After nine years at Church of the Ascension, in May 2011 the Rev. James Harlan was called away to lead the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach, Florida. Ascension is seeking a new pastor who can energize and inspire our congregation with a heart of wisdom, compassion, and service, through the next chapter of our parish life together.

In the spring of 2011, the Ascension Search Committee formed with the purpose of discerning the parish's needs and aspirations and identifying strong potential candidates to fill the rector position. Through a comprehensive survey of approximately 100 households, we determined who we are as a congregation, what we hope to be in the future, and what rector profile would best suit our needs.

In short, as a congregation, we seek to:

• Attract a growing number of young families and young adults through supportive ministries and fellowship, including a vibrant Christian youth education program.
• Maintain and build upon Ascension's core strengths in its traditional liturgical worship and outstanding music.
• Maintain a strong financial footing and management practices to support the growth of Ascension's ministries.
• Expand Ascension's outreach and pastoral care into the places of need and suffering in our community and world.
• Continue to make the Gospel relevant to people and their unique 21st century challenges through worship and adult spiritual formation, bringing God's purpose, love, and light into an increasingly secular world.
• Continue to foster a sense of parish fellowship in Sunday worship and throughout the week.
• Move forward as a congregation enthusiastically committed to hearing and responding to the call of God in our lives, led by an inspiring and loving rector with strong preaching and pastoral skills.

We are accepting rector applications from October 15 - December 1, 2011. We hope that this website and our parish profile will help potential candidates to understand our parish better and to determine a possible call to our congregation.

The Church of the Ascension has posted its job vacancy with the Episcopal Church Office of Transition Ministry. Other inquiries should be directed to Canon Lou Blanchard at the Diocese of Colorado (lblanchard@coloradodiocese.org).