Hospitality and Faithfulness

Last month, I wrote about the experience Sheri Greger and I had on our trip to North Carolina with the high school students. At first, our experience was uncomfortable, but in the end, it was a blessing. God was always actively present to reveal something new to us. God was actively present with the delegation that visited Tanzania last month. Those moments of interaction with the communities revealed something new to us about the Kingdom of God.

Before the trip to Tanzania, I was nervous. Not about the moments we were going to experience with the communities, but about the 13-hour flights. So many hours in the air. The good thing was that on the long flights to and from the country, the seat next to me was empty the whole time. Thank God! I had more room to move around! My wife, who was visiting Tanzania for the third time, had warned me about this. The hardest part of the trip is the flying, but the moments with the people make up for everything.

I believed my wife and saw it for myself. There are two things I would like to share with you about my experience in Tanzania. The first is about hospitality. Many of them don’t have three meals a day; some wake up and go to sleep without eating at all. Yet their hospitality is immense. Every community we visited welcomed us with tea. What we learned was that the tea was accompanied by a full meal! I honestly felt guilty, and I imagine everyone in the delegation did too. But someone from the community reminded us that it would be a great offense not to eat the food they had so painstakingly prepared for our group. Well, even though we had all eaten an hour earlier, we still had to enjoy the delicious tea! If you are ever part of a delegation visiting Tanzania, remember this: Breakfast-Tea-Lunch-Tea-Dinner (or more) – at least five meals a day!

The second thing we noticed was their faithfulness to Jesus. The scarcity of water, food, their housing, and their limited access to electricity and healthcare are not distractions. The daily struggles they face are not a reason to take their eyes off Jesus. Seeing their great faithfulness to Jesus reminded me of the episode of Jesus walking on water. Jesus invites Peter to do the same. Peter was doing very well, until Peter “saw the strong wind and was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘man of little faith, why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:30-31)

We all experience episodes in our lives that can lead us to take our eyes off Jesus. Many storms and distractions appear on our journey without warning: the sudden loss of a loved one, the diagnosis of a chronic illness, the loss of a job, uncertainty about the physical and emotional well-being of ourselves and our family. This is all chaos for us, but in the midst of that chaos, Jesus walks with us to extend a hand and strengthen us. Jesus is also with us when we joyfully walk on water, when we rejoice in our children’s successes, when we rejoice in the birth of a son, grandson, or nephew, when we have successful surgery,  when we have good results in medical treatments, when we get a job or a new job, when we received a promotion.

Brothers and sisters, many of us experienced some of these moments this past summer. Wherever you were, Jesus was with you the whole time. John 14:18 says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” As we close one door and open the door to a new season, I pray that each of us may feel the holy presence of Jesus, who promised never to leave us alone, wherever we are in our lives.

Pastor Edwin

(reprinted from the September 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.)

Serving in October

El Salvador / Tanzania Partnership Meeting

Are you considering traveling to El Salvador or Tanzania with Ascension in the next summer or two? International travel not your thing, but you want to be a part of our partnership? Have you previously traveled with us?

We are meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. A few things on the agenda include: Rick Frowein’s upcoming trip to Tanzania with the coffee project, discussing financial requests from Pastora Blanca in El Salvador, making initial plans for our next trips and hosting, and hearing the latest on our exploration to begin a chocolate project in El Salvador. Contact Sarah Wehmeier Aparicio if you have any questions, or you are interested but you can’t make the meeting, sarah@ascensionelca.org.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Ascension had good participation in the Greater Milwaukee Synod Immigration and Refugee Task Force event in early September. The response was NOW WHAT? Ascension’s SOPHIA leadership team is taking on the challenge since the topic so closely links to SOPHIA’s goals. Join us on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. at church if you have questions about immigration and refugee resettlement and how to live out your faith in response. You are invited to attend whether you were at the synod event or not. We will learn together and prayerfully discuss our next steps. Contact Joan Mikecz, joanmikecz@sbcglobal.net, with questions.  

There will be a series of Did You Know? questions and answers on the Mission Outreach Facebook page beginning on October 1 to help us all have a clear understanding of terms and the myths and misunderstandings of the many aspects that impact refugees and immigration. The synod taskforce has provided some good resources that will guide us. Please follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Ascension.ELCA.MO.

