Greetings from Ascension's Rector -
Fr. Richard Marchand
Dear friends,
It has been the greatest joy to have begun my service to Church of the Ascension on May 1st as its 16th Rector. The welcome, hospitality and caring I received as I began my ministry here is the true essence of this parish, something that we hope very much to extend to all who come through our doors. Welcome! Welcome all!
I am a native of Seattle, Washington, and have a Bachelor’s degree in German from Whitman College and a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary. As I was serving full-time at St. Luke in the Fields in the West Village in 2007-8, I was ordained a transitional Deacon and I last served at St. Matthew and St. Timothy on the Upper West Side as its Associate Priest. Coincidentally, I am the second Associate from St. Matthew and St. Timothy’s to be called to serve Ascension as its Rector. The first was the late Fr. David Taylor, who had served at St. Matthew and St. Timothy under long-term Rector Fr. Jay Gordon.
A principal focus as I begin my time with Ascension has been to simply be with the wonderful people of this parish – getting to know them, experiencing the rhythm of worship and programs, learning about hopes and dreams. At the same time the parish has been learning about me, and we are in the process of developing a sense of shared ministry as we grow closer in the love of Christ. I believe very strongly in journey, and invite each of you to join me in this journey, as I will join you. Let us walk it together in prayer and love, and in honor of the great gift that Jesus Christ is to each one of us.
Whether you engage in worship only or choose to join us in our different programs of study and discussion as well, it is my hope that you too will join me in deepening your connection to God through this parish, whether you have just arrived in the last few weeks, joined many, many years ago, or are just about to pay us your first visit!
Many blessings,
Fr. Richard