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Outreach atAscension

Opportunities forEngagement

Church of the Ascension The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector, [email protected]

The Rev. Terri Murphy, Deacon,

Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education, [email protected]

Church address: 633 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Mailing address: 634 Silver Spring Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910

The parish office and staff may be reached at 301-587-3272. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 am-1 pm. The parish office email is [email protected]

Find more information about Church of the Ascension at www.ascensionsilverspring.org/

To receive "The Sweet Spirit Express", our weekly online newsletter, email [email protected]

Outreach Facilitators

Marta Brenden

Annie Brown

Bob Brown

Susan Farrer

Ginny Klein

Enid LaGesse

Dick Marks

Bill Schauman

Carol Schwobel

Joan Thomas

PrefaceWhat is the purpose of the Outreach Directory?

The Directory is intended to recognize and celebrate all that happens because of the generous efforts of Ascension members. It describes many efforts to benefit our community, whether local, national, or international. Some projects are supported by many Ascension parishioners, while others are supported by small groups or individuals. The endeavors listed range widely in terms of costs and time commitments.

This Directory is also intended to spark other creative ideas, and you will find below a brief description of how to start a new ministry at Ascension.

How does one use the directory?

Please browse through it and see what interests you! Then, feel free to contact the person(s) most closely associated with that ministry, whose email addresses and phone numbers are shown under “Ascension Contact” in each listing. You’ll also see notices in the Sweet Spirit Express and in the Sunday bulletins about upcoming events—join in, no special invitation needed!

Who are the Outreach facilitators?

These Ascension members plan parish-wide Outreach meetings, coordinate this directory, and help parishioners publicize events. The role of the facilitators is not to impose either structure or content, but rather to ensure that information about various ministries is spread widely and to enable fuller discussion of existing and new ministries within the parish.

How might one begin a project? and let others know?

Research and discuss your idea with other interested parishioners, the Outreach facilitators, or Ascension clergy. You may find that there is already some activity in your area of interest. For instance, the Casserole Ministry began with a desire to offer food to the homeless at Ascension itself. However, since Shepherd’s Table provides a similar ministry just half a mile away, it was decided that Ascension would support those efforts rather than starting a new program.

When you are ready to put your idea forward, request discussion at the next parish-wide Outreach meeting through a facilitator or clergy member. (In particular, you may want to talk with Rev. Joan Beilstein about your project and gain her support.) Participants at the meeting can offer feedback and help. For instance, the Community Based Shelter ministry had experienced a decrease of energy and support over a two-year span. After the issues were aired, enough resources were mobilized to continue in 2012 and plan for the future.

After discussion, you will have other opportunities to describe and publicize your planned ministry, including notices in the Sweet Spirit Express and the Sunday bulletins. The facilitators can help with these tasks and provide information about logistical “nuts and bolts”.

Introduction“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent

me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4: 14-19

In this passage from Luke, Jesus begins his public ministry, clearly stating who he is and what his ministry and mission are about. His is to be a ministry of servanthood, particularly to those who are most in need: the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed, the sick, and those who are in prison.

Jesus’ understanding of his mission and ministry is rooted in God’s character and conduct as revealed throughout all of the Scriptures. From the beginning, God reveals oneself as a servant God concerned for those who are most in need. And from the beginning, God has called God’s people to be in covenant relationship with one another, emulating God’s example of servant ministry.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Psalm 82

As Christians, baptized into the Household of God, and marked as Christ’s own forever by the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls us as his disciples to emulate his character and conduct in living out our servant ministries.

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me

something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me.”Matthew 25:34-36

To live out this calling, we make promises in our baptismal covenant “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as we love ourselves”, and “to strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.” (Book of Common Prayer, page 305)

The early Church understood this calling well. We see examples of this servant ministry throughout the Acts of the Apostles and we see God’s call to us to be servants in the various Epistles.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

James 1:27

“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….All the believers were together and had everything in common.

They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day then continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God….”Acts 2:43-46

Church of the Ascension has a long history of outreach ministry, both local and global. One role of being faithful servant ministers, is to offer tools and resources for members of the church to become engaged in outreach ministries which interest them and allow them to utilize their varying gifts.

This Outreach Directory, a labor of love created by our Outreach facilitators, is to share with you some of the outreach ministries Church of the Ascension is involved in as well as to share valuable resources from the Diocese of Washington, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and other organizations.

