Room for Everyone

In the middle of July as we were still preparing for the CRASH mission trip to North Carolina, something wonderful was beginning to take shape. Pastor Edwin and I discussed whether or not it was smart to schedule a bilingual worship with BBQ and potluck immediately following our return from North Carolina. I asked Pastor Edwin if he thought we could pull it off. “Of course,” he said. And then Pastor Edwin went to work – talking to Mark about bringing together men from Amen to coordinate the kitchen work and BBQ and then a conversation with Lino about minding the Blackstone and another conversation with Maria about to where to buy the meat for tacos. All of a sudden, we had the basics planned and confirmed, all within the span of a couple of hours. Pastor Edwin was a man possessed.

On the 19th – the kitchen came alive with voices and smells of hamburgers and taco meat and brats and baked beans and warm desserts and salads aplenty. The gift of gathering for the BBQ potluck after worship was about so much more than food. I sometimes get nervous when I think we will run out of space – when we have not planned enough seating for the hoped-for crowd to be comfortable. Worship was glorious that Sunday. 8:30 was rich with the sound of voices raised in praise of our God – handbells ringing praise – piano and organ brought to life by Vicki’s talented hands and feet. (I still do not understand how she makes the hands do one thing and the feet do another. A story for another time.) And at 10am worship, the Praise Band took up the entire altar area. Nine musicians coming together to lead worship – well, 10 if you count Pastor Tony back by the palms – though he was kind of a silent partner. Music in English and Spanish, preaching to share God’s Word in two languages, communion for all, and then on to a feast where we, of course, ran out of seats. And as is always true at Ascension, people figured it out. New members sat next to long-time members. English speakers sat at tables with Spanish speakers. Introductions happened. Connections were made. And when the seating ran out in West Hall, people spilled into the narthex and into the Hearth Room and there was laughter ringing from many corners of the church that day. It was glorious and all to the glory of God.

There is so much that happens behind the scenes to bring about such moments in ministry at Ascension. It might be one of the high privileges of the pastors to be able to see the behind-the-scenes planning and preparation that brings such events to life. Outside the church, some might call it luck. Inside the church, we give credit to the work of the Holy Spirit and celebrate the faithfulness of individuals who work to strengthen our community of faith and tend their own relationship with God and with fellow Christians.

We have much to be thank God for at Ascension. Holy moments of ministry happen when we least expect the Holy Spirit to be at work. August will be no different. Backpack blessings are coming at the end of August. September will usher in our last outdoor worship experience and the fall kick-off to programming and a welcome home for all who have traveled over the summer and we will gather to celebrate God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday on Sept. 13 as well with a “Newborn Supply Pack” where the entire congregation can participate at every age to prepare newborn kits to be assembled and packed and then gathered in Minneapolis and packed to be sent to countries like Tanzania where our companion synod might receive some of the kits and also parts of Central and South America where our friends in El Salvador might receive some of the kits as well. More information will find its way to your inbox and bulletins and newsletter as we move through August. Keep watch. We will invite you to join us on the journey of faith and to the glory of God behind the scenes and sometime neck deep in the preparations right alongside each other members at Ascension and new friends wondering if this might place might become their spiritual home. So much to be grateful for as we look to the days ahead.

See you in church,

Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from the August 2026 newsletter.)

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Stepping out of your comfort zone is rarely pleasant. It creates anxiety, uncertainty, and frustration. Yet, it is often in those exact moments of discomfort that profound growth occurs.

Last month, CRASH leader Sheri Greger and I traveled to North Carolina with a group of high school students for summer camp. Right from the start, the camp set high expectations, both for the students and the leaders accompanying them. The students were not allowed to have phones, and we, as leaders, were not in charge of the daily activities.

For the students, the phone policy was a huge surprise. You could see the concern written across their faces as they realized they were about to step far outside their comfort zones and spend an entire week in the North Carolina mountains completely disconnected from technology. Remarkably, their discomfort lasted only one day. By the second day, they had practically forgotten they even owned phones, fully immersing themselves in the world around them.

