October 2014.pub - Church of the Ascension

C
ommunity Groups at Ascension are one of the
primary ways we encourage ongoing spiritual and
relational growth in the lives of people at Ascension.
Composed of six to twenty people, groups are led by
trained lay-leaders from the congregation who receive
continued oversight and support from pastoral staff.
Groups generally meet two to four times a month for
Bible study, fellowship, prayer, and mission. Groups
typically participate in monthly or quarterly service projects or outreach events, in place of a regular meeting. Groups may also occasionally share a meal together. These groups
provide a sanctuary and facilitate the formation of new friendships. Community groups are places where we can be revitalized and strengthened as we seek to reflect the love of Jesus Christ. Our hope is that everyone who attends our church
will be involved in a Community Group.
Presently we have 13 groups that meet in various parts of the city. A listing of our groups is below. If you would like to
sign up for a Community Group, please contact the group leader directly. Or contact David Trautman at 412-621-4361,
ext. 223 or email david.trautman@ascensionpittsburgh.org. He would love to speak with you!
Community Groups at Ascension:
Morningside Group
Chris Massa
Mondays
chris.massa@gmail.com
Oakland Group
Barb Franzen
Sundays
b.neznarf@verizon.net
East End Group
Daniel Conlon
Mondays
daniel.conlon@gmail.com
North Hills Group
Noel Jabbour
Sundays
noeljabbour@gmail.com
Aspinwall Group
Steve Paff
Mondays
stevepaff1@gmail.com
Fox Chapel Group
Jonathan Millard
Thursdays
jonathan.millard@ascensionpittsburgh.org
Men’s Group
Jay Gilmer
Saturdays
jaygilmer@verizon.net
Mt. Washington Group
Alan Komm
TBD
alkomm@comcast.net
South Hills Group
David Trautman
Sundays
david.trautman@ascensionpittsburgh.org
North Side Group
Greg Pfeifer
TBD
gapfeifer@gmail.com
Regent Sq. Women’s Group
Melita Carter
Mondays
cartermpo@gmail.com
Eastern Suburbs Group
Andy Kohn
Sundays
rhosymedre@verizon.net
Marriage Group
Ron & Judy Yadrick
Saturdays
yadrick.judy@gmail.com or
ron.yadrick@gmail.com
Page 2
Family
News
Library
Occasionally a member of Ascension
recommends a book title for you to read.
We have at least one copy in the Ascension
library. Our Sr. Warden, Brian Wortham,
writes this month’s article on the book
‘Don’t Waste your Life’ by John Piper.
October Birthdays
1. John Block, Rick Budzowski
Aggie Paff, Sarah Walsh
2. Emily Potts
3. Jacob Lewis
6. Cheryl Ritts, Jeff Sivek
Tyler Marwood
7. Molar Buuch
8. Gail Kusbit, David Nehilla
9. Joe Carcillo, Stephen Paff
10. Joan Bader, Keith Kusbit
Jennifer Crosby
11. Joel Scandrett
12. Donna Wilkes, Ella Regan
13. Worth Helms
14. Becky Kennedy, Rachel Bernardi
15. Dave Spera, Elliot Miller
16. Nara Duncan, Marcia Walsh
Rachel Campbell
18. John Bailey, Erin Bindewald
Michael Watters, Sammie Walker
19. George Perth
20. Paul Fink, Chris Kissell
Dan Winne
21. Lucie Scandrett
22. Karen Scandrett
23. Barrie Gibbs, Patrick Regan
Ruth Hartling, Daniel Mack
24. Wendy Scott, Anna Fuener
25. Debora Wortham
26. Sean Regan, Anneke Harger
27. Zoë Capcara
28. Chris Wilson, Zack Wallover
29. Agnes Green, Stacey Regan
Kevin Cox
30. Barbara DeFusco, Elizabeth Cook
31. Yuki Ito
Each week at the end of our liturgy we
pray for God “to send us out to do the
work He has given us to do, to love and
serve Him as faithful witnesses of Christ
our Lord.” I confess that sometimes when
we pray this I have mentally moved on to
the next agenda item in the day rather than
praying this from the heart.
