Welcome to the (re-)introduction of the Ascension blog! I call it a re-introduction, because the blog actually made its debut in Lent 2006. We used the blogspace here on ascensionnyc.org to share with the wider world the daily meditations Ascension parishioners had written for our 2006 Lenten Devotional book.

During Lent, each of the entries here were from a different person, related to one or more of the scripture readings assigned for the daily worship for that day. Going forward, at least initially, our plan is to open up this space for two or three parishioners over a month or two, so they can share, on a regular basis, whatever thoughts and feelings are on their mind.

Which probably leads to a few questions. So in the time-honored tradition of the Internet and the church, herewith the AscensionNYC blog FAQ/catechism ... whichever you prefer to call it:

Why does a church need a blog?

It doesn't. Or at least ours doesn't. But a blog can be a nice way in an online setting for an individual to speak personally, from the heart. And as a parish church and worshiping community, we find that Christ meets us in unique ways in our individual lives. And this is just one of the many ways we have to discuss that with others, if they care to discuss it.

So who are the people blogging here?

Various and sundry parishioners of the Church of the Ascension, who've been asked to share some witness of their faith here on the blog -- and just so we're clear what all that could encompass, for many of us expressing our doubts could be an even more "devout" expression of our faith.

Huh?

People from our church will come on here and talk about things in their life or observations they want to make, all of which may or not be related to God, Jesus, and other church stuff.

Ah. Thanks. So who chooses who gets to post on here?

The Webmaster. I could lie and add "as divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit," but no one at Ascension who knows me would believe that for a minute.


And what about comments other people would like to add?


Please do! (Just click on the "comments" link below.) Even though a blog is by its nature a one-to-many, or some-to-many form of communication, I think we all of us would like to see it be more of a dialogue than a monologue.



Then why do you "moderate" the comments -- that is, approve or reject them prior to posting? Why should you get to determine what I can and can't post here?

To paraphrase St. Augustine: Love God and post what you like? We could do it that way. And our bloggers' posts aren't moderated by anyone. However, for all its openness, the Internet can also be a raucous, sometimes coarse, sometimes even deceitful "place." And we would hope, above all, that this space could be free of personal rancor between individuals. We'll try to err on the side of being as inclusive and broadminded of submitted comments on these posts as possible, but as part of the Ascension Web site, this blog should not be a venue for insults, profanity, and other, "less edifying" ways of communicating.

And, at the very least, moderating comments means you, the reader, won't have to put up with special offers on "replica watches," Viagra, or home mortgages -- to name just a few of the cleaner variety of comments that might otherwise appear among unmoderated blog comments.


Think we need other questions added to our Frequently Asked Questions? Submit us a comment!