We invite you to come walk our outdoor labyrinth during this holy Lenten season. For prayerful meditation -
Open all year long 24/7.
What is a labyrinth? An ancient symbol that relates to wholeness, combining the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. Long used as meditation and prayer tools A symbol that creates a sacred space and place. A labyrinth is a right brain task. It involves intuition, creativity, and imagery. With a labyrinth there is only one choice to be made. The choice is to enter or not. A more passive, receptive mindset is needed. The choice is whether or not to walk a spiritual path. At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey of life. Joyous or somber, thoughtful or prayerful, a walking meditation.
Some general guidelines for walking a labyrinth are: Focus Pause and wait at the entrance. Become quiet and centered. Give acknowledgment through a bow, nod, or other gesture and then enter. Experience Walk purposefully. Observe the process. When you reach the center, stay there and focus several moments. Leave when it seems appropriate. Be attentive on the way out. Exit Turn and face the entrance. Give an acknowledgement of ending, such as "Amen.“ Reflect: After walking the labyrinth reflect back on your experience.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES at ASCENSION
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist - Wednesday March 5 - 12:00 noon
PALM SUNDAY SERVICE, Palms/processing in, We read the Passion narrative Together - Sunday April 13 - 10:00 AM
MAUNDY THURSDAY, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar - Thursday April 17 - 7:00 PM
GOOD FRIDAY, Stations of the Cross, inside (standing or seated - Friday April 18 - 11:00 AM
GOOD FRIDAY, Liturgy and Processing/Veneration of the cross - Friday April 18 - 12:00 noon
EASTER, SUNRISE SERVICE, Holy Eucharist Rite I, Outdoor Chapel (weather permitting) - Sunday April 20 - 7:00 AM
EASTER SERVICE, Holy Eucharist Rite II - Sunday April 20 - 10:00 AM
Easter Brunch in the parish hall
Schedule of Wednesday Ecumenical Services at 12:00 noon, at the following host churches:
with a light meal to follow
Date Host Church Preacher
March 5 Trinity Baptist, 504 S. Oak Street W.C. Honeycutt of Ebenezer Baptist
March 12 Ann Hope UMC, 702 Goddard Ave Joel Hafer of Ascension Episcopal
March 19 Blue Ridge Community Center, 315 Holland Ave(no meal this day) Bernetha Orr of New Harmony UMC
March 26 New Harmony UMC, 207 W. South 2nd Street Greg Varner of Anne Hope UMC
April 2 Seneca Presbyterian, 115 W. South 1st Street Ryan Wilson of Trinity Baptist
April 9 Ebenezer Baptist, 502 E. South 2nd Street Alex Stevenson of St. Mark UMC
April 16 St. Mark UMC, 616 Quincy Rd. Shawn Thomas of Seneca Presbyterian
Bill & Liz Turnure, Dave & Tricia Dodge, Carol Knupp, Gill Huggins, Grey & Trina Perna, Sue Norton, Greg & Jane Nagy all volunteered from Ascension to pack meals at the RISE AGAINST HUNGER - food packing event - Feb. 1, 2025
On Saturday morning, February 1st; 173 volunteers from College Street Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Seneca Presbyterian Church, Richland Presbyterian Church, West Union Presbyterian Chapel, Walhalla Presbyterian, along with 11 volunteers from Ascension all joined working hands to pack 38,664 meals in less than 2 hours.
The packaged food went to Vietnam.
Juanita Plumb turned 100 Sunday, January 12th. Woohoo!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
She donated her beautiful silver tea service to us.
Thanks to all of the amazing and generous people at Ascension for their donations for Hurricane Helene relief. All of this is going to St. James in Hendersonville to be distributed to folks who have lost so much.
OUR NEW CHURCH SIGN daytime and night time photos
EASTER MORNING - SUNRISE - 7am - MARCH 31, 2024
THE OUTDOOR CHAPEL ALTAR
OUTDOOR CHAPEL ALTAR DEDICATION
JUNE 9, 2024
THE REVEREND DR. JOEL G. HAFER
The Episcopal Church of the Ascension
THE RT. REVEREND DANIEL P. RICHARDS
The Diocese of Upper South Carolina
THE REVEREND DEACON MARY JEFFERS
TRICIA DODGE, Crucifer
Enjoy and scroll through our photos taken at the 140th Birthday Celebration
Mission Statement:
"The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Seneca has existed since 1882 as a witness to God's Grace. We believe that through Jesus Christ we are meant to faithfully and joyfully serve God, each other and our neighbors."
