Giving to Church of the Ascension

Your financial contributions sustain everything we do at Ascension. Things such as service liturgy and music, programs we offer, and outreach efforts made through our ministry partners, would not possible without your support. Below is information on ways to give. If you have questions, please contact Cathi Long, Parish Administrator, by email or at 303-388-5978.

Giving Reflections and Announcement

Friday’s Giving Reflection by Steve and Ginger Stookesberry November 14

They say that light finds its way through cracks. When our world was shaken last January, it was the light from Church of the Ascension that helped illuminate a spiritual path forward for us when we needed it most.

When our granddaughter was born with a life-threatening illness we needed help. We turned to doctors for medical expertise. We leaned on family for emotional support. We needed something else. Steve suggested we talk to Cheryl. He had serendipitously – miraculously? -- met Cheryl at Novo Coffee in November through his friend and business acquaintance David Johnson.

“Yes, I’d be happy to meet with you. Today? Of course.”

And so we began our journey with Ascencion. Cheryl came to the NICU at Children’s Hospital at Anschutz and baptized Caroline. Steve and I ventured into church the following Sunday. We had no idea what to do. We sat near the back and simply observed. What impressed us even more than the beautiful setting and the centuries-old ritual was the warmth and caring that the congregation showed to each other. The greetings were genuine and the continuing concern for Caroline and others in need was abundant.

Our experience last year was life changing and oddly enlightening. God was there for us as He promised He would be. Church of the Ascension added a missing piece…community. Praying to God alone is one thing. Praying with others is profound in its own way. And very healing.

Our Sunday’s Giving Reflection by Jameson Jones November 9

Matthew 6 says “Do not store up your treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This is a challenging verse by any measure. It calls for us not only to be good stewards of our resources but also to find places where our giving can have the most impact.

My name is Jameson Jones. My family is relatively new to Ascension, with this current calendar year being our first full year here. Many of you have been here for decades. And many more have helped build the current wave of momentum in the church. We value your time and heartfelt contributions because for several years, we had been searching for our church home in Denver, knowing what we were looking for but having a hard time finding it.

Once we started attending Ascension, we could feel the wonderful community and the Church’s energy. This felt like a place where we could invest our time and our financial resources and where the returns could be greater than we could imagine.

One way to measure the returns on an investment in Ascension might be the specific goals that we can achieve in the future. I have several goals for this church, one of which is to help create a real youth group for my girls and the other kids here. I grew up with a church youth group that shaped my identity, helping me form my own faith in Christ, rather than going through the motions with a faith borrowed from my parents. Before joining Ascension, we thought it would be impossible to find a place in the city where our girls could experience anything similar. Too many people in Denver have too many priorities before church. But I now have hope, from the sheer number of kids in the pews here on any given Sunday and their families’ commitment to this church for the long term. I believe with the right resources and continued church growth, a youth group where our kids want to spend time with their friends and build their own faiths is achievable.

I’m thrilled that last year’s pledges allowed us to hire Tina as youth minister. She’s been working hard to build relationships with our kids. Imagine what we can achieve with even more investment! With our girls in middle school and on the cusp of it, we increasingly see the value of a multigenerational church both supporting our girls and speaking truth to them.

Matthew 6’s lesson that our hearts will be found where we choose to put our treasure shows that being generous has benefits far beyond the direct church-specific goals we might reach. One of the reasons that I give to this church and to other causes is because I saw generosity modeled by my parents. Every year, my parents would include me and my siblings in part of their end-of-year giving decisions. We were not rich growing up. But my parents still gave us a set amount of money and a list of organizations and let us choose where we would give that money. That exercise not only helped us practice being generous but also to see, based on where my parents chose to direct their treasure, that their hearts really were set on building God’s kingdom on earth and helping the poor, among other causes.

