This Sunday
Services will be held at 8:00 am a nd 10:30 am this coming Sunday with a sermon by The Rev. Christopher Hogin. Guest musician, Mark Hughes, will visit Ascension at the 10:30 am service.

There will be nursery care and Children's Church this Sunday. However, there has been a change in the location of one Children's Sunday School class. The Godly Play I class will be located in Room 213 (the Garden Room).

Make sure to check out the details about the Sunday School options and upcoming programming below.
Vestry Listening Sessions
After the 8:00 and 10:30 am services,
Sunday February 10, 17, 24

Members of the vestry will be available in each listening session between and after services each Sunday this month. The listening session between services will be held in the Parlor during the Sunday School hour (9:15-10:15 am). The listening sessions after the 10:30 am service will be held in both the Parlor and the Library. Come meet with your vestry members and discuss any concerns you may have.
Service for Dick Strehlow
A service for Dick Strehlow will be held on Friday, March 1, at 11:00 am in the nave. A reception will follow. Please keep Barbara and the rest of the Strehlow family in your prayers.
Read All About It
February Parish Paper

The February Parish Paper is on its way to mailboxes. Read it here in digital form.
Adult Sunday School
Options for Adult Sunday School

The open presentation series will continue in the parish hall at 9:15 am with expanded small class study options. Here are the speakers currently lined up for the open presentation series:

Feb. 10 - Jim Phillips on Seeing Through Ascension's Stained Glass Windows
Jim Phillips is a longtime member of Ascension and a writer of icons. As one with a vivid imagination for religious art, Jim will give us new vision for the beauty of our stained glass windows and the stories they tell.
Exploring the Sacraments
with Rachel Held Evans
Room 102, 9:15 am

The Rev. Patrick Wingo facilitates this compelling immersion into the sacraments. This curriculum gives an alternative way of approaching the sacraments. In these videos, Rachel Held Evans uses the sacraments as a way of talking about her own faith journey. Rather than explaining them, she relates to them and talks about her life through the lens of these ancient Christian practices. This curriculum is designed primarily for small groups who want to follow her lead. The questions prompt participants to engage with their own experiences of both life and sacrament to see—as Rachel has come to believe—how they intersect.

Feb. 10 - Exploring Anointing the Sick: Walking Through Pain
The Forum Class
Room 101, 9:15 am

For January, the Forum Class will be studying the books of Ruth, Esther, and other biblical stories with an emphasis on the insights of feminist scholarship on the Bible. All are welcome to come and join the discussion at any time.
Centering Prayer
Library, 9:15 am

This small group meets together to practice and teach centering prayer, facilitated by Pam and Allan Douglass. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This discipline emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.
Wednesday Evenings
"Food for Body and Soul"
Parish Supper
Wednesday, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall

Wednesday evenings feature a parish supper prepared by Julie Teglas. The dinner for this coming Wednesday evening is chicken-artichoke-rice casserole, roasted vegetable medley, mixed greens salad with cranberries and Feta cheese, Parker House rolls, and dessert. The pricing is $10/adult and $5/child or $25/max per family. RSVP to announcements@knoxvilleascension.org or by visiting the reception counter in the parish office.
Overview of the Gospels

Our teaching begins at 6:45 pm. This is for those who are new to reading Scripture and those who have been doing so for a long time.  We will be looking at the gospels with a wide angle lens considering this unique genre of literature and the particular perspective of each gospel writer. No preparation is required; but if you have interest, in one sitting try reading through the gospel to be presented each week. 

Feb. 13 - The Rev. Patrick Wingo: Summary of the Gospels
Concert for Choir and Two Organs
Sunday, February 17, 5:00 pm

The Parish and Boys and Girls’ Choirs have enjoyed preparing some seldom-heard repertoire for a concert to be held Sunday, February 17th, at 5:00 pm. That afternoon the choirs will present two French Masses that employ double organ, the Mass in F-sharp by Charles-Marie Widor and the Messe Solennelle (Solemn Mass) of Louis Vierne. This concert is open to the public and presented free of charge.
Family Ministry News
Safeguarding God's Children
March 3, 12:15 pm, Room 209

