Bishop of Whitby Paul Ferguson led a short but reflective service of Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes for the staff at the Diocesan Office in York today.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, six weeks of prayer and preparation to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Many Christian churches follow the tradition of inviting worshippers to be marked with a cross of ash on the forehead to symbolise both our mortality and our belonging to God; with the ashen cross comes a prayer and an encouragement to focus on following Jesus and letting go of so much else that can distract us.
Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen