Ash Wednesday and Lent
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty day season of preparation for Holy Week and Easter. On Ash Wednesday we recall our mortality by marking our foreheads with ashes. We trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads, saying "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." We celebrate Ash Wednesday liturgies at St. Gregory's at 7AM and 7PM and we celebrate Ash Wednesday liturgies on the streets throughout the day. Contact Sara.
Lent is a season of making space for new life and spiritual growth, as well as a season of preparation for Baptism. The three practices that Christians have traditionally found most helpful in making space for new life during Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (also known as acts of mercy or charity) Below are some resources to support you as you journey through Ash Wednesday and Lent towards Easter.
Lent is a season of making space for new life and spiritual growth, as well as a season of preparation for Baptism. The three practices that Christians have traditionally found most helpful in making space for new life during Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (also known as acts of mercy or charity) Below are some resources to support you as you journey through Ash Wednesday and Lent towards Easter.
|
|
A brief introduction to the journey of Lent and Holy Week for all ages by The Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia.
|
A 2 minute introduction to Ash Wednesday and Lent from Busted Halo
|
Share your Lenten Practice & Ask for Prayers
- Three major themes in Lent are 1) Repentance 2) Renewal 3) Community. Which of these three themes resonates most strongly for you? Where do you most feel a need for Repentance, Renewal, or Community in your own life?
- Traditionally, Christians have embraced three spiritual practices during Lent: 1) Prayer 2) Fasting 3) Giving. What practice might you commit to for the 40 days of Lent that might help move you towards the Repentance, Renewal, or Community you seek?
- Share your Lenten practice and ask for prayers on our Share Lent blog.
More Resources for Lent
Resources & Ideas from Episcopal Relief & Development
Resources & Ideas from SSJE (Society of St. John the Evangelist)
Resources & Ideas for Children, Youth, and Families from Building Faith
Meditations on The Way of the Cross for Parents
Pray throughout the day with Lenten Prayers from Daily Prayers for All Seasons
And on a lighter note...check out Lent Madness
Read City of God by Sara Miles
St. Gregory's Director of Ministry, Sara Miles, reflects on life and faith in light of Ash Wednesday, 2012, when she and a band of folks from St. Gregory's carried ashes into the streets of San Francisco. In crowded dollar stores, beauty shops, hospital waiting rooms, street corners and fast-food joints they shared the mystery of life and death with neighbors and strangers and friends: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Resources & Ideas from SSJE (Society of St. John the Evangelist)
Resources & Ideas for Children, Youth, and Families from Building Faith
Meditations on The Way of the Cross for Parents
Pray throughout the day with Lenten Prayers from Daily Prayers for All Seasons
And on a lighter note...check out Lent Madness
Read City of God by Sara Miles
St. Gregory's Director of Ministry, Sara Miles, reflects on life and faith in light of Ash Wednesday, 2012, when she and a band of folks from St. Gregory's carried ashes into the streets of San Francisco. In crowded dollar stores, beauty shops, hospital waiting rooms, street corners and fast-food joints they shared the mystery of life and death with neighbors and strangers and friends: "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."