Salvadoran Turtle Project

In El Salvador unemployed people are paid to collect and nurture critically-endangered sea turtle eggs. Once they are hatched, they are released into the sea. They are in need of help in reconstructing the nesting area. Due to the pandemic, they do not have the resources to do the job. The total cost is $1000 and Ascension has already collected some of the money.

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Approximately every six years, the entire nesting area needs to be rebuilt in order for the organization to retain its status as a licensed sea turtle nesting program. Due to the economic crisis from the pandemic, the Salvadoran businesses that usually sponsor them are not able to help at this time. It will cost $1000 to rebuild it, and they have said if we are able to send the money, they will put Ascension’s logo on their signs and let us invite guests for the turtle release.

On our last visit to El Salvador, our delegates visited the turtle site and were impressed with the efforts to save the turtles and provide much needed jobs. We have already received some donations but we would like to complete the effort both as an employment opportunity but also to protect the delicate environmental status of the turtles.

October 2020 Mission Update

Lutheran Disaster Support
Lutheran Disaster Response brings God’s hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. Currently, the focus is on providing help to those impacted by the fires in the western part of the US and the hurricanes in the gulf region. Donations can be made by a check to Ascension and putting Lutheran Disaster Response in the notes. 100% of donations goes to those in need.

Food Pantry
We will continue to collect donations for the Food Pantry of Waukesha each Sunday during outdoor worship. You may also drop off donations at church during the regular office hours by placing them in the bins in the donation center in West Hall. Thank you to all of you who have donated items and cash to keep up with the needs to feed our neighbors in the community.

Tutoring
Tutoring leadership is reaching out to tutors and students to link them up via Zoom or limited face to face rather than our group classes. Priority will be given to those working towards learning enough English to prepare for citizenship and school age students who need extra help with virtual learning. Hopefully, we will be able to gradually add more tutors and students as time goes on. Three students passed their citizenship tests this summer with the help of tutors who worked remotely with them!

Blessing Box
The Blessing Box has had heavy use in these challenging times. We continue to see neighbors stop by to benefit from your generous donations. We also are noticing that members of the community are dropping off donations to share! We will continue to have the bins out on Sunday morning services. You may also drop off donations at church during the regular office hours by placing them in the bins in the Donation Center in West Hall.

Community Partners
Ascension’s Mission Outreach Community Partners are agencies in the community that provide support to the people in our area who are most in need. While Ascension has been a part of the founding of many of these agencies (Hope Center, SOPHIA, Healing Hearts), we look to support a variety of agencies where we can provide support through volunteering, education, financial and donations of things they need. Since the pandemic began, our partners have been challenged in many ways. The need for food, housing, mental health and social justice has increased dramatically. Services have had to be offered in new ways which has challenged staff and volunteers. Major fund raisers have had to be cancelled, re-scheduled and re-designed often being virtual rather than in person. As individuals have had hours reduced at work or even lost their jobs, personal donations have decreased. Through our Mission Outreach Wing, we keep you informed of the needs of our partners and opportunities to serve or donate. We regularly post updates on our MO Facebook page. Please like or follow this page to stay informed of how you can be part of the solution to the challenges faced by our partners.

NAMI
NAMI Waukesha joins groups from around the country in a National Day of Hope on October 10th. Supporters from around the country will walk in person or virtually to support mental health and help NAMI achieve the goals to end the stigma toward mental health, increase awareness and provide advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental health here in our own community. Things will look different than previous years due to the pandemic. Instead of large, in-person walk, we will “Walk YOUR WAY” and have a combination of virtual and responsible in-person connections. On the morning of October 10th attendees can pick up their t-shirt and suggested walk route via drive through, take photos and get signs to display while they walk. Donations will also be accepted at this time. Meet at Fox River Christian Church, S46W24130 Lawnsdale Rd. in person 9:00 to 12:00 and virtual all day. For more information or to register, go to: https://www.namiwaukesha.org/walks.

SOPHIA
Coming soon to a parking lot near you! Please join SOPHIA on October 3 at 10:00 at Church of the Resurrection in Pewaukee for the annual fundraiser and hear more about the past, present, and future of this organization, as well as a call-to-action for racial justice. This year, attendees will gather in their cars to listen live to speakers from SOPHIA or watch virtually from the comfort of their own home. Additionally, SOPHIA will host the silent auction completely online, starting September 28. More information can be found at www.sophiawaukesha.org and on the SOPHIA Facebook page.

Food Pantry
We will continue to collect donations for the Food Pantry of Waukesha each Sunday during outdoor worship. You may also drop off donations at church during the regular office hours by placing them in the bins in the donation center in West Hall. Thank you to all of you who have donated items and cash to keep up with the needs to feed our neighbors in the community.

Tutoring
Tutoring leadership is reaching out to tutors and students to link them up via Zoom or limited face to face rather than our group classes. Priority will be given to those working towards learning enough English to prepare for citizenship and school age students who need extra help with virtual learning. Hopefully, we will be able to gradually add more tutors and students as time goes on. Three students passed their citizenship tests this summer with the help of tutors who worked remotely with them!

Blessing Box
The Blessing Box has had heavy use in these challenging times. We continue to see neighbors stop by to benefit from your generous donations. We also are noticing that members of the community are dropping off donations to share! We will continue to have the bins out on Sunday morning services. You may also drop off donations at church during the regular office hours by placing them in the bins in the Donation Center in West Hall.

(Reprinted from the October 2020 Newsletter)

The Value of the Lenten Journey

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?” —Isaiah 58:6-7

The words of the prophet Isaiah are particularly fitting for our journey into the season of Lent. A couple of years ago I wrote a newsletter article on the season of Lent. I revisited those words in preparation for this coming Lent. Even the word “Lent” has become foreign to much of the world. And should you desire to deepen your relationship with God or sacrifice some aspect of your life in reverence and obedience to following God, you will no doubt be met with strange looks and questioning glances from those you might choose to share the faith journey you travel.

And yet, I am here to tell you that there is value in the journey of Lent. A season of 40 days of wilderness wanderings where, even in our presumed loneliness or suffering, God is present. As we are reminded of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, our own Lenten journeys can be opportunities for us to learn new directions; discern God’s will for our lives; and experience deeper moments in our worship and in our relationships with others. Regardless of the road you choose to travel in these days of Lent, God is with you. I believe, God has a deep desire to know you more deeply so that you can learn your value and worth through God’s eyes. And in learning your own value and worth, we can begin to understand that value and worth of those around us. Where each person is both a treasured creation of God and a beloved child of God.

It sounds good on paper; in reality we must find ways to let go of who we think we are in order to learn who we are in the eyes of God. The same is true for our brothers and sisters who sit next to us in worship; live across the street; gather at our borders and learn the story of God’s love for their own lives in the far corners of this world. What will this world look like when all God’s people walk together towards one Kingdom where all are welcome, and all are valued as beloved children of God. My friends, we have a long way to travel this season. My hope is that you will consider stepping into the wilderness of your life to find where God is leading you. Until everyone is given honor, freedom, and love…to the glory of God.

See you in the wilderness.

Pastor Chris
(Reprinted from the March 2020 newsletter)