| Hello, welcome to 2025 and a Happy New Year. We hope you had a good Christmas and some time to relax. We’re pleased to start the year off with some new and exciting events to update you on. The Christmas Presence The Christmas Presence event we ran in 2024 was a huge success—many thanks to all those who donated to this initiative. We were able to give over 70 presents to 22 local families to allow their children to have something special to open on Christmas Day. Thank You! AlphaWe will be running an 8-week Alpha course starting on Wednesday 15th January here at Ascension. Alpha is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment over a meal. No matter your background or beliefs, you’re welcome. If you’re new to faith or still exploring, we would love you to come along. Get in touch with Bev (bev@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk) to find out more. If you are already part of our church family, then we would love you to support Alpha in the following ways: Invite – is there a friend or colleague who you think has questions about life and faith? Please do invite them along to join us for this course. Pray – for Bev and her team as they lead the course and for all those who attend. Serve – we would love to provide a meal for each night of the course, if you, or your small group, would be willing to prepare and serve a meal one Wednesday evening, please get in touch with Bev. Winter YouthFest and Weekend Away We’ll be returning to Winter YouthFest at Central Hall on Friday 17th of January (6pm to 9:30pm) for another evening of fun, worship, pizza, and the return of a speaker from the summer event. To sign up please see our website or get in touch with Luke (luke@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk). Our youth and the team will also be heading out to Fairthorne Manor for an exciting weekend of fun, friends, and faith at the end of January. Please do pray for all those organising and attending this weekend. Bishop Philip’s Visit On Sunday the 19th January we will be welcoming the Bishop of Winchester, Bishop Philip to both our 9am and 10:45 services. Big Church Lunch We would love to eat together more often in 2025, so on the 1st Sunday of every month we will get together, after the 10:45 service to have a church family lunch—starting on 2nd February. Bring your own food and drink and join us for fun and games from 12:30pm, all are welcome and we would love to see you there. New Weekly Sunday Evening Service In other exciting news for 2025, we will be starting a new Sunday Evening Service. Our Sunday Evening Service will meet weekly at 7pm, starting from Sunday 9th February. There will be a mix of great video talks, lively group discussions, heartfelt prayer, and inspiring sung worship. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space to explore faith, connect with others, and grow together. Do come along, we would love to see you there. Ascension Ladies Group The Ascension Ladies Group will be meeting on the 17th January with a talk by local author J. M. Carr. Please speak to Frances Samphire (frances@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk) for more details, or contact Steve Waterton if you would like to find out more about small groups here at Ascension – smallgroups@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk Other upcoming dates for your diary: Tuesday Prayers – Every Tuesday 12:30-1:00pm We meet in the Ascension worship space during the term-time to pray for our church and community. Morning Prayer- Every Wednesday 6:30-7:30am A time of morning prayer and worship (joining with other churches) for our city. Hosted by Ascension but open to all. Sunday Evening Worship & Prayer- Sunday 12th January, 7pm – 8:30pm An informal evening time for prayer and worship together. EDGE+ Sunday 12th & 26th January and 9th & 23rd February, 4- 6pm Friendship, support, games, craft and stories of Jesus at Townhill Park Community Centre. Prayer Walk, Sunday 19th January 7 – 8pm Join us to pray for our parish. We will meet at 7pm outside Ascension to walk and pray together. Finally, this month, we want to leave with you with a verse from Joshua 1:9″Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Take care and God bless, Ascension Staff Team |
