An Inclusive Middle Way on First Avenue
The Episcopal Church of the Ascension sits on the corner of 1st Avenue NW in Hickory, North Carolina, just a short walk from downtown. Its congregation describes itself as an inclusive, welcoming community rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, with a mission to "love with the heart of Christ and act as the body of Christ" in the church, the wider community, and the world. Ascension is intentionally described as walking a middle way between Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions, a sacramental and worship-centered parish that welcomes thoughtful questions about what God is calling its people to do and be.
The parish lives by the conviction that "there are no outcasts and all are welcome." That posture shows up in the baptismal font as readily as at the parish potluck table, in the way children sit alongside adults in the nave, and in the church's long-running partnership with several Alcoholics Anonymous groups that meet in its buildings throughout the week.
Sunday Worship at 8 and 10:30
Worship is at the center of parish life, and the regular Sunday schedule is built around two celebrations of the Holy Eucharist.
- 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the church.
- 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the church, livestreamed on YouTube.
Both services follow the Book of Common Prayer. The 10:30 service is the larger and more musical of the two, and a downloadable bulletin is posted online each week so worshipers can follow along at home or in the pews. Visitors are welcome at either service. Those joining by computer or phone can connect through the church's YouTube channel, where recent livestreams are archived alongside concert and Evensong recordings.
Wednesday Eucharist with Healing Prayer
On Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., the parish gathers for a shorter Holy Eucharist with Healing Prayers. It is a midweek pause in the middle of ordinary life, a chance to receive communion, pray for healing for oneself or for others, and reconnect with the parish family between Sundays.
A Faith Built on the Book of Common Prayer
Ascension's beliefs follow the historic Episcopal pattern, drawn directly from the prayer book the congregation has used for generations.
- Christ-focused. Ascension is rooted in the person and teaching of Jesus Christ; worship and mission are done in Christ's name, and baptism is understood as sharing in his victory over sin and death.
- The Bible. Scripture is the foundation, understood through tradition and reason. Approximately 70 percent of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible, and the Sunday lectionary carries Episcopalians through most of the biblical story over a three-year cycle.
- Holy Baptism. Full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church, joining the baptized to the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church" across time and place.
- Holy Communion. The central act of Christian worship, also called the Eucharist or the mass. All baptized Christians are welcome at the table.
- The Creeds. The Apostles' Creed (used at baptism) and the Nicene Creed (used at communion) as the foundational statements of belief.
- The Book of Common Prayer. Both a devotional resource and the primary symbol of unity across the Episcopal Church.
- The Baptismal Covenant. A short catechism of five questions about how Christians are called to live, renewed at baptisms and on major feast days.
- The Catechism. A question-and-answer teaching tool found at the back of the prayer book.
- The other Sacraments. Confirmation, Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), Matrimony, Orders, and Unction (anointing of the sick).
- Spiritual growth. A life-long journey of deepening faith, lived out together as the body of Christ.
Ascension also makes the Episcopal welcome explicit: "wherever you might find yourself on your faith journey, we hope you will find Ascension a space where you can grow in your faith and relationship with God."
Learning Together: Adult Formation
Christian formation for adults is built around the baptismal promise to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. Three recurring offerings shape the adult program:
- Adult Christian Formation meets on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room. The class studies topics at the intersection of Christian faith and daily life and is led by The Rev. Karla Woggon.
- Thursday Morning Book Study gathers at 10:00 a.m. for an hour and a half of discussion around theological and philosophical reading.
- Drop-In Bible Study meets on Mondays at 6:00 p.m. in the rector's office for an open exploration of scripture.
Seasonal formation events include "Theology for Thirsty Souls," a casual Wednesday-evening series in the parlor led by parishioners and guests on books and questions chosen by the group.
Children, Youth, and Confirmation
Ascension treats its young members as full members of the worshiping community. Formation for children and youth includes:
- Nursery Care is offered during worship.
- Sunday School for age 5 through 5th grade meets at 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Chapel, September through May, using age-appropriate activities to learn the Bible, the faith, and the wider church.
- Youth Group for grades 6 through high school meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., September through May. The format is simple: share a meal, play, pray, and explore what it means to love one another as Christ loved.
- Confirmation prepares both youth and adults to make a formal commitment to the Episcopal Church. Confirmands lead worship during the Easter season and take part in service projects around the community.
- Camp Henry and diocesan events connect Ascension's young people to the wider church.
Quintin Knight serves as Children and Family Ministry Coordinator. Annual highlights include sleepover lock-ins, pageants, caroling, field trips, and a spring talent show that raises money for summer-camp scholarships and youth trips.
Music and the Flentrop Pipe Organ
Music is woven into every corner of parish life. While congregational singing is the chief musical expression at Ascension, the parish supports a full program of choral and instrumental music.
The Parish Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and sings at the principal Sunday liturgy as well as at concert services. Singers from high school through adulthood are welcome; music-reading ability is a plus but not required.
