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.)

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.)

Walk With Me

Earlier this year, a new song came across my Spotify app. The song is entitled, “Walk with Me.” The lyrics at the beginning go like this:              

Walk with me, Lord. Walk with me. Walk with me, Lord. Walk with me.
While I’m on this road, I don’t want to go alone. I want Jesus to walk with me.

The song goes on, but those are the words to carry us in the month of October and beyond. Some of you will no doubt recognize the same theme in one of our hymns in the red hymnal, “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” As a community of faith, we have organized our ministries into three areas: Worship, Grow, and Serve. After living with these three umbrellas for a season or two, those involved in the Serve area of ministry asked for some reconsideration of our branding for our third umbrella.

We have worked with intentionality and integrity to develop and design our ministries outside our walls to encompass the model of accompaniment – the idea of walking alongside our ministry partners instead of “bringing our ideas to their doors.” In earlier days, this area of ministry was called “Mission Outreach.” In the month of October, we are redefining and reforming our meaning and purpose once again to align our ministry with the important work of accompaniment. Those involved in the hands-on work of accompaniment asked us to consider rebranding this area of ministry under the umbrella of “Walk.” It makes sense. The renaming allows us to focus our ministries outside our walls on a parallel track alongside those who invite us to “walk” with them in our local, national, and global ministries.

As we look to the dreams of our Arise 2035, our Ten-Year Strategic Plan and Vision, your voice and your dreams for your church are important contributions to the days ahead. Beginning in October, you will have the opportunity to add your dreams to the “action items” on the posters in the narthex/lobby of the church. As you dream, consider sharing your ideas on those posters, so that we can offer the greatest imagination to the work God will lay before us in our future.

The hymn in the red hymnal begins with these words:

I want Jesus to walk with me. I want Jesus to walk with me.
All along my pilgrim journey. I want Jesus to walk with me.

I believe that is all any of us ever want in this life. I, for one, am happy to have each of you to walk alongside me on this journey of faith and life. To God be the glory.

See you in church,

Pastor Chris

Walk With Ascension

Baptismal Blankets ~ Did You Know?

Sharon Dykstra knits the beautiful handmade, baptismal blankets that Ascension gives at baptisms. The families and the people baptized appreciate the tangible reminder of God’s love.

Thank you, Sharon, for your hard work and care in making the blankets!

Pastoral Assistance

If you or a family member is hospitalized and would like a visit from one of our pastors or pastoral assistants, please call the church office at 262-547-8518.

Young At Heart (55+)

If you are interested in fun outings and events, consider the Young at Heart Ministry for people 55 and older. They meet on the third Wednesday of each month to gather for a potluck and play cards and games.

Bunco

Join the Young at Heart and others on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m. for a few rounds of bunco (a dice game) and a lot of laughter!