Summer suddenly feels a long way in the past and our thoughts will soon be turning to Christmas but there’s plenty going in November too and other updates for you from us here at Ascension:
Townhill – building update
Exciting news! EDGE has use of a building, something Siara has been praying about for many years. 121 Meggeson Avenue, the old housing office, is becoming the EDGE Community Hub. We’re currently painting, decorating and furnishing it. The amazing donation from the art group of £1,500 from a few years ago for Townhill Park is at last being put to good use as we develop this space. If you can help with your time or would like to provide anything for this new space (tables, comfortable seating, foldable wooden chairs, lamps, rugs, crockery and more) Siara would love to hear from you – siara@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Students
If you are visiting us as a new Student, we’d love to tell you more about Ascension and help you as you find your feet at University here. Please chat with Lorna (lorna@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk) or other members of the team here who can tell you how to get connected with what’s happening here for students.
Quiz & Chips – update
We had a great evening last month at our Quiz and Chips youth takeover. The youth hosted the event brilliantly and we had some challenging questions to attempt. As well as being a fun social event, the event raised £329.81 for World Vision. Well done and thank you to all our amazing youth for making this happen.
Light in the Night – update
“I’ve been excited all year for this, and it was the best party ever!”
We had 87 families join us on an underwater adventure at our Light in the Night Party this year – a total of 160 kids! A massive thank you to Jo, Luke, Emma and the whole team of volunteers for their hard work and creativity which made the event the huge success that it was – thank you.
Now onto Christmas…
Christmas Party
We would love for you to join us at the Ascension Christmas Party on Saturday 2nd December. You can expect a lovely festive evening with delicious food, music and fun together. Get your Earlybird tickets before 12th November via our website and save £5 off the full ticket price! Of course to make it all happen we will need some help! If you would like to help with setting up, washing up or providing a pudding then please email lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk or phone the office (02380 559074), thank you.
Christmas Presence at EDGE
After the success of our first ever Christmas Presence event in Townhill Park last year, we are preparing to return again with our ‘no money’ pop up Christmas giftshop on Sunday 26th November. The event aims to bless families within our EDGE and Townhill community by inviting parents to come and choose gifts for their children for Christmas. Vouchers to spend in the shop are distributed to identified families before the event. If you know somebody who might need this, please contact Siara (07484 617871). We would also like to offer the children a chance to choose a gift for their parents/guardians. To achieve this we need your support with both manpower (lots of volunteer helpers needed please!) and financial donations to enable the EDGE team to purchase the gifts which will be offered through the shop. Please speak to Siara or email the office if you can volunteer, and see bank details below to support this financially.
Account Name: (PCC of) Bitterne Park Parish.
Account Number: 00511579.
Sort Code:60-20-03.
Payment Reference: TCP
Christmas Services
Details of all our Christmas Services are available on our website (and listed in the Upcoming Events section below). Please do be thinking and praying about who you can invite to these, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Finally, within the buzz of the Light in the Night party, we have been reflecting on the real and present light we have in Jesus.
John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
God bless,
The Ascension Staff Team
Upcoming Events
More information about all our upcoming events can be found on our website events page
Footsteps Toddler Group – Mondays (term time), 9.15 – 11.15 am
Come and play, listen to a bible story, make friends and sing songs together. (£1.50 per family).
Parent Support Group, Townhill Park – Mondays (term time), 1.30 – 3.00 pm
A welcoming drop in for company and support. SureStart Family Hub, Cutbush Lane, SO18 2GF.
EDGE (Townhill Park Community Centre)– Sundays 12th & 26th November, 4 – 6 pm
Friendship, support, games, craft and stories of Jesus, with a simple meal together.
Worship and Prayer Evening – Sunday 12th November, 7.00 – 8.30 pm
An informal evening time for prayer and worship together.
Men’s Breakfast – Saturday 18th November, 08.30 – 10.00 am
A breakfast social for the men from our church and community. Tickets £5, please book via Ascension website by Thursday 16th November for catering purposes.
Over 60s at Ascension – Saturday 18th November, 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Join us for an afternoon of Tea, Cake & Chat in the Grace Hall.
Christmas Presence at EDGE – Sunday 26th November
Wreath making workshop* – Wednesday 29th November – Sold out
Further ahead:
Ascension Christmas Party – Saturday 2nd December – more details and tickets available here
Edge+ (Townhill Park Community Centre) – Sundays 10th & 17th December, 4.00 – 6.00 m
Carols by Candlelight – Sunday 10th December, 6.00 pm
Men’s Breakfast* Sunday 16th December, 08.30 – 10.00 am
Nativity Service – Sunday 17th December, 10.45 am service
Crib Service– Sunday 24th December, 4.00 pm
Midnight Communion – Sunday 24th December, 11.30 pm
Christmas Day Service – Monday 25th December, 10.00 am
New Years Eve Service – Sunday 31st December – 9am (no 10:45 service)