THE TOWER

T
H E

Easter- Pentecost

P I S C O P A L

H U R C H

O F

t H E

S C E N S I O N

O N t G O m E R Y

, AL

MAY 2013

Ascension announces new Interim Rector, The Reverend Bill Winters

News & Events

A Letter to the Parish from our Senior Warden

Your Vestry is working. Efforts thus far have been geared towards securing an Interim Rector, and updating our Parish profile. We are blessed that God has called Fr. Bill Winters, and his wife Rita to Ascension. They come from Guntersville, where Bill has retired from his ministry with the Church of the Epiphany. His first official day with us will be May 20th, the Monday after Confirmation Sunday. However, they will join us for Ascension Day on May 9th, as we Celebrate the ministries of the Church of the Ascension. This will be our opportunity to bid official farewell to Father John Coleman and family, and thank them for their service to God and Ascension. It will also be our first opportunity to welcome the Winters. Please make plans to attend. Work is also underway to update our parish profile. This is critical to understanding our Church personality so that we can effectively communicate this to prospective permanent Rector candidates. Expect to

WWW.COASCENSION.ORG

We are pleased to announce that your vestry has selected an Interim Rector for the Church of the Ascension. The Reverend Bill Winters will serve as Interim Rector during our search for a permanent Rector. Bill and his wife Rita, are coming to us from Guntersville, where he recently retired as Rector of the Church of the Epiphany. On Ascension Day, May 9th, we will have a grand celebration of the ministries of the Church of the Ascension, as we bid our official farewell to John, Mary and family, and welcome Bill and Rita Winters. Bill will join the staff on May 20 and preach here at the Ascension on Sunday, May 26. There will be a welcome reception for Bill and Rita during the Sunday School hour on May 26th.

Ascension Day Festival Thursday, May 9th beginning with worship at 5:30 p.m. in the nave- Please see page 3 for details!! United Thank Offering boxes due Sunday, May 26th!
News & Events continues on page 3.

see a Parish Survey in the next few weeks. Please take time to complete the survey. The survey will be important to the parish profile, and we want everybody to have a voice in this process. We are also moving ahead with selecting a Chair of our Search Committee. I hope to have an announcement real soon concerning this selection. Thanks to all who have come forward offering their time and talents in the search effort. Once a Chair is selected, we will work to populate the rest of the search committee. If asked to serve, please give it your prayerful consideration. I also want to report that the Diocese has provided important information to our Vestry concerning the search process. The Diocese has, and will continue to be a valuable resource to us as we move through the process of finding a Permanent Rector for the Church of the Ascension. Finally, we ask for your prayers. Your Vestry and Search Committee need the support of your prayers as we work to find a new Rector for the Church of the Ascension. - Don Vaughn, Senior Warden
May 19th will be the last Sunday School for Youth and Children.

The Season of Easter into Pentecost

May 2013
8:00 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Services:

First Sunday:

Holy Eucharist I Sunday School Holy Eucharist II Compline Holy Eucharist II

Adult Formation

7:00 p.m.
Third Sunday:

Monday-Friday:
8:00 a.m.

Tuesdays are Choral Morning Prayer

Wednesday:
6:00 p.m.

Morning Prayer

Holy Eucharist II

Anglican/Episcopal Identity, led by clergy in the Bethel Room on the third floor. Christian Spirituality, led by Philip Goodwyn in the Galilee Room on the third floor. The Forum, led by clergy and guests in the Upper Room. Looking for God in Literature, led by Bill Hicks in the Canterbury Room on the second Floor. The Village Elders, led by Mark Waldo in the Staff Conference Room on the second floor. Young Adults, led by Becky Broadfoot and Jennifer Cook in the Antioch Room on the third floor.

Youth Formation

Confirmation Class, led by Sean Bolger and Holly Bauer in the Joshua House loft. Coffee House, led by Alice Novak and Phelps Reid in the Joshua House front room.

Childrens Formation

All children are dropped off and picked up in the Junior Worship room on the third floor.

Godly Play, K3- Kindergarten Rotations, First- Sixth grades

Nursery is open 7:45-noon on Sundays.