The Spring Safeguarding God’s Children class is required if you work with, or plan to work with, children or youth in the Episcopal Church. Please pre-register for this class at megan@knoxvilleascension.org.
AYG: Ascension Youth Group News
KEY
Sunday, February 10, 5:30 pm

The February KEY (Knoxville Episcopal Youth) event is a trip to Tyson House, the UTK Episcopal/Lutheran campus ministry. Please join us for their dinner and weekly worship service. We will carpool from Ascension, departing at 5:30 pm. This will take the place of High School youth group that evening; however, all youth grades 6-12 are welcome to attend. Our March KEY event will be hosted at Ascension on Sunday, March 10, from 4-6 pm.
Middle School Girls’ Reading Club

The Middle School girls have expressed an interest forming a reading club as a continuation of the children’s girls reading club. We plan to meet about an hour prior to our regular Wednesday night youth group. We will begin by reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Girls interested in participating in this program should contact GiGi to be added to a reminder list.
Mardi Gras Volunteers

Youth will be needed to volunteer to serve at our Mardi Gras for Missions fundraiser on Tuesday, March 5.
Outreach Project

This month we have another community outreach opportunity for our youth. Those wishing to participate should contact GiGi (gigi@knoxvilleascension.org) to sign up:

FISH Pantry: On Saturday, February 23, from 9:30-11:30 am, we will distribute food to those at the FISH Pantry. Space is limited to 10-12 youth.
Dinner Angels

Dinner Angels is a program in which parents and other parishioners are invited to sign up to serve dinners to our youth and share in a wonderful fellowship opportunity. Want to try out a new recipe? Have a flair in the kitchen? Just willing to feed a small crowd? We welcome home-cooked meals and catered meals and we welcome and encourage our dinner angels to attend youth with us after serving so that our youth may connect with our adult parishioners, and vice versa. Our sign-ups, details, and schedule are available online:

Middle School Dinners (Especially 2/13, 2/20, and 2/27): http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4dada922a5ff2-middle

High School Dinners (Especially 2/10 and 2/24): http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4DADA922A5FF2-high
Happening and New Beginnings
Happenning #77

Happening is a spiritual awakening and renewal weekend where high school youth have a face-to-face encounter with Christ through Christian community. This is done through a series of talks given by youth about their experiences in faith and life. It’s honest. It’s up front. Happening #77 is March 1-3, 2019. Registration (deadline is THIS SUNDAY February 10) is available online:
New Beginnings #4

Middle School is a challenging time both in social and faith development. With so many questions (Who are my friends? Where is my faith? Is it okay to be me? How does this all tie together?), it can be tough to find a safe space to work through it all. New Beginnings provides time and place in Christian community to explore those questions and more. New Beginnings #4 is April 5-7. Registration (deadline is March 31) is available online:

The TEA with GiGi and Andrew
The TEA at Three is a Facebook Live show put on by GiGi and Andrew that peruses the weekly announcements and includes a little light-hearted chit chat about all things Ascension. You can tune in at 3:00 pm on our Facebook page or find a copy here in the weekly email.
ECW and The Change Center
Episcopal Church Women
All women in the church are welcome!!

The Episcopal Church Women will meet on February 12 at 11:30 at Pat Rutenberg’s home. Address is: 3663 Woodland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919. We’ll be discussing more about how we can be involved with the Change Center, starting our overview of the he Book of Common Prayer and deciding how we can help with Mardi Gras. Please let Karen McKinney know if you’ll be able to attend. Contact info. is: karen.mckinney7@icloud.com, 865-548-7429.
The Sisterhood: The Chop House
Monday, February 18, 6:00 pm,
The Chop House, 9700 Kingston Pike

We will have our February Ladies Night Out at The Chop House. We had a great group in January for Ladies Night Out and we look forward to seeing everyone in February. Please RSVP by February 14, to Charlotte Wood, seebyrdfly@aol.com, or call 615-594-1781.
Mardi Gras Menu Announced!
Mardi Gras will be on Tuesday, March 5

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Tuesday, March 5th, 6:00 pm, and plan to join us for a festive Mardi Gras meal and auction to support Ascension’s Bolivian and domestic missions. The dinner will be catered by Lisa Jean’s (Big Fatty’s) Catering and will include: chicken-pork jambalaya (veggie jambalaya available if you let the parish office know), fresh garden salad with a variety of dressings, yeast rolls and garlic bread.

