Day 1: Ash Wednesday

Instead of one of us taking on the daunting task of reflecting about Ash Wednesday, we thought we'd share how we experienced services around the world today. And in the spirit of being twenty-somethings, there are a few selfies!

It's a beautiful reminder of how millions of our brothers and sisters in Christ are worshipping alongside us throughout the Anglican Communion.

"I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." 

-Book of Common Prayer, page 265

{Sara Lowery, Katie Webb, & Will Bryant at St. John's Cathedral, Hong Kong}

{The students of Holy Cross School praying in Grahamstown, South Africa.}

{Becky Gleason attended services Iglesia Episcopal Espiritu Santo in Tela, Honduras}

"We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven." 

-Book of Common Prayer, page 267

{Margaret Clinch attended services at Holy Innocents, Baguio, Philippines}

{Charlotte File hiked a half hour in the snow to learn services were cancelled.}

{A small, quiet service was held for the staff of the Diocese of Santiago, Philippines}

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me now away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit."

 -Psalm 51:11-13

{Claire Harkey with friends in San Pedro Sula, Honduras}

{Filipino students of St. Mark's preschool proudly sported their ashes.}

{Maurice Dyer worshipped with students in Grahamstown, South Africa}

"Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding, and hearken to the voice of his word. Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will. Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul." 

-Psalm 103:20-22

{Heidi Galagan attended a service in Dodoma, Tanzania.}

{St. Andrew's, Kiyosoto, Japan cancelled services due to deep snow.}

{Rachel Carter and Principal of Instituto San Cristobal Episcopal, where 

Rachel teaches attended a service in Panama City, Panama}

"Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

{The Cathedral for the Episcopal Diocese of Santiago in the Philippines}

{Students of Holy Cross School in Grahamstown, South Africa receiving their ashes}

{Episcopal Church in San Pedro Sula, Honduras}

“So as you enter Lent, consider how you will live in solidarity with those who are hungry, or broken, or ill in one way or another,” 

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said in her Lent Message 2014

{Ashley Cameron received her ashes at St. Augustine in the Valley Cathedral, Santiago, Philippines.}

{Honduran students receiving ashes at Iglesia Espiritu Santo in Tela, Honduras}

"Almighty God, you have created me out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to me a sign of my mortality and penitence, that I may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen"

-Book of Common Prayer, page 264

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