The 10:15am sermons are recorded weekly and posted on the church website, www.coascension.org. T h e E pi sc o pal Ch u rc h of t he A s c e ns ion l 315 Clanton Avenue l Montgomery, AL 36104 l (334)263-5529

G et I n V O lV e D ! S ee W H at s G O ing On !
Spiritual Growth & Fellowship
Youth Ministry
Youth Sunday Rehearsal

... teaCH tHem tO OBeY eVeRYtHing I HaVe COmmanDeD YOU. AnD RememBeR, I am witH YOU alwaYs, tO tHe enD OF tHe Age. - MattHew 28:20

Mens Ministry

News & Events Ascension Day Festival

Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. Saying Goodbye to the Colemans and Hello to the Winters! Worship: Homecomings and Goodbyes Readings and music, Eucharist, stories and homily from Mark Waldo, Jr. and John Coleman.
followed on the front lawn by

continued from page 1.

Mens Prayer Breakfast

Costa Rica Summer Mission Fundraising

Men of the parish gather each Thursday at 7:00 a.m. in Ascension Hall for food, fellowship and spiritual growth led by the clergy.

Parish Life & Ministries

Episcoparty!
Our monthly Episcoparty will meet at Karen and Marvin Campbells home, 1846 S. Hull Street, on May 2nd beginning at 6:30 p.m. cohosted by Bill and Donna Knox.

May 11th at 5:15 p.m. in the nave All youth participating in the Youth Sunday service on May 12th need to attend the rehearsal at 5:15 p.m. in the nave.

The Ascension Costa Rica Mission Team has put together a few fundraising opportunities for everyone to take part in. Please see the Service & Outreach section on page 4 to learn more.

Youth Sunday, May 12th

Senior Supper & Youth Banquet

Ascension Day Festival, May 9th

See page 3 for more information.

May 11th from 6-8 p.m. in Ascension Hall All youth and families of youth are invited to attend this special event honoring the Ascension graduating seniors and recognizing our outstanding youth. Please reserve your spot by contacting Holly Bauer, 334.263.9839 or hbauer@coascension.org, no later than Monday, May 6th.

The Forum, Sunday, May 12th

Coffice- Coffee House Office Hours

Ascension youth and Montgomery area EYCs are invited to Cafe Louisa from 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday for fellowship, snacks and fun with local youth ministers. The last Coffice of the school year will be May 15th.

Anne Kimzey will talk about her recent trip to Haiti and provide an update on the ministries of the Episcopal Church in Haiti as the country continues to recover from the 2010 Earthquake. She will also be glad to answer questions and share information about our Companion Diocese relationship and Ascensions ten-year history of outreach in Haiti. The Forum will be meeting in the Upper Room during the Sunday School hour.

Barbeque Picnic from Smokehouse!!! Music from The Kempters!!! Games! Music! Lots of fun! Tickets are on sale NOW! $8.00- adults / $4.00- children 12 and under
(Tickets are required to help with the number count and can be purchased in the church office.)

Youth of the Ascension will organize the services on May 12th with seniors providing the homily. All youth and childrens teachers will be recoginized and the loose offering will be given to the Ascension Costa Rica summer mission experience. Youth and families of youth, please refer to page 2 for more information regarding Youth Sunday rehearsal and Senior Supper & Youth Banquet.

Prayers & Squares

Wednesday Night Youth

Youth in grades 7-12 meet in the Joshua House loft every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. for program and Bible study. The last Wednesday Night Youth of the school year will be May 15th.

Anyone interested in making quilts for those in need of prayer should join Prayers and Squares the second Tuesday of every month at 9:00 a.m. in the Quilting Room on the third floor. This month we will meet on Tuesday, May 14th.

Pentecost Sunday- Bishops Visitation & Confirmation Sunday

Womens Ministry

Diocesan Offerings

Daughters of the King Food for the Journey

Daughters of the Kings monthly meeting will be held on Sunday, May 19, in the Upper Room at 3:30 p.m. Women of all ages gather each Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. in Ascension Hall for breakfast, fellowship and spiritual growth led by Becky Taylor.

Wine Tasting benefitting Foothills Day Camp Friday, May 3rd from 6-8 p.m. Tyson Fine Wine & Things, Anniston, AL

April Picture Highlights:

Easter Sunday

On Sunday, May 19th, Bishop Santosh Murray will be visiting Church of the Ascension. A large group of Ascensions youth and adults will be received, confirmed or reaffirmed on this joyful Sunday.