However, the students weren’t the only ones pushed past their familiar boundaries; we, the leaders who attended, also experienced the unfamiliar. Our original plans included participating right alongside the students in all their activities—wanting to join them, hike together, and share in every moment is a core part of our Ascension culture. We always try our best to practice our foundational values: Together we rise, together we walk, together we participate, together we worship, together we serve and more…

At this camp, though, the experience for us was fundamentally different. We didn’t participate in most of the daytime activities, nor could we join them for their morning and evening devotions. Throughout the day, Sheri and I felt deeply uncomfortable. We felt as though we were failing to fulfill our roles as Ascension leaders, and there were several moments when we honestly felt useless.

As we approached the end of the week, however, clarity set in. We realized that this uncomfortable setting was actually a blessing. It wasn’t just the students who needed to step outside their comfort zones; we leaders needed to navigate unfamiliar territory, too.

This realization prompted me to reflect on the many ways Jesus exemplified going beyond comfort zones throughout His ministry:

  • Jesus left the glory of His home in heaven to come to earth. As Philippians 2:7 reminds us, He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
  • He deliberately entered harsh conditions, spending 40 days and 40 nights fasting in the desert.
  • He showed His disciples the importance of stepping outside cultural norms by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well, inviting His followers into Samaria rather than avoiding it.

Many of us have experienced moments like these in our own lives. They are often difficult and disorienting. Yet, in these challenging, unfamiliar places, God is actively present, waiting to reveal something new about His kingdom. At the end of the camp, we asked them if they would participate in another similar camp. They replied, “Yes, because it was a unique experience.” As leaders, we achieved our goal of providing the students and ourselves with an unique experience high in the mountains of North Carolina. When we are about to get out of our comfort zone,  we simply need to release our desire for control and trust in God’s guidance, just as the disciples did when they stepped into the unknown to proclaim the Good News.

Pastor Edwin

Walk With Ascension

Beyond the Bike: How We Found Our Place With Outreach for Hope

Our journey with Outreach for Hope (OFH) began with a simple, but profound conviction: we are all uniquely gifted by God, and we are built to serve!

When OFH was conceived by a group of Ascension members 19 years ago, we were attracted to its mission to raise funds to strengthen ministries in economically challenged areas of our synod. Unfortunately, at the time, we could not see a place to serve because it originally was only a fundraiser for bike riders. We were not bike riders.

God surprisingly handed us the opportunity to launch a tailor-made business. It was the perfect calling. It allowed us to move beyond simple sales and use our gifts to better people’s lives. We reminded ourselves each day our business work was “God’s work.” It was then we found a place to participate in OFH. We could use the financial resources of our business to become a corporate sponsor. Each year, we were thrilled to see our business doing God’s work!

The OFH leadership encouraged us to take a more active role in the fundraiser. It was then that we assumed the yearly volunteer duties responsible for registration check in.  It was exciting to feel the energy of OFH firsthand each year at the annual fundraiser.

From there, our role with OFH continued to grow. Outside of the yearly fundraising event, we began working closely with OFH leadership throughout the year utilizing skills and talents we honed from running and growing our own business. It has been gratifying seeing the measurable impact we personally have had supporting OFH throughout the year as well as seeing the look of hope in the eyes of its benefactors. It is intoxicating!

Our prayer is for each of you to explore your talents and gifts and find a place where you might use those to contribute to the annual OFH ride run and walk fundraising event coming up Saturday, Sept. 26, hosted at the E.B. Shurts building here in Waukesha.

Stop in the narthex to see the sign and to consider participating as a walker, runner or rider. If you are not able to participate, there are multiple ways to volunteer and to contribute financially. Beth Hoffmann, or Steve or Carol Spieker will be happy to share the story of Outreach For Hope and help you find ways to participate or volunteer. To sign-up online for the fundraiser, whether to donate, volunteer, ride, run, or walk, visit the OFH website, ofhrrw.org.

Steve and Carol Spieker

Habitat for Humanity Invite

Join us for a community celebration at Domenica Park as we dedicate this vibrant new neighborhood and celebrate the transformation of a once-vacant city block into a place 20 families now call home.

