Who We Are | Who We Are |
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Welcome I hope that you will find this brief glimpse helpful in getting to know a bit about the Church of the Ascension. What follows is unabashedly biased. I am a very happy member of this loving family, and delight in the ministry that we share. Our building, which sits contentedly on the corner of Second Avenue and West Street in Parkesburg, lovely as it is, is only a well-ordered pile of stone. It is not the church. The church is created, its body fed, nourished, and strengthened, each time people gather for worship, education, meetings, activities,and fun. Thus sustained and renewed, the “church” returns to the larger community as Christ’s Body here on earth, with eyes better able to see with compassion, sturdier feet upon which to go about doing good, and hands more capable of holding, healing, and blessing. The rhythm of receiving, of being loved without condition, and of giving to the world, one person at a time, is the rhythm of life, and is the heartbeat of Ascension. As it says in our Mission Statement: “We are a Loving Community for All” Faithfully, (The Rev.) Hank White MinistriesSunday School meets during the 10:15 Service. The curriculum is based upon Bible stories and a variety of othermaterials and revolve around age-appropriate discussions and activities that tie in with the lessons Adult Education courses are offered on scheduled Sunday evenings during the year. Classes are discussion oriented and focus on contemporary issues, current theological trends, and spiritual journeys.All courses are open to the community. Activities include parish and communitydinners, an annual Craft Fair, various family activities such as bowling, picnics, Christmas Caroling, and field trips. The Vestry is an eight member electedbody within the congregation that leads the parish, along with the clergy, by: ¨ helping to discern the vision toward which God is drawing this church; ¨ articulating and communicating that vision; ¨ keeping the mission of the Church clearly before the parish. St. Mary’s Guild serves both the church and community by generously giving of its resources that are raised through fundraising activities and the Guild’s endowment. Outreach to the community in a widevariety of ways is the cornerstone of our life & ministry. |