The cost is $15 per person. Child care will be available for children in Grade 5 and under, and pizza will be provided for a suggested donation of $5 per child. Email nursery16@knoxvilleascension.org to let the nursery know that you are planning to drop your child off that night. Purchase tickets at the table in the narthex before and after the 10:30 am service starting Sunday, February 3rd (cash or check), or look for the online ticket sales in your inbox. Tickets are available in the parish office during the week. You can also purchase tickets at the door the night of the event.


DONATIONS NEEDED Mardi Gras is fast approaching, and along with it our annual Mardi Gras Fundraiser to support Ascension missions in Bolivia and beyond. Just as in years past, to make this year’s Mardi Gras a success, we’re looking for donations for our silent and live auction. You can help by considering the following types of donations:

  • Experiences (a special luncheon or dinner, a boat ride, a behind-the-scenes tour, tickets to sporting event, etc.)
  • Getaways (cabins, condos, vacation homes, etc.)
  • Themed Gift Baskets (such as Movie Night, UT Vols, a Pet Basket, etc.)
  • Art Work (pottery, photography, drawings, etc.)
  • Services (tutoring, pressure washing, lawn mowing, consulting , etc.)
  • Food/Wine/Liquor
  • Cash Donations

If you would like to donate any of these needed items or you have other ideas for donations, please contact janevridge@gmail.com. Donation forms can be obtained in the narthex or the office. Donations deadline: February 27.
Thank you for considering how you can help!
Parish Retreat to Kanuga
April 26-28, 2019

This year we are hoping for an even larger crowd for the annual parish retreat! Established in 1928 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, Kanuga is a conference, retreat and camp center serving 25,000 guests annually. Nestled on 1,400 peaceful acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Hendersonville, NC, Kanuga’s historic setting features a 30-acre lake with 20 miles of hiking. 

In addition, Kanuga offers fitness swimming, boating, paddle boarding, and fishing, hiking, basketball, volleyball, and ping-pong, indoor and outdoor climbing (fees apply), a lit playing field, high and low ropes (fees apply), labyrinth and meditation garden, and much more.

The pricing is $216.71 per double and $299.97 per single. This price includes lodging and 5 meals and full use of facilities. 

Janet Slabbekorn will be in the Foyer answering questions and providing helpful information booklets and registration fliers. To register, head to:


Please register each person attending either as a single or as a double. Families will register all family members attending. You will not be charged fees for the children as the church will cover their cost. Kanuga accepts all major credit cards. If you have an interest in sharing a cabin with another family, you can indicate this during registration. Please register as soon as possible so that housing and planning can be refined.

For more information, email Janet Slabbekorn at jslabbekorn@gmail.com
Take a Hike with the Trekkers
Saturday February 16, and Monday, February 18

The Ascension Trekkers will drive to the Tellico Plains area on Saturday, February 16 to see beautiful, large Bald River Falls and to hike the trail going beside it and further for up to 8 miles round trip. The trail is rated moderate but it involves some rock steps and rooty places so parts may be strenuous. Participants are advised to bring hiking sticks, food and water, and be prepared for all kinds of weather.

On the following Monday, February 18, our “easy Monday” outing will be in the Smokies’ Tremont area where walkers will go (slowly) less than a mile up Middle Prong Trail to the large cascades. This trail is an old lumber road - wide and with a gradual incline but never steep, along water the whole way. For those concerned about stability on rocks, hiking sticks are recommended as well as being prepared for all kinds of weather. Lunch in nearby Townsend may be an option after the less than 2-mile round trip walk. Both hikes will leave from the church at 9 am. Contact Emily Vreeland ( emilyvree@aol.com) to RSVP or for questions.
Brotherhood Retreat to Lake Logan
The Brotherhood Heads to Lake Logan
May 10-12

The Brotherhood of Saint Andrew retreat to Lake Logan is open to any men in the parish who may be interested in joining the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. This retreat is a great way to get away from the city and experience the fellowship of the many facets of men’s ministry at Ascension. This year’s presenter/leader is Bishop Brian Cole. Many recreational activities are also available at Lake Logan. The deposit is $100 and the overall cost is $280. If you know you would like to attend the retreat, email Ed Lester at tallman601@gmail.com.
Brotherhood Social
Friday, February 22, 5:30 pm, Parish Hall

