Church of the Ascension

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Day Program Gift Pouches

This winter is going to be particularly hard for people who do not have stable homes – and we expect their number of grow. The Diocese of Ottawa Community Ministry Day Programs (Centre 454, St. Luke’s Table, and the Well) offer critical emotional and physical support to hundreds of people in our city.  Join in this ministry by offering a small gift to brighten someone’s day. 

Fill a zippered pouch (like a pencil case) with items such as:

  • $5 gift card to Tim Horton’s, McDonald’s, or similar (required)
  • Small bottle(s) of hand sanitizer (required)
  • A pack of gum or two 
  • A few mini chocolate bars 
  • A pack of throat lozenges 
  • A small pack of Kleenex or two 

Drop your pouches off at the church during any on-site service or on Monday, December 14th from 12-7pm. They will be delivered to the Day Programs on Tuesday, Dec. 15th.

We are also happy to accept donations of new socks to be distributed by the Day Programs.

Self-Directed Quiet Time: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel according to Mark

Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and, this year, our Sunday Gospel readings will be read from Mark’s account. Begin the year by taking in the whole story.

Take your Bible and a cup of tea or coffee to a comfortable spot.  Have paper and pencil handy so that you can make notes or draw.

You may want to watch the Bible Project video to give yourself an overview.

Begin with a prayer, offering this time to God and asking for ears to hear the Word of God anew.

Read Mark 1 -10.

Take 20-30 minutes to reflect on what you read.  Use these questions and whatever means of capturing your thoughts you prefer:

  • How are you feeling?
  • What struck you most forcefully?
  • What surprised you?

Read Mark 11-16

Again, take 20-30 minutes to reflect on what you read.  Use these questions and whatever means of capturing your thoughts you prefer:

  • How are you feeling?  Has it changed?
  • What struck you most forcefully?
  • What surprised you?
  • Have any of your thoughts changed?
  • To what is Jesus calling you through this Gospel?

Close in prayer, giving thanks for the gift of the Gospel according to Mark and for Jesus, whom God gave to the world out of the depths of perfect love.

Creating Bigger Stories Film Series

On Zoom – register here.

Creating Bigger Stories:
Interrogating Our Narratives of Power & Co-creating Goodness Together

Classified by the South African government to be “colored,” Rev. René August came into adulthood during one of the most historic movements of justice in the last century. How fitting and appropriate to interrogate and discern your on narrative as you digitally sit at René’s feet and learn from her lived experience and expansive study of how the love of the Divine can be made present through storytelling, understanding power and seeking justice.

Over 5 weeks, we will listen to Rev. René August and spend time in discernment and conversation with one another.

Watch the series trailer here.

Series Dates

  • Oct 15 – Session One // Interrogating Narratives
  • Nov 5 – Session Two // A Declaration of Power 
  • Nov 19 – Session Three // Creating Bigger Stories
  • Dec 3 – Session Four // Proximity to Power
  • Dec 17 – Session Five // Creating Goodness Together 

Sept 30 – Digging along the Ottawa River: Past meets Present

with Ian Badgley and Albert Dumont
7:30pm, Wednesday, Sept. 30
(Orange Shirt Day)

All My Relations – Ascension presents archeologist Ian Badgley, Heritage Program National Capital Commission and Albert Dumont, Algonquin Spiritual Advisor.

Indigenous people have gathered along the shores of the three rivers that meet in the Ottawa-Gatineau area for thousands of years. Archeological digs in the National Capital Region find many artifacts dating back 1,500 to 2,500 years, but such artifacts here and across the country are in danger of being lost to shoreline erosion due to climate change. That loss jeopardizes contemporary Indigenous rights and land claims and diminishes our understanding of Indigenous history.

Learn about the connections between land, history, creation care, and present-day justice for Indigenous peoples.

Watch the presentation on our YouTube channel!