Malena and I are continuing that tradition with our children as best we can, hoping that when our girls are adults, they will choose to store up their treasures in heaven rather than the trappings of this world. We’ve put fewer guidelines on the organizations to which we allow our girls to direct money than my parents did. Juliette’s lifelong love of cheetahs has meant that we’ve given more money to the Cheetah Conservation Fund than I would have given on my own. Anna loves gardening and so she has chosen to give to a ministry that mentors disadvantaged urban youth through farming. But they know that, while there are many worthy secular organizations, giving money to the Church is a nonnegotiable priority for our family. I hope and pray that as the years pass they will be able to see the returns on all of our investments, both monetary and otherwise, in Ascension. The truth is that none of us can fool our kids about what is important to us. They see where we spend our time and money. And they know from those choices where our hearts lie. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus says to whom much is given much is expected. Matthew 6 reflects how our giving is an opportunity not only to further His kingdom’s work here on earth but also to shape our own hearts and refocus our priorities. My family is taking this opportunity to increase our financial pledge from last year to help make our dreams of continued growth and a real youth group at this church a reality. I hope you join us in in this opportunity to invest in Ascension in a meaningful way.

Our Friday Giving Reflection by Priscilla Longfield November 7

Moving to Denver two years ago and leaving my Portland, Oregon friends and community of 41years was daunting. This was a big move, at my age, a bit frightening, full of uncertainties and challenges. I loved my comfortable life in Portland, my friends and involvement in a city where I’d lived for so many years. There was something missing though. I had no family there and I felt this need to be closer to them.

I had heard about Ascension from my family and hoped that I would find there both a spiritual home and a way to make some new friends in a city where I had few. What I have found at Ascension is more than a church or a place to go on Sunday mornings. I’ve found a community that has welcomed me with open arms and given me a place to feel rooted, a place with so many opportunities to get engaged and to feel a part of something. I quickly felt less like a visitor and more like a part of a community. There is something powerful about walking into a space where people are praying together, singing together and showing up for each other. It’s not performative, but authentic at Ascension.

I’m finding the sermons to be good and thought provoking, I find that the worship lifts my spirit and the music, which is so important to me, stirs me at every service I attend.

Ascension is an anchor for me in a city I’m still getting to know. Happily, I’m adjusting to this new community and I have to say, Ascension and the people there have played a big role in making me feel at home.

Our Sunday Giving Reflection by Keegan Drake November 2

Our family first came to Ascension in 2019. I’ve loved this place ever since – but or the longest time I couldn’t say why except that I just did. Which sounds sweet, until you’re supposed to give a speech about why you like Ascension. So, I started thinking about the children’s ministry – which is important to me because I’m the father of two great Ascension kids. And, I discovered this trick where I thought of the things I liked about church when I was a kid and started noticing where I saw those same things at Ascension.

Once I got going, even our air conditioning issue became nostalgic for me. As a child, I spent summers at my grandparents’ house in Oklahoma. It could have been 100 degrees in the shade at Vacation Bible School, but I would never complain – because my gramps acted like air conditioning cost a hundred million dollars. We can all identify with my gramps here at Ascension!

When I teach Sunday school, I catch myself sounding like my father. Dad was a believer and also a man of logic, and he urged me to take scripture seriously but not literally. His influence is why I love it when an Ascension middle schooler asks me a hardball, like: Do I think Noah was actually 600 years-old when he built the ark?

How could I write about our children without mentioning Cheryl and Tina? They remind me of the best qualities in my great-grandfather, who was a long-time education minister. Papa made every child feel special – and our clergy and staff do the same for our kids here. To close, I am giving this talk All Souls’ Sunday. And I’ll confess now that the little stories I chose aren’t just because they remind me of things about Ascension. It’s also because the people in them – Papa, my gramps, my dad – well, none of them live here anymore. It’s funny how, when we’re thinking of the special people from our lives who live in Heaven now, our memories of them are often memories of ourselves as children.

When I give to Ascension, I think of those people we commemorate on All Souls’ Day, who knew us as children and loved us and wanted what was best for us. I also think of today’s Gospel reading on the Golden Rule, which is something else I learned as a kid at church. For me, supporting our children’s ministry is a way I can be sure every Ascension kid feels the same support and love at church that I did.

Our Friday Giving Reflection by Kerry Perason October 31

We first came to Ascension because of family. Having just moved to Denver, we were invited by my brother and sister-in-law, enthusiastic members of the parish. From our very first Sunday, we felt welcomed and part of the flock. Robbie loved the name tags and the quiet hour of reflection. I was raised Catholic and appreciated the familiar rhythms of the service — with the bonus of a female priest! Arthur and Annie were delighted by the worship bags filled with books and blocks and to be two of many children filling the back half of the church.

