Social Ministry

 

Social ministry has always been central to Christian communities. The Social Ministry Committee here at Ascension carries forth its mission of service to the Towson and Baltimore communities and to the world. If you are interested in joining the Social Ministry Committee, our Committee meets on the third Monday of every month. All are welcome. 

• Assistance Center of Towson Churches (ACTC)

  Ascension collects food for ACTC throughout the year, but two months (February and August) each year we make a concentrated effort to stock ACTC’s emergency food pantry. Food items can be put in the drop box in the church narthex. Volunteers are needed to work at the Assistance Center.  Contact: Carolyn Rayme at 410-308-2453. 

• Baltimore County Christian WorkCamp (BCCWC)

  Each year, during the third week of July, volunteers assist with making improvements to homes of low-income Baltimore County residents that will enable them to live independently longer. Ascension also hosts the Monday night meal for volunteers. Activities include: building wheelchair ramps, painting, debris removal, etc.  

• B.R.I.D.G.E. (Baltimore Regional Initiative Building Genuine Equality)

  BRIDGE is an interfaith organization of 30 institutions from throughout the Baltimore region working to “BRIDGE the Gap” between communities, putting an end to policies that concentrate poverty and devastate older suburban and city communities. Contact Linda Watts at 410-254-9228 or Linda.e.watts@verizon.net. 

• Fifth Sunday, Servant Sunday

During any month which contains a fifth Sunday the congregation will be encouraged to support a specific, time-limited project.  On that fifth Sunday members will be asked to make a commitment to serve others within the upcoming two weeks.  Assistance may take a different form depending on the mission chosen for that particular Fifth Sunday, Servant Sunday.  

• Health Ministries (Parish Nursing)

  Parish Nursing sponsors activities such as blood pressure testing, wellness calendars, and walking campaigns.  Contact Phyllis Scharp at 410-663-1265 or pjscharp1@comcast.net.   

• Nicaragua Partnership

  Since 1992 Ascension has had a mission partnership with the Nicaraguan Lutheran Church, Fe y Esperanza Iglesia Luterana (ILFE). Activities include: visits by a delegation from Ascension to the ILFE with homestays and church service participation with our Nicaraguan partners; periodic visits by delegations from the South; a variety show in the Spring to raises funds for critical needs by Fe y Esperanza. Meetings are generally the 3rd Sunday of the month after the 11 am service.  Contact Dave Schott 410-467-0454 or dschott2@verizon.net.  

• Thanksgiving Baskets

Each Thanksgiving season Ascension collects food baskets to donate to Assistance Center of Towson Churches for community distribution. Members and friends of the congregation aim to donate over 130 baskets each year to help families in need. Volunteers are needed to help assemble and transport the baskets. Contact Linda Olson at 410-243-6426 or rollinda.olson@verizon.net. 

• Women of Ascension Helping Others (WAHO)

  WAHO addresses the immediate needs of our community by completing tangible projects such as making sandwiches for the homeless.  Contact Susan Hullinger at 410-821-5167 or mjhskh@verizon.net. 

• World Hunger Initiative

  This initiative supports projects such as the Synod Hunger Sunday (Sunday after Thanksgiving) and the Lutheran World Federation Mount of Olives Housing Project in Jerusalem. Contact Kathy Shaw at 410-825-1725 ext.114 or communications@ascensiontowson.org.