This Sunday
Services will be held at 8:00 am a nd 10:30 am this coming Sunday with a sermon by The Rev. Sara-Scott Wingo.

There will be nursery care and Children's Church this Sunday. However, there has been a change in the location of two Children's Sunday School classes. The Godly Play I class will be located in Room 213 (the children's church room), and the Godly Play II class will be in Room 210 (the garden room). The carpets in the usual rooms are being cleaned.

Make sure to check out the details about the Sunday School options and upcoming programming.
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:

Jan. 27 - Amanda Rowcliffe on The Episcopal Church Carries out Mission
New vestry member and teacher of social studies at Webb School, Amanda Rowcliffe, has engaged in a considerable amount of work with Episcopal Relief and Development. This organization works with partners worldwide to alleviate hunger, create economic opportunities, respond to disasters, promote health, and strengthen communities. Amanda is passionate about spreading the word on how the Episcopal Church carries out mission.

Feb. 3 - Glenn Graber on Medical Ethics and Faith
Feb. 10 - Jim Phillips on Seeing Through Ascension's Stained Glass Windows
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.

Jan. 27 - Exploring Communion: Ready to Receive
Feb. 3 - Exploring Confirmation: Recognizing the Story
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 beef picadillo enchiladas, sautéed vegetables, crisp green salad with carrot, cucumber, chickpeas, & Feta, and chocolate chip cookies. 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. 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. 

Jan. 30 - The Rev. Patrick Wingo: the gospel of Luke
Feb. 6 - The Rev. Christopher Hogin: the gospel of John
Feb. 13 - The Rev. Patrick Wingo: summary of the gospels
Family Ministry News
Save the Date: Kindermusik
June 10-13

Join us for ROAR as we head to the jungles of Africa this summer.
Spring Kindermusik
Tuesdays, 10:00-10:45 am

We have openings in the Spring Kindermusik classes. They begin January 15 and are on Tuesdays from 10:00-10:45am. Email if you have questions,  megan@knoxvilleascension.org.
Date Night

Date Night is Friday, February 1, from 6:00-9:00 pm. Please RSVP by next Thursday to nursery16@knoxvilleascension.org.
Tweens Movie Night!

Kids in grades 3-5, please join us for a special movie night on Friday, February 1, from 6:00-9:00 pm. We have a fun night planned for everyone to beat the winter blues!
AYG: Ascension Youth Group News
Super Bowl Party @ Monroe Manor
On Sunday, February 3, starting at 6:00 pm

We will have a Super Bowl party for our youth at the home of Graham Monroe (1205 Ryan Place). Teens should bring a snack to share. Friends welcome! 
Dinner Angels

We need Dinner angels for Winter! Dinner Angels is a program in which parents and other parishioners are invited to sign up and share in this service and fellowship opportunity to serve dinners to our youth. 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. We welcome and encourage our dinner angels to attend youth with us after serving. Our sign-ups, details, and schedule are available online:

Middle School Dinners (Especially 1/30 and beyond!): http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4dada922a5ff2-middle

High School Dinners (Especially TODAY, and beyond): http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4DADA922A5FF2-high
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.
Parish Retreat to Kanuga
April 26-29, 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 still be in the Foyer answering questions and providing helpful information booklets and registration fliers. If you are ready to register for the Kanuga Retreat weekend, you can 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
On Wednesday, Feb 6, we’ll drive to the Wartburg area to the Obed Wild and Scenic National Park to hike Obed Point Trail which affords beautiful views. This is a four-mile trail, rated moderate difficulty with includes a short spot of tricky climbing...not difficult but needs focus and sure footedness. RSVP to Emily Vreeland at emilyvree@aol.com or 865-470-2518.

There are three exciting outings planned for February so stay alert to details in future announcements and notify Andrew Morehead at andrew@knoxvilleascension.org if you would like to be on the Ascension Trekker email list.
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. Bring you own beverage and an appetizer or dessert to share. You can email Ed Lester at tallman601@gmail.com to RSVP.
Hurting Parents
Weekly Support Meetings
Wednesday, 5:00 pm, Library

Our group encourages everyone having troubles coping with drug and alcohol addiction, mental health or financial problems in adult children to attend these meetings. We meet each Wednesday at 5:00 pm in the Library. Please feel free to join this group and to refer anyone who might need help.
Save the Date: Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras will be on Tuesday, March 5

Since the 1980’s Ascension hosts an annual Mardi Gras party kicking off the season of Lent. This is an excellent time to connect with the parish, enjoy some excellent food, and simply have a great time. This year the proceeds from the auction and gathering will continue to support Ascension’s ongoing relationship with Boliva, while also upholding a domestic missionary endeavor. The fun begins Tuesday, March 5. More details to come.