Members of the Lighthouse Churches — Thornton Heights, Peoples, and the CEUMC — gathered at our church on Ash Wednesday for a meal, worship, prayers, and the imposition of ashes. The evening was led by the Rev. Kathleen Decker-Szakas, the Rev. Tom Frey of Peoples UMC, and the Rev. Gwyneth Arrison of Thornton Heights UMC. A combined choir of the three churches was led by CEUMC Choir Director Faith York.

Following the supper there were break-out groups to openly discuss Lent and what and what the six weeks leading to Easter means to each of us. Those thoughts and prayers were written on slips of paper which were rolled into small cylinders during worship. The three ministers then lighted each paper cylinder one by one and watched as the prayers turned to ash and floated upward as offerings to God.

Thank you to everyone who brought soups, salads, breads, and desserts to this evening of close fellowship.

A second Lenten gathering of the three churches will be held at our church on Wednesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. with a simple supper.