The dedication of Domenica Park, 402 N. Greenfield Ave., Waukesha, is on Thursday, Aug. 20, 4 to 6 p.m. Habitat, with the help of volunteers and future homeowners, continues to make Waukesha a better place. This event is family-friendly and will include bounce houses and food trucks. Please park on any surrounding street (please note that the block of Ellis St in between Oakland and Greenfield will be blocked off). Dress is casual. Sign-up online at habitatwjr.org/events. For more information, call 262-729-3971, ext. 217.

Watch announcements for the date and location of Ascension’s next build day in early fall. Habitat is one of our community partners and we take a day each year to participate in some aspect of the construction. All levels of skill are welcome. 

Safari Stories—A Night of Food and Fellowship

The word safari means “journey” in Swahili and our trip to Tanzania is a journey of faith, carrying us across the world to connect and grow as we walk alongside our sister parish, Samaria.

When our delegation returns from our trip to our sister parish in Tanzania, we will share the joy, faith, and hospitality we experienced with all of Ascension. Join us on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 5:30 p.m. for a special evening of fellowship, food, and story-sharing as we look back on our journey across the globe. Whether you’ve supported this partnership for years or are learning about our sister parish for the first time, all are welcome at the table. Bring a dish, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of armchair travel!

El Salvador Travel Opportunities

While Ascension prepares to send a delegation to our sister parish in Tanzania, those feeling inspired to embark on their own journey of faith won’t have to wait long. In 2027, our congregation will have two unique opportunities to travel to our companion synod in El Salvador, connecting with brothers and sisters in Christ through solidarity, worship, and community.

The year begins with an invitation open to the entire Greater Milwaukee Synod for Discover El Salvador: A Journey of Faith and Solidarity, taking place from January 8 to 15, 2027. Designed as an overview of the highlights of the Salvadoran Lutheran Church and its vibrant culture, this delegation offers participants a chance to visit several sister parishes across the country while immersing themselves in local history, food, and culture. Travelers will be guided by two exceptional leaders: Tim Muth, a human rights lawyer who divides his time between El Salvador and Milwaukee and has chronicled Salvadoran life for over twenty years, and our very own Pastor Edwin.

Later in the year, as summer draws to a close in late July and early August, Ascension members will gather for a dedicated trip centered entirely on our ongoing partnership with Milagro de Dios in San Jorge. This trip focuses on spending meaningful time alongside the people of San Jorge, continuing to nurture the deep bonds of fellowship between our churches. To round out the experience, the group will also visit the National Church in San Salvador and take a couple of days to explore and enjoy the natural beauty and local sights of El Salvador together. After all, supporting the local economy is important too! Contact Pastor Edwin or Sarah Aparicio if you are interested in either experience.

Hope Center Green Power Garden Volunteers Needed

Help supply fresh, nutritious produce for guests at the Hope Center! If you enjoy working outside and getting your hands dirty, gardening for a cause is a wonderful way to serve our community. Volunteers of all skill levels, individuals, and small groups are welcome to come when you can and leave when you must. The garden is located at S53W24747 Glendale Road, Waukesha.

The Green Power Garden is an approved project of the UW-Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. For helpful gardening tips, visit hort.extension.wisc.edu.

Children’s Ministry Fall Fun

JAM (4 yrs & under) BLAST (5K-3rd Grade) JUMP (4th & 5th Grade)

Happy August! Hope you are enjoying the last month of summer!  We will be offering family events and children specific activities to grow family faith formation this year. We will share all of this information at our kick-off on Sunday, Sept. 13!  

Please complete the Registration Google Form so we know who will be joining us for all the fun. 

Important Dates

  • Sunday, Aug. 30 Backpack Blessing in worship. Bring your backpack!
  • Sunday, Sept. 13 Children’s Ministry kick-off between services!
  • Sunday, Sept. 20 Children’s Ministry & Kindergarten Stepping Stones
  • Sunday, Sept. 27 Children’s Ministry & Kindergarteners receive Bibles in worship

Questions? Reach out to Sheri Greger or Amy Koenig.

Adventures, Risks & Rewards

In the middle of June, I shared these words: “No, it is no longer true, if it has ever been true, that the summer seasons of Ascension are a slower pace – after several summers – the anticipation tells us that there is great adventure for the people of God – it just comes to us in different forms and rhythms in these summer months.”