Since then, Ascension has become an important part of our family life. Beyond the 10 a.m. Sunday service, we’ve loved and learned from Sonshine Singers, Godly Play, the Christmas Pageant, Lenten suppers, the Women’s Retreat, and of course, the nursery — Annie’s favorite of all. Ascension has been the perfect place for our children to learn about God and to bring their questions and wonderings as they develop their faith.

Ascension feels like the ideal family — always there to offer community, support, and grace. All we have to do is show up. We’re deeply grateful to be a small part of this great Ascension family.

Our Friday Giving Reflection by Carolyn Craig – October 24

Being a part of Ascension over the past three years has been a steady and meaningful journey.  I come from a long line of Episcopalians.  I was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Cathedral as was my father as a baby and growing boy.  I’ve grown up with the liturgy, the rhythm of the church calendar, and the sacraments have helped ground me and strengthened my faith.  At Ascension I’ve been reminded of God’s presence in my life through the service, prayer and being part of a church community.

One of my most moving experiences was watching the baptism of three of my grandsons last spring.  To see the next generation welcomed into the church, in the same traditions and liturgy I grew up with was very meaningful.  Just watching the congregation grow, and to see so many children of all ages attending church and participating happily with bells a’ ringing warms my heart.  Its a gift to belong to a church community with a multigenerational congregation.

Each Sunday as I pray and hear the scriptures, I am reminded of God’s grace, and as I look around the congregation, I know that Christ is present.  I continue to be thankful for the church and my faith that has carried me through so many seasons of life. Christ has always been with me guiding, sustaining, and drawing me into a deeper relationship with Him.

At Ascension, I experience His grace, His peace and His faithful presence.

Our Sunday Reflection by Julia Brown – October 19

Good morning everyone. I am Julia Brown and my husband Rob and I have four girls ages 10, 8, 5 and almost 3. And man, can it be hard to get to church on Sundays!

Between temper tantrums, tears over what to wear, travel and sports and birthday parties and everything in between, Sunday mornings are chaotic. But we make the effort to be here because we want to be here and because we love our Ascension family.

After Rob and I had our first two girls, and recently having moved to Denver, I started looking for a church. Having been raised Catholic, I was ready to switch to the Episcopal faith for a variety of reasons. I tried out a number of parishes, but it wasn’t until I came to Ascension that I felt at home. It was 2020 and my mom and I went to the Christmas Eve service in the church parking lot and despite Covid and having to be outside, we immediately felt welcomed.

In 2023, when my dad told us his cancer had returned, Pastor Weezie was one of my first calls. Within the hour, she was sitting on my couch, handing me a cup of coffee and listening. My dad was not religious but when things started getting worse, he came to church with me a few times. One of those times, he heard Chad Nichols speak about his son Foster’s battle with cancer. My dad went up to Chad afterwards to say how inspiring the speech was to him and that he too was battling the disease. When my dad lost that battle a few months later, this community rose up to hold us up, give us strength, grace and support.

Here we are today. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Cheryl, a fellow Catholic convert. In her first year at the church, she’s already taken my kids to the movies and tubing on her boat. A friend referred to Cheryl as someone who really “meets you where you are”, which is so accurate. When I called to ask if she would bless the rental house we’re currently living in because I thought it was haunted, she didn’t blink. My husband thinks I’m a little nuts. But not Cheryl. I now think it’s not haunted but actually my dad trying to reach out but that’s a story for another day.

A couple of years ago, I read a book about “raising resilient kids”. One of its key principles is surrounding your children with trusted and respected adult figures outside of their nuclear family. Strong relationships are a foundation for resilience – this network will encourage and cheer a child on and create a sturdy support system. And here you are. For that, I am so grateful.

We’ve experienced several major milestones at Ascension from births and baptisms to sickness and death but the throughline has been this incredible community. I wish more people would ask me where I go to church. ASCENSON! I want to shout! Come to Ascension! You might miss the little church on 6th across from Satchel’s but once you walk in, you’ll be blown away.

