Category Archives: Ascension

Whether you go to church or not, everyone knows Christmas and Easter and its Christian roots: Christmas remembers Jesus birth and Resurrection is self-explanatory. You dont have to believe the stories to be part of the festivity. Daniel Dennet, an atheist philosopher, has little tolerance for religion but sings O Come All Ye Faithful by heart in Latin on Christmas Eve. But there is another important holy day in the Christian calendar which has not made the same leap into the secular world. Ascension day. Actually, Thursday (5/25) is Ascension day and the fact that most are clueless about it, including Christians, is evidence of its cultural irrelevance. Which is ironic because in the Apostles Creed, a basic statement of faith for Christianity, talks about ascension right smack in the middle with the Christmas and Easter story. In fact, the ascension story gives Christianity its unique texture, its missional energy and amazing adaptability, because it became an antidote to exceptionalism, the inward pressure of all institutions, and it might be the antidote for our day.

The basic story of ascension is that Jesus, after resurrection and spending 40 days with his closest friends, said farewell and disappeared. It sounds fishy to secularists, as it did to me when I was working through the Christian story for myself. It seems so convenient for the first followers to reply, Well Jesus disappeared, when seekers asked to seethe resurrected Jesus with their own eyes. But here is a historical anomaly: It was only after this story that the first followers became missionaries, going out sharing the story of Jesus as a story that mattered to everyone they met. This is because the story of ascensionrapidly scatteredthis new movement, for it neither had a tomb or a body to point to and say this is ground zero. With Jesus disappearing, Jerusalem could not claim for itself an exceptional status. Whether you believe or not. Youve got to appreciate this brilliant move.

Lamin Sanneh, a professor of world Christianity at Yale Divinity School and anexpert on Christian and Muslim history, credits this quality of non-exceptionalism that allowed Christianity to grow, adapt, and express itself within an ever-changing array of cultural and historical contexts. This non-exceptionalism is appreciated when contrasted to Islam, which remains a faith rooted in specific geographical places, Mecca and Medina, and to a single language, Arabic. Translations of the Quran into other languages are not considered genuine.

The danger of exceptionalism is that it leads to exceptions from criticism. Preservation becomes petrification.

Every institution gravitates towards exceptionalism because institutions think survival relies on special status. The danger of exceptionalism is that it leads to exceptions from criticism. Preservation becomes petrification.

James Comey, the recently fired FBI director, wrote his senior thesis contrasting the Christian political philosophy between Reinhold Niebuhr and Jerry Falwell. Falwell, creator of the Moral Majority in 1979, believed in American exceptionalism, the City on a Hill with Manifest Destiny to spread Democracy as its divine prerogative. John L. O'Sullivan coined it in his column in the New York Morning News on Dec. 27, 1845, to argue for the right for America to take Oregon saying Americas claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us. Exceptionalism is uncritical.

Comey sides with Niebuhr who says Christians have the obligation to love their country but always with a critical eyes because a society left to itself is immoral. There is no exceptionalism to Niebuhrs thinking of America or any society. Only that critical perspective can save an organization from crumbling on itself.

Comey, when he was the director, kept a document from the bureaus archives on his desk, an application by his predecessor, J. Edgar Hoover, to the Justice Department to wiretap Martin Luther King, Jr. Why? The entire application is five sentences long, it is without fact or substance, and it is predicated on the naked assertion that there is Communist influence in the racial situation, he explained in a speech at Georgetown University in February 2015. He required FBI agents to study this history with King then visit the King Memorial in Washington. The reason I do those things, he said, is to insure that we remember our mistakes and that we learn from them.

Samuel Son is a teaching pastor in Raleigh.

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SON: Ascension over American exceptionalism - North State Journal (subscription)

GONZALESInvoking Louisiana's stand-your-ground law, a Donaldsonville man and Vietnam War veteran accused in a nearly three-year-old shooting was acquitted of a felony aggravated assault with a firearm charge after a one-day trial.

John Winfrey, 66, who has used crutches since 1995, told a six-person Ascension Parish jury that he fired his gun once at two men who were backing a car toward him and would not stop after he warned them, his attorney said.

