The Episcopal Church of the Ascension

 
 

Rector's Note & Latest News


September 2, 2026

 
 

Note from the Rector


Dear Friends,


Registration for our Faith & Fellowship Groups is off to a great start! To date, we have 28 parishioners signed up to participate in one or more of these groups. And we'd love for you to join a group as well!


As a reminder, these semester long groups include: Pickleball with Massey Gentry Hiking with Leslie and Buddy Sharbel, Pub Theology with Martin Horner, Mahjong with Kelly Gould, and Needlepoint with Jill Sidwell. There is now a waiting list for Needlepoint!


Again, think of the activities as kind of a table by which Christ is gathering us around to be nourished by his abiding presence. Each group will begin and end with some form of brief prayer and/or reflection.


Registration remains open until Sunday, September 13. Please email me directly with any questions you might have about the gatherings or if you need help registering.


And remember that the first gathering of the Holy Hikers will take place prior to the end of registration on September 12 at 9 a.m. at Red Mountain Park with Leslie and Buddy Sharbel.


Also, please note a few other important events coming up in the life of the parish.


  • Plan to join us Sunday, September 13 for Tailgate Sunday
  • 9:30 | Adult Forum | Teach Us How to Pray with Peer Groups
  • 11:30 | Tailgate Lunch in Ware Hall | Church will provide wings and popcorn chicken. You provide your favorite Tailgate Snack!
  • Wear your team colors.
  • Join us on Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. for a Black Warrior Riverkeepers. Location TBD. Register in Realm or email The Rev. Emily Collette if you plan to attend.
  • Everyone, regardless of age, is invited to a special program on Sunday, September 20 from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. in Ware Hall called Age Ready. AgeReady is a program from the James Houston Center for Faith and Successful Aging, offering practical, interactive tools to help families plan for the challenges- and joys - of aging. Register in Realm or reach out to Kathy Lounsbury.


Finally, if you haven't already done so, please complete the parish-wide questionnaire sent out by Jim Busbin as part of our Master Planning Process. They are due by September 11. Please refer to Jim Busbin's email for additional information.


I hope to see you soon!


Faithfully,


Jack+

Photos of the Week

Peer groups have been gathering in fellowship as we return to our fall routines.

Here, Pier 45 met up for dinner and a show!

Here, Pier 23 has a blast in the sun at their annual pool party!

Prayer Lists

Your prayers are invited for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.


Members of this Parish: Elizabeth Tanner, Jackie Clark, Ron and Nancy Rowell, Dick Lounsbury, Cille Spader, Shane Wiley, Paula Stringfellow, Barbara Cochran, Ben Chastain, Donna Miller, and Donna Thompson


Family and Friends of this Parish: Dave, Maggie, Dixon, Sandy, Mickey, Lynda, Scott, Linda, Maria, Joe, John, Nova, Judy, Dennis, Bob, Gordon, Maria, Bretton, Amy, Linda, Bowen, Tony and Rachel, Carole, Rosalie, Nancy, Peggy, Mark, Lyn, Will, Glenda, Rick, Ginger, Jane, Mimi, Billy, Terry, Terriann, Paula, Bill, Doug, Lance, Ralph, Ron, Virginia, Mary and Van


For Those Who Have Died: Ben Chastain


Celebrating Birthdays This Week: Mary Gillepsie (9/6), JT Ennis (9/7), Milla Morton (9/7), Laura Castellano (9/7), Cille Spader (9/8), Brian Coffee (9/9), Matt Hovey (9/11), Macon Bradley (9/12), and Sulli Bradley (9/12)


Celebrating Anniversaries This Week: Dee Ann & Scott Poehler (9/11), Kelly & Tim Burke (9/11)


Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: for Sean our Presiding Bishop; for Richard, our bishop; for our Companion Diocese of Honduras and their bishop, Lloyd; for Commission on Spirituality; for Daughters of the King; and for St. Matthew's, Madison


Anglican Cycle of Prayer: for Sarah, Archbishop of Canterbury; and for The Episcopal / Anglican Province of Alexandria


We pray for God’s peace to prevail in our hearts, in our country, and throughout the world. We remember all who are in harm’s way, especially those affected by war—victims of violence, families who mourn, the displaced, and those serving in the military. We remember all who are in harm’s way, especially those affected by war and natural disaster—victims of the floods in Tibet and Nepal, victims of violence, families who mourn, the displaced, and those serving in the military.


Please contact Olivia Sheffield in the parish office to add a loved one to our prayer list.


Prayer requests will remain on prayer list for 2 weeks unless otherwise noted.

Vestry & Finance Notes

Recent Sermons & Teachings


Sermon


The Emily Collette

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 30, 2026


Podcast


Revisit Our Full Summer Podcast Series:

On the Road Again


email your thoughts on what we should cover next

to admin@ascensionepiscopal.org


Sound files and full transcripts of sermons can be found by clicking the image below. You can also "follow" The Episcopal Church of the Ascension - Vestavia Hills, AL on iTunes or Spotify.

Pastoral Care


If you are admitted to the hospital, have need of prayer or counsel, or unable to attend church, please contact The Rev. Jack Alvey, Rector (205.914.5225) or The Rev. Emily Collette (256.714.9493), Associate Rector, or our Pastoral Care Team Chair, Elizabeth Tanner (205.541.0419)

Giving Options

Do you have something you'd like to share with the parish? Contact Olivia,

olivia.sheffield@ascensionepiscopal.org

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