May God bless you and empower you in your servant ministries, as you strive to be faithful to the call of God found in the Scriptures and revealed to us in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector

MinistriesAscension Traditional Ministries

Casserole Ministry p. 1

Action in Montgomery (AIM) p. 2

Community Based Shelter (CBS) p. 3

The Episcopal Church Episcopal Public Policy Network p. 4

Episcopal Relief & Development p. 5

Churches for Middle East Peace p. 6

Episcopal Peace Fellowship p. 7

International Ministries Episcopal Relief & Development p. 5



South Africa Partnership p. 14

Honduras Ministry p. 15

St. Paul’s Foundation forInternational Reconciliation p. 17

Amnesty International p. 22

United to End Genocide p. 23

National Ministries Episcopal Public Policy Network p. 4

350.org p. 9

NRCAT/IAHR p. 19

The Hunger Site p. 21

Local Ministries Casserole Ministry p. 1



Green Committee p. 8

Out of Sight Dragons p. 10

Independence and Informationfor the Blind (IIB) p. 11

Santa’s Helpers p. 12

Prayer Shawl Ministry p. 13

Capital Pride/LGBT p. 16

Senior Ministry at Springvale Terrace . p. 18

Interfaith Ministries p. 20

Web-Based Ministries Amnesty International p. 22


The Hunger Site p. 21

WE WERE HUNGRY AND YOU FED USCasserole Ministry for the People of

Shepherd’s Table

As a family, couple, or single, join in and prepare a casserole once a month, to be received on the first Sunday of each month. Tested recipes and pans provided.

Feed my sheep for we are called to be good shepherds

2015 Dates: September 13, October 4, November 1, December 6

2016 Dates: January 3, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 3, July 10, August 7, September 11

Background

Shepherd's Table is a nonprofit organization in downtown Silver Spring, supported by volunteers, religious organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individual donors. Its mission is to help people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, and medical support, clothing, and other assistance in an effective and compassionate manner. http://shepherdstable.org/

Within a mile of our parish, 125 homeless men, women and children eat an evening meal at Shepherd’s Table, 365 days a year. No doubt at least one of them has passed by our parish on any given day, or you have passed by them as you travel around Silver Spring. The homeless need not be faceless to us. Let us, as a community, embrace them and their need to be recognized by providing casseroles for Shepherd’s Table once a month.

Ascension Activities

This ministry began on Sunday, February 5, 2012. In 2012, 232 casseroles were received; in 2013, the number was 314; and in 2014, 290.

How You Can Help

Prepare a casserole for ingathering the first Sunday of each month. A handout with directions and recipes to be used are available at the church, as well as pans for cooking and freezing the casseroles. This handout is also available on the Church of the Ascension website: www.ascensionsilverspring.org

Shepherd’s Table can also use tubs of margarine, sticks of butter, ground coffee, tea bags, and sugar. Deodorant is also needed. A box will be available in the Gathering Space for these items.

In addition to baking casseroles, please plan, if you are able, to help load the casseroles and transport them to Shepherd’s Table, just half a mile from the church, on Mondays after the ingathering..

Ascension Contact

Carol Schwobel

Action In Montgomery (AIM)

Background

Action in Montgomery is an organization of some 30 religious organizations (including Protestant and Catholic churches and one Jewish congregation) that has sought since 1999 to build political power for progressive change in the County.

Although AIM is political, it is nonpartisan. As an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, AIM encourages people to make their needs and concerns known through small groups in house meetings. The most urgent and widespread needs make it onto AIM's yearly agenda.

In the past, AIM has won reform of the taxicab industry, lobbied successfully for more affordable housing in the County, and obtained money to fund badly-needed improvements to recreation centers in African-American neighborhoods. It also played a major role, with CASA de Maryland, in passing the Maryland DREAM Act and successfully defending it on the November 2012 ballot.

AIM is currently focusing on affordable housing, a gun control initiative, Do Not Stand Idly By, and a very promising initiative, Child First Montgomery, to extend quality after-school care to elementary school students. AIM is advocating for public funding to provide child care that includes after-school activities to enrich elementary school children's work in homework and sports, visual arts, music, drama and other activities to enhance their enjoyment of learning. There will be opportunities this year to offer support for public funding. Burnt Mills Elementary School is among those participating in the Child First Initiative.


Ascension is a founding AIM congregation and contributes to it substantially through our annual budget. Over the years, Ascension has given enthusiastic support to AIM. Ascension members have served in AIM leadership roles and attended AIM and IAF training. We are small compared to some other AIM congregations, but we exercise an influence that is greater than our numbers would indicate.