The Church of the Ascension celebrates 140 Years...Why It Matters
On May 18, 1882 Ascension officially opened for worship in Seneca and on Sunday May 22, 2022 a celebratory 140th birthday lunch was held at the Church. Certainly the members of the Church were happy to mark this occasion, but why should it matter to you?
Over all those years Ascension has been a place of welcoming worship, first at our location on E. South Second Street in Seneca, now The Blue Ridge Arts Center, and beginning in 1983 at our current location on 214 Northampton Road in Seneca. While a foundational value is welcoming all to worship, our actions over the years extend Christian mission out into our community and the world. Today as in the past we strive to fulfill our Mission of being Disciples of Christ Called To Serve Neighbors Near and Far.
In past years Ascension's members have sent countless clothes and needed household products to victims of the Toccoa dam flood, hurricanes and tornadoes across the country. We have packed food for Rise Against Hunger, assisted Cange in Haiti to obtain fresh water, school supplies and educational needs.
Along with the many giving churches in our community, Ascension helped to raise money to build Our Daily Rest homeless shelter, the Oconee Safe Harbor shelter for victims of abuse and participated in the Ministers' Cook-off to support Safe Harbor. Over the years the Church and our members have donated countless time and treasure to charitable organizations across Oconee County.
It hasn't always been easy and at one point consideration was being given to closing Ascension; but thanks to the determination of Mrs. Mary Hines, closing was averted. Later Mrs. Hines' son John would become the Presiding Bishop, head of the Episcopal Church nationally.
Struggle often makes us stronger and our building today provides a place for the Lake and Mountain Quilters Guild to create beautiful fabric art, and for Golden Corner Respite to provide a few hours of relief for caregivers of those with dementia. In front of the Church we maintain a Little Food Pantry stocked with food items for any in need. Our Outdoor Chapel and Labyrinth are always open to all for quiet meditation.
We are blessed to have been able to worship and serve our community for over 140 years and look to extend our blessings well into the future. Please rejoice with us, all are always welcome.
10 am Sunday Worship Service:
WE USE YOUTUBE STREAMING SERVICE FOR ALL LIVE AS WELL AS PREVIOUS SERVICES.
PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE:
Or Copy and Paste this Link Address below- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4rF9w7XNVJKue1n3bRAVw
If you’re seeking a prayerful spiritual path in your journey of faith...we invite you to walk our outdoor labyrinth.
If you’re seeking opportunities for outreach...we invite you to join us in our ministries serving others.
If you’re seeking a deeper understanding of your faith...we invite you to join us for Christian Formation classes.
If you’re seeking to feed the hungry...then join us in our Community Garden.
If you’re seeking fellowship...so are we...and we invite you to join us in breaking bread together.
We invite you to come and see at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension...where we are seeking you to share in God’s love and hope.
You may make a donation directly to Ascension by using this donate button below- Thank You.
Credit - Debit
Join us for Christian Formation Class
Each Sunday
following the 10AM Service, in the parish hall
Coffee Hour - our gathering fellowship
follows the service
Our Biblical Garden; a quiet area for reflection.
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Our Memorial Garden; at peace with God.
Our Little Red Box Food Pantry.
Helping to feed our community.
Our outdoor Chapel.
Our outdoor labyrinth.
Ascension Labyrinth, Outdoor Chapel
and the Spiritual Journey
At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey of life. Joyous or somber, thoughtful or prayerful, a walking meditation.
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Church of the Ascension has installed an eight circuit Chartres Labyrinth
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There is a five foot diameter perimeter in which dedicated, engraved paver bricks can be placed.
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Our Community – Ascension – Seneca – Oconee County – Upstate SC – EVERYONE is invited to walk the Labyrinth - ANYTIME