July 2015 - Church of the Ascension

From the Rector
New Service at Ascension Launching in the Fall
Beginning on Wednesday, September 2nd
we will be having a weekly service of Holy
Eucharist on Wednesdays at noon. Our hope
is that this will attract folks who live and work in
the neighborhood to gather for worship midweek.
This new venture arises in part as a response to a number of requests we have received
over the years to have something midweek during the day. I hope, also, that this will be
a service that may attract folks who don’t otherwise attend Ascension, alongside our
regular members. This new service will begin initially in the Gordon Chapel – though
I’m praying that we will quickly outgrow that space and move into the Nave. The
service will last approximately 45 minutes and will include some music and a brief
homily. If you would be interested in helping us pioneer this service and being a part of
the launch team please contact one of the clergy.
Director of Children’s Ministry Appointed
After a nationwide search, Christy Deal has been appointed
to head up our Children’s Ministry, beginning on July 6th.
Christy and her husband Jonathan have been active members
of Church of Ascension since moving to Pittsburgh in 2011.
Christy and Jonathan are both pastor’s kids (PK’s) and graduates of Grove City College. During her college years Christy joined a faith-based sorority, recruited her entire freshman
hall to join, served as chaplain, and learned a lot about faith
formation.
Christy Deal
Christy spent much of her youth participating in and leading bible study groups and
working in her church’s nursery and toddler rooms. After college she was a substitute
teacher in an inner-city middle school, and worked as a nanny for two families, one
with a special needs child. For the past four years Christy has worked for both UPMC
and the University of Pittsburgh in administration, and has learned so much about how
to integrate work and faith.
Christy is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, and desires to help others grow in their
faith. Christy especially loves, and has a heart for children, and her goal is to live out
Mark 10:15 where Jesus says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
I am grateful for the faithful
input from the members of
our Search Committee –
Jeff Forster, Ashley Harper,
Alyson Holt, and Amy
Lumanog, who worked with
me in this process. I am also
grateful for the other candidates who took time to
submit applications and
answer written questions
and/or interview. I am also
delighted that Ashley
Harper (Principal of
Winchester Thurston Lower
School, and active member
and parent at Ascension)
has agreed to mentor
Christy once a week. We
are also putting in place a
Parent Support Team
comprised of Ashley
Harper, Alyson Holt and
Mari Stout.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan N. Millard
(Rector)
Page 2
Family
News
July Birthdays
1. Peter Mollenkof
3. Elizabeth Crary
4. Ben Podnar
5. Bob Duncan
7. Joan Carcillo
Steve Paff
Brandon Walker
8. Jay Gowdy
Josh MacCarty
David Clemens-Sewall
9. Aaron Pelot
Davita Stout
10. Ellen Stolpe
Janet Goode
Clare Clifton
Tara Meeks
Ben Kissell
11. Dan Hartling
Catherine Sullivan
Hannah Barnard
12. Sue Janiszewski
13. Paul Von Bloch
Kate Luckett
15. Ron James
Sam Childs
Joseph Weaver
Rennick Kilpatrick
16. Fred Thieman
Megan Witkowski
Ben Very
17. Maddy Walker
18. June Bandemer
18. Emily Cagwin
19. John Snyder
20. Lucille Seibert
21. Sue Crary
Travis Timmons
22. Jonny Cagwin
23. Jeanne Kohn
25. Marilyn Whitmore
Jude Blank
Sam Dickerman
26. Jane Pool
Jenn Miller
28. Jack Wasko
Brian Mack
29. John Barnard
Carl Richter
Bobby Smith
Nathan Jabbour
continued
“Loving Your Neighbor:
The Good News in your Home,
Workplace and Neighborhood”
Our Annual Parish Retreat is one of the highlights of our congregational life. If you
have never been before, you really should check this out! Our guest speakers this
year are The Rev. Taylor and Karissa Bodoh.
