With the start of a new month comes lots of exciting news from us here at Ascension!
Welcome to Claire!
We are pleased to welcome Claire to the Staff Team here at Ascension. Claire, who works for the Church Army, will be to supporting Ruth with her work in Townhill part-time and the other part of her role is with the Diocese, rolling out Envoy. Envoy is an innovative step-by-step coaching community developing evangelism and effectiveness in living missionally.
Claire and her husband, Darren, have relocated to Southampton for this new role, so we would love to be able to welcome them to the area and the church by blessing them with some meals as they settle in. If you can provide a meal or some other welcome goodies for Claire and Darren, please sign up using this link or get in touch with Lizi – Lizi@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk.
Goodbye to Lorna!
This month we say goodbye to Lorna as she heads off on Maternity Leave! Lorna’s last working day here at Ascension will be 12th December. Other staff members and volunteers will cover her areas of ministry over this period. If you aren’t sure whom to contact in her absence, please get in touch with the office at office@ascensionsouthampton.co.uk. Please do remember Mac and Lorna in your prayers as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.
The Christmas Presence
We have been blown away by the support our church family has made for the Christmas Presence event. A massive thank you to all who donated gifts, money, and time to make this event so successful. Through your generosity, we managed to raise £1440 and collected over 100 gifts. Families were invited to choose and wrap gifts for each over at the event. We were able to bless 60 children and 38 adults in Townhill by working with the local schools and through our connections in the area. Here is just some of the feedback that we have received from those that we were able to bless through The Christmas Presence:
“It’s amazing, just amazing” “Thank you for having us. Such a lovely thing to do.” “It’ll be a big big help [this Christmas].”
Christmas Services
This a quick reminder to look at our website here to find the details of all our Christmas services. We would love you to come to one or all of them and to bring your friends and family too!
On Sunday, 1st January, we will have one service at 9 am. Regular services will resume on Sunday, 8th January 2023.
Finally, as we enter advent, we wanted to share this excerpt from “The Greatest Gift” by Ann Voskamp:
“God gives God. That is the gift God always ultimately gives. Because nothing is greater and we have no greater need, God gives God. God gives God, and we only need to slow long enough to unwrap the greatest Gift with our time: time in His Word, time in His presence, time at His feet.”
Our prayer for you this busy advent is that you can slow down long enough to spend time in God’s Word, in His presence and time at His feet.
With prayers and best wishes,
The Ascension Staff Team
Isaiah 9:2; 9:6-7
The people walking in darkness, have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.