FEBRUARY AND CENTENARY NEWS
As the evenings get lighter and Spring is around the corner, we welcome you to our February Newsletter! As you will see, it’s an exciting month here at Ascension with lots of things we would love to invite you to:
Celebrate our Centenary with us!
This February we are celebrating 100 years since the Church of the Ascension was consecrated. We are holding a week of special services, events and exhibitions that we would love to invite you to. More details of all our events and booking links are on our website.
- Centenary Service & Afternoon Tea
Tuesday 3rd February at 12 noon
A service of Holy Communion to mark 100 years to the day since the building was consecrated, followed by afternoon tea in the café – please do sign up so we know how many to cater for. - Open Church & Exhibition
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th February, *10am-12noon
Come and enjoy an exhibition of the church’s history. Refreshments available. - Guided Tour of Church & Stained-glass Windows
Saturday 7th February, 2pm and 4pm
Enjoy a guided tour of our magnificent stained-glass windows. Tea, cake and crafts for kids will be available throughout. Please sign up via these links to book on. 2pm tour. 4pm tour. - Joint Celebration Service and Bring & Share Lunch
Sunday 8th February, 10am
In place of our two usual services (9am and 10:45am) we will be holding one celebratory service combining traditional organ-led hymns and contemporary worship. Bishop Geoff will lead communion and give a sermon and there will be separate activities available for kids. After the service join us for cake and memory-sharing followed by a bring-and-share lunch in the hall. To help with co-ordinating this shared meal – please do sign up to let us know what you plan to bring along.
Church Building Fund
As we celebrate 100 years of our church building, we are inviting our community to prayerfully consider making a one‑off gift towards our Church Building Fund. Our church building costs over £1,000 a week to keep open, so every contribution made will help preserve and strengthen our amazing church building for the future. Find out more here.
Edge Crew Sunday get-together
Our Sunday worshiping community in Townhill Park will be restarting fortnightly on Sunday 8th Feb 4-6pm at the Community Centre in Townhill Park. This all age gathering over a shared meal gives the opportunity to hear bible stories, sing songs and meet new people. Do come along and join us there if you can.
Sunday Evening Services
Our Sunday evenings will look a little different this year. We will be holding an evening of extended worship and prayer on the 2nd Sunday of each month, and a prayer walk on the 4th Sunday of the month – both at 7pm. All dates for these will be on our website events page.
Lent
We will be marking the start of lent with a traditional Ash Wednesday Service on the 18th February at 10am here at Ascension.
We will also be holding a Lent Quiet Day on Tuesday 24th February which offers an opportunity to spend time experiencing the presence of God in silence to help mark the season of Lent. There will also be creative opportunities for prayer. The day will run over two sessions: 12:30 – 4pm and 6pm – 9:30pm. All are welcome for as much or as little of the day as you can make.
Bereavement Course
Along with Caraway and Hearing Hearts, we are holding a 6-week course for people, aged 50 and over, who have lost someone. Over these sessions this Bereavement Support Workshop will provide a safe space where people can explore their loss and the effect it is having on them. Starting Monday 23rd February from 10:30—12:30. Signup here or speak to Andy Milligan or Jackie Cooper for more information.
Youth Updates
Our Youth Weekend Away is this weekend – please do pray that the young people attending have a wonderful safe time and encounter God in a new and meaningful way.
Our next Youth Worship Evening will be on Monday 23rd February at 6:30pm and will led by the Psalm Drummers. Get in touch with Jo or Luke to find out more.
Donation Request
Amanda Mayers is visiting Uganda at the end of February volunteering at the Watoto Baby home. She would be grateful for donations like fabric books, plastic pelican bibs and clothes new or as good as new aged 0-3yr. Please bring donations on Sunday (or to the church office) before February 22nd. Thank you!
Market Place – help needed
The Marketplace team are in need of more helpers on Thursday mornings 9:30am to 12pm. Please contact the office if you are interested, or would like more details.
Finally, as we celebrate God’s faithfulness for the past 100 years, we leave you with this verse from Psalm 100:5 : For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.
God Bless,
The Ascension Staff Team