Newcomers Meal
We loved welcoming our newcomers with a meal at the end of February. If you are new to us here at Ascension but missed the meal, then please do get in touch as we would love to get to know you and help you feel more at home here at Ascension. Contact lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Discipleship Series
In his talk at the end of February, Simon spoke to us about our new series on discipleship (if you missed it, you can re-watch it on our YouTube channel). We look forward to growing together as disciples over the coming weeks – both on Sundays and in our small groups – focusing on surrendering all things to the love and will of God. Resources and further information about the series can be found at www.wearemakingdisciples.com/.
If you are not yet in a small group, but would like to find out more about how to get involved in one, then please do get in touch with lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
GrACE Group – Lent activities
Anne and Jo have organized a series of weekly challenges for children aged 7-12 to complete over Lent. The children will receive a sticker for successfully completing the challenge and a prize will be awarded to the one who completes the most challenges. Parents are encouraged to share their children’s efforts on social media. In addition to this, the GrACE group will have a table near the coffee bar between the 9am and 10:45 services, focusing on a different topic each week of Lent to encourage church members to think and act on caring for the environment.
Envoy
This April, Claire will be running “Mini Envoy” – a series of 90-minute sessions (either in person or online ) over 8 weeks that aim to give a flavour of Envoy. Over the sessions we discover what Envoy offers, explore its unique style of learning and how we can translate that learning into action – bringing these new skills into the everyday context of life. Through Envoy in the Winchester Diocese, we aim to develop a new culture of confidently sharing our faith with others. Booking can be done via the links above, or for more information please get in touch with Claire – claire.lingard@churcharmy.org
Volunteering for MarketplaceDo you have time to spare on a Wednesday morning? Southampton City Mission are looking for some volunteers to support their Marketplace project. If you are interested in finding out more about what this involves, then please do get in touch with the office – office@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Giving at Ascension
We are so thankful to those who regularly give to our work at Ascension. Through their generosity, we can continue in our mission to see God’s kingdom come to our communities through making and growing whole-life followers of Jesus. If you call Ascension your home and want to start giving regularly, we encourage you to give through the Parish Giving Scheme, a national direct debit scheme for churches. You can sign up to support our parish here and 100% of your donation, plus gift aid, will come to us.
Another way to support us financially is to sign up to Easyfundraising which allows you raise free donations for Ascension through your everyday shopping. Plus, once you’ve raised your first £5, Easyfundraising will double it! Do get in touch with lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk if you would like any further information about giving to Ascension.
Common Mission Fund
As we are part of the Church of England, part of your giving helps fund vicars like Simon, so we pay into the Winchester Diocese Common Mission Fund. We recently received a note of thanks from the Bishops Council and the wider Diocesan community for fully paying the Common Mission Fund request. If you would like to find out more about this Fund and how it is used, they have shared this video of thanks with us: https://youtu.be/cIFLUB5e0f4
We have lots of other regular and upcoming events going on over the coming months, details of which can be found on our website here (and copied out at the bottom of this e-mail)
Finally, we will leave you with an encouraging reminder from proverbs to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
God bless,
The Ascension Staff Team
Upcoming Events
More information available on our website www.ascensionsouthampton.co.uk/whats-on/
Wellbeing Café – Every Wednesday in March, 1.00 – 3.00 pm
Community drop-in in the Worship Space. Enjoy cake and coffee and chat with our friendly team. Other organisations are on hand to offer support with specific issues.
Edge+ (Townhill Park Community Centre) – Weekly, Sundays, 4.00 – 6.00 pm
Meeting together for friendship, support, games, craft and stories of Jesus with a simple meal together.
Lunchtime Walk & Talk – Wednesdays 8th and 22nd March, 12.00 pm
Meet by the noticeboard outside The Old Chemist at Bitterne Park Triangle for a gentle walk in Riverside Park. Please contact the office for more information.
Students Day – Saturday 11th March, 2.00 – 8.00 pm
Meet at church at 2pm and head out to the new forest/beach for a walk, returning for food and games.
Worship Evenings – Mondays 13th and 27th March, 7.00 pm
Informal sessions exploring the place of intercession as part of our worship. We will be praying and worshipping in the context of 2 Chronicles 7:14 with a focus on our church and community.
Over 60s at Ascension – Saturday 18th March, 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Join us for an afternoon of Tea, Cake & Chat.
Further ahead:
Holy Week – activities to help us reflect and worship in the approach to Easter (details to follow)
Maundy Thursday Meal* – Thursday 6th April, 7pm. Join us on Maundy Thursday for a unique service in the worship space, will eat together, worship together and celebrate communion.
APCM & Baked Potato Sunday – Sunday 23rd April after 10:45 am service – you will need to be on the electoral roll to vote at this APCM – to join the electoral roll, please complete this form before Saturday 8th April.
‘Mini Envoy’ – Wednesday 26th April (for 8 weeks), 1.00 – 2.30 pm