Defense attorney Blaine Hebertadded that Winfrey had been walking to his Nolan Avenue home June 9, 2014, along the sidewalk from his attorney's office when two men in a car backed up toward him. Hebert said Winfrey testified one of the men, a passenger, had previously threatened Winfrey about his complaints to sheriff's deputies about suspected drug activity across the street from his home, leading Winfrey to fear for his life.

Hebert said he raisedthe stand-your-ground defensein jury selection and at the close of the trial before Judge Jessie LeBlanc of the 23rd Judicial District Court. Under the state law, people do not have a duty to retreat from a perceived threat if the person is in a place for which he or she has a legal right to be.

"He could not retreat if he wanted to. He is walking on crutches," Hebert said.

He said a retired Ascension Parish sheriff's captain testified that Winfrey had previously complained to deputies and City Hall about suspected drug activity at the house. The captain testified deputies added extra patrols in the area, Hebert said.

After the threats, Winfrey, who did not have a car and walked to get around town, armed himself and got a German shepherd dog. Winfrey kept the gun, along with his driver's license and other important papers, in a bag he held over his shoulder, Hebert said.

In March 2015, prosecutors raised questions about whether Winfrey had the mental capacity to stand trial and whether he was sane at the time of the shooting due to his behavior in court, the shooting allegations and his admission he was under the care of mental health professionals at the time.

Winfrey also existed on the fringes of society in a tough part of Donaldsonville. Hebert said Winfrey lived in a house without running water or electricity and slept on a makeshift cot.

Prosecutors asked for a sanity commission, but, by November 2016, mental health professionals had determined he was sane and could assist in his own defense.

Deputies never found that passenger who had supposedly threatened Winfrey, prosecutors said.

"Deputies did not see this subject on scene and he was not available to be interviewed," said Tyler Cavalier, spokesman for District Attorney Ricky Babin.

During the trial Wednesday, the driver, who has no prior convictions, testified he was just backing out of his driveway when Winfrey yelled at him to stop or he would shoot at the car, Cavalier said. The driver kept backing out of his driveway and Winfrey shot once, though no one was hurt, Cavalier said.

When a deputy arrived, Winfrey admitted to getting in an argument but had denied owning a gun, Cavalier said. Deputies searched his home and found a gun that investigators later determined was the one that had been fired, Cavalier said. He added that Winfrey never raised his concerns about the passenger at that time.

Deputies arrested Winfrey on counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal carrying of weapons, marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia counts. The driver was not arrested. At trial, prosecutors only brought the aggravated assault with a firearm charge.

Hebert said his client refused to accept a misdemeanor plea offer from prosecutors and chose trial on the felony to assert his innocence.

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After hearing stand-your-ground defense, Ascension jury acquits Donaldsonville man in 2014 shooting - The Advocate

ROYALTON Area churches whose traditions closely follows some Biblical teachings will celebrate Jesus' ascension and invite the community to join them at services that begin at 6 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25.

The teaching is that 40 days after he is believed to have risen from the dead, Jesus Christ then "ascended," into the heavens, to be with his father, God.

The Holy Ascension of Our Lord will be celebrated at The Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church, at 112 N Fairdale St. in Royalton. A potluck will follow the divine liturgy; those who attend are asked to bring a dish to share.

In Carbondale, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and Epiphany Lutheran Church will co-host Ascension services, with the annual Lutheran and Catholic Ascension of the Lord Evening Prayer Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, with refreshments; that will be followed by the worship service from 8 to 8:45 p.m. at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W Chautauqua St. in Carbondale.

Father Bob Flannery of Church of St. Francis Xavier.

Epiphany's pastor, Paul Waterman, will preside at the service, and Father Bob Flannery will preach the homily. This years observance will help commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and will show the great progress that has been made for Catholics and Lutherans in coming together more closely as members of the body of Christ, Father Flannery said.

Royalton's Archpriest Frederick Janeek, rector for The Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church, will lead the services at the church in Royalton.

V. Rev. Frederick Joseph Janecek is shown in 2015 in the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Royalton.

He said Thursday night's service is like the liturgy presented each Sunday at the church, but that those who are not familiar with the tradition might want to see what a service looks like. He said is is like the Eastern Orthodox services, older and more elaborate than services from other Christian religions.

