Dear friends,

Believe it or not, Lent is just around the corner.  Ash Wednesday is February 17, only a few weeks away.  The staff and I have been hard at work planning for the start of the Lenten season and how we can mark this important time in the Church year even in the midst of the pandemic.  I hope you will take part in our Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday offerings:

Shrove Tuesday:  donuts and beads to go!

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras (“Fat Tuesday”), is the last day before Lent starts.  In days past, families would prepare for Lenten fasting by using up the last of the oils and fat in their houses, often by making pancakes.  At St. Andrew’s, we usually offer a festive pancake supper at the church on Shrove Tuesday.  In lieu of the pancake supper, this year we will be offering donuts and beads to go.  From 3 to 5 PM on Tuesday, February 16, we will be distributing donuts and Mardi Gras beads at the Main Street entrance to the church.  Please come by to say hello and to pick up your Mardi Gras treats.  We are inviting our Hilton neighbors to drop by, too. 

Ash Wednesday:  ashes coming your way; pick up communion in advance

Did you know that the imposition of ashes—the marking of the forehead with ashes—does not need to be done by a clergy person?  Because of the pandemic, we will be mailing a small package of ashes to each parish family so that you can mark yourselves and one another with ashes on Ash Wednesday.  I have already blessed those ashes using the prayer from the Ash Wednesday liturgy.  We will live stream our Ash Wednesday service at 11 AM on Ash Wednesday, February 17 and then post it on Facebook for those unable to attend the live virtual service.  As you participate in the service, either live at 11 or by watching later in the day, you can conduct the imposition of ashes at home.  The Ash Wednesday service includes Holy Eucharist.  You can pick up your communion kits for Ash Wednesday at the River Road door on Sunday, February 14 or make arrangements for another time by calling Bill Wilds on his cell phone (880-5460) by Tuesday, Feb 16.

Lenten calendar

John and I have once again purchased Lenten calendars as a gift for the congregation.  The calendar will be mailed to you along with the ashes for Ash Wednesday.  I hope you find it a helpful tool for your Lenten journey.

Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and Lent are all going to look different this year because of Covid.  But God is still at work in our lives and in our world, inviting us as always to seek and find him in our midst.  I look forward to entering this next season of our Church year together, enjoying the silly fun of Mardi Gras and then taking the sobering yet life-giving plunge into Lent.  I am so grateful to be part of this community of faith with each of you.  May God bless our ongoing journey together, in this and every season. 

– Anne+