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. R
More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold; sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. R
By them also is your servant enlightened
And in keeping them there is great reward. R
Who can tell how often he offends?
Cleanse me from my secret faults. R
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me;
then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of great offense. R
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. R

Psalm 19

A Reading from the Book of Philippians

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

Reader: The Gospel of Christ
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

Reader: The Lord be with you
People: And also with you

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, ‘This was he of whom I said, “He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.” ’) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:1-18

Reader: The Gospel of Christ
People: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

Prayer over the Gifts

Creator,
You bless us with many good gifts
Returned to you
From your creation.
Feed Us with the Bread of Life,
Your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Prayer after Communion

Great Creator,
You have fed us
with bread from heaven.
Continue to renew us in your truth,
to give light to our minds
strength to our bodies,
and seal us with your Holy Spirit.
We ask this in Christ’s name. AMEN

Fathers and Mothers Sisters and Brothers
(Tune: Morning Has Broken)

Fathers and mothers, Sisters and brothers.
All those who love us, for whom we care;
Help and befriend them, keep and defend them
Jesus our Saviour this is our prayer.
And for those others Fathers and mothers,
Children who hunger, they must be fed.
We would be caring, readily sharing;
One with another our daily bread.
Sisters and brothers Fathers and Mothers,
We who together offer our praise.
Hear our thanksgiving God ever living,
May we walk with You All of our days.

Thank You Lord for This Fine Day

Thank You Lord for this fine day
Thank You Lord for this fine day
Thank You Lord for this fine day
Right where we are
Thank You Lord for loving us
Thank You Lord for loving us
Thank You Lord for loving us
Right where we are
Thank You Lord for giving us peace
Thank You Lord for giving us peace
Thank You Lord for giving us peace
Right where we are
Thank You Lord for setting us free
Thank You Lord for setting us free
Thank You Lord for setting us free
Right where we are
Alleluia praise the Lord
Alleluia praise the Lord
Alleluia praise the Lord
Right where we are

Come In, Come In and Sit Down

Refrain: Come in, come in and sit down,
You are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
And we are a part of the family.

You know the reason why you came,
Yet no reason can explain;
So share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
For we are a part of the family.
Refrain

God is with us in this place,
Like a mother’s warm embrace.
We’re all forgiven by God’s grace,
For we are a part of the family.
Refrain

There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine;
We are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God’s temple; it’s not yours or mine,
For we are a part of the family.
Refrain

There’s rest for the weary and health for us all,
There’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
For we are a part of the family.
Refrain

Keep On the Sunny Side of Life

There's a dark and a troubled side of life
There's a bright and a sunny side too
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view. R

Refrain: Keep on the sunny side
Always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us every day
It will brighten all the way
If we keep on the sunny side of life

Tho' the storm in its fury breaks today
Crushing hopes that we cherished so dear
Storm and cloud will in time pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear. R

Let us greet with a song of hope each day
Tho' the moments be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Saviour always
Who keepeth every one in His care. R

Father God in Heaven
(Tune: Kumbaya)

Father God in heaven
Lord most high,
Hear Your children's prayer,
Lord most high,
Hallowed be Your name,
Lord most high,
O Lord hear our prayer.

May your kingdom come,
Here on earth,
May your will be done
Here on earth,
As it is in heaven
So on earth,
O Lord hear our prayer.

Give us daily bread,
Day by day,
And forgive our sins,
Day by day,
As we too forgive,
Day by day,
O Lord hear our prayer.

Lead us in your way,
Make us strong,
When temptations come,
Make us strong,
Save us from all sin,
Keep us strong,
O Lord hear our prayer.

All things come from you,
All are Yours.
Kingdom glory power,
All are Yours.
Take our lives and gifts,
All are Yours.
O Lord hear our prayer.