Lent 2026 and Family Ash Wednesday
We will offer three Ash Wednesday services to mark our movement into the observance of a Holy lent. As we have normally done, we will have our 7am and 12 noon Ash Wednesday services, 7am being simpler and 12 noon with music offered by our parish choir.
In the past we have had a 7pm service. This year, as we did last year, we will instead be offering a 5:30pm Ash Wednesday service designed especially for families and children. It will be simpler with Mary Rocap offering music, and will include reflections on the meaning of Lent and the meaning of the ash cross imposed on our foreheads.
Everyone is welcome at all the services and all services will include the imposition of ashes and Holy Eucharist.
We will have a special Intergenerational Lent Program called Sacred Pathways, where we invite everyone into the fundamentals of Lent, as spelled out in our Book of Common Prayer: prayer, fasting and alms giving. There are three special gatherings planned, each around one of these themes:
March 1st. 9:15 am- Village Church- 9:15 am. Prayer- this service will kickstart our Lenten program and outline the tenants of Lent. We will be led on a Labyrinth walk by our Deacon, Kate.
March 8th. 5:00-7:00 pm- Fasting- We will look at this tenant through the lens of creating space for activities or practices that bring us closer to God. This is not a focus on what foods to give up during Lent.
March 15th. 5:00-7:00 pm- Alms Giving- This gathering will be centered around art and creativity. We will make prints or cards to give to someone who could use a token of care and love.
Aside from the Village Church service, these gatherings will be on Sunday evenings from 5:00-7:00pm. We will have a potluck style dinner with the main/protein being provided; everyone is invited to bring a side to share. Please plan on attending, this feels like an incredible opportunity for connection and community.