Happy New Year!
After the busyness of Christmas, it is great to reach a quieter time where there is time and space to reflect on the year that has gone, and to look forward at what might lie ahead. We look forward to journeying through this new year with you.
The EDGE Hub Launch Date
Siara and her team of amazing volunteers have been working hard on preparing our new ‘home’ in Townhill Park. The EDGE Hub, 121-123 Meggeson Ave, will officially open its doors on Saturday 20th January, 2.00 – 4.00pm and we would love you to come along to see it! Going forward The EDGE Hub will be open throughout the week for various activities ranging from a Stay and Play session, ‘Tea and toast’ for parents after school drop off to a Soup Lunch for older folk. Our Sunday afternoon EDGE+ sessions will continue at Townhill Community Centre as before (meeting on Sunday 7th and 21st January this month)
Alpha Course
Our next Alpha course will start on Wednesday 24th January from 7.00 – 9.00pm, for 8 weeks (excluding 14th February). Please sign up via the website if you would like to come! If you have previously enjoyed Alpha then we would love you consider helping as a volunteer. Please contact Charlie to find out what’s involved and how you can help – it doesn’t need to be a huge commitment and is very rewarding – charlie@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Prayer and Worship
Our next Prayer and Worship evenings will be on Sunday 14th January and Sunday 11th February, 7.00 – 8.30 pm. These evenings are a wonderful opportunity to spend to spend time with Jesus during an informal time of prayer and worship together. Hope to see you there.
Winter Youth Fest
Winter Youth Fest is an opportunity for young people from churches across the city to meet together for a fun evening of games, worship, and lots of pizza! We have an amazing guest speaker lined up to talk to us, and there may even be some information about Youth Fest 2024. Please talk to Jo and Luke for further information and sign up via our website.
Christian Union – update from Jo & Luke
We have just finished our first full term of running Christian Union in Bitterne Park Secondary school every Wednesday lunchtime, which has grown from 4 students to 27 over the course of the term! We run this in collaboration with New Community Church and Mr Vardy, who had been faithfully running the C.U. on his own for multiple years.
Community Art Group fundraising
Last summer, the Community Art Group hosted another excellent Art Exhibition as part of the Open Studios event, and raised £1.322 from the sale of paintings and refreshments, and donations, which has been sent to The Red Cross to help children in Ukraine.
Get connected
Whether you are new to Ascension or have been coming for years, there are always new ways to get connected!
Join or host a small group
One of the best ways to get connected and grow in faith and fellowship is by joining one of our small groups. We have groups that meet throughout the week, so do get in touch with Steve via smallgroups@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk to find out more. We are also looking for new small group hosts and leaders, so if this is something that you would like to explore then please do get in touch with Steve.
Join a team
If you haven’t already joined one of our teams then we would love you to consider doing so! From helping out on the sound desk, to welcoming and serving coffee – we need you! Get in contact with Lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk to find out more about how you can get involved and serve here at Ascension.
Come to our Newcomers Meal
If you are new (or new-ish) and haven’t been to one of our Newcomers Meals, then do sign up for our next one which will be on 25th February. It’s a great way to get to know others within the church as we share a meal together. There is no cost involved, but please do sign up so we know how many to cater for.
Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye out on the events page on our website for all our upcoming services and events.
With every blessing for 2024,
The Ascension Staff Team