Christian Mission of the Ascension

The Christian Mission of the Ascension is a unique community of Christians residing in east central Indiana, with members presently meeting in Hagerstown, Indiana.  [Arrangements are pending for a Sunday morning worship service at a local extended-care facility.]  Oblates (members) are guided by the principles found in the Book of Common Life of the Synod of Saint Timothy and utilize a unique eastern-rite Worship Book for the celebration of the Mysteries (sacraments).  This assembly utilizes a West Syrian liturgical rite, similar to the rites of the Maronite and Chaldean Catholic Churches and the Syrian Orthodox Churches.

Vital to the spiritual life of our assembly is the matter of establishing strong connections within the communion of the saints, i.e., between present-day believers and the Apostles and the early Church.  Such a connections are created and sustained through the regular reading of both Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers.  Those who wish to become part of our assembly also commit to regular engagement in fasting, charitable activity, and other outward works, which are not intended to become merely ends in themselves but rather expressions of thanks and praise to God for his saving grace, for the tempering of the passions of self, and for a release from the burdens of this world.

As a semi-monastic assembly of believers, we understand that our Oblates, due to the distances between us and other circumstances (e.g., weekend work schedules), may not necessarily be able physically to participate in the weekly worship of our local church.  However, Oblates are nonetheless joined with the other members of the assembly through their ongoing participation in prayer, study, fasting, and self-discipline.  As a result, worship in the assembly serves to equip the Oblate for service in the world, sustaining within them a Timothean spirituality, and providing a framework of fellowship with like-spirited and  -minded believers within the Christian Synod of St. Timothy.  Practically speaking, the liturgical assembly, when gathered together in worship on the Lord's Day and on other holy days, serves as the physical hub of the 'wheel of grace' that flows out to, in, and through the lives of individual Oblates.

Those who visit with us will enjoy a warm welcome and hospitality, but those who plan to join us on a regular basis are encouraged to consider offering a more formal oblation of their time and talents to God's glory and to the edification of the Christian community.  In the Christian Mission of the Ascension, this may be done by becoming an Oblate of the assembly.

Those who wish to become Oblates normally pledge a voluntary commitment to undertake the following:

1. to participate in worship and fellowship with the pastor of the local church at least one Sunday per month.
2. to participate in retreats, work days, special feasts, and other activities as often as one's schedule permits.
3. to celebrate daily portions of the liturgical office, which includes intercessory prayer for the following:  the universal Church, the local church, the world, and those special needs of which we are aware.
4. to provide affirmation, encouragement, and financial assistance for the support of the local church.

Revised 10-17-2008

Divine Liturgy:  Saturdays @ 4:30 P.M.