Walk for NAMI Oct. 5 

This annual event helps to end the stigma surrounding mental health and to help achieve the goal of mental health for all. NAMI has been an Ascension Community partner for many years. We support their work in areas that impact all of us at some point in life. 

Join Ascension’s team on Saturday, Oct. 5, to walk for NAMI at the Milwaukee County Zoo beginning at 9:30. Sign-up online https://www.namiwalks.org/team/68935 or https://www.namiwalks.org/participant/teamascensionchurch.

Celebrating 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger

Are you aware that Ascension supports the ELCA World Hunger program each month as a part of our budget? When we work with the larger church body, so much more can be done than if we tried to conquer hunger on our own. Through ELCA World Hunger, 66 countries and 41states and territories received support in 2023. Here are ways you can participate in the celebration via the ELCA announcement.

  • World Food Day Celebrating 50 Years of ELCA World Hunger
  • When: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m. Central time
  • Where: Zoom webinar. Register online.

Tanzania School Lunches

We have heard from our partners in Tanzania that they are in urgent need of money for the lunches for the students in the schools. We normally would focus on this appeal during September but due to their immediate need, we are starting early so we can send some money with the Greater Milwaukee Synod wire transfer in early September. We will continue this project until we meet the needs of all 2587 students and 29 teachers. Currently, $4.44 will buy lunches for a full year for a student. Costs for the beans and maize may still fluctuate so we don’t have the final cost, especially with the current market instability. Payments may be made online, through the offerings, or via check or credit card at the Welcome Center on Sunday morning. Please make sure to note “Tanzania” in the memo field.

June Mission News

Mustard Seed Ministry Update

I was so excited about my mustard seed plant growing and thriving on my window seat. I even shared it on the Mission Outreach Facebook page as a way to demonstrate how together we can have a big impact if we each take a step out in ministry. I was so excited to see the little seeds grow into many small plants that grew taller each week. Then, I got busy with the Ministry Fair and other personal things that distracted me from my goal of taking good care of my little plants. My busy schedule made me forget the plants until I went to transplant them into bigger pots. Imagine my shock when they had shriveled and stopped growing. I had only one or two plants that survived my neglect. What a follow-up to our Ministry Fair! So many people with so many fresh ideas and so much interest in our ministries added excitement to the Fair. Then people got busy and distracted and by the time ministry leaders called on them, they were too busy or had forgotten all about the sign-up sheets. Just like the neglected plants, the ministry commitment withered without attention and determination. Busy schedules can be adapted and energy can be recharged so that the mustard seed of faith can grow into something bigger. Together, our mustard seeds of faith can have a huge impact in our own lives, in our church, our community and our world. Where are you planting your mustard seed? 

Shirley Wehmeier, Serve Wing Leader

Hope Center Open House

You have likely heard about the new Hope Center building. You are invited to attend an open house to see all the programs that they offer on June 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be a dedication at 6 p.m. Ascension was one of the founding congregations back when they were located in the M & M building on Main and Maple offering Mission and Ministry. The program has outgrown two buildings and now occupies the entire old Chase Bank at 101 W. Broadway which has been completely renovated to meet the program needs. What a great way to learn more about one of our community partners! You may even find a way you want to serve.

Habitat for Humanity Dream Builders Gala

Habitat for Humanity is hosting their annual Gala at the very site where the dream of home ownership becomes a reality: the Domenica Park Neighborhood, on June 14 at 6 p.m. Garden party attire is recommended. Join Habitat for an inspiring evening beneath a glamorous tent and on the actual build site where homes are being built. Enjoy drinks, delicious food catered by Sendiks, entertainment and a chance to help create real and positive change in Waukesha and Jefferson County. More information and tickets available at https://www.habitatwaukesha.org/dreambuilders.

SOPHIA Multicultural Fair

Save the date for the SOPHIA Multicultural Fair on August 17 at Frame Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several of our members have participated in this in the past two years and have really enjoyed the music, the food, the resources and the dancing. More information will follow but please mark your calendar and take note of the new location.