Taylor and Karissa began discipling college
students at Florida State University a decade
ago. Teaching students how to lead, serve and
plant ministries in their own unique “corners” of
the campus, they began to dream about how the
Anglican Church could grow through contextualized, missional communities like those planted
in Tallahassee. The Bodohs, along with their two
daughters, Avila (8) and Norah (6), continued to
discern this calling while studying at Trinity
School for Ministry and worshiping at Ascension
for the last few years. They returned to Tallahassee last summer with a team of ministers and
friends to plant a church and mission network,
starting in their own neighborhood.
During our retreat Taylor and Karissa will be helping us explore how we talk about
Jesus with our family members, coworkers, and neighbors, in a way that is not salespitchy, or contrived, but rather a matter of having authentic relationships.
“Christians and non-Christians both have something in common,” writes Rebecca
Pippert. “We’re both uptight about evangelism.” How true! Because of this
awkwardness, Christians often hold that “Jesus stuff” back when it comes to our
casual or even close friendships. But if that’s the case are we not being inauthentic?
Is our fear of being labelled causing us to hold back the most precious and beautiful
thing of all, which is also the core of who we are as disciples?
I think this year’s retreat promises to be one that is again rich in content and, as
always, provides an unbeatable way of getting to know one another in beautiful
surroundings away from the city. I encourage you to make this a priority in your
scheduling for the fall. Come on your own, sign up with a friend, bring the whole
family. I am confident you will not regret coming to our Parish Retreat. DON’T
MISS IT! Registration information will be available in mid-August. Once again,
the retreat will be held at Laurelville Mennonite Church Center.
Yours in Christ,
Jonathan N. Millard
(Rector)
An Ascension Profile:
Tom Hillman
"“I am standing”…that’s a phrase you’ll hear a lot from
our friend Tom! Here are a few reflections from Tom on his
life at Ascension.
I started coming to Ascension at the age of six and I've been
here ever since. The choir director at that time (Rhule Lamer)
came to the Pittsburgh Public Schools to recruit boys for the
“men and boys choir.” Many families were moving to the suburbs, however I lived
only a few blocks away and would walk to Ascension. I lived with my mother, aunt,
grandmother and grandfather. My family all went to Bellefield Presbyterian Church
by the University of Pittsburgh. I was the only one coming to Ascension. The boys
choir would rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays and then have a combined rehearsal
with the men on Fridays. After a while I was asked to join the EYC youth group and
at the age of twelve I was confirmed. The Rector, Dr. Rollit, and his son had a “boy’s
club” on Saturday mornings. We learned how to wrestle and box along with other activities. I continued to sing in the choir for approximately twenty-eight years. I have
served on two search committees, served three terms on vestry, taught Sunday School,
was part of the discernment committee and served on the evangelism team, the usher
team, the altar prayer team, and the welcome table team.
While Dr. Bradbury was Rector he formed “house groups.” These house groups were
a big part of Ascension's spiritual renewal. I was a member of the same house group
for twenty-eight years. We would meet at either Jack and Ruth Ann Morgan’s home
or at Tommy and Nancy Drew’s home.
“Ascension is home!” The “Word of God” has always been taught here. I truly love
“this place!”
Over the last forty-five years I have worked with our youth group with both junior and
senior high kids. That has been three generations. “Wow...where does the time go?”
I was also blessed to be the Director of the Happening Program for the Anglican
Diocese of Pittsburgh. Happening was a ministry for teens run by teens. It was a
program that helped disciple teens in the life of Christ, develop their public speaking
skills and also their leadership skills. I know of at least six teens that were
“Happeners” that have gone on to be priests in the Pittsburgh Diocese and many others are leaders in their parishes. The youth in the church are very important to the life
and growth of our parishes.