As I write this article for the July newsletter, those words are even more true. Our JOLT students were swimmers, climbers, water-sliders, zip-liners, card players, and all-around good humans and faithful Christians as they were “challenged by choice” at Adventure Camp. At the same time, in the Wisconsin Dells, our Young at Heart crew was tackling their own fear and faith by trusting boat captains and bus drivers and the cooks at Cracker Barrel as they made their way through the waterways of the Wisconsin Dells. A glorious week.

World Refugee Day was June 20th. Our first “Walk in Solidarity” was a wonderful moment of learning and accompaniment with refugees across the world. Ascension has a long history of supporting, sponsoring, tending, and celebrating refugees. I am glad to see this ministry find new moments of life and faithfulness to the glory of God. We, so often, take for granted this country, our freedoms, and the sacrifice of countless individuals in this country for the rights we enjoy. As we look to the celebrations of the semiquincentennial of our country, we are excited to share our plans for Sunday, July 5th.

On the first Sunday of July, we will gather for worship at our usual times of 8:30 and 10 a.m. Our English services are being led by an ensemble of Jazz musicians with our Director of Music Ministry tending the planning. The services are exactly the same providing the opportunity for you to adjust your schedule to time instead of musical style. In an effort to lift up the unique character of Jazz music, born in this country, we have crafted worship in way that brings glory to God and shares a different feel for the joy of praising God. It will be a wonderful celebration.

Finally, as you read this article, Pastor Tony will have just stepped foot into his sabbatical. This is your reminder that he steps away from Ascension and this community of believers he treasures. It is practice on sabbatical to not reply to emails, voicemails, or text messages. You will note the presence of Pastor Tony’s stole on the baptismal font throughout the three months of his sabbatical. A reminder that he is still under call at Ascension, but in the midst of a restful and purposeful time away. We give thanks to God for his ministry among us and the gift of sabbatical.

Friends, let summer be a time of shift in your rhythms if only for a brief time each day. Sunday, July 19, will be our only outdoor worship in July at 10 a.m. with a potluck BBQ to follow at 11 a.m. And then our mission delegation leaves for Tanzania to renew our friendships and partnership with our siblings at Samaria Parish in Usa River, Tanzania and Samaria’s preaching points of Neema, Galilaya, and Kijenge. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.

See you in church,

Pastor Chris

(Reprinted from the June 2026 newsletter.)

Unity, Not Uniformity

At the end of May, Ascension had the honor of hosting Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian Chavarría from the Salvadoran Lutheran Church. It was a privilege to hear Bishop Guadalupe share the Word with our congregation, and it gave us a strong start to a day of deep spiritual reflection.

In the afternoon, we moved into a time of creative fellowship as Pastor Christian led a community art event. Pastor Christian balances his pastoral work with a busy ministry as an artist. He specializes in painting detailed, colorful crosses in a traditional Salvadoran folk style. His crosses can be found all over the world.

The event was a great success, bringing together more than 160 people from over 20 churches across the Greater Milwaukee area. When Pastor Christian saw the large number of chairs and tables set up for the event, he quietly shared that he was feeling a little nervous, since he had never led an art event for such a large group before. We were able to reassure him that Ascension has hosted many events like this one, making it a great place for cross-cultural connection.

In the end, the whole day was a wonderful success. Both Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian had a great experience at Ascension. There was a real exchange of wisdom and community, where visitors and hosts both learned a lot from each other.

This meaningful visit was a living example of the Covenant Partnership that connects our ministries. Built on intentional relationship, this partnership stands on six key pillars:

  • Accompaniment — We agree to walk with each other and Jesus as we develop relationships based on mutuality, vulnerability, empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability.
  • Prayer — We agree to pray for each other on a regular basis, including our weekly worship services.
  • Communication — We agree to communicate regularly with our companions, sharing stories from the life of our congregations and ministries.
  • Visits — We agree to exchange visits by members and leaders of our congregations and ministries as frequently as possible.
  • Education — We agree to seek out information about each other’s country, history, life, and ministry.
  • Support — We agree to inform each other about projects within our ministry plan and to invite mutual participation in our mission.