How You Can Help

Members of Ascension are entitled to participate in AIM events. Interested persons can participate at all levels of involvement, from attending mass "actions" a few times a year to becoming part of the Parish "core team", to lobbying our elected representatives. Ascension members participated actively in defending the Maryland DREAM law. Ascension Contacts

Marta Brenden; Annie Brown; Bob Brown; Dick Marks; Bill Schauman

http://www.actioninmontgomery.org/content/new-day-maryland

Community Based Shelter (CBS)

Background

The Community Based Shelter (CBS) is part of the Wilkins Avenue Women's Assessment Center (WAWAC) in Rockville. It provides year-long emergency services to adult homeless women. In addition to basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing, this 35-bed facility offers the women a safe environment to address their barriers to housing and self-sufficiency. Generous volunteers provide breakfast and dinner 365 days a year.

Each resident is paired with a Case Manager. Together they create service agreements which are designed to facilitate recovery, stability, and independence. The residents are referred for vocational and therapeutic services, and they are encouraged to gain and increase income. Residents must be referred by other homeless service providers, such as the Crisis Center, rehabilitation programs, housing programs, and day programs.


Meals for residents at the shelter are provided, in rotating fashion by congregations and community groups throughout the county. Ascension has a long history of participating in this program. We provide breakfast supplies, bag lunches, and hot dinners for 35 women for one week of the year.

While providing meals for 35 may seem daunting, we break up tasks, and it is easy. Various groups in the church—for example, the Choir, the Vestry, and the Sunday School—each sign up to prepare food on a designated day, and individuals, couples, and families join in as their schedules permit.

In 2016, Ascension’s week to provide meals will come in May.

How You Can Help

We have a core of faithful people who participate every year, and more are always needed to help provide three meals a day and staff the shelter for dinner during the designated week. If you can shop, if you can drive, if you can cook, if you can serve, we can find a way to make your contribution part of our support for this ministry.

Ascension Contacts

Elena Larson, Annie Brown

Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)

working through the Church’s Office of

Government Relations, http://episcopalchurch.org/

Background

Being an advocate does not always involve drastic measures. Every day, we have the chance to stand up and speak when we see the need. Advocates have the opportunity to speak to their elected representatives, friends, family, and congregations about important issues.

How many times have you read an article in the paper or watched a news story and wished there was something you could do? With the Episcopal Public Policy Network, you can. Senators and Representatives care about what you, their constituent, think about a particular issue. Whether you feel passionately about environmental protection, HIV/AIDS funding, education, or numerous other concerns, you can make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.

The Episcopal Public Policy Network advocates for issues that are specifically identified by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. But the Office of Government Relations, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., cannot advocate for important issues alone. It needs individuals and congregations to write to their representatives, ask for support on social justice issues, and make their voices heard. Working together, we can send a strong message to Congress.


A number of parishioners are members of EPPN and respond to the action requests to contact their members of Congress regarding pending legislation on issues approved by the Episcopal Church.

How You Can Help

Become a member of the Episcopal Public Policy Network today and join committed Episcopalians working for a better world. Register at http://episcopal.grassroots.com/join/ and respond to email alerts.

Ascension Contact

The Rev. Dr. Joan Beilstein, Rector

www.er-d.org

Background

Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words:

"Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food? We saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink? We saw you a stranger and welcomed you? We saw you sick and took care of you? We saw you in prison and visited you?” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 37-40)

Episcopal Relief & Development works with more than three million people annually in 40 countries, through programs in four core areas. The organization partners with local churches and organizations throughout the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion, as well as ecumenically. Episcopal Relief & Development empowers local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger, disaster, and preventable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and malaria. Its programs work toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s four core areas of concern are:

Alleviating Hunger and Improving the Food Supply Creating Economic Opportunities and Strengthening CommunitiesPromoting Health and Fighting DiseaseResponding to Disasters and Rebuilding Communities


We, as individuals and as a congregation, give to requests from ERD for programmatic areas of concern.

How You Can Help:

--Listen for opportunities for giving, especially when natural disasters occur.

--Give a designated gift on Good Friday each year for work with church-funded organizations in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

ERD is also a good resource for giving meaningful gifts for Christmas.

Ascension Contact


Working together Justice can prevail Peace is possible

Background

Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) works to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote a just, lasting, and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring security, human rights and religious freedom for all the people of the region. For nearly 30 years, CMEP has been the voice of the churches in Washington which have worked for decades to support a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We support a comprehensive solution that will bring peace and justice to the region, including a negotiated agreement establishing security for the State of Israel, securing a viable Palestinian state, and reaching agreement on Jerusalem that allows the city to be shared by Israelis and Palestinians, and to be open to Jews, Christians, and Muslims.


The national Episcopal Church partners with CMEP and supports the efforts for Middle East peace in securing a two-state solution for peace for Israelis and Palestinians, with a shared Jerusalem. Our Diocese of Washington has a companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem. For many years, Episcopal Relief & Development has received the Good Friday designated offering for work in the Diocese of Jerusalem.