The Brotherhood of Saint Andrew is holding a social dinner gathering for all men interested in the work and fellowship of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew. We will gather in the parish hall at 5:30 pm for drinks and appetizers followed by dinner around 6:30 pm. The price is $10/person. Bring your own beverage and an appetizer or dessert to share. You can email Ed Lester at tallman601@gmail.com to RSVP.
Michael Battle
Church of the Ascension is hosting The Very Rev. Michael Battle for a Lenten workshop weekend on March 30-31 called “Following Jesus in a 21st Century Wilderness.” Battle’s book Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me will be a focus of the weekend. Two main events will be open to the public, the Saturday workshop and the Sunday School presentation. Below are details about the Saturday workshop that promises to be highly engaging and enlightening.

Saturday Workshop Details // Saturday, March 30th, 9:00 am // The focus of the workshop will be the book  Ubuntu: I in You and You in Me. “Ubuntu” is an African concept of personhood which emphasizes the communal and spiritual dimension of human identity, which of necessity poses a challenge to persons thinking of themselves as individuals. Dr. Battle will use this concept to talk about ways of cultivating this concept in our daily Christian lives. For more information and to purchase your lunch tickets at www.knoxvilleascension.org/battle

Lunch and Refreshments // Lunch will feature a boxed lunch from Honey Baked Ham. When purchasing your ticket, you can choose either the ham, turkey, or vegetarian option. Light breakfast and afternoon refreshments will be available throughout the day in addition to lunch. The ticket price, which includes the workshop, lunch, and refreshments, is $10. You can purchase tickets online, in the parish office, and at the door.

Childcare // Childcare will be available to those who pre-register with the nursery at nursery16@knoxvilleascension.org. No walk-ins are available. Pizza will be served for lunch.

Sunday School // Sunday, March 31st, 9:15 am // Dr. Battle will also speak and answer questions in an Adult Sunday School Forum on March 31st at 9:15 am, and preach at both services.
Foyer Group Reshuffle
The Foyer Groups will be reshuffled in March and the new listing sent to all participants so that you may get your group going as early as April before the summer vacation scheduling problems begin.

Foyer Groups are small groups of about eight people who meet once a month for dinner and fellowship. Someone in the group serves as Convenor and hosts the first meal. After that, each participant (couple or single or singles working together) acts as host for the succeeding months. Groups are newly formed every six months. It’s a wonderful way to meet new people in a large church and find friends among folks whose paths might otherwise never cross yours in our large setting!

1) If you are in a foyer group in the current rotation and wish to continue in foyer, you  DO NOT need to do anything  (other than update any new e-mail address or phone number).

2) If you are not in the current foyer group rotation but would like to join for the Spring/Summer rotation, please register at bcorey41@comcast.net . This applies to people  who have never participated in foyer and people who have been in foyer in earlier times but not in the current groups functioning now.
Please give your name (and, if you are a couple, both names) and an e-mail address and phone number.

3) If you are in a foyer group in the current rotation but wish to drop out for this upcoming Spring/Summer schedule, PLEASE LET US KNOW by emailing Bettie Corey at  bcorey41@comcast.net .  If she does not hear from you, you will be assigned to a new group.

The deadline for signing up (or dropping out) is March 10.
Discernment Retreat
Saturday, March 9

Every baptized Christian is called to ministry. Sometimes God’s call to us is clear; other times we need help to figure it out. On Saturday, March 9, the Diocese of East Tennessee will host its first annual Here I Am Retreat Day. This program is intended for anyone who is discerning a call to licensed lay ministry, the vocational diaconate, or the priesthood. It will include remarks by the Bishop, panel discussions with lay and ordained ministers, and opportunities for prayer and fellowship. All individuals who have begun a process of discernment within their parish are expected to attend, along with their sponsoring clergy. Others who are just beginning to explore a call, and who would like more information about different ministries and tools for discernment, are also encouraged to participate. Register by February 22. The retreat is $20.