The church is called to walk and learn together, crossing religious, social, and cultural differences. At Synod Assembly devotion that same weekend, Bishop Kitoi of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania spoke to this spirit of unity by asking a powerful question from Amos 3:3: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” His message was about the importance of looking for unity without asking everyone to live in uniformity.

The visit of our Salvadoran siblings gives us a strong answer: we absolutely can walk together, even when we don’t believe exactly the same things. True fellowship does not require us all to be identical. Instead, coming together across our differences is what makes us stronger — and it gives us a richer, fuller view of God’s diverse kingdom.

Pastor Edwin

(Reprinted from the June 2026 newsletter.)

Walk With Us This Summer

Farewell to Hawthorne ~ Hello to Lowell

 After several years of partnering with Hawthorne Elementary School, we had to say our good-byes as Hawthorne closed. Over the years, Ascension supported Hawthorne through special winter clothing collections, teacher supplies drive, birthday treats provided by CRASH, appreciation meals served to staff, and volunteers for classrooms and special events. The staff and leaders at Hawthorne have offered many, many thank you’s for the partnership and the ongoing support. Ascension volunteers were there on the move-out days to help staff pack and say farewell.

The principal of Hawthorne is moving to Lowell Elementary along with many of the families. The principal has requested that our partnership continue as a partnership with Lowell. Watch announcements for ways we will be involved in helping with the transition. Once staff is ready to identify their needs, we will be publishing a link to Amazon gift list where our members can purchase teacher classroom supplies identified by the teachers.  There will be many changes for staff and we want to make this as easy as possible. More information to come.

Outreach for Hope

Responding to Christ’s invitation to love our neighbors, Outreach for Hope builds relationships, strengthens communities, and inspires hope.

Tee Up For Hope

Sign-up for annual golf outing on July 13 at the Broadlands Golf Club which includes all of the following: Team Scramble Event (with team & individual prizes) and Buffet Lunch & Heavy Hors D’oeuvres Evening Social. Your participation will help raise funds to provide meals, clothing, and essential support to individuals and families in need throughout Waukesha County.

Outreach for Hope believes that the path to wholeness and justice starts with one simple act: loving your neighbor. Across low-income areas in Southeastern Wisconsin, their network of Ministry Partners puts this belief into action every day. These local congregations and community organizations provide essential resources — food, clothing, healthcare, spiritual care, and activities for all ages — helping communities grow stronger from the ground up.

This work is made possible through donations from generous individuals, congregations, and organizations. When you give to Outreach for Hope, you are choosing to walk alongside your neighbors and make sure everyone has the chance to thrive. To learn more and see the full Ministry Partner list, visit their website.

Save the date for this year’s Ride, Run, Walk, Hope On The Move, on Saturday, Sept. 26. Ascension has a long history of supporting Outreach for Hope through this event. Plan to be involved either as a participant, a volunteer, or a supporter. Registration will begin on July 1 on their website, ofhrrw.org.

SOPHIA

SOPHIA is one of our long-time community partners. In fact, Ascension was one of the founding congregations in establishing a unified approach to social justice based on Micah 6: 8: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” This Bible passage is a calling from God to work toward a just and merciful society. SOPHIA has worked hard to achieve this goal but is facing a challenge. A long time grant which helped fund SOPHIA was not available this year leaving SOPHIA dependent on donations from congregations and other donors. They are in need of help in order to continue the good work they do in the community. If you are able, please consider a donation to help in their mission. You may give at their website sophiawaukesha.org or through the church. Contact Joan Mikecz if you have questions.

Caminando Juntos

You may see this phrase in announcements and wonder what it means.  It is Spanish for “Walking Together.” Just as with our global and community partners, we walk in accompaniment, we practice walking together with our Spanish speaking members. This walking together has encouraged relationship building across the language barriers and friendships have been created and continue to grow. The program also assists those who have specific needs. Recently, rides have been provided when a member could not get to work while waiting for an insurance settlement after a car accident. Volunteers also provided rides to doctor appointments and to meetings on immigration status and registering for school.  Newer members have been given support in learning English and studying for getting a drivers’ license.

