by Deacon Mary Stoneback, Synod Minister for Strategic Communications and Events

Eric and Pat Refsdal found a home at Ascension Lutheran Church in Ogden, Utah during their second long-term stay in Utah, joining in July 2014 to remain within the ELCA family. Eric quickly joined the music team as a guitarist, singer, and soloist; Pat dove into ministry leadership—from financial secretary, Sunday school organizer and teacher, to building committee chair, flower minister, scheduler of worship assistants, and worship assistant and counter, grounds manager, special projects, as well as the past council president. What keeps them rooted is the casual, loving church family—and its robust outreach to the community and beyond.

Over 65 years, Ascension has taken faithful risks that ripple well beyond its walls. A landmark step came in 2002 with the construction of the Community Life Center, opening space for sports, congregational life, and neighborhood needs. Ongoing partnerships deepen that impact—especially with Family Promise of Ogden and Kidz Town Head Start & Daycare, co-located nearby to support children and families in one connected hub. Seasonal yard sales and today’s Holiday Bazaar have welcomed throngs through the doors—not just to raise funds, but as true community outreach.

Challenges have also shaped the congregation’s character. After pandemic disruptions and pastoral transitions, Ascension restarted its Sunday School through steady, grassroots growth—drawing in grandchildren, neighbors, and daycare families.

Children now bring “Noisy Offerings” to support local food pantries, turning small change into tangible care. Meanwhile, long-standing water damage dating back to the 1990s spurred major repairs: a new roof, stucco work, updated sprinklers with rock barriers, and a resurfaced lot—made possible through modest growth, donated labor, insurance, and collaboration with Family Promise.

Ministry at Ascension ebbs and flows with people’s gifts. Alongside Sunday worship and study, Ascension’s life is knit together by quilting, a prayer chain, book club, shepherding, movie and game days, and regular women’s and men’s brunches. The campus hums all week: AA and Al-Anon meetings, youth groups, community sports, counseling, Girl Scouts, and health screenings make the fellowship hall and gym a neighborhood crossroads—exactly what that 2002 leap of faith envisioned.

Looking ahead, Eric and Pat hope Ascension will welcome the region’s rapid growth, inviting “new blood” into worship and service—and expanding ministries in response. It’s a fitting vision for a congregation that just marked 65 years of “planting seeds of grace, faith, and love” in Ogden.

Ascension’s heartbeat, in a phrase: “Gathered and gifted to celebrate and share the love of Jesus.”