Lately however – and I could blame it on a wide variety of external things –
the question of what would God have me be doing has been bouncing
around my soul more often than feels comfortable. For me, that is usually a
clear sign that God is trying to remind me of who He is and His desired role
in my life.
While purchasing some books for my daughter, I came across John Piper’s
Don’t Waste Your Life. I had heard of the author and the title seemed to resonate with the question of “What would God have me do”.
Piper says, “God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display
God’s supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the
life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan
and work not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of
our lives.” Rather than focusing on making a new plan for life, Piper challenges the reader to reframe the question in light of the cross of Christ – the
“Blazing Center of the Glory of God.”
A deeper focus on what God has accomplished through the cross must lead
to a response. The use of our time, talents, financial resources as well as our
plans and strivings for security and stability in life all must undergo a
change.
October Anniversaries
Not one for easy answers, Piper spends time discussing how the believer
can live out this calling as a “goer” into missions or a “sender” providing
the resources to spread the Gospel message. Independent of the vocational
calling of each one, we should be living to make our faith credible to all
those around us in our families and work.
4. Tim and Steph Raufer
5. Phil and Denise Cox
9. Jack and Paula Wasko
Eric and Jen Newhouse
10. Shawn and Anna Scannell
14. Jim and Christina Wilson
17. Jonathan and Paula Sewall
18. Brandon and Bonnie Walker
19. Mary Louise and George Russell
24. John and Susan Bailey
29. Scott and Aunda Watters
30. Jim and Tiziana Rankin
Although it contains no easy
answers that might allow me
to develop a business plan for
following Jesus, the book was
a great reminder of keeping
the cross of Christ front and
center in my life. I agree with
Piper that “God seldom calls
us to an easier life, but always
calls us to know more of Him
and drink more deeply of his
sustaining grace.”
Page 3
Church of the Ascension began a year-long
celebration of 125 years on June 1, 2014. As a
way to mark this anniversary, Ascent articles
featuring several of our long-term members were
promised. Thank you to Diane Stadelmeier who
interviewed Mr. Alan Komm.
Alan Komm has lived 104% of his life connected
to Ascension. As a young girl, his mother found
life as an English immigrant in Pittsburgh to be
storm-tossed. When she walked into Ascension in
the 1950s, it was “home” to her. Alan's clear
understanding of the “pre-natal blessing” he
experienced as his parents made Ascension their church home reveals the
depth of his appreciation of God's goodness.
You may know Alan as a member of vestry, as Senior Warden or as an usher.
You may be aware of his oversight of the construction of the education wing.
And many know Alan’s ministry during altar prayer - God often speaks to him
in a picture. You may have been part of his small group which began in 1982.
In 1968, Alan, newly married and with a Bachelor of Science from Lehigh
University and a MBA from Pitt, was asked to be “a voice of the younger
generation” to the vestry. During these years the neighborhoods around
Ascension changed and church attendance fell to below 100 people. It is worth
noting that 50 years earlier, over 1,800 people attended Ascension on Easter
Sunday.
Bill Bradbury, the rector at that time, was a faithful, Christ-centered man.
The congregation was motivated but their efforts were not yielding fruit.
They knew they needed a move of God. Through Holy Spirit weekends and
help from John Guest, the leadership began to change. Bill Bradbury’s passing
4 years into God’s renewal among them challenged the congregation’s understanding. A careful search began for the next rector. The new rector fearlessly
challenged the leadership in their commitment to Christ, and there was great
blessing. A curious side note is that along with all the spiritual gifts that the
congregation was experiencing, the gift of the arts began to show itself at
Ascension at this time.
Alan’s story is not, as he puts it, “a Damascus Road experience.” Yet, during
these years, he experienced a deepening in his relationship with the Lord. He
began to read his Bible as never before. He recognized the presence of the
God among them. As the stormy renewal continued Alan clearly realized that
it was not the fragile weak vessels that were accomplishing this work but the
Holy Spirit of God.
This became more evident as Alan and his wife Martha went to an a LeAnn
Payne Conference held at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh in Wilkinsburg. He
recalls how LeAnn taught - in her skirted suit as if presiding over a board
meeting. When finished she brought out a check list and beginning with “we
will now ask for the healing of those who were unwanted” she began to pray.
