ELCA Disaster Response is known for its long-term healing presence after natural and human-caused disasters, both globally and in the US.   It helps to bring God’s comfort, healing and renewal to those affected by disasters.  And when the dust settles and the headlines change, ELCA Disaster Response stays to provide ongoing assistance to those in need.

Ascension has contributed to ELCA global missions for many years.  However, for the past few years, Ascension has sponsored a specific missionary family, the Randy Stubbs family, who are serving at Makimura University, located in the Diocese of Meru (our Partner Synod) in Tanzania.  Randy and Carol Stubbs are currently teaching and doing leadership development, evangelism and capacity building in the new music department at Makumira University College (MUCo), located in Usa River, Tanzania.  The Stubbs children - Megan-15, Marissa-13 and Nathan-12 - are all involved in music (surprise!) and are home-schooled by their mom.  However, they also get involved in the local community through their music.  The Stubbs visited Ascension in September 2009 and helped lead the worship services.

http://web.mac.com/stubbsrcs/Site/Welcome.html

ELCA World Hunger is a comprehensive and sustainable program that uses multiple strategies—relief, development, education, and advocacy—to address the root causes of hunger and poverty both globally and in the US.  ELCA World Hunger responds to Christ’s call to “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37), serving with compassion people who are most vulnerable, paying focused attention to the full participation of women and the needs of children.  Ascension traditionally designates one of the months in Lent for World Hunger appeal.

http://www.elca.org/Our-Faith-In-Action/Responding-to-the-World/ELCA-World-Hunger/Our-Work.aspx

Lutheran Social Service (LSS) is the active social ministry of the ELCA and its member congregations.  This is reflected in the words of its Mission Statement: Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives.

The programs of LSS of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan serve over 116,000 people of all faiths, from the very young to senior citizens, in over 90 communities.  This is done through over 400 programs in ten major categories:

Addictions and Corrections ; Adoption and Foster Care;  Behavioral Health;  Children, Youth, Family;  Housing;  Older Adults;  Persons With Disabilities; Prison Ministries;  Urban Ministries;  Refugee Settlement

http://www.lsswis.org/