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MEETING NEEDS
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THE SHED THRIFT SHOP
The Shed gives our parish an opportunity to share our "gently used" women's/men's clothing and housewares with those in our community for whom a bargain is a necessity. Donations are received at The Shed during operating hours or at the church office during business hours. Shed Hours: 9am-12pm Thursday/Friday/Saturday. Closed on Fridays June-September. FAST (Faith in Action for Strength Together) Contact: Larry Simoneau This is a consortium of churches joined together for the common cause of making improvements in our community. This organization tackles safety problems, low-income needs, and health concerns for the whole community by empowering the local communities to speak to the governmental authorities with one voice. Medical Missions Open letter to Ascension from Father Bill Shiflet on this exciting opportunity! OUTREACH TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY For information on outreach contact: Susan Katte: [email protected] or 447-3469 x 204 or Marcia Nauman: [email protected] or 447-3469 x 205 RCS - Religious Community Services, is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that provides housing, food and safety for the homeless, hungry, or victims of domestic violence RCS Haven Domestic Violence program - A shelter for women and their children seeking refuge from abusive situations, sponsored by the RCS RCS Baby Food Jars - collect your change to pay for baby food at the RCS Food Bank RCS Food Bank - donate cans of food and other non- perishables that are collected in the church Narthex (entrance) or in the Church Office Undies Sunday - twice a year we collect underwear for homeless and children, women and men who cannot afford or do not have access to new, clean necessities. Clothes-to-Kids - gently used and new clothes are collected for distribution to get children ready for back-to-school Backpack Sunday - money is donated to purchase back-to-school supplies and backpacks for needy and homeless children Angel Tree - At Christmas time, needy families are given the opportunity to have a special Christmas through our generosity Clean-Out-Your-Closet - At Christmas time, an opportunity to provide gently used toys and other items for families who are needy Cold Night Shelter - We provide support for those churches and businesses who provide shelter for the homeless when the weather is very cold during the winter by preparing sandwiches and providing blankets and volunteers Thanksgiving Dinner - The four downtown churches, Ascension, Peace Memorial, First Methodist and St. Cecelia’s Catholic provide a Thanksgiving Dinner to those who are alone or homeless on Thanksgiving Day. These churches rotate every year the location of the dinner. In 2014, Peace Memorial Presbyterian will host the dinner. Pack-A-Sack 4 Kids: Fighting Hunger and Food Insecurity one kid at a time! - Ascension Families have teamed with 1st United Methodist to combat the shocking hunger of children within 5 miles of us. Belleair Elementary has the highest population of homeless children in Pinellas County. Out of 700 children, 670 children are on free or reduced lunch and 15% of these children are chronically hungry (they do not know when they will have their next meal). Meals of Hope - Ascension joins with St. John’s, Good Samaritan, Holy Trinity, Good Shepherd, and St. Alfred’s Episcopal churches to combat hunger in our communities. Every year we raise funds to buy, pack, and distribute meals for the hungry. The packing takes place at the RCS Food Bank on Druid Rd. |
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MISSION TRIPS
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Summer mission teams to our sister parish, San Matias Episcopal Church and School, have renovated the church and school, brought VBS to hundreds of excited children, and linked our hearts with theirs! Currently, Ascension parishioners underwrite school scholarships. UNITED STATES In addition to traveling to the Dominican Republic, our adult missioners have performed repairs and renovations at the Episcopal Church and School on the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; and generally accompany our Senior High Youth on their U.S. mission trips. Contact Larry Clem [email protected] SENIOR HIGH YOUTH MISSIONS Our Senior High Youth group has helped renovate property at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Stalybridge, England, has repaired a mountain home in Appalachia; and worked at the Episcopal church on the Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. In summer 2012, they journeyed to tornado-ravaged Joplin, Missouri, to work with Americorp. Contact Father Mike Branscombe [email protected] |