How You Can Help

Want to learn more? Visit these web sites:

--Churches for Middle East Peace, www.cmep.org (subscribe to a periodic newsletter)--The Diocese of Jerusalem, http://j-diocese.org/ --Episcopal Diocese of Washington Jerusalem Partnership, http://www.edow.org/striving-for-justice/international-partnerships/jerusalem/--Episcopal Relief and Development,

https://www.episcopalrelief.org/where-we-work/country/jerusalem-west-bank-gaza

Ascension Contact


http://epfnational.org

Background

EPF members pledge: “In loyalty to the person, teaching, and person of Jesus Christ, my conscience commits me to the way of redemptive love: to pray, study, and work for peace, and to renounce, as far as possible, participation in war, militarism, and all other forms of violence. In fellowship with others, I will work to discover and create alternatives to violence and to build a culture of peace. I urge the Episcopal Church in accordance with our baptismal vows ‘to renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God’, and to wage peace across all boundaries, calling upon people everywhere to repent, to forgive, and to love.”


Ascensionites have participated in local EPF Chapter activities, including non-violence training and anti-war protests.

How You Can Help

You can attend local chapter meetings to help plan the EPF work program and become familiar with national EPF initiatives, as well as participate in leafleting and demonstrations. An example of such an initiative was the EPF boycott of Starbucks, in 2012-2013, over the company’s policy allowing open carry of weapons on their premises. This effort concluded successfully with a change of policy in September 2013.

Ascension Contact

Dick Marks

JOIN THE GREEN COMMITTEE!

BE AN ACTIVE STEWARD OF

GOD'S EARTHBackground & Ascension Activities

In our attempt to make our church greener, and under the inspired leadership of Maybelle Kagy, we have:

Assessed our energy usage with an energy audit Installed LED exit signs and sold CFLs Insulated the attic of Ascension House Put in or lowered thermostats Fixed broken and leaking windows Encouraged the use of china in place of paper products for coffee hour Held a garage sale Presented educational fairs, movies and speakers Helped to pass the MD Clean Cars Act with petitions Joined Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light (GWIPL) to connect with other religious groups

How You Can Help

We cannot let our momentum stop!. We need people to re-energize the Green Committee by:

Joining the committee to make changes Educating ourselves and the congregation on how conserve energy as a daily habit Investigating the possibility of promoting CSA (community supported agriculture) for the congregation Planning educational activities on environmental issues Studying legislative bills and help decide which measures to support Acting as liaison in GWIPL

You may also want to look at the National Episcopal Church’s Eco-Justice page, http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/eco-justice

Ascension Contacts

Bob Brown, Pat Corrigan, Bill Schauman

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/page/eco-justice

Background & Ascension Activities

350.org is building a worldwide movement to solve the climate change crisis. The name comes from the parts-per-million level of CO2 that mainstream climate scientists consider the maximum tolerable if we want to keep our climate stable (note: we're currently at 400 ppm and rising).

Here in Maryland 350.org has been a partner with CCAN, Mike Tidwell's Chesapeake Climate Action Network, in the 2013 Summer Heat campaign to block the KeystoneXL pipeline and get people and institutions to divest their holdings of fossil fuel stocks.

You can get involved at any level, from liking climate stability on Facebook to marching with signs and placards to risking arrest in high-profile civil disobedience actions.

How You Can Help

You might be interested in 350.org and its local affiliate 350MoCo (www.350MoCo.org) if

you're worried about climate change you think fossil fuels should mostly stay in the ground you think fossil fuel companies have played a very negative part in coping with climate change you like to march, carry signs, and don't mind making a lot of noise for the causes you believe in

Ascension Contact

Bill Schauman

http://www.350MoCo.org/

http://350.org/en

OUT OF SIGHT DRAGONS

DRAGON BOAT RACING TEAM

We Have Vision!


We provide an unusual and exciting ministry of dragon boat racing for the blind/visually impaired community in the greater Washington, D.C. area. For four years now, we have been building a strong team of dragon boat paddlers who compete in races in D.C. and Baltimore. Every Saturday morning in the spring and summer, you will find us at Gangplank Marina practicing our technique, endurance, and synchronicity, and having a good time socializing with others before and after practices. These paddlers enjoy the team sport experience and truly show their "can do" spirit.

