Ashing - 7.30pm Wed 18 Feb

As we start the season of Lent and seek to draw closer to God, let's put away all the things that separate us from God.

Join us at 7.30pm on Ash Wednesday 18 February to do that through a sevice of Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes.

Here is a poem to help you start reflecting on our need for repentance.

Thoughts for Ash Wednesday
by Lesley Pendlebury

The ashes sprinkled on us mark
grave sorrow for our sin
and tell us that from
dust we came.
And yet we know that
through our Lord
great joy
will come again.

These ashes once were embers
from the palms we waved
with praise and joy
at Passiontide.
So, put away Hosannas
now – it’s time to
fast and pray
in penitence.

For in the forty days ahead
we’ll contemplate
how prayer prepares the way
for shriven souls
and how the Prophet’s teachings
direct us now
to think
beyond ourselves.

This is a time to heed
Isaiah’s words
and fill our hearts with
justice
and compassion too.
“Undo the heavy burdens
Let the oppressed go free
Take in the outcast,
Share our bread,”
he said.

And through this mourning
time, we pray,
as levity
recedes,
that we may find
not just forgiveness
but the
Grace to love.

Holy Communion with Ashing is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18 February