"Many of the people here have never seen that worship service," he said. "All the Orthodox churches around the world have done that for 1,600 years."

He joined the church in January 2015 and recently celebrated his third Easter at the church. About 30 people attend the Sunday services; the church will celebrate its 103rd anniversary in October.

For more information on the Royalton service, call 608-628-6910 or email janecekwi@sbcglobal.net; for information on the service at the Epiphany Lutheran Church, call 618-303-7412.

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Royalton church, St. Francis and Epiphany Lutheran to host ascension services Thursday - The Southern

Mobile, AL (WKRG)

Bishop Robert King from Chuncula Apostolic Ministries joins us to talk about the Ascension of Jesus. Heres a look at our conversation: Chad: This week many churches will be observing Jesus Ascension. What is that story in the Bible?

Bishop Robert King: The ascension takes place on Jesus 40th day on earth after he had risen from the dead. On that day, as he was assembled with his apostles and some other disciples, he gave them some instructions to go to Jerusalem and to wait for the promise of the Father. After he had given instructions and answered some of their questions, Jesus was taken up, or ascended, into the clouds and out of their sight. As the people watching saw Jesus ascend into the heavens, they stood in amazement. Two angels then appeared and informed them that witnessed the ascension that Jesus will come back again in like manner.

Chad: Why was it important for Jesus to Ascend rather than just live out his earthly life?

Bishop Robert King: Jesus living out His life on earth was never the goal. The purpose of Jesus birth, life, death, and resurrection were to redeem mankind from sin. Jesus fulfilled His part of the salvation process by shedding innocent blood for the sins of mankind. The next part of the plan is for man to receive Christs spirit and to live a life dedicated to God. If we do that then Jesus is still living on earth through us.

Chad: What was the disciples reaction to the ascension?

Bishop Robert King: As with almost anything, there were some that heard Jesus instructions and witnessed the ascension and were excited, faithful followers. They went to Jerusalem and waited for the promise of the Father, which is the Holy Ghost. There were others that saw the ascension and were excited in the moment but eventually returned to their normal ways of living.

Chad: What are the important lessons in this?

Bishop Robert King: One of the lessons in this is that everyone must be persuaded in their own minds to follow Christ. And to follow Him, it takes a personal commitment. Its a commitment to Gods will and to His purpose for our individual lives. True commitment happens when a person is fully persuaded by the message of Christ.

Chad: Good-byes are hard but why is this supposed to be a joyful good-bye?

Bishop Robert King: This good-bye was different in that Jesus told them that He would not leave them comfortless, that He would come to them. And although Jesus was absent in body form. He was ever so present in Spirit. It wasnt so much as a good-bye as it was an Ill see you soon.

Chad: How were the disciples able to take this newly formed church and make it into something that was spread around the world?

Bishop Robert King: The spreading of the church did not come without major opposition. But the apostles were determined to spread the message of Gods love for mankind and redemption of mankind. And once others were able to experience Christ for themselves, they joined forces with the apostles in spreading the message. And now centuries later, people are yet experiencing Christ in such a way that they become convinced of the message and become faithful witnesses of the saving power of God.

Mr. King also sent us this image. He snapped it on a recent trip from Florida. I was flying back from South Florida and just looking out the window. I took the first picture. Then I prayed and said, God, this is your territory up here, show me something. I was asking God to show me something that I wouldnt normally see.

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Faith Time: Ascension of Jesus - WKRG

GONZALESFor years in Ascension Parish, individual homes and sometimes entire subdivisions have been built on mounded dirt in flood-prone areas to raise them out of harm's way.

After 6,400 homes and businesses in the parish were swamped in August, many flood victims are casting a jaundiced eye toward the practice, blaming it for forcing water into their houses or onto their property.

Now, despite arguments by developers that science supports the current rules, the Parish Council is set to consider temporary restrictions on the large-scale use of dirt to elevate subdivisions in the growing parish. If approved, this moratorium would be in place until a new analysis of parish flood plains is completed and new rules can be developed to better protect against future flooding.