My wife Marcine and I live in Monroeville. Our daughters Amanda and Mara are both
married. Amanda, Ben and our grandsons Judah & Eli live in New Jersey. Mara and
Brad live in Bethel Park. While employed full time I worked for Broudy Printing Inc.
as an outside sales consultant. I have been retired for six years and currently work as a
“starter & ranger” at Meadowink Golf Course in Murrysville PA. I also consult with
non-profit organizations to help them with their design and print production. I call this
“The Tommy Hillman Project.” I do this work with Zoltun Design.
Someday I do look forward to retirement!
- by Wendy Scott
Page 3
Family News continued
July Anniversaries
4. Josh & Chloe MacCarty
5. David & Becca Woods
10. Scott & Katie Gorbold
12. Grant &Wendy
LeMarquand
23. Jonny & Emily Cagwin
Sam & Kristin Dickerman
27. R.D. & Donna Wilkes
Worth & Janet Helms
28. Bill & Lucia Campbell
30. Todd & Maria
Wahrenberger
Shoe
Collection
Ascension supports
Kairos Prison Ministry.
Kairos is raising funds by
collecting new and/or
gently worn shoes – any
kind or size for men or
women or children! The
shoes are sent to developing nations to help protect
feet from injury and
disease, and Kairos
receives 40 cents per
pound of shoes collected.
It’s a win-win situation!
Kairos hopes to collect
5000 pairs of shoes! Will
you help? If you have new
or gently used shoes, drop
them in the designated
basket in the education
wing hallway (July or
August). For more info,
contact Jackie McKee at
724-991-9843 or
[email protected].
Thanks!
Generations of Organs at Ascension:
A Heritage for us to Preserve
Page 4
Church of the Ascension has been blessed over the years to
have a succession of organs and fine organists to provide
support for our life of worship. At its opening, on January 1,
1899, the new stone church had an electro-pneumatic Jardine
organ, which cost $10,000 and was designed by the church’s organist and choirmaster, Frederic Archer, organist of Carnegie Hall and
the first conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony. An issue of the
Episcopal Diocese’s Church News in February 1899 noted that it
was a large instrument with three manuals and fifty speaking stops.
It had “great power and marvelous sweetness of tone.” The organ
was used to accompany a male choir of 60 voices at the new church
building’s opening.
Frederic Archer at the console of the
Skinner Organ at the Carnegie Music Hall
of Pittsburgh, where until his death in
1901, he performed 451 organ recitals.
Mr. Archer was the organist/choirmaster
at Ascension from 1899-1901 and was
the first conductor of the Pittsburgh
Symphony.
By the early 1920s, the Jardine organ was clearly in need of
repair. After a thorough inspection, however, the vestry decided to buy a new instrument, which was purchased from
the Skinner Organ Company of Boston for $41,000 and dedicated in October 1924, while the old organ was donated to the
Church of the Advent in Dormont. This new Skinner organ had
more than 4,000 pipes, 75 stop knobs, and 55 adjustable thumb
combination pistons. The speaking size of the pipes varied from 1/2
inch to 32 feet. A plaque located behind the choir stalls below the
organ pipes records the list of donors and the various ranks of pipes
which they donated. This organ was rebuilt in 1956-1958 by the
Aeolion-Skinner Organ Company and fitted with a new console
from the Schantz Organ Company. In 1972 the Austin organ
company was contracted to install a new console and an antiphonal
organ in the rear of the church. These were dedicated on Ascension
Day 1972.
A new Austin organ, purchased for $116,000 was installed in the chancel in May 1974. It included more than
4,000 pipes with space for an additional 1,220 pipes. Members of the parish donated one-half of the cost, often
dedicating their contributions to the memory of loved ones, while the other half was given by the sons of Mr.
and Mrs. Roy Hunt, Sr. in memory of their parents. It is this organ that we hope to restore.
The instrument is worthy of restoration, based on the recommendations of local organ technicians and a representative of
the Austin Organ Company. Proposed restoration work, including a new console, a new electrical system with solid state
combination action, the repair of reeds, the cleaning of the antiphonal organ and repair of its trumpet stop, and the cleaning of each division is estimated to cost approximately ten to twenty percent of the organ's current replacement cost, and
to extend the life of the organ for another generation.