Pictures provided by Beth Bolger and Libby Weatherly

Womens Bible Study

Senior women of the parish meet each Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. for Bible Study, fellowship and spiritual growth led by Rev. Chip Broadfoot. Lunch is no longer being served during this ministry. Last meeting will be Wednesday, May 15th.

Not Your Mothers Bible Study

Foothills Day Camp is modeled after Sawyerville Day Camp serving underprivileged children ages 6-11 in the Anniston/Oxford area. In order to provide a free camp to the children and staff, all funds must be raised. Join Grace Episcopal Church, Anniston, and Bishop Murray for a wine tasting at Tyson Fine Wine & Things, 3326 Henry Road, Anniston, Alabama, on Friday, May 3rd from 6- 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Grace Church for $25 or $30 at the door. Non-alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment will be provided. Contact The Rev. Lee Shafer, gracerector@cableone.net or 256.236.4457, to reserve tickets or get more information.

Education for Ministry (EfM) Registration has begun!

On Sunday, March 31, Easter Sunday, Church of the Ascension hosted over 400 members and guests to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Alleluia!

All women are invited to attend this Bible Study led by Mary Lee Yelverton each Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Upper Room. After the May 2nd meeting, the class will be suspended until the Fall.

Cursillo #188- June 6-8, 2013-Camp McDowell

Visit www.dioala.org for more details regarding this wonderful adult ministry, or contact The Rev. Chip Broadfoot, 334.263.5529 or cbroadfoot@coascension.org.

Education for Ministry is a theological study for laity sponsored by Sewanees School of Theology. The Church of the Ascension has an active EfM program that meets on Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. in the small dining room. Registration is now open for next years class that begins in September. Openings are limited to 12. Scholarship assistance is available. You can pick up a registration form in the parish office. For more information, please contact Brett Hall at 334.318.6081 or brettchall@hotmail.com.

Children & Family Ministry

Vacation Bible School St. Johns Episcopal Church June 3-6, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Vacation Bible School St. Johns Episcopal Church June 3-6, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. ECW Spring Luncheon
The ECW hosted their annual Spring Luncheon on Thursday, April 11th, with guest speaker, Rev. Glenda Curry from All Saints Episcopal Church in Birmingham.

Grab your cowboy hats and boots! This year were celebrating VBS western style! Please consider volunteering for VBS. It is so much fun and is so rewarding. Well have several different types of positions, so if you can help, please let Tiffany Nishibun know by calling 334.263.5529 or emailing tiffany@coascension.org. May 2013
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Welcome Reception for The Rev. Bill Winters scheduled for Sunday, May 26th, during the Sunday School hour.

Grab your cowboy hats and boots! This year were celebrating VBS western style! Please consider volunteering for VBS. It is so much fun and is so rewarding. Well have several different types of positions, so if you can help, please let Tiffany Nishibun know by calling 334.263.5529 or emailing tiffany@coascension. org. May 2013

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension

www. coascension.org

(334) 263-5529

Serving & Outreach

Beans & Rice Ministry

Family Promise

May 12-19 and June 23-30

The Vineyard Bookstore

Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Sundays: 9:00- 10:10 a.m.
The Vineyard Bookstore offers a variety of books for persons seeking a closer relationship with our Lord, including Bibles for all ages, Book of Common Prayer, hymnals, devotionals, commentaries, and offerings from popular Christian authors. We also have a wide selection of gifts for special occasions such as Baptisms, Confirmation, weddings, birthdays and Christmas.

Meets second Saturday of every month. This month is May 11th from 9-11 a.m. in front of the Joshua House.

Many THANKS to all who are helping to grow our Beans & Rice Ministry. Our folks are so delighted to receive luxury items with their monthly staples of dried beans & rice. Thank you for filling our basket (office lobby) with soap, shampoo, samples from your dentist & other various treats. We are truly grateful for your thoughtfulness. We are collecting peanut butter to offer our neighbors as a summertime snack. If the Spirit moves you, PLEASE add peanut butter to our basket. Hint: some grocery stores offer buy one, get one free.

Ascension will host Family Promises Interfaith Hospitality Network for homeless families for the first time this calender year, May 12-19, and again June 23-30. Since people are away during vacation time in the summer, please go ahead and let us know if you can help with May and/or June. As usual, well need some folks to help us inflate the beds for our guests Sunday, May 12, and Sunday, June 23. We also need help making up the beds and a few other setup tasks: providing and/or serving a meal during the week, spending a night during the week, collapsing the beds at the end of each week (Sunday, May 19, and Sunday, June 30), and washing linens after the families leave. Children of volunteers are welcome, and we can always use new helpers. Please let Mildred Wakefield know if you would like to participate by calling 334.265.1835 or emailing, wake7@me.com.

