How does a church in a Diocese that is not holding in-person worship ensure its members can celebrate Ash Wednesday? By facilitating a DIY Ash Wednesday that everyone can do safer at home.
Our priest has promised that a little dab is all we need.
DIY Ash Wednesday
I’ve shared that the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia has taken a cautious approach to worship during the covid-19 pandemic. While we were allowed to hold outdoor worship services this summer–and even shared in the “bread” part of Holy Communion–we’ve returned to our virtual services since the weather got cold and the caseload surged. I don’t mind not being able to partake of bread and wine during our Holy Communion service, but I’m glad we don’t have to miss out on our Ash Wednesday ashes.
Even professionally imposed ashes look smudgy!
Ash Wednesday is my favorite day in the church calendar. It may seem odd that such a solemn, penitent day is my favorite, but I find reassurance in the readings and prayers that remind me that God’s love and grace are as inevitable as my shortcomings and mortality. While the Ash Wednesday readings remind us of our sinful nature and call us to repentance, they also include promises of God’s steadfast love and forgiveness. The reassurance of Ash Wednesday is that God loves our perfeclty imperfect selves.
Even the ashes have a double meaning:
Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life.
I won’t be totally on my own for this DIY Ash Wednesday. A member of our Worship Committee dropped off a portion of pre-made, pre-blessed ashes along with a worship bulletin. I plan to join our Ash Wednesday service on Zoom at noon, so I will follow along and impose my ashes at the appropriate time.
As for my Lenten practice, I am again taking inspiration from Isaiah 58:6-7:
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
After everything that happened in 2020, working against injustice and helping those less fortunate seem even more important than ever. There is so much need, it can be overwhelming, but during his recent Black History Month run, Chase Tucker talked about healing the societal wounds that you see. I don’t need to address all the world’s problems, but maybe it is my responsibility to address the ones that weigh most heavily on my heart.
Is your worship still impacted by the pandemic?
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My church is doing a “drive-by” Ash Wednesday service from 12-1, but I’m not able to attend due to work meetings. I’m still planning on giving up something for Lent, even if I can’t get my ashes today.
I’m not sure why my church didn’t that — I guess even that much contact was too much?
Your church is doing things the right way! My coworker got covid (very scary but he’s okay and none of the rest of us got it) and it spread from his church- a lot of people got sick.
Enjoy the day- sounds like it has a lot of special meaning for you.
Our church members are so vulnerable I think 2/3 have been vaccinated already (due to age or living in a care facility).
This is interesting, Coco, as I am not familiar with the tradition of Ash Wednesday.
My church meetings are still on Zoom and probably will be for the rest of the year. The good thing about that is that we can still join our local congregation in Switzerland despite being in South Africa.
Will you be giving up something for Lent?
I have older posts explaining it more. Most people think only Catholics observe Ash Wednesday but Episcopalians (and others do to). It marks the start of Lent and the ashes are a reminder of our mortality and dependence on God for life.
I usually focus more on doing something rather than giving up something — although I’ve given up meat before, and have stayed mostly pescetarian since last year.
“I don’t need to address all the world’s problems, but maybe it is my responsibility to address the ones that weigh most heavily on my heart.” – I love this sentiment! There is so much need – it is important to start where you are.
It’s funny how encouragement to “think small” can be empowering.
I love that your church is so creative and proactive. This sounds like a great alternative to an in-person Ash Wednesday service.
They also gave us the microwave pancake cups for a shrove Tuesday pancake dinner — so creative!
Totally agree re: the personal “wounds”
Mom & Bob got QTip ashes at a drive in where they were instructed to crack the window an inch and face to the side. None of that is ideal but if we’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s make do
Yes, if anything, the pandemic has taught us to adapt.