Two Prairieville council members, Aaron Lawler and Daniel "Doc" Satterlee, proposed a blanket halt on fill earlier this month and pushed it out of committee on a 2-1 vote with some members absent. But the move to restrict use of fill could end up becoming more narrowly tailored to major developments when the council takes up the issue in June, Lawler said.

Lawler said the August flood has raised anew longstanding questions about whether parish fill practices are inadvertently worsening flooding, as critics have charged for years.

"I think you have a lot of councilmen that it was brought to the forefront for them because of the flood. Their opinions on it may have changed when they saw how bad that flood was, so now there is support for this," Lawler said. The proposal would not be retroactive.

He said he'd like to see the new flood management plan start looking at homes in the lowest areas to elevate with pier-and-beam construction, instead of slab foundations.

Though estimates for Ascension Parish still being refined, the U.S. Geological Survey found the August flood fell between a 100- and 500-year event, or an event that had a 1 percent to 0.2 percent chance of occurring in a given year. With that large of an event, much of Ascension's public and private drainage infrastructure in the path of the flood was overwhelmed by the water because it exceeded the designed capacity.

Parish officials say the flood plain review on which the moratorium would hinge could take up to eight months. Lawler thinks it could be done over the summer months when new development proposals normally slow. With the review, the parish would hire an engineering firm to take a close look at drainage issues in each of the parish's various floodplains so new drainage and other development rules can specifically be catered to each one.

While officials in support of the moratorium emphasize they aren't specifically blocking particular subdivisions, some in the construction community said the proposed fill limitations will effectively halt future projects because it is impractical to build any other way.

"It'd pretty much shut it down," said Jared "Burger" Beiriger, vice president of construction and inspection for Quality Engineering and Surveying, one of the primary engineering firms at work in Ascension's residential home market.

Despite potential economic impacts, what's driving the moratorium are the complaints of longstanding parish residents like Duane Simpson, 47, who survived the flood and are fearful of new subdivisions with large amounts of fill.

These residents are skeptical of claims from developers and parish consulting engineers who say that through standard engineering principles they can ensure new projects won't flood their neighbors.

Simpson, whose family has lived in the Galvez area of northeast Ascension since the 1800s, recently scoffed at that idea. He said it defies his experience of what water does when it hits hard clay and concrete and starts running off a steep slope of mounded dirt.

"We got to use common sense. Somebody somewhere's got to use common sense," he said.

As in other surrounding parishes, Ascension doesn't allow builders to construct new homes with ground floors below the level that water is estimated to reach in a 1 percent-chance flood. Ascension requires ground floors be 1 foot above that projected water level, which is also known as the base flood elevation.

Estimated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, base flood elevations are used in flood hazard maps. The elevations help set benchmarks for federal insurance rates and are used in local building rules.

An upgrade in Ascension's flood maps in 2007 led to significantly higher base flood elevations across the lowest parts of the parish. That change, in combination with development rules, has led to large, newer developments that are meeting elevation requirements with fill that can push them several feet higher than older homes.

Simpson, his family and his neighbors successfully fought the 32-home Hudson Cove subdivision proposed in April next-door to his dad's 5.25-acre home south of La. 42 and Bayou Manchac.

Pointing to the severe flooding that hit their area in August, they aired worries that the new subdivision would have built up a low-lying drainage area that held a lot of water during the flood. Simpson'sfather's house, which is elevated 43 inches off the ground and well over the old high water mark, avoided flooding by inches.

Despite an engineering report from the developer to the contrary and the parish staff's determination that Hudson Cove had met parish drainage requirements, the Planning Commission heeded the residents' concerns.

"My reason is for the drainage," Commissioner Wade Schexnaydre said in explaining his motion to deny during the spring meeting."I believe we are going to succumb to even more issues. I understand what the hydrology and drainage study says, but existing records are already showing that we would be pushing it too much." The motion to deny passed 2-1 with one abstention.

Developers and the engineers who work for them say the public and some on the council misunderstand basic hydrology and what the fill rules require.