How You Can Help

If you want be a part of a growing sport for the blind, we can use your help. We need:

* Sighted guides to get paddlers to various points on the dock and into boats

* Drivers to pick up paddlers

* Financial support for race registration fees, supplies, T-shirts, and travel expenses

* Public relations persons to write articles and tell our story

* Computer experts to keep our website current

* Fund raisers

Ascension Contact

Captain Maybelle Kagy

Independence and Information for the Blind (IIB)

Background

IIB is an organization whose purpose is to support and provide information to vision-impaired adults in this area. The group meets the first Thursday of each month, September through June, at the First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD from 10 am to 2 pm.

For the opening meeting in September, a picnic is held at Watkins Regional Park, and in December the IIB hosts a Christmas Luncheon with entertainment at the Methodist Church. Once or twice a year there are field trips to a museum, a farm, a park, or to a concert. In August, a weeklong camp is held on the Potomac at the Lions Camp Merrimack.

And for volunteers, a luncheon is held at a restaurant in June.

How You Can Help

* Drive people to meetings and camp

* At meetings, serve punch and cake

* At camp, serve meals, walk people around, and help with Beep Ball, swimming, art projects, music, bike riding, etc.

Ascension Contacts

Hunter Howe, Maybelle Kagy

Santa’s Helpers

Background

Santa’s Helpers started with the Sunday School about 1987. The children brought gifts to wrap for the Takoma/East Silver Spring (TESS) area and the wrapped gifts were taken each week to Silver Spring Help. Around 2003, the idea was presented to the whole church.


During the four weeks of Advent, parishioners are asked to bring unwrapped gifts and put them in a large box wrapped with Christmas paper in the Gathering Space. The toys and games are collected each week and taken to TESS on Flower Avenue. The workers at Silver Spring Help know that Ascension will donate the gifts and always look forward to receiving them. For a lot of children in the area, these are their main Christmas presents.

At the same time, a smaller box for stamped Christmas cards is put in the Gathering Space. The Christmas cards are taken to Shepherd’s Table at Progress Place, across Georgia Avenue from Silver Spring Avenue. This allows people who use the services of Shepherd’s Table to send Christmas cards to their loved ones.

How You Can Help

During Advent, bring unwrapped toys and stamped Christmas cards for inclusion with Ascension’s donations. Also, there may be interest in a glove and hat tree, where parishioners bring in gloves and hats for the winter months. These items are also taken to Shepherd’s Table. Overcoats and scarves, socks, boots and shoes, and good used clothing are always welcome at Shepherd’s Table.

Ascension Contacts

Hunter Howe

Prayer Shawl Ministry


Several of Ascension's knitters and crocheters make shawls and scarves with prayer as part of the crafting process. The items are dedicated in prayer when they are completed. Shawls are given to those both in and outside the parish who are in need of healing, to those who mourn, to those whom we wish to honor, or as celebrations of events or ministries.

People who have received shawls treasure them, saying they truly feel loved and protected when wearing them.

How You Can Help

We welcome women and men who are drawn to this creative ministry, and we would be happy to give you more information on the process. You can use your own favorite yarn supplies, or we have free kits with instructions and yarn included.

Ascension Contact

Jocelyn Lindsay

South Africa

PartnershipBackground

In 1989, Church of the Ascension offered respite for an Anglican priest and his family affected by the ravages of apartheid. Rev. Lulama Ntshingwa had been arrested, and when he was released from jail needed to get out of South Africa for his safety. A South Africa Committee at Ascension, in consultation with Bishop John Walker, helped make Ascension that place of respite. When Rev. Ntshingwa left South Africa, he had been the priest for Holy Name Parish in Mlungisi, a township in the Eastern Cape. Although he assumed the rectorship of another parish on his return to South Africa, Rev. Ntshingwa committed to nurturing the partnership between Ascension and Holy Name and remained the contact person for Holy Name.


In the early 1990s, Tim Rich, a seminarian at Ascension, and later Nancy Williams visited Holy Name in advance of a delegation of seven people from Ascension led by Rev. Emmett Jarrett in 1993. The delegation was partially funded by Ascension. A burning question at that time was, “Why go, why not just send the money?” It was certainly needed! But the people at Holy Name thought it was very important, as the country was still under the rule of apartheid, to have a church delegation stand in solidarity with them against the evil of apartheid. And in 1997, through the generosity of parishioners at Ascension, the South Africa Committee funded and hosted a delegation of six parishioners from Holy Name led by interim priest Rev. Patrick Ncaca.

The partner parish relationship has waxed and waned over time. Ascension and Holy Name have exchanged banners, and the Outreach Committee at Ascension has sent funds periodically to assist Holy Name in its outreach efforts. Over the years, Robert and Annie Brown have visited Holy Name during trips to South Africa, and Rev. Ntshingwa has visited Ascension periodically, most recently in 2012. The seeds of friendship planted all those years ago are still rooted deeply at Holy Name and at Ascension.

