CURRENT EVENTS

Youth Activities

Check out all the Diocesan youth activities at www.edow.org/youth

 Youth Group

Contact the Parish Secretary at 301-863-8551 for more info,

Our Parish

Taizé Evening Prayer

Taizé is a tiny village in the eastern part of France. Since 1940 it has been the home of an ecumenical community whose prayer, three times each day, is at the center of their life. Today Taizé is a place to which visitors of all ages and backgrounds come on pilgrimage in great numbers to join with the community and each other in prayer and reflection. The music which comes out of the Taizé community has found its way into worshiping congregations throughout the world. Worshipers have discovered that this music, which consists of simple repetitive phrases, gives rise to meditative prayer and enables people to pray and sing. On the Sundays of Lent we will have the opportunity to gather at 5:00pm for a simple Evening Prayer liturgy consisting of scripture readings, Taizé songs and contemplative silence. All are welcome to attend.

Meditation and Prayer

You are cordially invited to attend Contemplative Prayer held with Rev. Page on Wednesday’s from 11:15am-12noon in the Church sanctuary.

Bible Readings and Reflection

Bible Readings and Reflection are held on Friday mornings from 10:00am – 11:00am at the Wildewood Village Club House in the meeting room downstairs.  For more information, please contact the Parish Secretary at 301-863-8551.ALL ARE WELCOME.

Soup-er Sunday
Our pilot project of serving hot soup on Sunday afternoon at no cost to any and all who care to join us has been a great success. Attendance has held steady at about 14 diners each Sunday and interestingly enough, not all of those are repeat visitors. All told, we've fed 40-50 different individuals. The word is spreading, though, and in the past three weeks, there has been a noted increase in the "see you next week" crowd. The ECW voted to continue the service. This can't happen without help. A sign-up sheet is posted in the Family Room and a "go by" or "how to" binder is in the kitchen. There is nothing difficult about this program; it's like feeding your family. Someone makes soup for 20-24 people. Willing workers make certain the tables are set with placemats, napkins, salt and pepper, and baskets of crackers or rolls if available. Soup is served from a buffet table. For drinks we've made coffee, ice water, and whatever juice is leftover from Sunday's coffee hour. Cash donations help defray expenses. This is an equal opportunity program, any and all are welcome and needed to make it a true, living, Ascension program. Please consider taking one of our Soup-er Sundays. If you have questions or just need reassurance that, "yes, you can do this," give us a call at the Church Office, 301-863-8551 <><
 

Sunday School Registration
Sunday School Classes are offered for Preschool (preschool children must be 4 years old before 1 January, 2012, and must be completely potty trained) through High School. 

Sunday School begins at 10:15 a.m. and continues during the 10:30 a.m. worship service.  Students join the congregation in church for celebration of the Holy Eucharist; on Morning Prayer Sunday students remain with their class until the worship service is over.

Our Sunday School program is growing!  The Sunday School Year began on Sunday, September 11th and we have been averaging 10-15 kids every week. The energy in the classroom is exciting. With these increased numbers comes a need for more assistance. We are looking for additional people to volunteer as classroom helpers. A sign up sheet is posted outside of the classroom; Anyone can volunteer. This is an excellent way to get service hours for school. Volunteers can sign up for one week, or several. No teaching experience necessary! Volunteers will be used to help with projects and run easy errands. Thank you for being willing to donate your time! We are also still looking for guest storytellers. The script is already completed. A copy of the story is provided to you in advance so you can practice. I will post a list of upcoming stories. Don't pass up the chance to retell your favorite Bible lesson! Thank you for all the support you have given the Sunday School so far...we look forward to seeing you in the classroom with us soon!

 Registration forms for Sunday School are available in the office or the foyer. Please fill out a new form for this year! Contact Deb, the Parish Secretary, or or Sarah Chen via the church office at 301-863-8551 to request a registration form and return to the office or collection plate. All children are welcome and all adults are most cordially invited to participate as Christian educators. Visit our Christian Education page for more information.

 Ascension In-Reach
Please take a moment and consider participating in our In-reach Program at Ascension.  The program has been greatly appreciated by those in our own parish who were in need of a helping hand, a meal, or a ride at a critical time.  More help is needed, though.  If you are interested, please contact the Parish Secretary at 301-863-8551 for an application form to let us know how you are interested in helping out.  If you want to continue with your current participation, there is no need to complete a new form - Only those new to the program need to register.  THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

Please let the Rector if you or a fellow church member could use a hand.  Ascension’s In-Reach is there to help our members in times of need, providing meals, rides, or companionship.

