Attendees may site wherever they feel comfortable. If you need special seating for any reason please inform our ushers when you arrive (these are the folks giving out bulletins). If you have special needs, for example you need communion brought to you, you have children who need changing facilities, access to bathroom close-by or gluten allergies the ushers can help you.

The church is open for worship with full sacraments.  Facemasks are optional and no reservations are needed. Attendees may sit wherever they feel comfortable.

701 Orange Avenue Clearwater FL 33756
A few blocks north of Morton Plant Hospital

Yes

Please see our giving page for ways to give to the church. Giving can be done in person, online, or through our app.

Sunday Morning

• 8:00am Traditional Service & Holy Eucharist.
• The 8:00am Sunday service lasts from 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes.
• 10:00am Family Service & Holy Eucharist. The 10:00am Sunday service lasts from 1 hour, 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
• Childcare is provided for both 8:00am & 10:00am services

Sunday Evening

• 5:00pm Worship with readings, silence, song & Holy Eucharist
• The 5:00pm Sunday service lasts 50 minutes.

Parking is available at the corner of Turner Street and Bay St. Additional parking is available on Orange Street in front of the church, behind the education building and we have a grass parking lot with our beautiful Live Oak to the east of the church accessible from Bay St.

You are invited to wear whatever feels comfortable. Most men wear a collared shirt, some still wear a jacket. Most women wear “dressy casual” (you’ll see everything from heels to sandals and dresses to nice slacks). Our youth, which is anyone under 30, will wear almost anything from jeans and t-shirts to dressy attire.

Church of the Ascension is an Episcopal Church and part of the Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is the gathering of Anglican and Episcopal churches from around the world.

Today, the Anglican Communion comprises more than 80 million members in 44 regional and national member churches in more than 160 countries.The Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion, and is comprised of 109 dioceses in 16 nations. At the head of the Anglican Communion is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.

For more information about the Episcopal Church in North America, click here.

“The Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).

We will always have questions, but in the two foundational statements of faith – the Apostles’ Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion – we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.

Children are welcome to attend and participate in all of our services although the 10 am Family Service features a children’s story and classroom activities during service (Sept. – May) for children ages 3-6 and grades 1-5; children return during Communion. During all services, there is a child-friendly space in the chapel on the north side of the church where kids can color or play quietly together. We also offer Youth Education after church (Sept. – May) from 11:15 am -12:15 pm for youth in grades 6-8 and Middle School Youth Group meets from 12:15 – 2 pm. Staff are trained and there is high staff to child ratio. Our director would be happy to discuss your child’s needs and answer any questions.

Many who visit Church of the Ascension come from other faith traditions, and all are welcome and encouraged to participate. In most of our worship spaces you will be given a service in the bulletin as you come in. The Book of Common Prayer, Hymnal and Parish Songbook are easily available in the pews and seats. All of our services use screens to display the announcements and some prayers to participate. The staff and clergy offer several educational opportunities to learn about the Episcopalian faith and bible teachings. This is not required but we hope you will take advantage of available classes and resources to get started.

Everyone is welcome. If you yourself have, or if you have children who have, some sort of special need you may have additional questions. Food restrictions, hearing, mobility, sight and ESE are all covered below. Please let us know if you have a need we have not covered.

Dietary restrictions:
Gluten. Our Eucharistic Services all have a Gluten free option. When you come to the rail, simply tell the priest you need gluten free bread. Gluten free bread is available at all Sunday Services.

Alcohol:
Our wine contains alcohol. If, for any reason, you would rather not receive the wine, please just cross your arms across your chest. Usually the chalice-bearer will stop and say “The Blood of Christ” but will know to then move on. Receiving communion in one kind (just bread or just wine) has long been understood to be just as good as taking both.

Mobility issues:
Wheelchairs: All our venues have space for wheelchairs (including electric chairs). There is a ramp with automatic door on the north side of the church, adjacent to the carillon tower. Handicapable parking is also available in both of our main parking lots. If you are attending formation in the second story rooms of the Parish Center, there is an elevator available off the courtyard, just before the DaySchool classrooms. Please ask if you need assistance and note that we are updating signage for ease of use.

Other mobility issues:
We do have a wheelchair in the Main Sanctuary if you cannot get in from your car. If you are with someone please send them in to ask an Usher. If you are on your own, please call ahead so that we can look out for you. We will always bring communion to you, please let the ushers know.

Hearing issues:
We have enhanced listening devices available in the main sanctuary. Please ask and Usher for assistance.

We understand children have a wide range of needs, and we hope to provide a safe place where every child, including those with different abilities, can grow in faith. All children are welcome in our worship services. If your child has a special need which would require greater expertise than a general volunteer can provide, a parent is welcome to accompany the participant at programs for children or youth, or we can work together to find a volunteer who has professional special needs expertise to support your child. To discuss your child’s needs and how best we can support them, please contact the church office.