Outreach at
Ascension
Opportunities for
Engagement
Church of the Ascension
The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector,
The Rev. Terri Murphy, Deacon,
Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education,
Church address: 633 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Mailing address: 634 Silver Spring Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910
The parish office and staff may be reached at 301-587-3272. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm. The parish office email is
Find more information about Church of the Ascension at
To receive "The Sweet Spirit Express", our weekly online newsletter, email
Outreach Facilitators
Marta Brenden
Annie Brown
Bob Brown
Susan Farrer
Ginny Klein
Enid LaGesse
Dick Marks
Bill Schauman
Carol Schwobel
Joan Thomas
Preface
What is the purpose of the Outreach Directory?
The Directory is intended to recognize and celebrate all that happens because of the generous efforts of Ascension members. It describes many efforts to benefit our community, whether local, national,or international. Some projects are supported by many Ascension parishioners, while others are supported by small groups or individuals. The endeavors listed range widely in terms of costs and time commitments.
This Directory is also intended to spark other creative ideas, and you will find below a brief description of how to start a new ministry at Ascension.
How does one use the directory?
Please browse through it and see what interests you! Then, feel free to contact the person(s) most closely associated with that ministry, whose email addresses and phone numbers are shown under “Ascension Contact” in each listing. You’ll also see notices in the Sweet Spirit Express and in the Sunday bulletins about upcoming events—join in, no special invitation needed!
Who are the Outreach facilitators?
These Ascension members plan parish-wide Outreach meetings, coordinate this directory, and help parishioners publicize events. The role of the facilitators is not to impose either structure or content, but rather to ensure that information about various ministries is spread widely and to enable fuller discussion of existing and new ministries within the parish.
How might one begin a project? and let others know?
Research and discuss your idea with other interested parishioners, the Outreach facilitators, or Ascension clergy. You may find that there is already some activity in your area of interest. For instance, the Casserole Ministry began with a desire to offer food to the homeless at Ascension itself. However, since Shepherd’s Table provides a similar ministry just half a mile away, it was decided that Ascension would support those efforts rather than starting a new program.
When you are ready to put your idea forward, request discussion at the next parish-wide Outreach meeting through a facilitator or clergy member. (In particular, you may want to talk with Rev. Joan Beilstein about your project and gain her support.) Participants at the meeting can offer feedback and help. For instance, the Community Based Shelter ministry had experienced a decrease of energy and support over a two-yearspan. After the issues were aired, enough resources were mobilized to continue in 2012 and plan for the future.
After discussion, you will have other opportunities to describe and publicize your planned ministry, including notices in the Sweet Spirit Express and the Sunday bulletins. The facilitators can help with these tasks and provide information about logistical “nuts and bolts”.
Introduction
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4: 14-19
In this passage from Luke, Jesus begins his public ministry, clearly stating who he is and what his ministry and mission are about. His is to be a ministry of servanthood, particularly to those who are most in need: the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed, the sick, and those who are in prison.
Jesus’ understanding of his mission and ministry is rooted in God’s character and conduct as revealed throughout all of the Scriptures. From the beginning, God reveals oneself as a servant God concerned for those who are most in need. And from the beginning, God has called God’s people to be in covenant relationship with one another, emulating God’s example of servant ministry.
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82
As Christians, baptized into the Household of God, and marked as Christ’s own forever by the Holy Spirit, Jesus calls us as his disciples to emulate his character and conduct in living out our servant ministries.
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Matthew 25:34-36
To live out this calling, we make promises in our baptismal covenant “to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as we love ourselves”, and “to strive for justice and peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.” (Book of Common Prayer, page 305)
The early Church understood this calling well. We see examples of this servant ministry throughout the Acts of the Apostles and we see God’s call to us to be servants in the various Epistles.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”
James 1:27
“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….All the believers were together and had everything in common.
They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Every day then continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts praising God….”
Acts 2:43-46
Church of the Ascension has a long history of outreach ministry, both local and global. One role of being faithful servant ministers, is to offer tools and resources for members of the church to become engaged in outreach ministries which interest them and allow them to utilize their varying gifts.
This Outreach Directory, a labor of love created by our Outreach facilitators, is to share with you some of the outreach ministries Church of the Ascension is involved in as well as to share valuable resources from the Diocese of Washington, the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and other organizations.
