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Activities, Ministry & Services

NURSERY SERVICE - Care is provided for newborns through age five Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to the dismissal of the 10 a.m. service. A paid attendant is present at all times. Parents are asked to bring diapers for children as needed and to pick up their children right after the service. Parents may wish to get children from the nursery shortly before Communion and bring them to the altar for a blessing.

THE CHOIR - The choir performs twice a month and participates in special services during the year, especially Christmas and Easter.  If you enjoy singing, talk to our choir director, Heather Hacking-Rosales or call the church office for more inforation about joining the choir.

ACOLYTES - Young members from ages 9 through 18 may participate in the worship service as acolytes.  A training program is conducted for those who are interested.  See Fr. Brian for more information.

LAYREADERS/CHALICE BEARERS - Adults, college age and older, may participate in the worship service as Eucharistic Ministers, aka - lay readers and chalice bearers. A regular program of education for this ministry is provided prior to certification. Talk to Fr. Brian about upcoming classes.

USHERS/COFFEE HOUR HOSTS - All members of the congregation have the opportunity to serve as ushers and coffee hour hosts about one Sunday a year. Assignment is generally by family and younger members of the family are invited to participate with the adults. Newer members of the parish are given time to become acquainted before being asked to serve as ushers or coffee hour hosts. A Vestry member sets up the yearly schedule and notifies the congregation by letter with instructions.

COMMUNITY LIFE ACTIVITIES -There are many parish activities taking place during the year for both fellowship and work at the church. These may include receptions for special services, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Lenten Soup Suppers, Work Days (twice yearly clean-up), a Fall Picnic, Greening of the Church, and Christmas Carolling.  Details for these and other activities can be found monthly in The Epistle.

ST. MARTHA'S GUILD - Ascension women help maintain the kitchen. This includes tidying the drawers and cupboards and doing the kitchen laundry.  They are not responsible, however, for cleaning up after every activity.

ALTAR GUILD - Members are responsible for preparing the altar for all services, keeping the linens clean, providing wine, wafers, candles, and purchasing new linens as they are needed. Funds for these come from donations and memorials given throughout the year. Guild members are appointed by Fr. Brian.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED (NIN) - NIN is the main outreach program of Ascension Parish and is designed to assist those in our community struggling to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and medical bills. A food pantry maintained in the church stores food boxes that are distributed through South Central Community Action Partnership. Cash donations from parishioners at Ascension, area churches, and local service clubs allows NIN to help with shelter, utility bills, and medical costs in emergency situations. Close coordination with South Central Community Action Agency prevents duplication of services. A committee of Ascension parishioners shops for food, packs the food boxes and administers the cash disbursements.  For information contact Cindy Jardine.

PRAYER CHAIN - Ascension Church has an active Prayer Chain.  The purpose of the prayer chain is to offer daily prayer for those requesting prayers.  If you have a prayer request or would like to be a member of the Prayer Chain, please contact the office. 

HEARTS & HANDS - A group of parishioners assist parish families in time of need.  By providing meals during illnesses and food for funeral receptions, visiting the homebound and hospitalized, those in care centers, and acknowledging special events, this group offers practical pastoral care to our Ascension family. 

KNIT US TOGETHER - Ascension's prayer shawl ministry creates shawls which are blessed by Fr. Brian and given to those suffering from illness or loss.  We meet from 1:00 - 3:00pm each Wednesday and the group welcomes anyone who enjoys handwork.