Lent has begun!

by Marjorie Hascall

ASH WEDNESDAY

FEBRUARY 18.2015

As I have done yearly since retiring I attended the 7:30 a.m. Ash Wednesday Service.  It had been advertised as an Ecumenical Service, including our BishopRob, and a Lutheran bishop and clergy representing other Christian Denominations.  This left me a bit unsure of what the service would be like. 

When I entered the church, there were clergy bustling about, obviously making final preparations, and the service bulletin contained the entire service.  In fact I did not open my Prayer Book at all. 

The procession of clergy and Bishops was inspiring.  You do not often see that number of clergy participating in a service.  The service itself was from the Book of Common Prayer, and was typical for Ash Wednesday except for those participating.  In fact I found the service more meaningful then in the past.  It had been raised above the simple service of Imposition of Ashes and the Holy Eucharist. 

Respecting those in the congregation who were not Episcopalians and not accustomed to kneeling at the Altar Rail we were directed to one of several stations to receive ashes.  At the Eucharist elements were available for both Episcopalians and for those who usually received grape juice rather then wine, again at several stations around the Nave.

All this somehow made this service special, and I would hope that it could be continued in the future.  Lent has arrived.

Pictured L to R are The Rev. Dr. James Hazelwood, bishop of the New England Synod (ELCA), Ms. Clare Chapman, the Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, the Rev. Kate Atkinson, the Rev. Gary Schulte. Duncan MacIntyre (acolyte), the Rev. Jonathan Hopkins, and the Rev. David Abbott.