Community

Free Tax Preparation

Beginning in February, IRS/AARP-certified tax counselors will provide free tax preparation and electronic filing for taxpayers in St. Mary's County.  Personal returns only:  no out of state returns or returns involving farms, businesses, rental properties, or partnerships.  Taxpayers must have proof of social security number and picture identification.  Bring a copy of last year's return and all income and tax related information including names, social security numbers, and birth dates for all persons who will be listed on the return.  Call 301-884-8370 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment at a site near you or visit our walk-in site at the McKay's Shopping Center on Great Mills Road (under the "Virtuous Woman Hair Salon" sign). Hours for the McKay's site:  Monday 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday 3-7 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  No appointment required at this site.    Dana Davis, District Coordinator, St. Mary's County, AARP Tax-Aide Program, 301-863-2561, djdavis@md.metrocast.net.

Red Cross Blood Drive

The next blood drive will be held on Friday, February 17th at St. Andrews Church from 8:30am – 2:30pm. Please contact 800-REDCROSS to schedule your Life-saving donation.

Meals-on-Wheels Volunteers

We are in dire need of additional volunteer drivers for the Loffler Center Meals on Wheels route.  This program delivers hot meals to home bound seniors in the Lexington Park area weekdays during the lunch hour.  Number of meals varies but stays right around 12, and the route takes about an hour to complete.  Meals are picked up at the SAYSF Bible Church on Rue Purchase Road between 11 and 11:30 a.m.  We ask for a commitment of only one day a month; if you would like to help, please contact  Dana Davis, via the church office at 301-863-8551.  You can also call the Office on Aging program coordinator, Bridget Maddox, at 301-475-4200 ext 1060.  Feel free to ask neighbors and friends to join you – the more the merrier.  God bless. <><

Widow/Widower Support Group
Hospice of St. Mary’s Widow/Widower Support Group. The group meets once a week on Thursday from 5:30-7:00pm for eight consecutive weeks. This group is a closed group and will be starting soon. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. To include your name on our next session, call 301-994-3078 and ask for Ester Palma or Heather Wolfe.

Habitat for Humanity

Recycling
If you are interested in supporting Habitat for Humanity but don't have time to participate in one of their events, why not recycle your aluminum cans at the church?!  This will help Patuxent Habitat for Humanity build homes for those in need in our county.  Mary Sothoron will be picking up the aluminum cans weekly, so bring them in from home and deposit them in the box in the entryway.    PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY ALUMINUM DRINK CANS CAN BE ACCEPTED. 

Diocese

 Check out www.edow.org for the latest info.

People of the Way
During the season of Lent, Bishop Mariann has suggested we read a book together as the start of a diocesan initiative to explore what it means to be Episcopalian Christians. The book she has chosen is Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices, by Brian McLaren. Further information will be shared on the diocesan website.

20s/30s Beer with the Bishop!
On Sunday, February 12 at 7pm, come have beer with the Bishop! The newly forming 20s/ 30s (plus or minus!) of Region 6 will be meeting at the Leonardtown Pub for a little bit of social time with Bishop Mariann. If you fall within the 20s or 30s age group, come out and get to know fellow Episcopalians around the area! Feel free to bring friends too!! Should you have questions, please contact Laura Friess at laura.ab.friess@gmail.com.

Bishop's Bike Ride
An organizational /planning meeting for the Bishop's Bike Ride is set for 3 p.m. February 26 in the parish hall at St. Dunstan's, Bethesda (5450 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20816). Bring your bikes - weather permitting, we'll ride for two hours on the Capital Crescent Trail, gathering back at the parish hall at 5 p.m. for dinner and planning. If you can't make the ride, join us for dinner. If you can't make dinner, but have ideas for future rides, e-mail kthrall@edow.org.

Camp EDOW

Faith, Friends, Fun. Rising 4th through 8th graders are invited to the Diocese of Washington's first year of summer camp, set for August 5-10 on the shores of Breton Bay in St. Mary's County. Registration and deposits are due April 1. Space is limited so register today! Please contact Rev. Page if you are interested in attending.