Answers to Family Questions

How To ...

Arrange a Baptism
Arrange a Wedding
Enroll Your Child in the Early Childhood Program or Ascension School
Learn More about Jesus and Meaning for My Life
Become Better Acquainted with the Life and Teachings of Jesus
Arrange for Pastoral Ministries
Join The Church of the Ascension
Become Involved in Ministry
Arrange for a Funeral or Memorial Service
Make Bequest to the Parish

... Arrange a Baptism

If you have never been baptized and wish to be, make your desire known to the one of the clergy. If you have a child who has never been baptized, make your desire known. The parents or a close relative should be confirmed members of The Church of the Ascension. A pre-baptismal information packet is available in the Church Office. This packet includes the Baptismal Customary which may be read online.

Holy Baptism is performed throughout the Church year, except during Lent. Baptisms occur in the context of corporate worship. Pre-baptismal instruction is offered several times a year for adult candidates as well as for the parents and sponsors (god-parents) of unbaptized children. Please call the Church Office for further information and to arrange for baptismal instruction.

We expect those interested in Holy Matrimony to be active members of the parish. The Church of the Ascension is not a wedding chapel and is not available to couples from outside the parish. Weddings are performed throughout the Church year, except during Lent. The first step after active membership is to obtain a copy of the parish's customary and read it. After you have read the customary and are willing to comply with the guidelines provided, you should make an appointment with the one of the clergy to arrange premarital instruction. Do not set a date or sign a contract for a reception site until the consultation with one of the clergy has be completed.

... Enroll Your Child in the Early Childhood Program
    or Ascension Episcopal School

We offer programs for children ages ten months through the fifth grade. The children receive Christian care and education for excellence within the Christian moral environment. For additional information or to arrange for tour of the facilities, contact the School Office.

The clergy and the members of Ascension want to help you on your spiritual journey. We will meet with you to assist you in this process. We recommend that you enroll in the next Membership Course where these subjects are addressed.

... Become Better Acquainted with the Life and Teachings of Jesus

The New Testament is the place to begin. Matthew tells us about Jesus as Christ the King, the Son of David; Mark tells us about Jesus as the Servant of God; Luke tells us about Jesus as God's representative to humanity; John tells us about Jesus as the Son of God. The Acts of the Apostles is the account of the beginning of the Church under the leadership of the first followers of Jesus. There are twenty-one letters that follow these writings which explain the life and teachings of Jesus to early congregations. The last book contains prophetic visions, warning, and blessings for believers. Most people begin with one of the first four books and read a chapter a day. This may be too slow or too fast for some. The important thing is to begin and continue this discipline.

In addition, we recommend that the seeker join a class designed to assist them in their journey. Before you join a Sunday School class or a small group we hope you will speak with the Rector and let him counsel you on what would be best for you in your situation. Be sure to study the current Christian Formation web page to get a better understanding of the opportunities available at The Church of the Ascension.

To arrange time for Pastoral Care or Spiritual Direction, contact the church office or the one of the clergy. For those seeking lay support in times of need, Stephen Ministers are available by contacting the Rector or the Coordinators of Stephen Ministers. Notify the Church Office of an illness, hospitalization, or emergency as soon as possible (Please don’t expect the message to be passed on by friends and neighbors.).

... Join The Church of the Ascension

We ask all who are new to Ascension to attend our Compass Class to receive an overview of the life of the congregation. If you are already an Episcopal Christian and your confirmation is recorded in an Episcopal Church in the United States, call the Church Office and we will arrange to have your membership transferred from your parish of record. If you are new to The Church of the Ascension and have been baptized, enroll in the next Membership Course which will prepare you to be confirmed (or received if you have made an adult affirmation of faith in another Christian denomination or elsewhere in the Anglican Communion) by the Bishop.

... Become Involved in Ministry

The ministers of the Church are the lay members, bishops, priests and deacons. We want all our members to become involved. We also want all our visitors and guests to become members who will be loyal to The Church of the Ascension and her mission. The Church needs every person involved in order to accomplish her mission for Christ. Contact the Church Office and offer yourself to be equipped for ministry in this grand adventure of faith.

Notify one of the clergy as soon as a death occurs or is imminent. He will meet with you to make funeral arrangements and to provide counsel as needed. Funerals are properly conducted in the Church. Exceptions are made according to pastoral needs. We recommend that you place on file in the Church Office your desires for your funeral. You may obtain a form to complete for this purpose by clicking Burial Planning Form.

... Make Bequest to the Parish

All are reminded of the duty of Christian parents to make prudent provision for the well being of their families, and of the duty of everyone to make wills, while they are in health, arranging for the disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if they are able, to leave bequests for religious and charitable uses. We recommend that members and friends of the parish include the The Church of the Ascension in their wills as part of their Christian legacy. The Rector or a member of the Vestry will be happy to meet with you to provide counsel concerning bequests.

E Mail us at the Parish Office or call us at (713) 781-1330 for more details.