We are the new generation of Ascensionites who have the opportunity to preserve and enhance our organ to
the glory of God and to honor faithful generations of worshippers who passed on this musical legacy to us.
Sunday, July 26, after the 11am service, join the informational tour to learn more about our organ
and how it works. If you have questions regarding the organ feel free to contact any member of the Organ Restoration
Task Force. Members include Gary Harger (chair), Linda Komm, Katherine Lynch, Tyler Marwood, Chloe MacCarty,
Don McBurney and Jack Walsh.
-by Kate Lynch Information drawn from Marilyn P. Whitmore, Centennial History: Church of the Ascension, 1889-1989.
One Year Later
Page 5
Or: How Being Your Youth Director
Prepared Me for a War Zone.
By Sarah, former Director of Youth Ministry. Sarah is currently
living and working in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
On Father’s Day of last year, I took Fr. Jonathan aside after the end of the
service to tell him that I had an opportunity to teach at a school in the
northern part of Iraqi Kurdistan. I had been dreading the conversation for
days, terrified to tell someone I respected so deeply that I was thinking of
leaving a place I loved so much.
It was hot in the Narthex. And I remember that my shoes were kind of uncomfortable.
And our priest looked at me after I fumbled through an explanation rife with too many
words and too many intakes of breath and said, “Who am I to stand in the way of God’s
call on anyone?”
Which was the kindest thing he could have said at that point. Because what is the
church about if not helping each other answer the call of the God who is (paradoxically) running after us?
A few days short of that exact year anniversary, I feel I have learned a few things. And
I feel I owe a wealth of thanks to the teenagers of Ascension for preparing me for the
weirdest year of my life.
1. It’s OK to be a weirdo. The Kurds hate hot sauce even more than the youth group
did. You can’t force a student to take hot sauce shots. And you can’t make a Kurd like
Tabasco. It’s just not going to happen. But four years in the basement youth room
taught me that being a weirdo is ok, as long as you’re not making everyone else try to
be weirdos.
2. You are not in control. There have been many times in the classroom this year
when the power has been out in the school for a few hours, and I remember with fondness all the times the internet would go out in the basement while I was showing a video clip or when I would trip over the cord for the projector and lose the entire powerpoint presentation. The youth room taught me that plans are not my own, no matter
how optimistic those plans are. Teaching in Iraq has been rewarding in ways I couldn’t
have known and difficult in ways I didn’t anticipate.
3. The language matters. And it doesn’t matter. There are words that four
years in the basement taught me that I had never heard before: Minecraft, FIFA, PUCS,
CAPA, selfie, millennial. There were times that I didn’t really know what students were
talking about. Because, let’s face it. I am old. And nothing changes faster than youth
culture. But the friends I made in the basement taught me that, actually, language barriers don’t matter as much as really trying to see the people God has put in front of you.
I’m not going to lie – my Kurdish is still abysmal. But because of the basement, I’m not
afraid to forge ahead with strangers anyway. Sometimes the conversations are disasters.
And sometimes you end up with a guy who always offers to split his rice with you
when you walk into his shop for milk.
4. Everybody needs a friend. Kurdistan is a hard place. Today it’s 113 degrees,
and they’re burning all the fields around my apartment complex to get rid of the desert
cobras. (That was a very dramatic sentence!) And the Kurdish people have never felt
sought out, chosen, or protected by governments, leaders, or the powers of the world.
They feel alone, especially in light of ISIS’ advances in the last year. And while the
basement isn’t a refugee camp, being a teenager is difficult. And actually, being a
human being is difficult. And so
no matter what, we all need to
know that someone chooses us.
And that person is Jesus. And if
the body of Christ is truly the
body of Christ, then we are all
able to be friends to each other,
to support, love, challenge, and
uphold each other. Be it in the
desert or in Oakland.
