Ascension Memorial Church

Cell Rollover

The Outreach Ministry of Ascension Memorial Church is actively involved in efforts to live our Christian calling to love and help our neighbors.

Our mission statement is:
1. Involve members of the Parish in outreach to the community and the world at large.
2. Serve others both through direct actions and through monetary contributions.
3. Broaden the awareness of the members of the church and the community about the problems and needs of the community and the world at large.

Our strategy to accomplish our mission is to have a local, regional and national/international outreach ministry. An important part of our plan is to keep the congregation mindful of missions and to this end there are weekly prayers for our missions in the prayers of the people during Sunday services. Our local ministries include involvement with the Ipswich Food Pantry, the monthly Eucharist at the Caldwell Nursing Home, and the individual visitation program, Tiki’s Friends, by which six of our members do one on one visit with six residents of Caldwell. We have members who work with the Council on Aging. We are also aware that members of the Parish are involved in other individual projects and groups doing mission work and the Outreach Ministry members thank them and encourage their continued efforts. Our regional focus is with monthly participation in the Meals Programs to the needy and homeless in Gloucester and Salem.

Our national/international ministry currently involves supporting an Ipswich, MA organization called Partners in Development (www.pidonline.org) which has missionary programs in Haiti and Guatemala.

Parish Health Ministry at Ascension Memorial Church

At Ascension Memorial Church, the Parish Health Ministry weaves our Episcopal faith into our practice of health, healing and renewal, seeing each individual holistically. Currently, as RNs and Social Workers, we offer our gifts and talents to the congregation and community by holding blood pressure screenings and conversation during coffee hours after Sunday services and making calls/home visits to parishioners unable to attend Ascension. Prayer shawls are offered during these visits and in the near future, health ministers who have completed Lay Eucharistic Ministry training will also offer Communion. Parishioners at home are kept connected to the parish and their faith by the outreach of this Ministry.
The Parish Health Ministry continues to evaluate and identify the needs of the parish, its parishioners and the community. We welcome you, as members of Ascension, to consider being a part of Ascension's Parish Health Ministry. Your gifts and talents can only enrich this Ministry and bring the spirit of Jesus to all we serve.

Our Mission: As Ascension's ministers of healing and health, we acknowledge the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individual. We journey with each person towards wholeness and well being, guided by Christ's eternal message of love, faith, redemption and renewal.

Roles of Parish Health Ministers:
The Parish Health Ministry can be defined by the following practice roles:

Health educator and counselor for members of the parish/faith community.

Advocate for and resource to parishioners and family as they journey through
the health care systems and community agencies.

Educator of volunteers in support roles in the parish and community.

Liaison for parish/faith community and community health services.

Evaluator of parish/faith community holistic and spiritual health needs-
ongoing.

Coordinator and organizer of health and wholeness programs and support
groups based on the ongoing needs assessment.

For more information, please contact Arlone Cofield, coordinator, at 978-223-8432 or email at
buffalogal01833@aol.com

In addition to these ongoing ministries mentioned above, the Outreach Ministry holds its annual Winter Warm Up Sale in September. This is a sale of “gently used” winter clothing gathered from members of the Parish and Ipswich community and held in the Dorman Gymnasium.

The Outreach Ministry committee continues not only to support our ongoing programs but seek other opportunities to participate in the community. Two possible projects are the Esperanza School in Lawrence and support for fair trade coffee.

The diligent members of the Outreach Ministry include Ralph Johnson, Chair; Elaine Caramagna; Rev’d. Bradford Clark; Helen B. Danforth; Charlotte Dodge; Rev’d. Kay Evans; Moira McLaughlin; Carol Poirier; Lucy Potter; Paul Sepich; Peg Whittier; Hope Wigglesworth. The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month in St. Matthews Parlor at 4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome. Should you have any questions or suggestions please do not hesitate to contact any members of the committee.

Contact: Ralph Johnson, Chair at pertlowellco@comcast.net