Our Friday Reflection by Kellie Shopneck – October 17

Ascension has been a wonderful place for me and my family to take a deep breath after busy weeks and give thanks and pray. Going to church on Sundays reminds us to reflect, take pause, and focus on God. Ascension has made going to church so easy and fun for our entire family. The kids have loved learning about Jesus. They enjoy singing in the choir, participating in the Christmas Pageants, ringing bells during services and of course eating the “delicious crackers.” 

We love the community and parishioners at church and we look forward to various events throughout the year. We will always keep special memories of our kids getting baptized at Ascension and watching them deepen their understanding of God over the years.

Our Sunday Announcement by Carey Leigh Crews – October 12

Good morning, Church. It truly is both a privilege and a responsibility to share with you this morning. I’m honored Court invited me to speak about how our family thinks about our financial commitments to this church. First, I want to express how thankful we are for Ascension: for the warmth of this community, for the openness with which it operates, and for its discipline in how resources are stewarded. This intentionality—built and sustained by generations of faithful givers—is one of the many reasons we are grateful to call Ascension our spiritual home, even though we’ve only been here a few years.

When I think about pledging, two words rise to the surface for our family: accountability and freedom. Pledging is first about accountability. It is one important way of saying to the church: you can count on us. It provides the transparency our leaders need in order to plan wisely—building on decades of faithful stewardship—whether that means investing in worship, outreach, formation for children, music, or care for one another. But pledging also holds us accountable. Each year, when we write down that number, it forces us to pause and reflect: does this align with what we truly value? Does this reflect our deepest commitments? And then there is the act of giving itself. We give it month after month. That rhythm matters. We’ve aimed to set it as a way of reflecting our priorities. Of course, we don’t always get our priorities right - something I’m grateful the Holy Spirit convicts us about. But this pledge, this repeatability, this habit keeps our hearts and minds returning to the cross and to the church. It keeps us rooted in the truth that God comes first, and everything else flows from there. What’s remarkable is how freeing that has felt. It creates boundaries that help to protect us from the wrong voices—the voices of fear, scarcity, or selfishness. Instead, it roots us in gratitude. It opens us to the joy that comes from generosity. In Matthew, Jesus says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”; That’s been true in our lives. By placing our treasure here, our hearts have followed—into the life of this parish, into its ministries, and into God’s presence here among us. And we are going bigger this year, in anticipation of our hearts experiencing even more joy from prioritizing Christ and The Church of The Ascension. What a joy this community has been. Living in this neighborhood, we could walk in any direction and find wonderful things—truly wonderful things at Cheesman Park, Botanic Gardens, Satchels, Angelos, Copper Door, and Secret Garden. But Sunday after Sunday, this is where we find ourselves. In the midst of transitions, Ascension has been steady and grounding. You all have shown us what it means to belong. You nurture my son, you’ve - perhaps not of eternal importance but of some joy - taught me Mahjong, and you’ve given us the warmth and welcomeness of seeing friends discover what you’ve long known: that this is a special place. But, our giving here is not only about sustaining what we already love—it’s about investing in the next chapter of Ascension’s long story. We’re watching the children we’ve invested in grow up within these walls, joining generations of leaders who’ve come before them. The seeds planted together continue to bear fruit—both inside our walls and beyond them, as our ministries deepen their roots in the wider community.

So as we look ahead, I want to invite you to join Dutch and me. Join us in making a commitment for 2026. Join us in leaning into the freedom that generosity brings. Join us in giving our parish leaders the transparency and visibility they need to maximize our ministry in the coming year. And whether this is a year you can give your largest amount or whether you’re navigating real financial gaps, or whether you’re somewhere in between—join me in rejoicing in the faithfulness of God. Every gift matters, and every gift is a reflection of the love and grace that we share here at Ascension. What a joy to share in that faithfulness together.

Our Friday Giving Reflection, October 10, 2025, by Annie Johnson

“Since joining Ascension, I have found that it (and its parishioners) has played many meaningful roles in my life. It’s a safe space to pray and give thanks, a source of guidance and support, and a community that lifts you up while allowing you to do the same for others.

Ascension has welcomed my family with open hearts and arms. Each service offers time to pray, slow down, reflect, and connect. Somehow, every service feels thoughtfully crafted to meet each parishioner where they are in that moment — I’m not sure how they do that each week, but they do it so well. We especially love the 8am service, where Eloise and Madeline are always greeted warmly and made to feel special.

