Churches across our diocese celebrated Christ’s ascension on Ascension Day, as well as the following Sunday, with services, food, and even climbing church towers! We heard from a few church communities about their ascension celebrations below.
To find out more about the significance of Ascension Day see the Church of England’s website.
Portway and Danebury Benefice and the Anna Benefice
On the wonderfully sunny evening of Thursday 29 May, The Portway and Danebury and Anna Benefices combined for their Annual Ascensiontide service on Danebury Hillfort. They were blessed once more with beautiful weather, glorious views and an uplifting service. Even the Long-Horned cows came closer to enjoy the service, sermon, and singing!
North Stoneham and Bassett Parish
Several members of the North Stoneham and Bassett Parish got up early to celebrate Ascension Day on top of the tower at St Nicholas Church, North Stoneham! The views of the churchyard below are pretty spectacular:
Malcolm Harper, LLM in the Parish of North Stoneham and Bassett, said, “For several years on Ascension day, I have lead an early morning service of Morning Prayer with hymns, from the top of the Tower of St. Nicolas North Stoneham (the church with the ‘one handed clock church’ in Stoneham Lane). This year was no exception, and a group of nine people people climbed to the top of the tower at 8.00 for the service, while three others and a dog joined in the from ground level! Afterwards, we all went into the church for a breakfast of coffee and croissants which was enjoyed by all!”
All Saints’ Milford and St Mary’s Everton
Bishop Rhiannon came along to a joint service at All Saints’ Church’s Ascension service, which was followed by a hog roast! Bishop Rhiannon gave a sermon discussing the traditional art of the ascension, as well as the way the ascension has permeated into other parts of our culture. She invited us to consider what the ascension means in our everyday lives, while we are celebrating ascension in the Church calendar, and beyond.
Revd Sam Dinsmore, Curate at All Saints and St Mary’s, said, “This Sunday we celebrated Ascension Sunday, with a visit from Bishop Rhiannon and a Church Hog Roast. For us it was a double celebration as we began Volunteers week, celebrating all the people in our community who make it possible to do so much as a church and give so much time and love to our church family. Bishop Rhiannon brought a powerful message on the importance of the Ascension and then we celebrated with all three congregations across the benefice coming together as one church to catch up and share food together.”
Church of the Ascension, Burghclere
Ascension Day was also the 150 year anniversary of the Church of the Ascension, Burghclere! The church community celebrated with a special service, followed by cake and bubbles. The service was led by the Reverend Canon Dodie Marsden, and a special thank you was offered to the more than 70 volunteers who keep the church running for the community!
Philip Oldham, Churchwarden at Church of the Ascension, said, “Thursday 29th May was a momentous occasion for our parish—not only marking the Patronal Festival of the Church of the Ascension but also celebrating 150 years since its enlargement and dedication to the Ascension. To honour this milestone, the PCC hosted a special BBQ and drinks reception, bringing together some of the 70+ dedicated volunteers who serve tirelessly to keep our Church thriving. Their commitment ensures that our Church remains a place of worship, welcome, and community for all, and this gathering was a small token of gratitude for their invaluable contributions.”
He continued, “Following the festivities, Revd. Dodie Marsden led a wonderful service of celebration, offering prayers that reflected on our past, acknowledged our present, and looked forward with hope to the future. We prayed that our Church may continue to shine as a beacon of light, faith, and fellowship in Burghclere for generations to come. The celebration concluded with birthday cake and prosecco—a fitting tribute to this special occasion, as friends and neighbours gathered to toast 150 years of faith, community, and shared history.
“As we rejoice in this historic anniversary, we give thanks for all who have shaped and sustained our Church through the years, and we look ahead with faith, trusting in God’s guidance for the journey yet to come.”
