FAQs

What age members do you accept? 
Ordinarily, women must be over 21 to apply for admission. There is no upper age limit. 

Do you accept divorced or widowed women? 
Yes. 

I have children at home. Would I be able to join the Community? 
No. With full-time obligations for other family members, you would not be able to join the Community until those responsibilities were fulfilled. 

I need to help care for my elderly parents, but am not the primary care giver. Would I be able to join the Community? 
Probably. We make every effort to enable Sisters to assist with part-time family obligations. 

I have a physical handicap. Would I be able to join? 
Probably.  Applicants, however, must be able to care for their own personal needs. 

Must I be an Episcopalian to join? 
The Community of the Ascension is an Episcopal Religious Order, and all of its members must be Episcopalians or members of a church in full-communion with the Episcopal Church.  We would welcome you, for example, if you are a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

I joined the Episcopal Church last month. May I apply to your Community today? 
No.  We require membership and activity in your local parish for at least one year before applying. 

I don't attend any church, but am an Episcopalian. Would I be accepted? 
Not immediately.  You would have to be active in your parish church for at least a year, and would have to have the recommendation of the priest in charge of the congregation. 

I am allergic to cats or dogs.  (Or, I  just don't like animals.) Could I join your Community anyway? 
No.  This would not be the right place for you. All the Sisters have direct and indirect care of various animals. 

Could I bring my dog (or cat, or bird, etc.) with me? 
Probably.  We will discuss this on an individual basis. 

What do you wear? 
We have a simple, brown habit.  We wear appropriate work clothes as needed, however. 

What kind of diet do you keep? 
We are primarily vegetarians, but we eat eggs and dairy products and some sea food. 

May I keep my own name? 
Yes. Sisters are called "Sister (Name)," but retain their complete secular name for work and legal purposes. 

Do we share our income? 
Before profession, members must maintain their own bank account and are responsible for their own medical insurance, car insurance, etc. After profession, there is a common account with other Community members. 

I have outstanding loans and debts. How are these dealt with? 
Loans and debts remain the reponsibility of the individual, and must be paid in full before profession.