Ascensions Caroline Barmettler, Senior Nominee for 2013 River Region Volunteer of the Year Award

Parish Family News

The ceremony was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church on April 25th. What a wonderful example of our talented and giving parish members.

You can email The Vineyard Bookstore at vineyard@coascension.org

Monty Pharr, mother of Tina Wilson and grandmother of Ann Aman, passed away on April 16. Sarah Carter Sease, born April 25, to parents Lida and Matthew Sease, grandparents are Bill and Margaret Cunningham and Nan Cunningham.

The COTA Weekly E-News

A weekly e-mail publication is available by subscription. The email arrives by mid-week and explains what is happening in the coming week (news, events, prayer list and a listing of those serving as lay ministers the following Sunday). If you wish to receive this e-mail, you must sign up on the mailing list at www.coascension.org, or by e-mailing staff@coascension. org with the e-mail you would like added to list.

Tithes & Gifts

Required Monthly Received in April
$65,048 $84,688

Montgomery Habitat for Humanity: Faith Build: Volunteers Needed!

Saturday, June 8, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
We will begin framing and building at property 816 Millard Fuller Drive, Montgomery, Alabama. We need volunteers for building and preparing lunch (served at 12:00 noon). For more information, contact Scott Bamman, 263-7067, or Lee Ellis, 409-2878.

TLC (The Love of Christ)

Needs Your Help
Please consider preparing freezable casseroles, hearty soups or baked loaves that will be used to help a member of our Ascension family experiencing illness or special needs. Your dishes may be brought to the church during normal office hours.

Required YTD Received YTD

$339,513 $338,752

Music Ministry
Worship
Compline with Encore! 5 oclock Eucharist
Sunday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Nave.

Costa Rica Mission Fundraising Opportunities

Sunday Bake Sales
Each Sunday after the 10:15 a.m. service, baked goods will be for sale from $1-$5 each. Be sure to support the Costa Rica Mission Team through this quick and easy fundraiser.

Judgment and Love Go Together

United Thank Offering
boxes and donations due Sunday, May 26th
We have been raising eighteen- and twentyyear-old girls this year and there are many ups and downs. From time to time, Ive lost my patience, and I have been quick to judge. And that has me a little worried. There is a story about a little boy who had been giving his parents a hard time about getting home from school on time in the afternoons. He would stop and play at some friends house, and forget to let his parents know where he was...then come in late for supper. After several gentle reminders, he was finally told that if he were late after school one more time, he would be given only bread and water for his supper, and sent to his room for the rest of the evening. It was the next night that he came in late, again. But this time he found his family already at the supper table, and at his place there was a plate with a piece of bread on it and a glass of water beside it. He sat down, and not a word was spoken. He could not believe it. He looked at his fathers plate, full of food, then at his piece of bread, then he looked at his fathers face. Both were
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Ascension Day Rum Cake Sales

Sunday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the Chancel. Contact Becky Taylor, 334.263.5529 or beckytaylor@coascension.org, if you are interested in bringing your instrument.

Ascension Choir

Costa Rica Mission Team members will be selling rum cakes by halves for $18 each and wholes for $30 each. There are two ways to help in this effort: buy the rum cakes at Ascension Day and/or donate your baking skills by baking and donating rum cakes to be sold at Ascension Day. If you would like to help in advance, please contact Holly Bauer, 334.263.9839 or hbauer@coascension.org.

Salisbury Cathedral invites Ascension Choir for summer 2014

Thank you to all who have donated and pledged to support the Ascension Choir at Salisbury Cathedral! We appreciate all contributions. Our trip is in July 2014, so keep your eyes out for future fundraising events.

Save the Date: June 2nd in Ascension Hall following the 10:15 a.m. service.