Tanzania Partnership News

For the past several months, we have been following the sad story of the Tanzanian government taking the land of Galilaya church and the homes of the people that live in the area. They have been promised compensation for their land, although it is far below market value. Since losing the church building, they have worked together to create a new worship space. A member who did not have his land seized, donated some land for a new church. Members saved their money to buy lumber to create a short-term worship space. Church members worked together to build the new temporary space as well as to dig the foundation for a more permanent church.

We also received news that a fourth preaching point has been added to Samaria Parish in May. Kijenge is the newest church that is part of the Samaria parish network. Like Galilaya preaching point, the members of Kijenge are worshipping in a temporary space for now. They have asked for our prayers to support these ministry challenges.

Gracias from the El Salvador Delegates

At the end of July, a multigenerational delegation of twelve Ascension members, alongside five Lake Park members, will travel to El Salvador to visit the ministries of our sister parishes in El Salvador. On May 18, over 100 Ascension members and friends came together to celebrate our partnerships and to raise funds to support this summer’s trip. It was inspiring the way Ascension came together with donations, writing for Thrivent grants, donating food and beverages for the dinner, and bidding on the items, playing games, and joining together in fellowship for the purpose of celebrating our partnerships in Tanzania, and this year, especially in El Salvador. A special thanks for Cynthia Carlson and her team for stepping in at the last minute to takeover the catering.

NAMI

Mental health conditions are common among teens and young adults. Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illnesses develop by age 14 and 75% develop by age 24. A mental health condition isn’t your fault or your family’s fault — these conditions develop for complicated reasons that researchers are only just starting to understand. Ascension partners with NAMI to help understand the scary and confusing aspects of mental health in ourselves or our families. There are a variety of ways that NAMI programs can help us understand more about mental health and the help that is available. See their website for more information. 

El Salvador & Tanzania News

Pastor Julio Visiting from El Salvador

Pastor Julio will be at Ascension the first week of October. On Sunday, Oct. 8, you are invited to join us for a potluck lunch following late service to share Wisconsin hospitality with him and to hear more news from our brothers and sister in Usulután.

There is also interest in El Salvador in hosting a Bible study based on the book Grace by Max Lucado. Pastor Tony and Pastor Edwin have both been leading book studies on this book at Ascension. The Spanish-language versions of the book are $12 each. If you are interested in sponsoring a book that Pastor Julio can take back with him, you can connect with Pastor Edwin.

School Lunches for Tanzania

We hope to collect enough money in the month of October to provide all 1100 children and teachers with lunch for the 195-day school year. Because of the drought and world-wide high food prices, we need to raise $18,576. For $100, all of students and teachers in our three partner schools will have a day and a half of lunch. It is only $16.84 to feed a child for the year. Give on Sundays, but it is even easier to give online now.

El Salvador & Tanzania Partnership Committee

Ascension has long been an over-achiever when it comes to our partnerships, but we took things to a whole new level this summer when we hosted a delegation from El Salvador back-to-back with a large group going to Tanzania. These visits helped revitalize our partnerships after years of not seeing each other due to the pandemic. With renewed energy, stronger friendships, and an abundance of new information, our partnership committee is looking forward to resuming in-person meetings. The first one will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Who:

  • Anyone planning to travel to El Salvador or Tanzania in the future
  • Anyone who has previously traveled as part of a delegation
  • Anyone who has a heart for our brothers and sisters in El Salvador and Tanzania; no travel required!

What:

  • Reflect on this summer’s visits
  • Plan for the future and goal-setting
  • Beginning a deeper look at education in El Salvador and Tanzania
  • Talking about our trip to El Salvador, approximately July 29 – August 5, 2024

Please note that as our partnerships deepen, our leadership and the pastors have made it a goal for future partnership visits to El Salvador and Tanzania that all travelers will have at least a year of regular (at least 75%) participation in our partnership committee prior to travel. If you are interested in traveling in the future or interested in joining the committee, but unable to attend the August 8 meeting, please contact Sarah Aparicio.