Under parish fill and drainage requirements, new projects cannot worsen the drainage of their neighbors. For major subdivisions, developers must conduct drainage studies that determine where and at what rate water is running off an existing site and estimate how much more will run off after development.

Based on that estimate, developers must calculate what kind of detention is needed so the extra water isn't pushed on neighbors. In areas below the 100-year floodplain, these calculations must account for not only rainfall but also lost flood capacity from filling land up to the height of the 100-year floodplain, parish officials said.

Under parish rules, developers also cannot import dirt to a site in the floodplain, but must instead dig out dirt on the site to build up the property.

In the cavities from which the dirt had been taken, detention ponds are created to hold future rainfall runoff and flood water and release it downstream at a rate that is no greater than it was before homes were built.

Engineer Mickey Robertson, owner of MR Engineering and Surveying, said what developers are doing is replacing "air with dirt and dirt with air, so if you had a certain amount of storage volume before development, you have exactly the same storage volume after development."

He contended this one-for-one "volume swap" means more water isn't being pushed on other people's homes by fill because no extra earth is being added to the site.

"Nobody understands it. Nobody believes it, but that's the reality of it," said Robertson, who did the engineering for the 195-home Hollows at Dutchtown subdivision near I-10 and La. 73 a few years ago and says it has improved drainage in the area.

Joseph Guillory, a civil engineer with Duplantis Design Group in Covington, said the type of mitigation Ascension uses is common in Louisiana and elsewhere in nation and does work in an ideal situation.

Guillory said detention ponds don't eliminate the increased volume of water that runs off a developed piece of land, but slows down and stretches out the flow of all that extra water downstream so there is supposed to be no greater impact to neighboring properties.

But he said Louisiana's low, flat topography and the tidal influences on major drainage storage areas where most runoff ends up can cause back-ups during big storms.

"If (the big storage area) gets full and the water can't flow, what happens to all that water that's coming downstream? It goes out of bank, and when it goes out of bank, it starts flooding things. That's the problem," Guillory said.

He also added that different statistical methods can result in significantly different estimates for how much runoff is generated by development, a crucial early calculation that helps determine a new housing subdivision's drainage systems.

His colleague, engineer Tommy Buckel, said some communities are looking at buying land for regional detention areas to help handle the extra water and having developments help chip in for the cost, which can be expensive.

Ascension Public Works Director Bill Roux said the administration is still weighing its position on the developing moratorium proposal. He said that if it is aimed at subdivisions, the moratorium would halt development that already has its drainage impacts mitigated. He argued that continuing to allow single-lot construction with fill under the proposed moratorium ignores one of the bigger drainage culprits.

"The part of the parish that is totally unregulated for the most part is the individual houses," Roux said, adding landowners can also bring in fill from outside their properties.

Homeowners like Michael Latiolais, 50, of Prairieville, who spoke recently in support of the moratorium, said the 3 feet of fill directly under his house saved him from flooding in August. Water backing up from the Muddy Creek cutoff ditch was three inches from his home near a fast-growing area off La. 930.

He doubts the little bit of dirt he dug from his pond and put on his 2.5 acres has much effect on anyone else. But Latiolais said his flooding troubles are from the subdivision behind his house that is draining water across his and his neighbors' land.

"The solution is stop, stop until the municipalities catch up, stop until Bill Roux can get caught up," Latiolais said.

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Taking note of Roux's critique, Lawler acknowledged that his new proposed moratorium is a political compromise that would include an exceptionfor up to 1 foot of fill and for residents who flooded to restore their homes as they were.

But Lawler said his intent is that the limited amount of allowable fill would effectively only permit new construction of individual homes and mobile or manufactured homes, but still block new larger housing tracts and other big new developments that would likely need more fill than 1 foot of dirt.

While Lawler is working on the votes, he has fellow skeptics of fill practices in Councilmen Benny Johnson and Randy Clouatre.

Clouatre said he would open to limiting fill for subdivisions only as long as flooded people could get back in their homes. He said understands the engineering and the calculations but doubts big subdivisions built in large floodplains won't alter drainage and doesn't see how a detention pond canmake up all the difference.

"I see real life," Clouatre said.