May God bless you and empower you in your servant ministries, as you strive to be faithful to the call of God found in the Scriptures and revealed to us in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector
Ministries
Ascension Traditional Ministries
Casserole Ministryp. 1
Action in Montgomery (AIM)p. 2
Community Based Shelter (CBS)p. 3
The Episcopal Church
Episcopal Public Policy Network p. 4
Episcopal Relief & Development p. 5
Churches for Middle East Peace p. 6
Episcopal Peace Fellowshipp. 7
International Ministries
Episcopal Relief & Developmentp. 5
Churches for Middle East Peacep. 6
Episcopal Peace Fellowshipp. 7
South Africa Partnership p. 14
Honduras Ministryp. 15
St. Paul’s Foundation for
International Reconciliationp. 17
Amnesty Internationalp. 22
United to End Genocidep. 23
NationalMinistries
Episcopal Public Policy Networkp. 4
350.orgp. 9
NRCAT/IAHRp. 19
The Hunger Sitep. 21
Local Ministries
Casserole Ministryp. 1
Action in Montgomery (AIM)p. 2
Community Based Shelter (CBS)p. 3
Green Committeep. 8
Out of Sight Dragonsp. 10
Independence and Information
for the Blind (IIB)p. 11
Santa’s Helpersp. 12
Prayer Shawl Ministryp. 13
Capital Pride/LGBTp. 16
Senior Ministry at Springvale
Terrace.p. 18
Interfaith Ministriesp. 20
Web-Based Ministries
Amnesty Internationalp. 22
United to End Genocidep. 23
The Hunger Site p. 21
WE WERE HUNGRY AND YOU FED US
Casserole Ministry for the People of
Shepherd’sTable
As a family, couple, or single, join in and prepare a casserole once a month, to be received on the first Sunday of each month. Tested recipes and pans provided.
Feed my sheep for we are called to be good shepherds
2015 Dates: September 13,October 4, November 1, December 6
2016 Dates: January 3, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 3, July 10, August 7, September 11
Background
Shepherd's Table is a nonprofit organization in downtown Silver Spring, supported by volunteers, religious organizations, government, businesses, foundations, and individual donors. Its mission is to help people who are homeless or in need by providing basic services, including meals, social services, and medical support, clothing, and other assistance in an effective and compassionate manner.
Within a mile of our parish, 125 homeless men, women and children eat an evening meal at Shepherd’s Table, 365 days a year. No doubt at least one of them has passed by our parish on any given day, or you have passed by them as you travel around Silver Spring. The homeless need not be faceless to us. Let us, as a community, embrace them and their need to be recognized by providing casseroles for Shepherd’s Table once a month.
Ascension Activities
This ministry began on Sunday, February 5, 2012. In 2012, 232 casseroles were received; in 2013, the number was 314; and in 2014, 290.
How You Can Help
Prepare a casserole for ingathering the first Sunday of each month. A handout with directions and recipes to be used are available at the church, as well as pans for cooking and freezing the casseroles. This handout is also available on the Church of the Ascension website:
Shepherd’s Table can also use tubs of margarine, sticks of butter, ground coffee, tea bags, and sugar. Deodorant is also needed. A box will be available in the Gathering Space for these items.
In addition to baking casseroles, please plan, if you are able, to help load the casseroles and transport them to Shepherd’s Table, just half a mile from the church, on Mondays after the ingathering..
Ascension Contact
CarolSchwobel
Action In Montgomery(AIM)
Background
Action in Montgomery is an organization of some 30 religious organizations (including Protestant and Catholic churches and one Jewish congregation) that has sought since 1999 to build political power for progressive change in the County.
Although AIM is political, it is nonpartisan. As an affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, AIM encourages people to make their needs and concerns known through small groups in house meetings. The most urgent and widespread needs make it onto AIM's yearly agenda.
In the past, AIM has won reform of the taxicab industry, lobbied successfully for more affordable housing in the County, and obtained money to fund badly-needed improvements to recreation centers in African-American neighborhoods. It also played a major role, with CASA de Maryland, in passing the Maryland DREAM Act and successfully defending it on the November 2012 ballot.