Caminando Juntos also has set a goal to provide educational opportunities to the congregation and to the general public on immigration and refugee issues.  On June 20, we celebrated National Refugee Day by holding an event to walk in solidarity with those who are still seeking a permanent place to live when their own country is too risky to live in. 34 people joined together for moments of prayer, reflection and education and then walked a one mile or three mile walk in the neighborhood.  This event was based on a study “We Choose Welcome.” 

Our success with Caminando Juntos has drawn the attention of a congregation in Helena Mt.  An Ascension family member read the Ascension newsletter and was impressed with helping immigrants in a tangible way and offered to help. They have been sending cards and letters of support and made financial donations to our Latino Ministry to assist our members in times of need.  Two suburban, mostly white Greater Milwaukee Synod Congregations have also stepped forward to offer to walk with us. They have attended some of the special events at Ascension and have offered financial and friendship support for our Latino members.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please contact Teri Quam at tquam61@gmail.com.

Tanzania Delegation

At the end of July, a delegation from Ascension Lutheran will travel to Tanzania to visit our sister parish, Samaria, as part of our ongoing Covenant Partnership. Our team will immerse themselves in the local community—learning, connecting, and building relationships that are sure to strengthen both of our churches.

The delegation will visit the central Samaria Parish alongside its three preaching points: Neema, Kijenge, and Galilaya. They will also spend time with students and staff at several educational and care facilities, including Samaria Primary School, Samaria Secondary School, the Samaria Rehabilitation Centre, Savanna Primary School, and the Telescopes Centre at Ailanga Secondary School.

Beyond the parish and schools, the itinerary includes a meeting with diocesan leadership, a tour of the Cultural Arts Centre (an ELCA missionary project at Makumira Lutheran University), and a visit to the Mlimani Coffee Processing Plant for a first hand look at the Meru Coffee Project.

Asante sana — thank you — to everyone who has offered financial support and other help. We carry each of you with us on this journey. Please keep our delegation in your prayers as they prepare to represent Ascension: Pastor Edwin, Sarah, Marta & Luisa Aparicio Wehmeier, Pastor Chris & Hadley Marien, Dan Baumann, Jeremy Poling, Rick & Dianne Frowein, Amy & Callie Koenig.

Partners AFAR ~ Welcoming Guests from El Salvador and Tanzania

The end of May and beginning of June was busy for our Partners AFAR committee as the Synod welcomed Bishop Kitoi from Tanzania and Bishop Guadalupe and Pastor Christian from El Salvador. We helped coordinate welcome dinners, appeared in videos for the Synod Assembly, hosted Pastor Guadalupe for worship and hosted the synod art event for 170 people with Pastor Christian. Our Latino ministry families prepared over 500 pupusas for the art event!

(Reprinted from the June 2026 newsletter.)

The Holy Gift of Rest

“So then, a Sabbath rest still remains for the people of God, for those who enter God’s rest also rest from their labors as God did from his”. -Hebrews 4:9-10

As many of you know, in just a few weeks I will be stepping away for a three-month sabbatical. Sabbaticals are gifts – holy invitations to rest, renew, reconnect, and rediscover the rhythms that help bring life, clarity, and joy. I am deeply grateful to our church leadership and congregation for making this time possible, and I head into it with excitement, anticipation, and deep gratitude.

Part of this sabbatical will include traveling with my family to Europe for adventure, exploration, and much needed time together. We are excited to experience new places, wander through historic cathedrals, summit majestic mountains, hike beautiful trails, eat incredible food, and yes…consume our fair share of Swiss chocolate, along with so much more. One thing I anticipate greatly will be fulfilling my lifelong dream of seeing the Tour de France cycling race in person. Then, midway through sabbatical, I’ll return to Europe for a 110 mile bucket list run and traverse Mont Blanc exploring the beauty of Italy, France, and Switzerland along the way.

While some of this sabbatical will involve travel and adventure, much of it will also happen right here at home. I look forward to slowing down enough to spend meaningful time with family and friends. I plan to tackle projects around the house, reflect prayerfully, and train diligently for my ultrarun as well as two Ironman triathlon races coming this fall. For most of my life, physical fitness, endurance challenges, and being in nature have been the primary places where I encounter both joy and God’s presence, and I am excited to immerse myself deeply in those experiences during this time away.