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Ascension eyes moratorium on certain kinds of housing development - The Advocate

ROYALTON A church whose tradition closely follows some Biblical teachings will celebrate Jesus' ascension and invites the community to join them at services that begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 25.

The teaching is that 40 days after he is believed to have risen from the dead, Jesus Christ then "ascended," into the heavens, to be with his father, God.

The Holy Ascension of Our Lord will be celebrated at The Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church, at112 N Fairdale St.n Royalton. A potluck will follow the divine liturgy; those who attend are asked to bring a dish to share.

Archpriest Frederick Janeek, rector for the church,will lead the services at the Protection of the Holy Virgin Mary Church in Royalton.

He said Thursday night's service is like the liturgy presented each Sunday at the church, but that those who are not familiar with the tradition might want to see what a service looks like. He said is is like the Eastern Orthodox services, older and more elaborate than services from other Christian religions.

"Many of the people here have never seen that worship service," he said. "All the Orthodox churches around the world have done that for 1,600 years."

He joined the church in January 2015 and recently celebated his third Easter at the church. About 30 people attend the Sunday services; the church will celebrate its 103rd anniversary in October.

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Royalton church to host ascension services Thursday - The Southern

Thy Kingdom Come, a global prayer movement inviting Christians to pray for more people to know Jesus Christ, holds Beacon Events from May 25, Ascension Day, through June 4, the Day of Pentecost.

The first event, at the office of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, 123 S. Durbin in Casper, will be a celebration of Ascension Day, May 25, at 5:30 p.m. This Beacon Event is hosted by St. Stephens Episcopal Church and St. Marks Episcopal Church in Casper and Christ Episcopal Church, Glenrock. All are invited.

During the service, the desire to care for all children in Wyoming will be carried out by making a donation to Diaper Days, hosted by St. Marks each month. Donations of diapers, size 3 or 4, or cash donations, are welcome at the event.

For more information on Thy Kingdom Come, go to http://www.thykingdomcome.global. For more on this Beacon Event, contact the Rev. Kay Flores at the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming at 265-6516.

Follow community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur on Twitter@WYOSAS

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Ascension Day celebration - Casper Star-Tribune Online

ASCENSION PARISH - Neighborhood retention ponds have doubled as drainage management systems and entertainment for the homeowners in local subdivisions. But what's swimming below the surface has some residents concerned.

"We had heard there was an alligator in the lake so we had been watching for it," Richard Peak said.

Peak is one of the many neighbors who's spotted gators swimming in the man-made "lake" behind his home. He managed to snap a picture of the reptile poking its eyes up just above the water's edge.

"We called the Wildlife and Fisheries, and there is a case number to hopefully eliminate the possibility of a nuisance alligator injuring someone's child and possibly someone's pet," Peak said.

While filing a claim with LAWF was step one, neighbors have now begun adjusting their routines. These new, self-imposed rules include no swimming, no fishing, and no letting pets or children near the water.

"It's a relatively small alligator, but small alligators grow up to be big alligators," Peak said. "And if there is one alligator there could be more, so we just need to be prudent and careful that we don't make national news with an alligator attack on a small child."

Peak'sgator sighting was a few weeks ago, but his neighbor snapped another picture of the animal Sunday morning, renewing concerns.

"We will just be happy when Wildlife and Fisheries picks it up and moves it to place it can grow into an adult," Peak said.

Until the gator is captured residents in the subdivision will remain cautious to ensure that these become nothing more.

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Residents in Ascension Parish subdivision concerned over gator sightings - WBRZ

Ascension Lutheran Church, in Towson, will celebrate its 75th anniversary Sunday.

A festive worship service dedicated to the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven will commemorate the event, according to a news release from the church.

"The whole reason the church was founded and is called Ascension is because it was founded [on] the 40th day after Easter," or Ascension Day, church volunteer Diane Kohan said.

The Christian holiday commemorates Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven according to ecumenical Christian belief, Kohan said.

The church traces its beginnings to 1941 when a small group of people met in a home on York Road, gathering regularly for worship, according to the church's website.

The Towson church opened on its namesake day on May 14, 1942.

