How Does Ascension Do It?

Last month I had the opportunity to visit El Salvador again to participate in an event called Encuentro. This event is held by the Salvadoran Lutheran Church every three years. It brings together representatives from all the local Salvadoran Lutheran churches and their sister churches from the United States and Europe for a week. During this time together, the churches share experiences, evaluate, and identify new ways of mutual collaboration to continue transforming lives and praying together for the needs of our communities.

The Encuentro program included a visit to local communities. Our sister church, El Milagro de Dios (The Miracle of God) in San Jorge, was chosen as the location where the other churches in the area met to present and explain the areas in which partnerships are working together. Two members and Pastor Blanca from our sister church, El Milagro de Dios, presented and explained the bakery project, a project supported by all the members of Ascension. The members involved in the project shared that the profits are distributed to the church, to pay for their work, and the remainder goes toward purchasing more ingredients to continue baking. Pastor Blanca thanked her sister church, Ascensión, for supporting this project and for continuing to walk alongside the families and the community in multiple ways.

After the bakery presentation, the principal of the school next to the church noticed a group of foreigners visiting El Milagro de Dios Church. Thinking it was a group from Ascensión visiting, the teacher didn’t want to miss the opportunity to thank the Ascensión community for their help in building a small storage room for the school. This school originated on the church grounds. Over the years, with the increase in students, the government decided to purchase land next to the church and build the school. However, the construction of a small storage room wasn’t part of the original plans, even though they knew it was necessary. The Ascension delegation that visited El Milagro de Dios in August donated an offering to the school to begin construction of a small storage room. The school has been able to build the walls and hopes to raise funds for the roof this year, 2026. The teacher sent greetings and wanted to give thanks to the people of Ascension for their support. 

During the same week, I had the opportunity to speak with a pastor from Germany. We shared experiences with the ministries we serve. She was impressed by what Ascension as a Christian community is doing. She even asked me, “How does Ascension do it?” In November, I also had the opportunity to attend a pastors’ retreat, and one of my fellow pastors asked me the same question: “How does Ascension do it?” My answer to everyone was simple: “All of this is possible only through the work God is doing through all the members. Ascension is what it is because we have a membership that keeps its eyes on the renewing and hopeful light offered to us in the manger.” This identity allowed us to be chosen as the multicultural church where the presiding bishop of the national church recorded his Christmas message in our building.

Brothers and sisters, in this holiday season, I wanted to share this experience I had in November. The light of the manger continues to shine in the lives of others through the Ascension community. In our last council meeting Pastor Christ mentioned that when it is time to create a picture video presentation, it is hard to add all pictures with all the things that we do as a community. My hope is that seasons of gathering with family and friends, may the light of peace, love, joy, and hope continue to guide our lives. May that light help us in our weariness, free us from the anxieties of our past and present. May that light continue to renew us spiritually as we continue to respond to God’s call. 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:2

May the Peace, Love, Joy and Hope be with you and your family. Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

Pastor Edwin

Enjoying the Mess of Ministry

The Swedish Chef of Muppets fame was one of my favorite characters on the television show. First, because you could not understand a single thing he said because it was in “Swedish,” apparently. Second, because in every sketch where the Swedish chef made an appearance, he also made a mess. One of my favorite moments was when he would use a mixing bowl and add excessive amounts of flour and start stirring and the flour would fly out of the bowl and form clouds of flour dust that often resulted in a fine layer of flour on every surface including the Swedish chef.

As I was reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026, I found myself reliving a feeling I often experience at this time each year – overwhelmed. Some might know that word to be frightening as when the world gets to be “too much.” I have known that feeling also. Yet, at Ascension, to use the word “overwhelmed” is to lift up all that God is doing in us and through us in celebration and joy. I am often struck by what God is up to which causes me to marvel at the mission and ministry offered in and through all of you, the people of Ascension.

So perhaps it will come as no surprise that the Stewardship theme for 2026 is: “In the Mix in 2026!” Where are you “in the mix” at Ascension? Oh boy, this will go on for miles. I hope so. We all know ministry is messy. Some of our best ideas arrive in our messiest moments. Just ask anyone who sits too close during the children’s time in worship. As we consider our strategic plan for the next ten years of ministry at Ascension, I wonder where you might see yourself “in the mix?”

An elder member of the church called me the other day to offer some suggestions for the future. What I appreciated about the conversation is that this member offered a great moment of vision,  something that will fall right in line with our Arise 2035 vision, and I am not sure they even knew how excited I was to hear the idea. The conversation reminded me that everyone has a voice and a dream, regardless of age, if only, we are reminded that what we dream is worthy of God’s attention. So again, where are you “in the mix in 2026?”

How will God use you in the coming year? As we gather to vote on the budget for 2026 and bless the Arise 2035 vision to guide Ascension for the next ten years of ministry, where will you find a place to serve “in the mix” at Ascension? Worship? Of course. Prayer? Yes, please. Bible Study? I hope so. Communion server? Altar Guild? Choir? Council member? Habitat for Humanity? Hope Center? NAMI? Healing Hearts of Waukesha County? Hawthorne Elementary School tutor? Women’s Retreat? Young Adult ministry? Any one of those opportunities for ministry will answer God’s call on your life to get you “in the mix in 2026.”

We are in celebration mode here at Ascension. A time of thanksgiving for all that God has been up to over the past year, and all that God is preparing for us in the days ahead. The reception of new members on October 19th was a glorious moment in the life and ministry of Ascension – 37 new members – to be encouraged and nurtured in their new spiritual home while inspiring our community with their faithfulness and sharing their gifts for ministry among us all to the glory of God. An increase in giving, beyond imagination, in this moment in time. Where many churches are struggling to afford the basics of ministry, we are celebrating the generosity of this community – as long-time members are providing increases in their regular giving and new members to our community are committing to walk alongside Ascension in time and talent and resource providing for an increase in giving of more than $55,000 in the first three quarters of 2025.

Our budget for 2026 reflects an increase in revenue and expenses of more than 10%, which might cause me to pause in support, except for the fact that almost 7% of that revenue increase has already been realized in 2025 offering so far this year. Which means that our actual budget increase in 2026 is a small but mighty 3.4% or $30,000 give or take. 2026 Proposed budgets will be available beginning on Sunday, October 26th at the Welcome Center in the narthex. Pick one up and reflect with your church council about all the ways in which we serve God and our neighbor. If you have questions, we will gather for a budget listening session on Sunday, November 9th at 9:45 in the Hearth Room to review the line item budget and answer questions before our annual meeting of the congregation on Sunday, November 16th at 9:45am where we will also elect new church council members and bless the Arise 2035 Ten Year Vision for our church. 

Overwhelmed? Yes! To know this excitement in ministry as one of your pastors is a rare gift in these days of the church. Your generosity and faithfulness provide many opportunities for each of us to find our place “in the mix in 2026” and I cannot wait to see where God leads in the days ahead.

Dear friends, where will you find yourselves “in the mix in 2026?”

I can’t wait to find out! See you in church.

Pastor Chris