Ascension is more than a place to gather and worship on Sundays. It’s a community-centered church, deeply committed to making the world a better place. It is inclusive and nurturing. I appreciate the book recommendations shared during services and by email, as well as the variety of volunteer opportunities — both within the church and throughout Denver. Even if you can’t attend events in person, there’s always a way to contribute, whether through donations or serving on your own.

When driving on 6th avenue, my girls yell “CHURCHHHH” and then they ask when they can go see Cheryl. What a gift!”

Our Sunday Giving Reflection, October 12, 2025, by Lucy Rinaldi

Texts: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, Ps. 66:1-11, 2 Timothy 2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19

Have you ever wondered just why we come to church? Why do you come to church?
I think that, at different times, we come to praise, to worship, to give thanks, to learn, to be comforted, to ask for help, and to find community.

Today’s readings touch on all of these. The psalm (Ps. 66:1-11) gives us words of praise and thanksgiving. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7) reminds a displaced people to plant gardens, build homes, and seek the welfare of their community — because their own welfare is bound up in it. Paul writes to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-15) about persevering in faith and teaching truth with integrity. And in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), we see ten people healed by Jesus — but only one returns to give thanks.

Each of these readings speaks to the ways God nurtures our spirits: through praise, through community, through perseverance, and through thanksgiving.

I’ve been asked to speak today because we are beginning our annual appeal. Like many of you, my husband and I have a household budget. It has always had the usual categories: food, housing, education when our children were young, vacations, and so on.

But for a long time, our “charity” line stayed blank until the end of the year — when we saw what was left, what we could afford. Over time, we realized that if we were serious about nurturing our spirits, giving couldn’t be the last thing on the list. It had to be among the first. Proverbs 3:9-10 says to “honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first fruits of your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow.”

Just as we feed our bodies and nurture our minds, we also need to sustain our souls. Instead of it being about what we could afford, we realized that we couldn’t afford not to make it a priority.

Talking about money isn’t easy. And yet Jesus speaks about it more than almost any other subject.

He tells us not to store up treasures on earth, but in heaven. He praises the widow who gave her two small coins, because she gave from her whole heart. And in today’s Gospel, the Samaritan who returned to thank Jesus shows us that gratitude is at the center of faith.

Giving is one of the ways we show our gratitude to God.

Here at Ascension, our church family depends on what we pledge together. Almost all of our budget comes from this appeal.

That budget provides worship, pastoral care, outreach, Bible studies, music, and children’s programs — the very things that nurture us, our families, and our neighbors.

As Jeremiah reminds us, “seek the welfare of the city … for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” When we invest in this church, we are investing in each other’s flourishing.

So today I invite you to make giving a priority in your own household budget. Call it “Charity,” “Church,” or “Spirituality” — but give it a place near the top.

Think about what you have received here: how you have found God’s presence, how you have been supported in joy and in struggle, how you have been able to praise and to learn. And then think about what this church can be for those who come after us.

What we pledge now will strengthen our spirits, connect us more deeply to God, and ensure that future generations will be blessed here as we have been.

May our giving be an act of thanksgiving — like the psalmist’s praise, like Jeremiah’s call to build up the community, like Paul’s faithfulness, and like the healed Samaritan who returned to Jesus in gratitude. Amen.

Give

To make a one-time offering gift, donate Altar flowers, or a memorial gift to Ascension click the GIVE button below. This secure way of giving makes it easier than ever to help sustain our parish. You can mail your check made out to “Church of the Ascension” to 600 Gilpin St., Denver, CO 80218.

Transfer Stock

A stock transfer is a great way to give – whether as part of your annual pledge, a one-time gift, or a legacy gift. There may be tax benefits to giving stock from a Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCD) from an IRA. Consult your tax advisor for details on the tax implications of your gift. Click here for a downloadable stock gift form. For more information, please contact Cathi Long, Parish Administrator, by email or at 303-388-5978.

Ascension Legacy

A legacy gift is a planned gift of gratitude that will allow Ascension to carry on its mission in ministry. Any person, regardless of age or circumstance, can make a gift of gratitude that will help create a lasting foundation for Ascension. 

Church of the Ascension is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit religious organization.