Construction started on the present sanctuary in July 1949 with a formal dedication on June 4, 1950. In June 1959, the church added an education wing and a nursery school to better serve the community.

Bishop William Gohl, of the Maryland-Delaware Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be the guest preacher for the 10 a.m. celebratory service. Ascension's pastor, the Rev. Dr. Nancy Kraft, will preside over the service.

The church's senior and junior choirs will perform a specially commissioned "Ascension Prayer" anthem from composer Thomas Keesecker for the occasion, according to the news release.

"We're just going to celebrate the time we've had in Towson," Kohan said.

A free, catered lunch of small dinner rolls, tuna, chicken salad, fresh fruit and vegetables, and an anniversary cake will follow the service.

The church is located at 7601 York Road, near Towson University. Parking is available on York Road, across from the church building.

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Ascension Lutheran Church to celebrate 75 years Sunday - Baltimore Sun

GONZALES Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa offered encouraging words Thursday to parish government's 472 employees, telling them he will defend and help them through a coming revamp of parish operations that the "public can be proud of."

Matassa sent his message to parish workers one day after a much-anticipated organizational and efficiency review by SSA Consultants gave a tough critique of the way the parish does business.

GONZALES Though another 60,000 residents are projected to live in Ascension Parish by 2030

"Parish government is full of great public servants who wake up each morning to improve the quality of life for our residents. I want to thank my employees for their hard work," Matassa read to the Parish Council from a written statement. "I want them to know that I will defend them and encourage them every step of the way in this process. A better organization means a happier workforce, and a happier workforce is more productive and creative."

Christel Slaughter, a partner in Baton Rouge-based organizational firm SSA Consultants, said her company's review of parish operations found a government that still works in ways like a police jury, has out-of-date technology and needs a greater emphasis on customer service and employee training for both rank-and-file and management employees.

In a later interview, Matassa explained the reason for his statement about the SSA report, which he said was tough but which he accepted as constructive criticism.

He said some employees called him after the report was delivered Wednesday night about their concerns the report was directed at them.

"I assured them it wasn't directed at them," Matassa said.

Matassa said he explained the report is a review of a parish organizational setup that goes back to several past administrations. He compared the efficiency report and an earlier salary survey that SSA released in April to a "road map" to help improve parish government.

"I think it's a lot of positive in there, and it's going to show that we do have good departments and good employees, but we want to give them the tools they need and the training," Matassa said.

He said he had planned to offer more training when he took office in January 2016, but the floods in March and August delayed those efforts from getting off the ground.

In addition to softening the blow of the SSA report's conclusions, Matassa reiterated his pledge Thursday night to work with the Parish Council to see through major organizational changes but also asked that the council "empower me to get these things done, including ratifying my employees and returning contract authority to the administration."

Matassa's brief statement on the SSA report did not elicit a response from the council members, who had welcomed the report's conclusions Wednesday night.

In November, after months of pressure to bring his top administrative staff up for council ratification, as the home rule charter calls for, the council delayed the vote until the first quarter of 2017, after SSA was then expected to finish its work.

That vote to delay also came as grand jury proceedings were then pending over allegations Matassa and a Gonzales businessman tried to bribe someone to drop out of the Gonzales City Council race last year. Matassa and the businessman, Olin Berthelot, were later indicted in March on single counts of attempted election bribery. They have maintained their innocence and Matassa has said he will remain in office.

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GONZALES Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa and a Gonzales businessman accused in an

SSA's work didn't end up coming to the council until the second quarter of the year, in April and May.

Council Chairman Bill Dawson said later Thursday night that Matassa is welcome to bring his staff forward for a ratification vote.

"Certainly, any time he puts the names up, we'll vote on them," Dawson said in an interview.

The ratification provision applies to Chief Administrative Officer Ken Dawson, Chief Financial Officer Gwen LeBlanc, Public Works Director Bill Roux, Planning Director Jerome Fournier and a human resources director. Matassa is currently looking for a new director.

Dawson didn't have a response, however, on whether to restore Matassa's authority to issue contracts without council approval.

"That's the first time I've heard it. We still have to think about that," Dawson said.

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Ascension Parish President Kenny Matassa reassures staff after consultant's critical report - The Advocate