At its heart, this sabbatical is about renewal. Ministry is a sacred calling, but like all callings, it requires rhythms of both pouring out and being filled again. I hope this time of sabbatical helps me rediscover what makes my heart sing: adventure, reconnection, rest, wonder, curiosity, laughter, challenge, and time with the people I love most.

I also hope this season serves as a reminder to all of us that rest is not weakness; it’s holy. Throughout Scripture, we see God inviting people into rhythms of Sabbath, renewal, and restoration. Jesus himself stepped away to pray, rest, and reconnect with the Father. We were never created to run endlessly without pause (I know, I know …listen to this myself).

Please know that as I step away from my day to day ministry responsibilities I carry each of you with me in my prayers and heart. I am thankful for this community and for the many ways you continue to love and support one another. I leave knowing the church is in good hands and trusting that God will continue to move powerfully among all of us while we are apart.

Thank you again for this incredible gift of sabbatical. I cannot wait to return in October renewed, refreshed, and ready to step into a new season of ministry together.

Pastor Tony

Reprinted from the May 2026 newsletter.

Walking Together Through Seasons of Change

Transitions are moments that each of us inevitably experience in our lives. Some are anticipated, some are entirely unexpected, and others are a natural part of our lives. But whatever the transition may be, we are never alone.

In the Gospels, we read of Jesus walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were facing a big transition. The loss of what they thought they knew, and the uncertainty of what was to come. Yet, Jesus met them exactly where they were, transforming their anxiety into hope. In the very same way, Jesus walks with us today on our earthly journey, using the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and give us peace in a troubled world. As a Christian community, we have a call. Jesus calls us to look outward, to walk alongside and support one another, both those inside our church walls and those in the wider community especially during times of profound change.

For years, Ascension community has had the privilege of walking alongside Hawthorne Elementary School. Together, we have put our faith into action in many ways:

  • Every year our high school students lovingly prepared birthday gifts for all the children.
  • A variety of groups prepared and delivered breakfasts and lunches for staff.
  • Many of you stepped up as volunteers, sacrificing your time to serve.
  • We blessed educators by providing vital classroom supplies.

Now, Hawthorne is facing its own major transition. On June 11th, Hawthorne Elementary School will officially close its doors.

Students and staff will be relocated to Lowell Elementary School. Sadly, this shift means that some staff members will lose their jobs. The current principal of Hawthorne will become the new principal at Lowell. This major transition brought the Hawthorne principal to meet with me. She wanted to deeply thank the entire Ascension community for walking with them through the years, and she asked for our prayers for the staff members losing their jobs. Then, she asked the question: “Will Ascension continue walking with us when we move to Lowell Elementary School?” Without hesitation, our answer was YES. We will continue to practice Jesus’ call to walk with and help our neighbors, ensuring that our bond with these students and educators isn’t tied to a building, but to the people.

Our call to accompany others also extends to our sibling congregations in our own synod. In May, Pastor Tony, Pastor Chris, Council Vice President Klelin Saravia, and I had the honor of attending the installation of Pastor German Novelli at Faith / Santa Fe Church in Milwaukee.

Ascension was invited because we have spent many months walking alongside Santa Fe during a time of transition and administrative renewal. Santa Fe had never operated with a formal budget. Through the guidance of Ascension’s pastors, we helped this Latino faith community establish its very first annual budget, setting them up for long-term stability and growth.

Our vice president Klelin Saravia had the opportunity to speak at the installation. She said this “As Ascension, we are overjoyed to have walked with you on this journey of renewal through the collaboration our pastors have provided. Officially welcoming Pastor German as your new spiritual leader is a moment of great excitement, hope, and renewal for the entire Santa Fe community. Our Ascension community prays that this new chapter you begin today will be one of great spiritual growth, unity, and abundant fruit for the Lord’s work.”

The Apostle Paul reminds us that our community life should be a true reflection of the love of Christ. In Galatians 6:2, he writes: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” When we share the weight of someone else’s transition, we are doing the exact work Jesus called us to do.