Immediately, Alan realized by the activity and sounds in the room that the
Spirit fell with mercy to heal and
continue healing until LeAnn’s check
list was completed. This was not
man, but God. Alan is convinced that
one of God’s gifts to His children is
“the healing of memories.”
Alan learned to rest through this time
of deep blessing and deep turmoil in
light of the truth that “The Lord has a
better plan.” Even with the loss of his
wife Martha a decade ago, Alan held
onto this truth. Today Alan and his
wife Linda, whom he married in
2007, walk in peace through their
days. He recalls a line of a hymn that
he feels describes where he is now:
“Sometimes it feels like we’re standing on tip toes...” which suggests
[to this writer] one standing on tip
toe, peeking ahead, as on Christmas
to see the good, amazing gifts of our
Father, expected with full trust.
A Glimpse into
Ascension’s History
Dr. Bradbury was the Rector at
Ascension from 1964 to 1980.
He was influential in starting
“Cottage Meetings” in the homes
of members, a forerunner of the
present day “Community Groups.”
He also influenced an outreach to
younger age groups. Neighborhoods around the church were
changing and church attendance
fell. It was during this time that
Alan Komm was asked to be the
voice of a younger generation
while serving on the vestry. A plan
was approved by the vestry to hire
someone to increase the church
membership among younger
people.
Page 4
Ethiopia Church Project
In thanksgiving for 125 years of God’s blessings, the Ascension Mission Committee has
set a goal of raising $15,000 for the building of five new churches in the Gambela region
of Ethiopia. This project is being carried out in partnership with and in support of the
ministry of Ascension missionaries, Dr. Wendy and Bishop Grant LeMarquand. As
many of you may recall from previous Ascent articles, whole people groups come to
Christ in this region of Africa. Further, as refugees pour into the area from Sudan there is
a desperate need for church buildings. Many congregations are now meeting in the open
with summer temperatures well over 100 degrees daily.
In June a Garden Party was hosted for Grant and Wendy when they visited
Ascension. $1500 was raised at that event. During the months of September and October the Missions Committee asks that you pray about a special gift to this effort to bless
our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia. All Saints Sunday on November 2nd will be designated as the Sunday to collect these offerings. Of course, gifts may be given at any time.
Checks should be written to Church of the Ascension with Ethiopia Church Project in
the memo line.
Here are a few ideas to provide extra income or to set aside any unexpected provisions
for the project:
• Give money from savings from coupons and rebates.
• Give up coffee shop coffees or take out pizzas = donate the money saved.
• Hold a garage sale and give the proceeds.
• Bike to work and donate the gas and parking money.
• Set aside change each day for two months and donate the amount.
These are just a few ideas. Creative Ascensionites will come up with many more…
especially if they involve any children in the household!
Are you interested in Missions - either short term or long term? The Church of
Ascension Missions Committee is a great resource to learn more about Missions in the
community and abroad. Please contact Conn Thieman or Marilyn Chislaghi if you
would like to learn more.
Grant and Wendy LeMarquand
Page 5
Update from Jewel Anita Hendrix
Jewel Anita Hendrix is an Ascension missionary, supported through the Ascension
mission budget. We are pleased that she will be with us for the parish retreat and for
much of the month of October. There will be an opportunity to hear from her after the
11am service on Sunday, October 12th. Jewel was asked to ‘introduce herself’ to
those at Ascension who are new and may not know her. Here’s a bit about her journey
and the call of God on her life in her own words…
God is a wonderful author of each of our lives. As I live out the new chapter that He
is writing in my life, I’m fascinated by how he weaves everything together. How did
I end up in New Zealand, raising up new missionaries, praying in a prayer room, and
training internationally on transformational development, with a wonderful home
church in Pittsburgh?
In 1983, I was having trouble finding a church home in Pittsburgh while at Chatham
College and someone said, “Go to Ascension – they’re a praying church – you’ll like
that.” I did and I did!
Then in 1987 God sent me to Guatemala to teach at a school for missionary children.
It took me three years to realize I was a missionary. Next chapter, God leads me into
ministry with those in poverty. I end up working with Food for the Hungry
(Guatemala), wholistically addressing spiritual and physical poverty together.