The church's instrument is a Flentrop pipe organ, installed in 1986 and celebrated on its 40th anniversary in a recital by Director of Music Cory Westby. The instrument anchors a regular concert series that brings organists, vocal ensembles, harpists, and flute players to the nave. Each concert is paired with a service of Choral Evensong sung by the Ascension Choir, and the series often showcases music for Advent, Easter, and All Saints.
Soloists and instrumentalists round out the musical offering, and lunchtime organ concerts are a recurring feature. Recordings of past concerts, choral evensongs, and special services are archived on the church's YouTube channel.
Fellowship Around the Table
Ascension takes seriously the truth that Christian community is built in the sharing of meals. The fellowship calendar is rich and recurring:
- Parish Potluck Suppers on Wednesday evenings, often followed by bingo.
- Parish Dinners during seasons like Lent.
- Cookies, Lemonade, and Fellowship on Sundays after the 10:30 service.
- Moveable Feast small-group gatherings around the city.
- Young Family Fellowship for parents and children.
- Faith-Sharing Groups for ongoing conversation.
- Family Game Nights in the parish hall.
The parish hall is the social heart of the building, and the church maintains a professional kitchen with regular training sessions for new volunteers.
A Labyrinth, a Library, and Spaces for Quiet Prayer
Beyond the nave and chapel, Ascension has invested in contemplative spaces.
The Ascension Labyrinth lies in the church's backyard along Second Avenue NW and is open from dawn to dusk, regardless of one's faith tradition. Built as an Eagle Scout project, the labyrinth is offered as a tool for wholeness and peace. A single meandering path leads to the center and back again, meant to mirror the spiritual journey with God. Guided labyrinth walks are held periodically; a downloadable brochure supports self-guided walks.
The Avis Johnson Oehlbeck Library holds more than 1,300 books, DVDs, and digital videos on spiritual growth, religious education, and life experience, with sections tailored to children, young adults, parents, and seniors. The library is open on Sundays before and after worship, on weekdays during office hours, and on Wednesday evenings before and after the midweek Eucharist. Discarded volumes are offered at parish book sales or donated to the public library.
A Memorial Garden on the grounds offers a place for interment and remembrance.
Outreach Beyond the Parish
Outreach at Ascension is shaped by the conviction that the parish is called to "love with the heart of Christ, to think with the mind of Christ, and to act as the body of Christ" in the wider community. The Outreach Committee is composed of parish volunteers who meet regularly to review funding requests and coordinate support for partner organizations at the local, regional, and global level.
The parish maintains relationships with a wide circle of charitable partners, including the Family Care Center of Catawba Valley, the Hickory Soup Kitchen, Exodus Homes, the Cooperative Christian Ministries of Catawba County, Episcopal Relief and Development, and other local and international agencies. The parish also maintains an extensive Community Resource Directory, pointing neighbors in need toward shelters, food pantries, financial assistance, prescription help, and other services across the city and county.
Charitable organizations seeking funding from Ascension can submit a grant request through the church office.
A Home for Alcoholics Anonymous
Ascension is proud to host several Alcoholics Anonymous groups, both open and closed, throughout the week. The Episcopal Church has a historic connection with the founding of the AA movement, and Episcopal congregations around the world regularly offer space for these meetings as part of their ministry of hospitality. AA is not affiliated with the Episcopal Church or any other denomination; its only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Clergy, Staff, and Pastoral Care
The parish is currently shepherded by The Rev. Garry Edwards, serving as Interim Rector. The music program is led by Cory Westby, Director of Music. Quintin Knight coordinates Children and Family Ministry, and The Rev. Karla Woggon leads the adult formation program. Bookkeeping and parish administration are handled by members of the staff team. Pastoral care is offered through prayer requests submitted to the parish and through direct conversation with the clergy.
What to Expect on a Sunday Visit
Visitors will find a parish that is glad they came. People dress across a wide range, from casual to more formal. The congregation is made up of singles, young families, and longtime members, and children are welcome to participate in worship or to step into the Children's Chapel with the formation program during the 10:30 service. The parish hall is open after the service for fellowship, and volunteers are usually on hand to help newcomers find their way.
Parking is available on the main lot and in a lower campus parking lot off Second Avenue NW. Handicap and visitor parking are near the office wing entrance. Worshipers who would like the church to follow up after a visit can fill out the Virtual Visitor Form, and the weekly e-bulletin is available to anyone who would like to receive it.
Giving, the Mobile App, and Staying Connected
The parish invites support through online giving, text-to-give, mailed gifts, automatic bank drafts, planned legacy gifts, and stock gifts. A dedicated bookkeeper handles questions about giving.
Ascension maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with weekly postings of prayers, event news, and full Sunday services. A mobile app, the Church by MinistryOne app, carries parish alerts, giving tools, and contact information for iOS and Android devices. The full events calendar is published by the parish and can also be viewed in calendar form.
From the Sunday liturgy to the Wednesday potluck, from the parish choir loft to the labyrinth in the backyard, Ascension presents itself as a community that takes both faith and questions seriously, and that welcomes anyone who wants to walk the middle way a little further down the road.