March 5th is Ash Wednesday

Services — in Thompson Memorial Chapel Main Sanctuary
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m., Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service
8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Catholic Mass for Ash Wednesday
Ashes will be distributed on Paresky Porch between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, a penitential period where Christians engage in a variety of spiritual practices to foster reflection, confession, repentance, and fasting. After this 40 day period, most Christians, participate in community worship and spiritual practices that reflect on the events leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday). 

The Ash Wednesday service allows us to hold space for reflection on our mortality. In this service, ashes are imposed on the forehead of the participant with the words; remember, from ashes, you have come, and to ashes, you will return. This is not a morbid reflection but one that helps us value life. This reflection helps us appreciate that life is precious and hopefully full of love, meaning, and purpose.  All are welcome to these services as part of your religious observance or for personal reflection.