Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday services
Today is the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday and we are offering three ways of participating in the traditional 'ashing' service this year.
4.00pm - A Service for Children and Families on Zoom
Contact dan.tyndall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk for Zoom details
7.30pm - A Service with Hymns and Reflections on Zoom
Contact dan.tyndall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk for Zoom details
Prayers for Ash Wednesday to use at home
Acknowledging that not everyone who has access to these email newsletters is able to join us on Zoom, you can download an Order of Service here to use at home on your own or with others.
The sign of the cross
For all these services you will be encouraged to mark on your forehead the sign of the cross. Traditionally this is done in ash which you can create by burning a match (wait till it cools though before using it!) or get from the grate if you have an open fire. Other options are make-up, face-paints, dust from behind the radiator or dirt from the plant pots. If none of those are available, then a simple finger or thumb will suffice to make the mark of the cross at the appropriate moment.
A sign and a symbol
The sign of the cross is both a reminder of our mortality and a symbol of our intention to, once again, turn to Christ and to rest in the love of God that knows no bounds and no boundaries; that longs to reach out to gay and straight, black and white, poor and rich, to embrace those with different understandings, expectations and experiences of life; that welcomes the lost, that nurtures the wounded, that heals the broken.
Lenten resolves
Finally, the whole of 2020 has had a Lenten feel to it, so, if you're wondering how to mark this season, can I suggest that we set aside the tradition of giving up something that is helping us through this pandemic and thus refrain from 'beating ourselves up for being failures'. Instead, may I suggest focussing on being kinder to ourselves, intentionally, and thus being kinder to one another - that's my Lenten resolve this year.
School of Prayer
Don't forget the School of Prayer which is part of our Lent programme this year - you can read more that here.
With my kinder wishes for Ash Wednesday and for this season of Lent,
Dan
Canon D F Tyndall
Vicar, St Mary Redcliffe
