Activities, Ministry & Services

NURSERY SERVICE for newborns through age five is provided on 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 promptly 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 sings from September to June and is open to anyone who desires to sing and can reasonably carry a tune. It is not necessary to be able to read music or to be a professional singer. The only requirement is the commitment of time, even if that commitment is only for part of the year; for example, Christmas or Easter.

ACOLYTES are youth from age nine to eighteen years who assist the clergy in the worship service. Special training is conducted for those interested.

LAYREADERS/CHALICE BEARERS are adults, college age and older, who participate in the worship service. A regular program of education for this ministry is provided prior to certification.

USHERS/COFFEE HOUR HOSTS serve about two to three Sundays 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 ample 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, complete with instructions.

COMMUNITY LIFE ACTIVITIES take 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 Supper, Work Days (twice yearly clean-up), a Fall Picnic, Greening of the Church, and Christmas Carolling.

THE ARTISANS' HOLIDAY SHOW is the annual parish fund-raiser featuring local and regional artisans and wonderful food from the Ascension kitchen. It is held the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. The church has its own booth containing cookies and other baked goods. Workshops to make items for this booth are held during the fall, both during the day and evening.

ST. MARTHA'S GUILD is a group of Ascension women whose main responsibility is to keep the kitchen drawers and cupboards clean and do the kitchen laundry. (They do not clean up after every activity at church.)

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

NEIGHBORS IN NEED (NIN) is the primary 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 in the church stores food boxes to last families approximately three days. 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 packs food boxes on a rotating basis, shops for food, and administers the cash disbursements.

A PRAYER CHAIN exists to lift up in daily prayer anyone for whom the prayers are requested. If you have a prayer request or if you would like to be part of the prayer chain, contact the church office.

HEARTS & HANDS is a group of dedicated parishioners who 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.