Costa Rica Luncheon & Silent Auction Change of Date!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. -Psalm 29:2

Music Contributions

The Music Ministries Discretionary Fund has been established to provide special resources for Music Ministries. Anthems may also be purchased in memory or honor of loved ones. Memorials and contributions may be addressed to the Director of Music Ministries.
Karen & Marvin Campbell Pat & Jim Franklin Jane Ellen & Michael Masterson

All are invited to attend this fun Costa Rican themed luncheon and Silent Auction. Tickets are available in the church office for $15 per person or at the door for $20 per person. All proceeds from the luncheon and silent auction will benefit the Ascension Costa Rica summer mission experience. Many of the auction items will be posted on a bulletin board in Ascension Hall, as well as the church website, www.coascension.org. Go by and take a look at all we will have to offer! If you have valuable items, vacation rentals, services or talents you would like to offer for auction, please contact Holly Bauer at the church office, 334.263.9839 or hbauer@coascension.org.

Nu rs e r y & C h i l d re ns C hu rch : Location Change

During construction on our heating and cooling system, our regular nursery rooms will be unusable. We will convert the indoor playground into a nursery room for infants and toddlers. If this room becomes too full, the infants will move to the Childrens Church Room which will be converted to an infant nursery. Because of this, Childrens Church will meet in the Junior Worship Room on the third floor. Preschoolers who use the green door room will still be able to use that classroom. www. coascension.org
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silent for a moment...then the father took the plate with the piece of bread and slid his full plate of food over to his son. The father ate only the bread that night, but the whole family learned about "judgment and love." So much of life is based on judgment and love. We are faced everyday with making judgments about people and situations. We are judged everyday by everyone we meet, and by ourselves. It would be nice to escape from that judgment...but we cannot. It would be nice if God had a super plan in place to "zap" us out of the stress and duress that judging and being judged brings...but He does not. Instead, he sent Jesus to show us that judgment and love go together, and actually are the same. God is a just God AND a loving God...and for that we can be thankful. What if God were not just? What if he were an un-just judge? Who would want that for a God? The cross and resurrection go together; just as judgment and love go together... every good parent knows that. Knowing that, we can walk through life, not hoping to escape the mayhem, but so that we can pass through the midst of troubles and those who trouble us, so that we can take up our cross and follow in the footsteps of Christs love. - The Rev. Chip Broadfoot May 2013

May 2013

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension

(334) 263-5529

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension 315 Clanton Avenue Montgomery, AL 36104

Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 18 Montgomery, AL

RETUrN SErVICE REQUEsTED

Ascension Staff
ext. 106

The Rev. Bill Winters, Interim Rector The Rev. Chip Broadfoot, Associate Rector
cbroadfoot@coascension.org, ext. 102

Mrs. Becky Taylor, Director of Music Ministries

beckytaylor@coascension.org, ext. 107

Mr. Will McQueen, Sexton

will@coascension.org, ext. 112

Mrs. Tracy Hinton-Adams, Financial Assistant

thinton@coascension.org, ext. 114

Ms. Diane Cauble, Publications Secretary

diane@coascension.org, ext. 113

Ms. Holly Bauer, Director of Youth Ministries

hbauer@coascension.org, ext. 115

Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Mrs. Tiffany Nishibun, Director of Childrens Ministries

tiffany@coascension.org, ext. 109

Vestry 2013
Don Vaughn, Senior Warden Sterling Culpepper, Junior Warden

Scott Bamman, 2013 Susan Copeland, 2013 Richard Norris, 2013 Beth Bolger, 2014 Brett Hall, 2014

Gillette Slaton, 2014 Charlie Caldwell, 2015 Sam Dolman, 2015 Lee Ellis, 2015 Frank Johnston, 2015

May C a l e n d ar Hi g h l i g ht s :
Sunday Monday Tuesday 1 Wednesday 2 Thursday
Episcoparty- Karen Campbells Home6:30 p.m.

Friday 3 4

Saturday

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Compline- Nave- 7:30 p.m.

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Ascension Day Festivities- beginning in Nave- 5:30 p.m. Fun n Games- beginning at 6:30- front lawn

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Rice & Beans- Joshua House- 9:00 a.m. Youth Sunday Rehearsal- Nave- 5:15 p.m. Sr. Supper & Youth Banquet- Ascension Hall- 6-8 p.m.

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Mothers Day Youth Sunday Family PromiseJoshua Housethrough May 19 Pentecost/ Confirmation Sunday Last Sunday School 5 oclock EucharistChancel- 5:00 p.m. Trinity Sunday

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Last Womens Bible Study- 11:30 a.m. Last Wednesday Night Activities

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Office Closed

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