I do not regret for a moment
having a conversation with Fr.
Jonathan a year ago. The gift of
being released into what else
God has next is one I will always
be grateful for. At the same time,
I cannot tell you how grateful I
have been for how Ascension
prepared me to step into that next
thing. I know you have been
praying for me. And I cannot
wait to see you in the beginning
of July. Thank you for being the
church I am proud to be from.
Thank you for being the church I
am proud to still be with. Thank
you for being family.
Sarah will preach at all three
services on Sunday, July 5th.
Members and friends of
Ascension are also invited to
come hear more informally
from Sarah on Wednesday,
July 8th at 7pm. Refreshments (sorry Sarah…no hot
sauce!) will be served in the
Parish Hall. We hope you can
make it. Childcare will be
provided.
Page 6
Children’s
Ministry
Summer Schedule
(June 28 — August 23)
Sunday School –
9AM SERVICE ONLY!
We will offer Sunday School
for rising PreK-rising 5th
grade. Sunday School is available just at the 9am service.
The 11am service will include
children, using their gifts in
various capacities, within the
corporate worship time.
Childcare continues to be
available at both 9am and
11am for babies - 4 year olds.
Rising 6th Graders are
invited to participate in the
occasional youth group events
happening over the summer.
They are also very welcome
into Sunday School with the
older elementary age children.
Popsicle Playdates
Christina Carlucci, Assistant
Director of Children’s
Ministry, will host 2 Children's
Ministry playdates over the
summer. This is a great chance
for your children to meet and
connect with others in their
faith community, and for parents to informally get to know
one another and enjoy sharing
life together.
When: Wed., July 15th; &
Sunday, August 2nd
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: The Blue Slide Park
(at Frick Park)
What to bring:
Popsicles will be served
No need to RSVP Just come if you are able!
Summer Reading
Recommendation
I have a confession to make. I am a pastor
who hates reading contemporary Christian
theology and spirituality. I would much rather
read fiction any day of the week. But usually
after six different people tell me I have to read
a specific Christian book, I start to listen. And
after a dozen recommendations, I pick up a
copy and start reading. That is why I recently
ordered my own copy of James K.A. Smith’s
Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview,
and Cultural Formation. I’ve just started reading and I can already see why so many people have recommended the book to me.
Smith takes a fresh look at how we live out the first great commandment: Love
God. By taking a critical look at our cultural centers of power, he invites us to
contrast the liturgies of our culture with the liturgies of Christian worship. Malls,
stadiums, universities, and even our homes, Smith argues, are liturgical structures
that influence and shape our thoughts and affections. As St. Augustine noted, humans are desiring agents, full of longings and passions. We become what we love.
Smith poses a challenging question at the start of his book. He asks, “What if
education wasn’t first and foremost about what we know, but about what we
love?” In his book, he seeks to re-vision Christian education as a formative project
(making disciples of Jesus) rather than an informative project (dispensing data).
He redirects our yearnings to focus on the greatest good: God. I am so excited to
journey through this challenging book over the summer. Happy reading!
Youth Ministry
This month we are delighted to
welcome Alex Hicks as our Director
of Youth Ministries. Alex begins
work at Ascension on July 15. Alex
will be moving to Pittsburgh in early
July along with his wife Jane and
their children. Alex and Jane are
very eager to settle in and get to
Alex and his wife Jane
know youth group families! If you
and their children Lydia and John
have kids in the youth group and
could host them for a meal, contact
Marilyn Chislaghi ([email protected] or 412-953-7050.)
Page 7
The apostle Paul writes, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by
all means save some” (1 Cor 9:22). In the Alpha Course, we strive to practice
this verse in all that we do, both programmatically and personally. We love and
welcome everyone who comes, regardless of his or her background. Our top priority is providing a safe place for people to ask questions and hear the good news
of Jesus in a fresh way.
