Save Ascension Chicago

Save Ascension is an unusual phenomenon which arose at Church of the Ascension early in 2015, when parishioners suddenly perceived a grave threat to their historic spiritual home. Our larger parish community -- people who treasured Ascension as a beacon of Traditional Anglo-Catholic liturgy and music, and as a destination church worldwide -- also began to pay attention.

Though it may be referred to loosely as "a group of parishioners," Save Ascension really has no members. There is nowhere to sign up; no dues to pay; no membership card to carry. You may wear a red carnation, but that would only signify that you are concerned about the state of the parish and want something done to resolve it. Which would please SA…. but would not make you a member.

What SA does have is sympathizers -- all kinds of sympathizers, whose opinions cover a broad spectrum. All of these people share, in general if not in every detail, the concerns expressed in SA's Open Letters to our rector and bishop. (As of June 2, 2015, ten of these letters had been transmitted. See the Save Ascension Reference Library to read all of these and more.)

Many SA sympathizers have shared words of encouragement in e-mails to colleagues and to SaveAscensionChicago@Gmail.com. This greatly appreciated, because it balances the sharp criticisms received at Save Ascension Headquarters. Our rector and his advocates are furious, call us all sorts of nasty names, charge us with crimes (libel? computer hacking??!) of which we are innocent. This we expected. However, our sympathizers complain much more. Even while some are cringing at the harshness of an Open Letter, even more are railing at us for not taking a stronger stance!

Please believe us when we tell you that SA is doing its very best to represent all of those who share its fundamental concerns. If we speak only for those who are most aggressive, we will fail to represent those of milder temperament. If we focus too exclusively on finances, we will fail to represent the devout for whom changes in liturgy and theological emphasis are deeply disturbing. Every worshiper has different aspects of Ascension that s/he particularly cherishes. Each of these is thus important for the church.

Approaching our task in humility, we ask your prayers and your understanding as we strive to do the right thing. May we succeed in restoring -- as completely as possible, and above all swiftly -- the Church of the Ascension we so recently knew.