Turn the page, and Food for the Hungry asks me to train staff in Latin America,
Africa and Asia. So for the next six years, I went to the most poverty – stricken areas
in the countries we worked in and talked to staff about God’s original designs for
people and creation, practical health, hygiene and education, and how reconciling
relationships leads to the transformation that God desires for each family and
community, putting them on a path towards a life in the kingdom of God and out of
poverty (no – not a prosperity gospel – just transformational development).
In year seven with Food for the Hungry, I was blessed with a sabbatical and enjoyed
the presence of God as I asked him what the next step was. He set me
on a path to combine not only evangelism, discipleship and
community development, but to also include my gift
of intercessory prayer. So missions, justice and
prayer became the three strands for the chapter
I’m in today.
What does that look like? I’m living in
New Zealand as part of the Youth with
a Mission, raising up missionaries who
can combine these three. We partner
with Tauranga House of Prayer
where I spend significant time in
prayer, part of which is interceding
for the work of Reconciled World.
This agency is a spinoff of Food for
the Hungry and has programs focused
on working with the vulnerable
through partnering with local
churches to promote transformation in a variety of creative
ways.
I can’t wait to come home to
Ascension for a few weeks and
seeing what God is writing in
your own stories!
Page 6
I hope these words give you a
glimpse into what’s happening at
St. Thomas. As always, I miss you
and think of you fondly.
As I write we’ve had four regular
services. 110-120 people attended
our Grand Opening. Since then,
the NFL season and reality have
set in. Our average attendance has
settled in at 40 for now. I think the
preaching of the Sermon on the
Mount at the Grand Opening
chased some away (no joke).
Some Christians from other
churches came as a one-time
gesture to support us. I hope other
guests moved on to other churches.
531 S. College Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
(Building of
First Presbyterian Church)
Sunday Worship: 5:30pm,
followed by dinner
www: saintt.org
josh@SaintT.org
970-222-7598
We have a 5:30pm service with
dinner afterward. Following the
sermon we invite people to text in
questions and take 5 minutes for Q&A. Some weeks there are deep, searching questions and other weeks not so much. More and more people from the church and the
community have started coming to me to talk about life and pray. Things are going
well but I think growth may be slow.
I live in a high-rise apartment building. Many of my neighbors are coming to
St. Thomas. Other neighbors have begun to open up to me about their spiritual lives
as we ride the elevator together.
Here are some things that amaze me:
• the number of people whose lives could be turned into movies when you get to
know them (hint: everyone);
• Christians who join our community, disappear, and don’t return my calls
• how much time it takes to run St. Thomas – I often feel I am letting someone
down – parishioners or supporters by not being in touch more
• how scary and encouraging it can be to live by faith
• your love for Jesus and your love for me.
Josh Miller was the
previous Associate Rector
of Church of the Ascension
from 2008 to 2013.
Josh moved from Ascension
to Fort Collins, Colorado
to plant St. Thomas Church.
Josh is supported by many
people who worship at
Ascension as well as through
Ascension’s Memorial Fund.
Here are things I really enjoy these days: sleep, taking a day off each week, meeting
generous pastors, meeting people who follow Jesus, and hearing your voice.
Now that Sarah Laribee has begun a new adventure it’s exciting to think how, both
recently and over many years, incarnated love has gone out from Ascension to farflung places. It can be tempting to think that the people who leave are the only ones
having adventures of faith as they follow Jesus. But I know you’re having adventures
too as you follow Him. I miss hearing about them and am always eager to hear about
your latest adventures: 970-222-7598.
Gratefully and with love, Josh.
Pub Club:
A Hoppier Community
Is there any place in the world that better says
“friendship, love and community” than a crowded pub?
“…Church? ” Well … but Church doesn’t have beer!
And that’s one of the reasons why three years ago, Josh Miller and
Ascension started Pub Club, a monthly social scene for 20-30-year-olds
to talk about faith-related issues in a casual, non-church setting.
The formula: gather at a pub, hear an awesome speaker, meet people. It’s a
proven and now perfected science.
Actually, we didn’t invent it. They’ve known for centuries that drinking beer
after work and talking with people your age greatly improves morale, and often
leads to increased “community.”
