Parish Ministries
Acolytes, age eight and above, serve at the altar in various capacities, from carrying torches to swinging incense! Anyone interested in these liturgical ministries should speak with the rector or contact coordinator, Lisa Chiara.
Click here for the Acolyte Schedule.
A group of dedicated women (men welcome, too!) who lovingly care for the sacred vessels and linens, and prepare the altar and sanctuary for each liturgy. Serving in teams of three and rotating throughout the year, they assure that things are done "decently and in order"! Anyone who would like to become part of this important ministry should contact Barbara Wen, the Directress of the Altar Guild, here at the church.
Click here for the Altar Guild schedule.
The choir, it's safe to say, is a major artery of parish life! Made up of both trained and untrained voices, the choir rehearses every Thursday evening and before the main liturgy on Sunday mornings. And they not only sing: they socialize! Under the talented leadership of organist & choirmaster Ken Dyer , the level of professionalism and the great variety in the repertoire-from Tallis and Gibbons to spirituals and 20th century choral works-is one seldom found in parish choirs.
All are welcome to join Ascension's choir! Like to sing? Ever thought about "making a joyful noise"? Ken is willing and able to help train new voices. Just speak with him.
We offer an active Christian Formation program for adults and children that takes place on Sundays and weekdays. Our children's program is under the direction of Susan Carley and begins at 10:15 on Sunday morning.
A dedicated team of teachers present lessons and stories, conduct chapel services, and engage the children in outreach projects, such as the Christmas gifts for the BOCES Teen-aged Parenting Program, and, for the year 2004, our year-long commitment to Heifer Project International, which raised over $5,000. A combination acolyte training/youth group has been started by several of our young adults, and meets on Sunday afternoons. With a student body of 60+ strong, our Christian Formation program is one of the more vital centers here in our Parish.
Once again, it is time to sign up to serve at Coffee Hour. I hope you'll want to continue in this ministry this year - but if not, please let me know and I will remove your name from the mailing list.
If you would like to add your name to the volunteer list, please contact of our Hospitality Committee.
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A group of men, women, and younger parishioners who serve at the altar and assist the priest during the liturgy.
The Eucharistic Lay Ministers are specially trained and licensed by the bishop to read the scripture lessons, to help to administer Holy Communion at the Eucharist, and to take the Sacrament to the sick and the homebound. To become a Eucharistic Lay Minister, please contact our coordinator, Mark Weisenreder.
Click here for the Eucharistic Ministry schedule.
The biannual Friendship Fair was first started in the mid 1970s. Over the years, it has grown to a 2 day event packed with a variety of goods, hand-crafted items and antiques, activities and fun that is greatly anticipated and heralded on the South Shore of Long Island. It is widely advertised on radio, newspapers and on the web drawing attendance from dozens of neighboring towns and some neighboring states to an overall attendance exceeding several thousand!
A chairperson and a co-chairperson volunteer to organize and supervise these formidable proceedings from start to completion.
Not a group per se; nonetheless, our Fair is an all-member participation event, with each organization, as well as each member, contributing their time and talent either before, during, after or all throughout the event.
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This group of volunteer parishioners beautify the church's grounds by planning and planting various annuals, perennials and herbs. We have a large perimeter around our church buildings that have several garden beds: The Helen Straley Serenity Garden, Herb Garden, Entrance Beds, St. Francis Garden, Parking lot beds and medians, etc.
The St. Francis Gardening Guild, headed by Jennifer Yaffar, invites all parishioners (and friends too!) to participate in this group. Each year we host a Spring Planting Day where parishioners and friends alike can help us plant the grounds with new orders from our nursery.
On Rogation Sunday (the Sixth Sunday of Easter each year), at the end of the Sunday liturgy, the parish processes outdoors for the Blessing of the Gardens. We use this time to ask God's blessing on our newly planted fields, as well as on the plants that have arrived from the Annual Altar Guild Plant Sale.
No experience is necessary for this group. Only your eager willingness and sometimes, your tools, are needed to lovingly care and tend our flower beds.
The Society of Mary is an Anglican devotional society dedicated to and under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a group dedicated to the Glory of God and the Holy Incarnation of Christ under the invocation of Our Lady, Help of Christians.
The Society meets in the after the 10:30 service to pray the Rosary or other Marian devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Society meets every from September through June. All are welcome to attend. For more information please speak with .
Since the first people visitors meet upon entering the church are the ushers, they are the ones who make the first impression on newcomers to the parish. Far more than just handing out bulletins, announcements, and music cards (at 10:30 liturgy only), it is a golden opportunity to demonstrate the warmth and friendliness of our parish family. Anyone from our parish may volunteer for this vital role. Doreen Gordon will gladly add you to the "ranks" and schedule you for any Sundays that are convenient for you. You will truly be an ambassador for Christ!
Ushers greet you and assist you each Sunday as you enter our doors. Counters go down after each service and help the treasurer tally up all the plate & pledge offerings for that week. Due to a drastic drop in volunteers,Doreen Gordon, our coordinator, is in great need of help. If you would like more on this ministry, informative pamphlets are available in the Usher mailbox outside the sacristy area.
Click here for the Usher schedule.
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