Welcome to March! Easter is, of course, our main focus this month and we have lots of special activities on during Holy Week to tell you about.
| Holy Week and Easter 2024’Holy Week at Home’ Boxes This year we are delighted to offer ‘Holy Week at Home’ boxes containing prompts and guides to help us reflect practically on some of the events of Holy Week from the comfort of our own homes. Both 1-2 person and family size boxes will be available. For more details and to sign up for a box go to our website (1 per household, suggested donation of £1 for the small box, £2.50 for the family size). Boxes can be collected after services on Sundays 17th and 24th March. If you are unable to collect a box, please phone the office or email office@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk as early as possible. Palm Sunday – Worship and Prayer Evening Sunday 24th March, 7.00 pm An informal evening time for prayer and worship together in remembrance of Palm Sunday. Holy Week Morning & Evening Prayer Mon 25th, Tues 26th & Weds 27th March, 9.00 am & 7.00 pm Short liturgical services (approx. 20 mins) each morning and evening for meditation and contemplation. Maundy Thursday Service & Meal Thursday 28th March, 7.00 – 9.00 pm A special time of worship and remembrance of the Last Supper. Doors will open at 6:45pm and we’ll begin at 7pm in the worship space, we will eat together, worship together and celebrate communion. Although not aimed at children, interested older children are welcome with a parent. Tickets are £5 per person, available to buy via our website until Sunday 24th March. Please bring a bottle of something to share and notify us with any dietary requirements you may have. If you can provide a pudding to share to help us keep our costs down, then please do get in touch with lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk Good Friday – Quiet Contemplation Friday 29th March, 9.00 – 11.00 am Ascension will be open for a time of quiet contemplation, drop in for as little or long as you wish. Good Friday Service at Guildhall Square Friday 29th March, 12.00 pm Southampton churches are coming together for an open-air worship service in Guildhall Square. We will meet outside Mettricks at 11.45 am to walk over together if you want to meet with others from Ascension. EDGE+ Easter party (Townhill Community Centre) Saturday 30th March, 4.00 – 6.00 pm A family-friendly, informal gathering. We will be celebrating Easter with a simple meal together and fun Easter-themed activities. Easter Sunday Sunrise Service (Riverside Park) Sunday 31st March, 6.30 am Meet by the pontoon in Riverside Park (near Bitterne Park Social Club car park) for a short outdoor service with Communion as the sun rises on Easter morning, followed by warm breakfast rolls at Ascension afterwards. Easter Sunday Service – All age celebration with Communion Sunday 31st March, 10.00 am In place of our usual 9am and 10:45 services, we will all meet together as one congregation at 10am to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We would love to see you all there. Please note there will not be separate children’s activities as we will all meet together for a family-friendly celebration. |
Outside of our preparations for Easter, we do still have a number of other activities to update you on:
Parenting workshops with Lorraine Lee
This April we are excited to be able to offer a one-off workshop for parents of young people undertaking exams as well as a four-week parenting course – focusing on areas such as managing anxiety, anger and strong emotions, all led by the brilliant Lorraine Lee. For more information about what will be covered in each session, and for tickets, please see below links:
Parenting workshop with Lorraine Lee – Helping Children Revise & Prepare For Exams
4 week Parenting Course with Lorraine Lee
Marketplace – help needed
Did you enjoy playing “Shops” when you were a child? Well now is the time to recall happy memories. If you could spare time on Wednesdays between 09.00 and 11.00 we need help to re-stock the Marketplace shop at Townhill Park Community Centre. If interested please speak to Chris Balchin 07768 384117
Speaking of help needed… if you are not already on one of our teams here at Ascension and are interested in serving – please do get in touch with Lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk – from welcoming and serving coffee to AV and helping with our kids and youth groups – we need you!
Upcoming Regular Activities
All our upcoming events can be found on our website – but here is a look at what else is coming up this month:
Footsteps Toddler Group – Mondays, 9.15 – 11.15 am
Come and play, listen to a bible story, make friends and sing songs together. (£1.50 per family).
EDGE+ (at Townhill Park Community Centre)- Sundays 3rd and 17th March , 4.00 – 6.00 pm
Friendship, support, games, craft and stories of Jesus, with a simple meal together.
Wriggle and Rhyme (at The Edge Hub) – Thursdays, 10 am
A place for parents and carers of babies and young children to chat, and little ones to play and sing. (£1.50 per family, includes coffee and snack). The EDGE Hub, 121-123 Meggeson Avenue.
Men’s Breakfast – Saturday 16th March, 8.30 – 10 am
A breakfast social for the men from our church and community. Tickets £5, please book via Ascension website.
Prayer Walk – Sunday 24th March, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
Join us to walk and pray around our Parish. Meet outside Ascension at 7pm.
Finally, we invite and encourage you to make some space and time this month to reflect upon the events leading up to Jesus’ death, and celebrate his resurrection!
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God bless, have a great weekend and see you Sunday!
Ascension Staff Team