In September Pub Club met for the first time this fall and the speaker was Jasmine Tate, singer/songwriter. Jasmine spoke about her experience learning how
to love people in the workplace, specifically focusing on her work in the music
industry. During the past year we have had a number of tremendous speakers,
including the President of the Pirates, and Bob Goff. No biggie.
Next Pub Club is October 14th at 7:30 at James Street Gastropub
Bring a friend. Whatever your religious beliefs are (if any) we hope you’ll feel
comfortable being yourself and asking the questions that are on your mind
Conversation starters ...
• How do I determine God’s plan
for my early career?
• What does it look like to love
people in the workplace?
• Are beer and conversation God’s
gifts to humanity and proof that
he wants us to be happy?
Contact Peter Dausman for more information at pldausman@gmail.com.
Children’s Ministry
5 th Sunday Worship
The next Sunday is November 30
Kickoff Sunday (August 31) was the first of four “5 th Sunday Worship”
services! All generations came together to worship while sharing their gifts in
various areas of ministry throughout the services.
Mission Initiative: Operation Christmas Child
We are collecting shoeboxes along with gift items to fill them.
These will be packed and distributed to children around the
world, who otherwise would not receive a Christmas gift.
Please drop off gift items in the Children’s Ministry
office (Room 105 in the Children’s Wing).
The collection begins now with the
goal of having the children assemble
the boxes SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9th.
This happens so early before Christmas to
allow plenty of time for the boxes to reach the
children by the Christmas Holiday.
Donations items:
shoe boxes
small toys
coloring books
crayons
small stuffed animals
toothbrushes
socks, etc.
Bits and pieces
Mural Orders
As we worship together on Sundays our gaze is
directed toward the majestic mural of Jesus’ Ascension. Unframed prints of the mural will be for sale as
part of our 125 th celebration. Prints approximately 12”
by 16” will be sold at $125/each and all proceeds given
to fund mission projects. If you would like one, send a
check with “Ascension Mural” on the memo line to the
attention of Marilyn Chislaghi in the church office.
College Bible Study and Fellowship
Sunday evenings at 8pm
Join us as we study and we seek to live out today the words and letters written
long ago. Our time together includes a community Bible study, prayer, and
friendship as we spend time in the Word and with each other. We would love to
have you join us! Contact Jonny Cagwin, Campus Ministry (717-385-9206).
We meet in the Narthex (entrance to the church by the red doors).
Newcomer Dessert
Sunday, October 12
Are you new to Ascension?
On the evening of Sunday, October 12 th
you are invited to dessert at the home of
Jonathan & Christy Deal
3147 Ewart Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
A member of Ascension’s clergy will also be present.
RSVP to david.trautman@ascensionpittsburgh.org for more information. We
hope you will come. It’s an opportunity to get to know other parishioners and
church leadership in an informal setting.
New Member Class
Saturday, October 18
Would you like to become a member of Ascension? If you would like to find out
more about what it means to be a member of Ascension, we will be holding a
membership class on the morning of Saturday, October 18 th . Babysitting is
provided by request. Once again, RSVP to David Trautman.
Anglican 4 th Day Women’s Weekend
Friday evening through Sunday November 14 - 16
In the past the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh sponsored Cursillo weekends
designed to help participants encounter Jesus in fresh ways. Several years ago
Cursillo was renamed Anglican 4th Day. The Anglican 4th Day group has a new
format and a new mission and is happy to announce a diocesan-wide women’s
weekend this fall. The mission is “to disciple, to nurture, and to empower the
baptized.” If you know any woman that would like to deepen her faith and who
has not attended a weekend in the past, please contact Sue Janiszewski at
suej@pitt.edu or 412-398-2397 for more information. The weekend is also open
to ALL Christians (not just Anglicans).
Worship
Services
Sunday
7:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite I
9:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
11:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
Wednesday
7:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist Rite II
in the Gordon Chapel
followed by breakfast
Address
4729 Ellsworth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-621-4361
Fax:
412-621-5746
Website
www.ascensionpittsburgh.org
The Ascent
Published monthly by the
Church of the Ascension.
Marilyn Clifton Chislaghi, Editor
Judy Yadrick, Publisher
Ascent Deadline
Arcles for the November Ascent
are due October 15 and will be
available October 26.