How You Can Help

A group including four Ascension members visited Holy Name in September 2014. They made a dona-tion from Ascension and provided bursaries for school children, who must pay fees even to go to public school

Ascension Contact

Annie Brown

Honduras

Ministry

Background

The Episcopal Diocese of Washington (EDOW) and local congregations and individuals are continuing an informal companion relationship with the Diocese of Honduras. The EDOW Honduras Committee helps parishes and schools visit and work with Honduran church communities and Anglican schools.

More than 30% of the EDOW parishes have been involved in projects over 30 years, ranging from support of individual Honduran clergy and seminarians; repair of homes after Hurricane Mitch and recent earthquakes; construction of a school for young girls, a bilingual primary school, and a health clinic; development of micro enterprises; and reforestation and agricultural projects.


Ascension families have hosted Honduran priests in the past as part of a clergy exchange program, and bilingual worship activities have taken place. Members have participated in mission trips to Honduras, including Spanish immersion and work visits to congregations. Ascension has contributed to funding of micro-enterprise activities, and several Ascensionites are participating in a Giving Circle with others from Grace Church, Silver Spring, to fund local development initiatives by congregations in Santa Barbara, Honduras. Ascension is partnering with St. Margaret’s/DC to support a physician working at a clinic in the town of Protección.

How You Can Help

You can join a Giving Circle composed of several members of the Grace and Ascension Silver Spring congregations. The Giving Circle keeps in touch with the Diocese of Honduras and our companion churches and provides modest funding for small-scale projects such as health clinics, or micro-enterprise activities, such as community-based grain cooperatives and bakeries. The Diocese of Washington occasionally sponsors mission trips to Honduras—check with Dick Marks on current plans

Ascension Contact

Dick Marks

Ascension Pride

Supporting theLGBT Community

(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender)


Clergy. Our clergy are available to offer the rites of the church to all LGBT persons, their families and friends. These rites include baptism, marriage, house blessings, animal blessings, anointing of the sick, confession, last rites, and burial.

Friends in Faith and Justice. Ascension hosts several social events during the year and a support network to LGBT people and their families and friends.

Capital Pride. Capital Pride works to produce diverse programming each year to celebrate the heritage and lives of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community and its allies.

Capital Pride is sponsored by the Capital Pride Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission statement is thus: “The Capital Pride Alliance, through its diverse programming and stewardship of GLBT organizations and events, specifically year-round Pride festivities in Washington, DC, will serve to celebrate, motivate, and support our diverse communities in order to grow and protect our legacy for future generations.

Ascension, along with the Bishop of Washington and other Episcopal Churches in the Diocese of Washington, often participates in Capital Pride, which is the annual celebration of the LGBT community in the Nation’s capital and is usually held the first or second week of June. Participation may include marching in the Capital Pride Parade and/or staffing Ascension’s booth at the Festival. To learn more about Capital Pride, you may log onto http://www.capitalpride.org/.

Ascension Contacts

Clergy: The Rev. Dr. Joan Beilstein, Rector

Friends in Faith and Justice: Cristina Miller

Capital Pride: Kathryn McCullough

http://www.capitalpride.org/

St. Paul's Foundation for

International Reconciliation

Background

In 76 countries, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people are criminalized merely for their identities. Half of these countries are in sub-Saharan Africa, and many have Anglican communities. Anti-gay laws are being revamped to increase the penalties and dangers to LGBT people.

There is an urgent need for churches and other religious organizations to call out and correct misinformation, as well as to combat homophobia and promote civil rights for LGBT people. These actions are urgent because current policies endanger the lives of LGBT people in these countries.

St. Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation was formed by Bishop Christopher Senyonjo to bring international attention and action on behalf of LGBT people in these 76 countries. In September 2012, Bishop Christopher received the Global Citizen Award presented by President Bill Clinton in Kampala, Uganda before a crowd of 1,000 strong.


Ascension has twice welcomed members of these communities into our homes. First, our Rector hosted Bishop Christopher during his stay in the U.S. when St. Paul's Foundation was formed. More recently, parishioners hosted and welcomed a delegate to the International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C.

How You Can Help

Please consider a contribution to the St. Paul's Foundation for International Reconciliation. Envelopes can be found in the entry room just inside the covered walkway.

Also, please respond to the St. Paul's Foundation request to send letters in support of full civil rights and safe living in all countries for our fellow LGBT members, no matter where they live.

Ascension Contact

Marta Brenden

Senior Ministry at Springvale Terrace

Background

Springvale Terrace is a local nursing home managed by Seabury Resources which offers both Independent Living and Assisted Living options.