Finding God in the Unexpected

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:4-7

On the 16-hour flight home from Ethiopia, I found myself spending a considerable amount of time reflecting on and processing the diverse experiences of that unexpected journey. And the more I reflected, the more a recurring theme surfaced – overwhelmed. Almost the entire journey from the get-go was a non-stop and unexpected roller coaster of events, feelings, expectations, and emotions., and certainly not the trip I had been looking forward to nor what the Ward family could have ever imagined in their wildest dreams.

There were profound moments of difficulty – from a beloved member of our community suffering a major medical emergency while traveling abroad, to being stuck in an airport for an uncertain amount of time with no easy to choose or clear-cut solutions. There were moments of deep sadness and guilt at the extreme poverty and hunger that surrounded us and yet simultaneously we were constantly surrounded by people whose welcome, and hospitality, and compassionate care were so selfless and filled with grace that I hardly knew how to receive it all.

And then there were unbelievable moments where the grace and love and mercy of God were so evident that I found myself overcome with emotion that it was impossible to hide or comprehend.

But as I shared in my sermon reflection on July 23, this was not a trip to elicit pity or sadness for the difficulties or things that were hard to see, hear, and experience. Instead, this unexpected journey was an opportunity to have our eyes, hearts, minds, and faith broken open wide in order to see what God deems as important while experiencing the absolutely unbelievable love and grace and wonder of God.

Thank you for the great honor to serve as one of your pastors and walk this journey of life and faith alongside you, and for your ongoing encouragement and support and care and love throughout all that we have and will experience together. My hope and prayer is that in the days to come we will continue to open ourselves to what God desires for us and trust God to follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads. And then my dear friends, together we can be overwhelmed by all that our amazing God has in store for us.

Pastor Tony

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction 2023

You are invited to a fun-filled night of food, fellowship, and some fundraising on Saturday, May 20, at 5 p.m. to support a mission trip to Tanzania and visiting delegates from El Salvador. For $12 a person / $40 a family, you will receive a spaghetti dinner catered by Noah’s Pizza of Pewaukee, appetizers, dessert, beer or wine, and other beverages. Buy your tickets online.

We have a wide variety of fantastic auction items including a condo in Door County, spa baskets, food and beverage baskets, tickets to sporting events, artwork, Art’s baked goods and more. It’s not too late to donate items! Contact Sarah Aparicio with your ideas.

We still looking for volunteers to help with the auction, and for people to provide appetizers and desserts. Sign-up online.

All proceeds will benefit the mission trips from El Salvador and to Tanzania taking place this June.

Global Partnerships

Tanzania Partnership: Travel Plans

As vice-president of the Meru Coffee Project, Ascension’s Rick Frowein is traveling to Tanzania with two other leaders from the coffee project. During his time in Tanzania, Rick will also spend time in Samaria parish visiting our partners there. We wish Rick safe travels and look forward to hearing about his trip.

If you like the idea of joining a delegation to Tanzania, we are planning a trip for summer 2023, tentatively June 30 – July 10. If you are interested in learning about the trip, we will have an informational meeting on Sunday, Nov. 13, between services.

Use this QR code to donate directly to the Tanzania hunger appeal or mail donations to: The Greater Milwaukee Synod, Meru Hunger Relief—Food Crisis, P.O. Box 341695, Milwaukee, WI  53234.

Drought Conditions: Pastor Makenge and others from Samaria parish ask for our prayers. They continue to suffer from excessive heat and a lack of water. Both people and livestock are suffering. Church attendance has decreased as farmers spend most of their time desperately searching for water for their animals.

School Lunches: The money that Ascension sent to Tanzania this summer was put to good use in purchasing food to provide all of the children at Samaria and Savana Primary schools with a simple lunch every day. For many children, this will be the only meal they receive all day. Thank you for your support!

El Salvador: Hurricane Julia

On October 10, Hurricane Julia hit the Central American region hard, leaving in its wake the death of at least 28 people.

Among them, ten people died in El Salvador, five of them were soldiers who were crushed to death by a retaining wall that collapsed where they sheltered from the heavy rains. In San Jorge, there was no significant damage or loss of life.

Our brothers and sisters in El Salvador have shared with us that this was the strongest storm they have ever experienced and it was a very frightening experience. Ascension is sending a small financial gift to support families with home repairs and lost crops from the storm.