| Happy New Year! May this new year bless you with an unwavering faith that guides your steps, illuminates your path, and fills your heart with hope and strength throughout the year ahead. As we enter this new year together, we have lots of updates to share with you: Evening Services Our Evening Services will restart on Sunday 4th January 7pm. There will be a mix of worship, bible study, prayer and discussion. Join us for a relaxed, welcoming space to explore faith, connect with others, and grow in fellowship together. Prayer Days in January We would love to start the year off in prayer so we are holding 4 prayer days over January that we would like to invite you to. We hope these will be an opportunity to encounter God, reflect, pray and to be refreshed as we enter into 2026. The prayer days will be held in the Grace Hall on the below dates and times: Tuesday 6th January– 7:30pm – 9:30pm Wednesday 7th January – 12:30pm – 2:30pm // 7:30pm – 9:30pm Thursday 8th January – 12:30pm – 2:30pm // 7:30pm – 9:30pm Saturday 10th January – 8am – 2pm For those of you who are part of a small group, we would encourage you to attend one of these prayer days in place of your usual small group meetings for this week. For those who are not part of a small group here at Ascension, but would like to find out more about them – please do get in touch with james@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk Alpha Course Our next 8-week Alpha Course starts on Wednesday 14th January, 7-9pm. Alpha is a series of group conversations that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith in an open, friendly environment over a meal. Alpha is for everyone, no matter your background or beliefs. Whether you’re new to exploring faith or simply open-minded about it all, Alpha is for you. Get in touch with James (james@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk) to find out more or sign up via our website. 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 James as they lead the course, for the team who support 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 James. Winter Youth Fest If you have a young person in years 6-13 then we would love to invite them to join us at Winter Youth Fest 2026. This is an opportunity for young people from churches across the city to meet for games, worship, and lots of pizza! We will be meeting at Central Hall on the 23rd of January from 7pm – 9:30pm. The cost is just please signup on our website or contact Luke for more information. Ascension is turning 100! This year, Ascension Church will be celebrating our Centenary! Our wonderful church building will be 100 years old in February. To mark the day of the anniversary we will be holding service of communion on Tuesday 3rd February at 12pm. On the following Sunday, February 8th, we will have a joint celebratory service at 10am where Bishop Geoff will join us and preach. This will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch together. Please do put this date in your diary as we would love you to join us for this. We will also be putting together an exhibition of the history of Ascension, so if you have any stories, specific memories or photos we would love you to share them with the church office. Upcoming regular activities at Ascension: more details for all our regular events can be found on our website + Footsteps Toddler Group – Mondays (term-time) 9:15am – 11:15am Bring your toddlers and preschool children to Ascension for bible stories, crafts, and songs in the Grace Hall + Ascension Running Community – Mondays 7pm Join us for a social 5k run together. Get in contact with running@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk to find out more or if you would like to join us for the first time.+ Tuesday Prayers – Tuesdays 12:30-1:00pm We meet in the Ascension worship space during the term-time to pray for our church and community. + Morning Prayer – Wednesdays 6:30-7:30am A time of morning prayer and worship for our city. Hosted by Ascension but open to all. + Dad’s Lego Breakfasts – First Saturday of the month (Restarts Sat 7th Feb) 10am-12pm A monthly social for dads to connect and spend quality time with their kids with lots of Lego. £1 entry per person (includes a bacon roll and drink) Finally, we want to leave with you with a verse from Jeramiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. With every blessing for 2026 From all the Ascension Staff Team |