Ascension Activities:

Services and Holiday Performances. On request, the clergy conduct special worship services at Christmas and Easter, and they are also on call in cases of emergency and available to perform memorial services, upon a family’s request, when a resident dies. Ascension offers special programs during the year. In December we host a caroling party for the residents, and Ascension’s Children and Youth Choirs offer plays and musical presentations at select times.

Mama Maybelle and Friends Variety Show. On the last Sunday of each month at 2:00, Ascensionites entertain the residents with random acts of music and fun. We are open to all genres of entertainment. Can you juggle, tell a joke, recite a poem, pose a riddle, twirl a baton, play and instrument, dance, or sing? Are you looking for a venue to express your talents where people will wholeheartedly embrace your act with appreciation and wild applause?

Come, give of the talents that God has given you. It is well known that music and laughter bring down blood pressure and increase the general well-being of all. Your performance will go a long way to create happy memories, smiles, and conversation for the old folks.

How You Can Help

To learn more about Springvale Terrace, go to www.seaburyresources.org/senior_living/springvale_terrace.Volunteers are always needed and appreciated!

Ascension Contacts

Services and Holiday Performances: The Rev. Dr. Joan Beilstein, Rector; The Rev. Terri Murphy, Deacon

Mama Maybelle and Friends Variety Show: Maybelle Kagy; Master of Ceremonies Chris Heffner

National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT)

www.nrcat.org/and

Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR)

http://interfaithaction . nationbuilder.com/

Background

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a group of religious organizations, including the national Episcopal Church, committed to ending torture that is sponsored or enabled by the United States. Ascension has been a participating member for several years. Current priorities include ending extended isolation in US prisons, closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, combating anti-Muslim sentiment, and supporting legislation aimed at outlawing torture as part of interrogations.

Interfaith Action for Human Rights (IAHR, formerly WRRCAT) represents people from a broad range of faith communities within the U.S. mid-Atlantic region who have mobilized to change the culture, policies, and practices that permit or facilitate U.S.-sponsored torture or otherwise violate human dignity. Priorities are similar to those of NRCAT, but at the local level.


Ascension has participated in IAHR/NRCAT activities by displaying a “Torture is a Moral Issue” banner facing Sligo Avenue, holding educational events about solitary confinement in Maryland prisons which have included showings of the DVD “Ending U.S.-Sponsored Torture Forever: A Study for People of Faith,” incorporating prayers for the abolishment of torture into our liturgy, and attending NRCAT-sponsored rallies in opposition to torture at U.S. facilities.

How You Can Help

You can join other Ascensionites at NRCAT-sponsored rallies and seminars, sign petitions and write letters to government and media, make individual contributions to NRCAT and IAHR and attend or host DVD viewings on related topics.

Ascension Contact

Dick Marks

http://interfaithaction/

Interfaith Ministries

Background and How You Can Help

Youth Against Hunger. Church of the Ascension has joined with interfaith partners at the International Cultural Center in mission and ministry to the poor. Youth Against Hunger brings together our youth and families with those of other faith traditions, including Sufi Muslim and Jewish, as we gather, once a month at the ICC in Gaithersburg to make 1,000 lunches that are then brought to area shelters. Also, we undertake collections for school supplies every summer to help needy students.

So, how can you help? Please join us as we serve the poor!

Clergy First Responders Team. The Montgomery County Clergy First Responders Team is a new initiative formed in response to the growing undercurrent of “chatter” about interfaith violence. It gathers clergy of all faith traditions to train with local law enforcement, FBI, Homeland Security and counterterrorism officials. Along with law enforcement,, Montgomery County clergy go to sites of violence and respond to critical incidents. Ascension clergy have been instrumental in the formation and operation of this team, which is the only program of its kind in the country.

So, how can you help? Please pray for this team and those we serve, and please let us know of any acts of faith-based hate crimes in your community where we might be of help.

Faith Community Working Group. This interfaith initiative was born out of our response to the Boston marathon bombings and draws in faithful of all traditions to work with local, regional and national law enforcement agencies. The group takes a multi-pronged approach to violence and justice issues that surface in Montgomery County and has become a national model for community policing and assistance to police, homeland security and the FBI.

Our work includes training and deployment of chaplains to natural or manmade disaster sites, education and social service initiatives. Sponsoring communities, in addition to Ascension, are: International Cultural Center: Islamic Society of Washington: Am Kolel Jewish Renewal Community: Ascension Episcopal Church of Gaithersburg: St. Nicholas Church, Germantown: LDS Church: Sikh Temple of Silver Spring: Unitarian Church of Rockville: Kunzang Palyul Choling Buddhist Center: and many more.