This will be the fourth Alpha Course we have run at Ascension, and we have
learned much along the way. One of the biggest things that we have learned is
the critical value of personal invitation. We have seen incredible fruit when
members of Ascension have stepped out in faith to invite. The vast majority of
the guests who come (who have never visited Ascension before), come with a
friend who is involved with the Alpha Course.
Because of the huge importance of personal relationship in the way that Alpha
works, we have decided to experiment with offering Alpha small groups in
homes, in addition to the course at the church.
We are excited to offer
this option for two reasons:
1. for some non-Christians, coming to an event at a church is just
too much to ask.
2. for those of us who live further out of town, it can be too
challenging to ask people to come back in to Oakland on a week day.
If you are interested in hosting an Alpha small group (6-12 people) in your home,
I would be delighted to speak with you. Please contact me today (david.trautman
@ascensionpittsburgh.org). Our hope is that by offering Alpha in homes we can
reach a broader cross-section of our neighbors, friends, and colleagues in a more
intimate setting.
Another thing we have learned about the value of invitation is that it can be
anxiety-inducing to invite a friend to something you yourself have never
experienced. That’s why for the first time ever, we are going to open one small
group on the Alpha Course to members of Ascension only.
Before we have only allowed members of Ascension to
participate if they brought a friend from outside the church. But
we have realized that often people need to experience something for themselves to really believe in it.
If you have doubts or questions about the Alpha Course, or
would just like to know what it is like, please come and see
for yourself. Spaces for Ascension members will be limited, so register early if this applies to you.
Grace and peace,
David+
Registration
for the Alpha Course will
open in August. The course
will start in September and
run for 10 weeks. Start
thinking today about who
you can invite to this lifechanging course.
Mark Your Calendar
Big Sale Donations begin
Sunday, August 2
Do you have good stuff that needs a new home?
Sunday, August 2 is the first official drop off date
for the ‘Big Sale’. As many of you know, the Big
Sale is an event hosted by our daughter church,
Jonah’s Call, each year. This year it will take
place in Ascension’s new catacombs on Saturday,
August 22. Household goods can be donated
beginning Sunday, August 2. Larger pieces of
furniture will be accepted from Sunday, August 9.
Community Group Fair
Sunday, August 16
@ascensionpittsburgh.org!
We will be promoting membership of
Ascension Community Groups on Sunday,
August 16. If you would like to host a group
or belong to a group, this is your Sunday to
check things out. If you would like to talk to
a member of Ascension leadership about
Community Groups prior to August, give
David Trautman a shout at david.trautman
- Jonathan Millard
Wednesday morning early service to end
Wednesday, August 26
After much reflection and in consultation with the staff, vestry and those who
usually attend the service, I have decided that it is time for us to end our
Wednesday 7am service. A small but dedicated group have faithfully
worshipped together at this service for many years and have met together
afterwards for breakfast in the Parish Hall. In many ways this group has
functioned a bit like a Community Group. While I recognize that the ending
of this service will be a loss for those who have enjoyed attending on
Wednesday mornings, I think we must acknowledge that we have not been
able to grow this service, most likely as the 7am start is simply too early for
most. But we want to finish well – so this service will continue through the
summer and we will celebrate the ending of an era with a catered hot breakfast
following the last service on August 26.
- Jonathan +
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
10am Worship on the Lawn and BBQ
www.ascensionpittsburgh.org
Sunday, August 30
The Ascent
On Sunday, August 30 we will hold our
service of worship outside on the lawn and
will have a BBQ and picnic to follow. On
this Sunday worship will begin at 10am.
Please bring a side-dish, salad or dessert to
share. Donations will be accepted for hamburgers and hotdogs. It takes much effort to
make this happen. If you can help grill or do
advance set up preparations (tables/chairs or
with food), please contact [email protected]
Thanks.
Published monthly by the
Church of the Ascension.
Marilyn Clifton Chislaghi, Editor
Judy Yadrick, Publisher
Ascent Deadline
Articles for the August Ascent are
due July 13 and will be available
July 26.