As we journey through this summer of 2026, you may encounter your own transitions, whether they are anticipated, unexpected, or natural. When those moments come, remember that the Holy Spirit is actively working within you to bring peace, love, and joy. Let us depend on His word in difficult times, and let us continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus for each other, moving forward together in faith.

Pastor Edwin

Reprinted from the May 2026 newsletter.

Ministry Memories

Our high school ministry, CRASH, wrapped up our program year ministry in the middle of May. It was a really great night of games, conversation, food, and time together. Pastor Edwin invited the incoming freshmen to join for the night and as is often the case at Ascension – the welcome was easy and maybe a little overwhelming.

One of the great things about high school ministry is that community happens pretty easily if students are willing to show up and step out of their comfort zone. True for most of us, I believe. What always surprises me, at church stuff, is how easily the grade level division disappears. All of a sudden 8th graders are talking to sophomores and freshmen are connecting with juniors. It is a testament to Pastor Edwin and our adult CRASH leaders who navigate all the twists and turns of young people in these days. I imagine that Pastor Edwin could do CRASH all by himself, but it would be a lot more work and there would be young people who would probably fall through the cracks.

At the end of the night, after ice cream treats and new bruises had formed after one too many rounds inside the inflatable balls, Pastor Edwin asked each student to share what their favorite memory of CRASH was over the past year. Some said the Progressive Dinner in December, others shared moments of service or deep conversation, but one young person shared that “discovering Ascension” was her favorite memory of the past year. New to Ascension, this young person found a place of welcome and safety and community. Thanks be to God! It does indeed take a village to bring ministry to life in this community of faith, and I am grateful for all of it.

Our Children’s Ministry, JAM, BLAST, JUMP, and our junior high ministry, JOLT, also wrapped up in the middle of May. It is pure joy to watch the next surprise unfolding from the ministry team that dreams about ministry for our children and to simply keep up with the energy of junior high students. In the past few years, we experimented with new things in our children’s ministry to explore new ways of engaging our children and young families. Some things work well others not so much. And so we keep dreaming up new shenanigans to tell the story of God’s love and invite the children to make those stories their own.

In JOLT, it is always a game, a Bible verse or two, and the sharing of moments in the lives of young people. All three pastors commit to JOLT each week for the power of their presence and what it communicates. JOLT is important to the church. And when all three pastors show up each week – the students recognize that they are important. It is one of our strongest commitments, as pastors, to remind our 6th, 7th, and 8th  graders, on weekly basis that they matter.

There are so many stories of faithfulness that find life in this church. Property days, moments of prayer and reflection, love lived out in service to another. This place is really too much to keep track of at times. I do not think I want it any other way. When someone says, “I did not know we did that here,” I think some people hear that as “we don’t communicate enough” while I hear that comment as “there is just too much going on to know everything.” And my next thought is often, “Well, there is always next year if you missed it this year.”

Ascension is the community it is for the ministries that happen loudly and the ministries that happen with just a whisper. Pastoral assistants who share holy communion, Healing Hearts meals that are cooked and served, Hope Center breakfasts, lunches, and dinners served by members of this community. If you are looking for a place to serve, I will happily meet to hear your hopes and point you in the right direction. There is no shortage of need. Thank God, there is no shortage of ministry opportunity to tend. And if you are new to this church and are looking for a place to serve – if you see a need that you believe Ascension can meet – let me know – just be ready to jump in and don’t be surprised if someone else wants to jump in with you. This is Ascension. It’s what we do.

We are preparing to bless Pastor Tony with a sending on Sunday, June 28, as he begins his sabbatical. How wonderful it is that this community of faith sees the value in tending your pastors with a time away after a long season of ministry. Sabbaticals are simply one more way that we tend this church, in this time and place, to the glory of God. Lighting in the sanctuary, confetti for big celebrations, campus tending to reflect the beauty of God’s creation and the sacredness of the space we call our spiritual home. And the three amigos. So much joy to serve together and to walk alongside all of you in these days of summer. My prayer is that you will each find moments for rest, renewal, and reflection while remembering this church barely slows down in the summer. Mission trips are coming. Your prayers are appreciated. See you in church!

Pastor Chris

Reprinted from the May 2026 newsletter.