Ascension Contacts

Sharon Murphy; The Rev. Terri Murphy, founding member of the Clergy First Responders Team

A Unique Way To Give Each Day

Background

Begun in 1999 with an initial focus on feeding the hungry, the Hunger Site added four more concerns in 2002: Breast Cancer, Animal Rescue, Child Health and Rainforest Preservation. In 2004, Literacy was added, and in 2011, Veterans and Autism were included as well.

Each site is underwritten by sponsors who donate per click to the cause. Each site also has a store for gift items, a number of which are free trade, with some portion of each item going to the cause.


It is not known how many parishoners have discovered this site. It is known that one person has been visiting this site almost daily for 10 years!

How You Can Help

Try something new and experience the Joy of Giving each day you are on the computer! It is FREE to you for just a click for each cause listed.

Start at www.thehungersite.com and click your way through giving to each one of these causes.

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=1&link=ctg_ths_home_from_ths_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2&link=ctg_bcs_home_from_bcs_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_ars_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=5&link=ctg_chs_home_from_chs_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=6&link=ctg_lit_home_from_lit_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=4&link=ctg_trs_home_from_trs_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=10&link=ctg_vet_home_from_vet_home_leftnav_logo

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=11&link=ctg_aut_home_from_aut_home_leftnav_logo

Background

Amnesty International is a movement of more than three million supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries who work with and for each other to defend human rights. We believe that human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere.

Until all people can enjoy all of their rights, we will continue our efforts. We will not stop until everyone can live in dignity, until every person’s voice can be heard, until no one is tortured or executed. Our members are the cornerstone of these efforts. They take up human rights issues through letter-writing, online and offline campaigning, demonstrations, vigils and direct lobbying of those with power and influence.

Locally, nationally, and globally, we join together to mobilize public pressure and show international solidarity.

Together we campaign to defend freedom of expression, protect women’s rights, abolish the death penalty, demand justice for crimes against humanity, and demand corporate accountability where companies have abused people’s rights.


Members of Ascension have signed petitions, demonstrated, and prayed for prison reform, an end to the death penalty, and an end to torture, with special concern regarding the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.

How You Can Help

You can become a member of Amnesty International at http://www.amnesty.org/en to receive email alerts for information and action.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=logo+for+amnesty+ninternational&view=detail&id=E7723466CACDB1D3269839E87848025AFE25A752&first=0

United to End GenocideBackground

United to End Genocide is the largest activist organization in America dedicated to preventing and ending genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. We are faith leaders, students, artists, investors and genocide survivors, and all those who believe we must fulfill the promise the world made following the Holocaust — "Never Again!"

United to End Genocide arose from the merger of the Save Darfur Coalition and the Genocide Intervention Network. Those organizations led the historic movement to demand an end to genocide in Darfur. For the first time, elected leaders took action to stop genocide — because millions of people took a stand and spoke out in one voice to say, "You must!"

We became United to End Genocide because the power of our shared voice and action is needed now more than ever. Too many people in Darfur and all of Sudan are still suffering at the hands of Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's president and architect of the Darfur genocide. And too many people everywhere — in Libya, in Syria, in Cote d'Ivoire and Burma — need to know that the United States and other nations will act to stop atrocities and prevent genocide.

We believe the only way to prevent mass atrocities and to end genocide once and for all is to build a large, powerful activist network — a sustainable movement — that will sound the alarm and demand action by our elected leaders to protect all who face these threats, anywhere in the world.


Since the crisis in the Sudan became prominent, members of Ascension have signed petitions, demonstrated and prayed to end genocide in the Sudan through the Save Darfur Coalition, now merged into United to End Genocide.

How You Can Help

You can become a member of United to End Genocide at http://endgenocide.org/who-we-are to receive email alerts for information and action.

Index of Ministries


Amnesty International p. 22

Capital Pride/LGBT p. 16

Casserole Ministry p. 1




Episcopal Public Policy Network p. 4

Episcopal Relief & Development p. 5

Green Committee p. 8

Honduras Ministry p. 15

Hunger Site (The) p. 21

Independence and Informationfor the Blind (IIB) p. 11

Interfaith Ministries p. 20

NRCAT/IAHR p. 19

Out of Sight Dragons p. 10

Prayer Shawl Ministry p. 13

Santa’s Helpers p. 12

Senior Ministry at Springvale Terrace p. 18

South Africa Partnership p. 14

St. Paul’s Foundation forInternational Reconciliation p. 17

350.org p. 9


Revised August 2015

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