May is here, with it comes the sun and lots of news and updates from us here at Ascension.
ABP Marathon this Sunday
This Sunday (3rd May), some of the roads near us will be closed due to the ABP Southampton Marathon. Our morning services are on as usual, but please do check their website to see how these road closures may affect your journey in. For any of you who are taking part – we hope you enjoy the day and we look forward to cheering you on!
Prayers for our clergy team
Over May and June our clergy have some exciting events taking place:
- Simon will be made an honorary Canon. His Cannoning service will take place at Winchester Cathedral on 10th May at 3:30pm. If you would like to attend this service, please let the office know by 3rd May.
- Lucy and Bev are both being ordained as Deacons on 28th June at 10am in Winchester Cathedral.
- James is being ordained a Priest on 27th June at 4pm in Winchester Cathedral.
Please do remember Simon, Lucy, Bev and James in your prayer this month as they prepare for these special services.
APCM and Bev’s Last Sunday
On Sunday May 17th at 12:30 we have our APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) where we will be celebrating what God had done here at Ascension over the last year. We will also be electing church officers, reviewing finances, and approving reports on church activities. The 17th May will also be Bev’s last Sunday with us here at Ascension before she starts her new role as a curate at St Luke’s in Hedge End. Please do stay on after the 10:45 service and before the APCM for some tea and cake as we give thanks for Bev and pray for her and Paul as they start this next chapter. If you would be able to bring a cake along for this, please do get in touch with Lizi.
Quiz & Chips Fundraiser
Our Ascension Youth Group are hosting a Quiz & Chips Fundraising Night to raise money for the brilliant Aggie’s Charity on Tuesday May 19th at 7pm. Tickets are just £10 and include a fish and chip supper. We would love as many people to come along as possible, so please do invite your friends and come and join us for a night of fun, food and quizzes! Tickets are available on our website or contact the Parish Office. Finally, if you would be able to donate a raffle prize or bring along a pudding on the night—please do let Lizi know – lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
EDGE Fashion Fundraiser
Join us at the Townhill Park Community Centre on Saturday 30th May from 7pm – 9pm for a glamorous evening of fabulous fashion! We have high-end footwear designer bridal and prom outfits and more available via an exciting auction with all proceeds going towards our free summer activities in Townhill Park. Tickets are for ages 14 and over and includes refreshments on arrival. To find out more or offer your help on the night, please contact Sandra Philip.
YouthFest Volunteers
YouthFest is a wonderful opportunity for youth from different churches across the City to come together for a weekend of fun, games and incredible teaching and worship: 19-21st June. As one of the organising churches of this event, we would love to put together a team of helpers from Ascension. If you could spare some time over that week/weekend to help with stewarding/catering/setting up/praying please do get in touch with luke@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk
Wildfires Festival
We are off to Wildfires again this year! Wildfires is a three-day festival at the Wiston Estate, West Sussex from 23rd– 26th July. So far we have about 40 of us coming along from Ascension, if you would like to join us, you can book tickets at https://wildfiresfestival.com. Once you have booked, please do email the office to let us know so we can co-ordinate camping plots together – we would love to have you join us! If you are still making your mind up and want to chat to someone who has been before, please do get in touch with the office.
JustMoney Talk
On June 9th at 7pm JustMoney will be coming to Ascension to speak about current economic systems from a faith perspective; and how we can use our spending power to reduce environmental harm and social inequalities. This will be followed by a discussion panel. If this is something you would be interested in attending, please do sign up on the website or get in touch with the church office.
Finally, with Pentecost at the end of this month, we want to leave with you with a verse from Acts, “They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” – Acts 2:3-4
God Bless,
Ascension Staff Team