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Dear People of Ascension,

Some of you will have heard my announcement on Sunday, and some may not have, so here it is again!

After having Covid in March of 2020, I have developed symptoms that are very much in line with what is being  called Long Covid.  Fatigue, brain fog and all the lovely effects these create are now a part of my day to day life.  Though times of extended rest have helped, I cannot seem to completely recover.  After having a few tests done, my doctor has advised that I take a short term leave of absence.  This is not only for rest, but also so that I might pursue health treatments that will hopefully help.

We are currently working to place an interim priest to offer support to the parish while I am away and will let the parish know those details as soon as we have them.   That said, we have an excellent team of very capable volunteers to oversee much of the ministry here at Ascension.  Details on who to contact for various needs or issues will be shared with the parish around the first week in March.

The plan is to take 3 months of leave starting on March 1st and to return part-time in June.  That is the plan, but you know what they say about plans!  As with many things that have unfolded during this pandemic, I am learning to be more flexible as things change.  I sincerely believe that I will find a way to live with this new reality and return to work.  It won’t be going back to the way things were, but I suspect it will be richer and more meaningful.  God has a funny way of doing that - taking our weakness, our suffering and even our failures and infusing them with redeemed life.  

I am grateful for your many prayers and want to assure you of my continued prayers for you throughout my leave.  But I haven’t left yet, and look forward to seeing many of you in church on Feb. 27th and more of you at the Zoom meeting that afternoon at 2 pm for our annual vestry.

As always, with deep gratitude for you and for this community,  Ruthanne