AIM is currently focusing on affordable housing, a gun control initiative, Do Not Stand Idly By, and a very promising initiative, Child First Montgomery, to extend quality after-school care to elementary school students.AIM is advocating for public funding to provide child care that includes after-school activities to enrich elementary school children's work in homework and sports, visual arts, music, drama and other activities to enhance their enjoyment of learning. There will be opportunities this year to offer support for public funding. Burnt Mills Elementary School is among those participating in the Child First Initiative.
Ascension Activities
Ascension is a founding AIM congregation and contributes to it substantially through our annual budget. Over the years, Ascension has given enthusiastic support to AIM. Ascension members have served in AIM leadership roles and attended AIM and IAF training. We are small compared to some other AIM congregations, but we exercise an influence that is greater than our numbers would indicate.
How You Can Help
Members of Ascension are entitled to participate in AIM events. Interested persons can participate at all levels of involvement, from attending mass "actions" a few times a year to becoming part of the Parish "core team", to lobbying our elected representatives. Ascension membersparticipated actively in defending the Maryland DREAM law.
Ascension Contacts
Marta Brenden; Annie Brown; Bob Brown; Dick Marks; Bill Schauman
Community Based Shelter (CBS)
Background
The Community Based Shelter (CBS) is part of the Wilkins Avenue Women's Assessment Center (WAWAC) in Rockville. It provides year-long emergency services to adult homeless women. In addition to basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing, this 35-bed facility offers the women a safe environment to address their barriers to housing and self-sufficiency. Generous volunteers provide breakfast and dinner 365 days a year.
Each resident is paired with a Case Manager. Together they create service agreements which are designed to facilitate recovery, stability, and independence. The residents are referred for vocational and therapeutic services, and they are encouraged to gain and increase income. Residents must be referred by other homeless service providers, such as the Crisis Center, rehabilitation programs, housing programs, and day programs.
Ascension Activities
Meals for residents at the shelter are provided, in rotating fashion by congregations and community groups throughout the county. Ascension has a long history of participating in this program. We provide breakfast supplies, bag lunches, and hot dinners for 35 women for one week of the year.
While providing meals for 35 may seem daunting, we break up tasks, and it is easy. Various groups in the church—for example, the Choir, the Vestry, and the Sunday School—each sign up to prepare food on a designated day, and individuals, couples, and families join in as their schedules permit.
In 2016, Ascension’s week to provide meals will come in May.
How You Can Help
We have a core of faithful people who participate every year, and more are always needed to help provide three meals a day and staff the shelter for dinner during the designated week. If you can shop, if you can drive, if you can cook, if you can serve, we can find a way to make your contribution part of our support for this ministry.
Ascension Contacts
Elena Larson, Annie Brown
Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)
working through the Church’s Office of
Government Relations,
Background
Being an advocate does not always involve drastic measures. Every day, we have the chance to stand up and speak when we see the need. Advocates have the opportunity to speak to their elected representatives, friends, family, and congregations about important issues.
How many times have you read an article in the paper or watched a news story and wished there was something you could do? With the Episcopal Public Policy Network, you can. Senators and Representatives care about what you, their constituent, think about a particular issue. Whether you feel passionately about environmental protection, HIV/AIDS funding, education, or numerous other concerns, you can make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.
The Episcopal Public Policy Network advocates for issues that are specifically identified by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. But the Office of Government Relations, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., cannot advocate for important issues alone. It needs individuals and congregations to write to their representatives, ask for support on social justice issues, and make their voices heard. Working together, we can send a strong message to Congress.
Ascension Activities
A number of parishioners are members of EPPN and respond to the action requests to contact their members of Congress regarding pending legislation on issues approved by the Episcopal Church.
How You Can Help
Become a member of the Episcopal Public Policy Network today and join committed Episcopalians working for a better world. Register at respond to email alerts.
Ascension Contact
The Rev. Dr. Joan Beilstein, Rector
Background
Episcopal Relief & Development is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church and an independent 501(c)(3) organization. The agency takes its mandate from Jesus’ words:
"Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food? We saw you thirsty and gave you something to drink? We saw you a stranger and welcomed you? We saw you sick and took care of you? We saw you in prison and visited you?” “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 37-40)
Episcopal Relief & Development works with more than three million people annually in 40 countries, through programs in four core areas. The organization partners with local churches and organizations throughout the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion, as well as ecumenically. Episcopal Relief & Development empowers local communities to find lasting solutions that fight poverty, hunger, disaster, and preventable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and malaria. Its programs work toward achieving the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.