A Christian Movement for older people

The Ascent is a Christian movement for older people who have retired from active working life and are looking for friendship with a spiritual dimension within their parish. The Ascent in a nutshell could be called a spiritual friendship group.

When a person retires they have more free time to pursue different interests and for many this is an opportunity to get involved in the life of the Church and meet other like minded people who hope for enrichment in their lives.  There is no age limit and so often it is surprising the spiritual inspiration many older members bring.

The Ascent is a part of the movement Life Ascending International which evolved from La Vie Montante. It was the first movement to seek to change the perception of older people, from a negative stereotype to the recognition of the positive contribution that those in the third and fourth stages of life have to give.

Their wisdom, experience of life, their faith,their sense of continuity, appreciation of God’s gifts of beauty and nature and a realisation that ‘being’ is as important as ‘doing.’

The movement is based on three aims Spirituality Mission and Friendship.  There are Ascent groups throughout the UK which are parish based, although at the moment these are few and far between.

Since its foundation in France in 1965 the movement has grown and spread.