After 11 years as a mission of the Anglican Province of Rwanda, the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) abruptly broke away from the Church of Rwanda in December 2011. This article and appended timeline written by Dan Claire, Chuck Colson and Tommy Hinson are an effort to summarize what happened from the perspective of the Rwandan House of Bishops based on interviews and public documents.

http://www.renewdc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Why-Did-AMiA-Break-with-Rwanda.pdf

The Rt. Rev. Louis Muvunyi, Bishop of Kigali (capital city of Rwanda) will join us for worship on Sunday, January 15. He is stopping in DC on his way to meetings in North Carolina next week.

Following the service, we’ll gather downstairs for a congregational potluck in the fellowship hall. Please bring something to share. Last names A-J, bring a soup or stew to share. Last names K-S, please bring a salad or hearty side. Those with last names beginning T-Z, please contribute a dessert or drink. Bread will be provided.

Many of the things that Christ calls us to as a church community simply can’t happen in our limited interaction on Sundays. We want to be involved in each other’s lives in meaningful ways and encourage each other’s spiritual growth. To that end, we have a variety of groups that meet during the week to provide more focused study and foster deeper relationships.

Unless noted otherwise below, all small groups will kick off the week of January 23. If you have any questions about small groups, please contact Anna Carrington at smallgroups[at]theascension[dot]org.

Alexandria Small Group

Join others from the Alexandria area for weekly fellowship, discussion of the scriptures and sermon, and a time of prayer. This group meets Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00pm at the Ortegos’ home. Alexei & KC Laushkin facilitate the group; please contact Alexei at alexeilaushkin[at]gmail[dot]com for more information.

Arlington – Tuesday Small Group

Join others from the Arlington area on Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30pm. This group will finish its study of Isaiah and then start a series on “Why is this in my Bible?” looking at parts of the Bible that seem difficult to understand and apply to our lives. This group is facilitated by Andrew Litke and hosted by the Carringtons. For more information, please contact Anna at anna[dot]l[dot]carrington[at]gmail[dot]com.

Falls Church Small Group

Join others from the Falls Church area for fellowship, sermon discussion, and prayer on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00pm. Randy Wilcox facilitates this group, which meets at the Wilcox’ home. For more information, please contact Randy at randywilcox[at]cox[dot]net.

Western Suburbs Small Group

This group meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:00pm for sermon discussion at the Wilhelms’ home in Bristow. Joel Wilhelm facilitates, and the group gathers on a five-week rotation of men, women, men, women, then everyone together. For more information, please write to Joel at eleysium[at]gmail[dot]com.

Ascension Women Wednesday Morning Fellowship

Ascension women meet on Wednesday mornings at 10:00am at Christ Church for group study and discussion, and then break out into smaller groups for prayer. This semester, they will read C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters and study the book of 1 John. Childcare is provided. For more information, please contact Melissa Colson at mtcolson[at]gmail[dot]com. This group will resume on January 18.

Central Arlington Small Group 

Join others from Central Arlington on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30pm for fellowship, prayer, and sermon discussion. Brian Stoker facilitates this group; location is TBA. For more information, please contact Brian at brianjstoker[at]gmail[dot]com.

South Arlington Small Group

Join others from South Arlington on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30pm for fellowship, prayer, and sermon discussion. Jacob & Rachel Schunk facilitate this group, and it meets at the Thackers’ home. For more information, please contact Rachel at racheldrevlow[dot]gmail[dot]com.

Women’s Friday Evening Fellowship 

Women’s Fellowship meets every other Friday evening at 7:30pm. The group’s goal is to provide mutual encouragement and support as we grow in Christ through the challenges we all face each day, to look for ways to provide practical help to each other and those in our Ascension community that may be in need, and to form prayer partnerships (as desired) as we get to know each other better. The book for this semester will be determined soon. Beverages and light snacks are provided. (If you are unable to eat dinner before you come, you are welcome to bring food with you.) Occasionally, a Saturday brunch may be substituted for a Friday evening. This group is hosted and facilitated by Sarah Ortego in Alexandria.  For the meeting schedule and more information, please contact Sarah at sarah[dot]gelinas[at]gmail[dot]com.

Men’s Fellowship Group

Join other men for an informal weekly discussion on developing and building quality male relationships within our community. This group meets on Sunday mornings from 8:00-9:30am in Shirlington at Best Buns Bakery. Please contact Tim Luepke with questions at timluepke[at]gmail[dot]com. Gatherings will resume starting on Sunday, January 22.

The Parish Council has called a Special Meeting of Members for January 22, 2012 at 6:00 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on a resolution, passed and proposed by the Parish Council, to amend the church’s bylaws, removing any reference to the AMiA in order to enable our church to disaffiliate from the AMiA. Childcare and dinner for kids will be provided.

If you are interested in becoming a member at Ascension, please plan to attend this seminar on Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 am-11:30 am at Christ Church. Please contact Alicia (aluschei[at]theascension[dot]org) with any questions and/or to RSVP.

We are continuing to collect checks through Christmas to purchase fresh produce for the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). As we build a new relationship with AFAC, we encourage everyone to remember the poor in their Christmas giving. Please make checks payable to Church of the Ascension and write “AFAC- Advent offering” in the memo line. Contact Charley Sabatier (charles[dot]sabatier[at]fcps[dot]edu) with questions.

Thanks to those who already donated coats to AACH this month. We have collected 43 coats so far and are trying to reach a goal of 60 coats for youth and adults. Please drop off your coats in the box located in the foyer of Christ Church or contact Grace (gracezawistowski[at]gmail[dot]com) to arrange a pick-up.

Don’t forget to bring a dozen cookies or another treat (brownies, candies, cake, pie, favorite holiday dessert) to share at the dinner following the Lessons & Carols service, this Sunday, December 11. Thank you!

Don’t forget to bring new or used coats to Christ Church on Sunday for the coat drive on behalf of Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH). There is a great need for children/youth sizes. You can also donate money to purchase coats. Please contact Grace for more information, (gracezawistowski[at]gmail[dot]com).

The Local Outreach team is sponsoring a coat drive for AACH (Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless) throughout the month of November. Please bring new or gently used coats and jackets to Christ Church throughout the Sundays in November. There is a particular need for youth-sized coats. Please contact Grace Zawistowski (gracezawistowski[at]gmail[dot]com) with any questions.