Membership Renewal 2013

Membership Pack 2013
Every six years the Anglican Church asks us to renew from scratch our membership list, known as the Electoral Roll. Therefore during the period of February-March 2013 we are inviting all regular attendees of the Ascension to express their membership by completing an Electoral Roll form which is to be returned by Sunday 17th March. Forms returned after this will be processed at the next available Parochial Church Council (PCC).
God’s plan for his church is that we would belong to a local community of faith. This is for our own protection, and spiritual growth, and for the good of others. It is calling that will require something from us. But the local church is also God’s means for us to receive so much more. Therefore, I do urge you to consider the renewal of  your Electoral Roll membership as a personal act of commitment: to God, and to the church family. I would encourage you to express this through supporting the ministry of our church: personally, and in prayer and in giving. Likewise, I would encourage you to receive regularly: on Sundays, and in a small group setting, and through supportive friendships within the body of Christ. It is in this way that we give and receive in the Christian family. As we do so the kingdom of God grows in us and through us. We do all this in response to a generous God who makes us generous in return.
Generosity is much wider than giving, but our attitude to it is a good marker of the work of God in us. We want you to be informed of our finances so you may partner with us as we serve Jesus through missions, ministry and buildings.
Missions: Budget £3,700. We give away at least 10% of our income to missions at home and abroad, and particularly to 12 mission partners which we now feature on Sundays every month.
Ministry & Outreach: Budget £56,500 (plus £20K for Families Work from grants and our Legacy fund). This covers salaries and general costs. Last year’s events supported our outreach and brought in revenue. This year we add further families work: extending the Toddler Group (new name), Holiday Clubs, Family Films Time, and Messy Church.
Buildings: Budget £8,900 (and a renovation target of £25K). In 2012 we spent £46K from our Legacy fund to build the kitchenette, install new heating and put in a new bathroom at 32 Fairview Rise. This year we aim to decorate, and to reorder the main space. (Only £12K remains in the Legacy fund for buildings, and £22K for Familes Work)
Our operational budget for 2013 is £69,150 and our current income is £45,000. Our target income is £47,600 and £13,000 for refurbishment. Our shortfall is a concern, but is not a hindrance to current ministry.

Every six years the Anglican Church asks us to renew from scratch our membership list, known as the Electoral Roll. Therefore during the period of February-March 2013 we are inviting all regular attendees of the Ascension to express their membership by completing an Electoral Roll form which is to be returned by Sunday 17th March. Forms returned after this will be processed at the next available Parochial Church Council (PCC). Download a form here.

membership

God’s plan for his church is that we would belong to a local community of faith. This is for our own protection, and spiritual growth, and for the good of others. It is calling that will require something from us. But the local church is also God’s means for us to receive so much more. Therefore, I do urge you to consider the renewal of  your Electoral Roll membership as a personal act of commitment: to God, and to the church family. I would encourage you to express this through supporting the ministry of our church: personally, and in prayer and in giving. Likewise, I would encourage you to receive regularly: on Sundays, and in a small group setting, and through supportive friendships within the body of Christ. It is in this way that we give and receive in the Christian family. As we do so the kingdom of God grows in us and through us. We do all this in response to a generous God who makes us generous in return.

Generosity is much wider than giving, but our attitude to it is a good marker of the work of God in us. We want you to be informed of our finances so you may partner with us as we serve Jesus through missions, ministry and buildings. In our Lent Series we explore “Radical Generosity” starting with God’s, then looking at ours and ending with Christ’s as we approach Easter.

Please as you take this special opportunity to review your commitment to the Ascension would you also pray and review your giving? For more information please see our membership pack or contact Simon Ashdown for finance questions.

Andy Bousfield.

Tiny Tots

Wednesday mornings during term times.

9.15 – 11.15 a.m. (Full – Waiting list in operation)

‘Tiny Tots’ is the name of our Church-run toddler group. It is a chilled out time of play with a ‘story-time’, refreshments and crafts. We are a relaxed group and welcome everyone with children aged 3 years and under.

Please come along one Wednesday if you want to place yourself on the waiting list.

The Alpha Course

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Starts 15th Jan
Runs every Tuesday evening for 10 weeks
A meal, a presentation, a discussion.
From 7pm – 9.30pm
At All Saints’ Barn behind All Saints’ Church Patcham.
Register through All Saints or the Ascension.


ALPHA FOR EVERYONE
Take Time – explore life’s big questions.

Busy lives and a bustling world that seems to place emphasis on “things” is confusing and can make our experience shallow and unsatisfying. It’s a New Year and whilst the idea of  New Year’s Resolution might not appeal, I suspect many do think that there are things to look at and do differently.

Alpha courses are Christian based but they are for all who want time to consider the bigger questions, eclipsed elsewhere in the modern world, and to try and make sense of life.

Bear Grylls, TV Adventurer says: I believe the Alpha Course touches lives. I have seen so many people find a personal relationship with God & a quiet strength in their life after doing the course – me included – and it takes a proud man to say he never needs any help.

Deborah Orr, Journalist: Doing an Alpha Course is challenging and serious fun, even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool atheist like me.

Ugo Monye, England Rugby International: I fell in love with the whole concept. It is a fantastic tool, which gives me an ability to ask questions, learn a lot more and discuss it all with different people.

Kara Messina, London: The Alpha Course changed the way I looked at life and the relationships with people around me.

All Saints Patcham & Ascension Westdene invite you to join them on an Alpha course starting on Tues Jan 15th. It will be in All Saints Church Barn starting at 7pm and lasting 10 weeks. There is also a Saturday session (date to be decided). We start with a simple meal, which is followed by a DVD talk, and then the opportunity to discuss. If you would like to know more, please see our respective websites: www.allsaintspatcham.org.uk and www.ascensionbrighton.org or contact myself on 552157 or Andy Bousfield 503926. As the advertising for Alpha puts it; ‘Keep searching. Life is worth exploring!’   Andy Flowerday, Vicar All Saints

ALPHA FOR EVERYONE
Take Time – explore life’s big questions.
Busy lives and a bustling world that seems to place emphasis on “things” is confusing and can make our experience shallow and unsatisfying. It’s a New Year and whilst the idea of  New Year’s Resolution might not appeal, I suspect many do think that there are things to look at and do differently.
Alpha courses are Christian based but they are for all who want time to consider the bigger questions, eclipsed elsewhere in the modern world, and to try and make sense of life.
Bear Grylls, TV Adventurer says:  I believe the Alpha Course touches lives. I have seen so many people find a personal relationship with God & a quiet strength in their life after doing the course – me included – and it takes a proud man to say he never needs any help.
Deborah Orr, Journalist: Doing an Alpha Course is challenging and serious fun, even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool atheist like me.
Ugo Monye, England Rugby International: I fell in love with the whole concept. It is a fantastic tool, which gives me an ability to ask questions, learn a lot more and discuss it all with different people.
Kara Messina, London: The Alpha Course changed the way I looked at life and the relationships with people around me.
All Saints Patcham & Ascension Westdene invite you to join them on an Alpha course starting on Tues Jan 15th. It will be in All Saints Church Barn starting at 7pm and lasting 10 weeks. There is also a Saturday session (date to be decided). We start with a simple meal, which is followed by a DVD talk, and then the opportunity to discuss. If you would like to know more, please see our respective websites: www.allsaintspatcham.org.uk and www.ascensionbrighton.org or contact myself on 552157 or Andy Bousfield 503926. As the advertising for Alpha puts it; ‘Keep searching. Life is worth exploring!’   Andy Flowerday, Vicar All Saints
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