Welcome to Church of the Ascension
Ascension Life Events
We celebrates all of life's events, from the Sacrament of Holy Baptism to the Celebration of Life for those who have died. At Church of The Ascension, we will support each other as we journey through this life together, as brothers and sisters, as the family of Christ.
Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between two persons in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.
To be married at Ascension, at least one person must be a member of Ascension or have a personal history or family association with Ascension.
The first contact with the church should be with the Parish Secretary and the Rector. The Rector must meet with you and approve the final wedding date. When the date has been agreed on, then a wedding fee is required to hold its place on the church calendar.
After the Rector, the next stop is our Wedding Coordinator, who will help you navigate church customs and ensure the smooth flow of your ceremony by coordinating with church staff, including the Music Director. She is also present at the rehearsal and ceremony to assist the clergy and wedding party.
Holy Matrimony is one of the Sacraments of the church and will take place with the dignity and reverence suited to a sacramental occasion.The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, from which the marriage service is taken, also offers a special service called the Blessing of a Civil Marriage.
Wedding Instructions BookletWedding Instructions BookletBooking
- The Rector must have a minimum of 30 days notice of your intention to be married.
- No weddings may be scheduled for Christmas Week or Holy Week.
- If the bride or groom has been divorced, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the bishop of this diocese before a priest may marry the couple. The process takes four to six weeks to complete.
- The Church also offers a service called The Blessing of a Civil Marriage.
- As soon as the date has been approved, please fill out & return a Wedding Information Form along with the Wedding Fee of $900 to confirm your date on the church calendar.
Counseling
- The Rector cannot give consent to solemnize the marriage of any couple whom he has not met.
- The couple must have three counseling sessions with the Rector, or a priest on staff.
- It shall be within the discretion of any Member of the Clergy of this Church to decline to solemnize or bless any marriage.
Planning
- To assist in your planning, please contact the Clergy, Wedding Coordinator & Organist at least 30 days prior to the wedding.
- Musicians should not be invited to participate without first consulting with the Music Director.
Planning a Baptism
Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes with us in Baptism is indissoluble. Holy Baptism is a Sacrament and makes us a member of Christ; it is appropriate to celebrate Holy Baptism within the Eucharist as the chief service on a Sunday or other feast.
Each candidate for Holy Baptism is to be sponsored by one or more baptized persons.
Sponsors of adults and older children present their candidates and thereby signify their endorsement of the candidates and their intention to support them by prayer and example in their Christian life. Sponsors of infants, commonly called godparents, present their candidates, make promises in their own names, and also take vows on behalf of their candidates.
It is fitting that parents be included among the godparents of their own children. Parents and godparents are to be instructed in the meaning of Baptism, in their duties to help the new Christians grow in the knowledge and love of God, and in their responsibilities as members of his Church.
During Holy Baptism, whether of a child or of an adult, the congregation is asked to renew its own Baptismal Covenant — a pledge to follow the teachings of Jesus and to repent when we fail to do so.
Please contact the Parish Secretary to set a date for the Baptism and a pre-baptismal conference with a member of our clergy. 727-447-3469 or use or contact form and select Baptism as the subject.
Download Baptism FormPlanning a Confirmation
Confirmation is a mature response to our Baptism vows when we affirm that we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. For information about confirmation classes, please contact us. Persons receive the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation whenever our bishop visits.
In the Episcopal Church, the Sacrament of Confirmation is when: “In the course of their Christian development, those who are baptized are expected, when they are ready and have been duly prepared, to make a mature public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by the bishop.” (Book of Common Prayer)
Contact UsMaking Funeral Arrangements
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed themselves to me in faith, shall not die for ever.
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last God will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger. (Book of Common Prayer, Rite II)
As Christians, we live in the knowledge that death does not have the final word. We will be welcomed by God into new life and celebrate again with those who have died before us. When someone has died, please contact the Rector, or the Parish Secretary, who can assist you in making Funeral Arrangements.
We invite you to fill out the “Funeral Planning Form” in advance so that the church and your loved ones will know your wishes. When you have the form filled out, please call the church to make an appointment with one of our clergy to finalize your plan. Copies of the “Funeral Planning Form” may be filed with the church office, family members, a funeral home, and/or your attorney.
Reception
If you wish to have a funeral reception at the church, our Caring Connections ministry helps families organize the reception. They offer hosting, set up and clean up assistance. Contact the Parish Secretary.
Inter Ashes
For families seeking to inter ashes, the church offers a permanent resting place in our Memorial Garden, a beautiful, shady area adjacent to the church. Please contact the Financial Secretary.
