Do I have to receive the ashes to attend an Ash Wednesday service?

No. You are welcome to attend and simply take part or watch quietly. To find a real, welcoming Ash Wednesday service near you, use the free church finder at living-bread.org/find-a-church.

The start of Lent

Ash Wednesday services: dust, mercy, and a new beginning

Q: What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, when Christians remember they are mortal and turn back to God. In many services ashes are marked on the forehead as a sign of humility and repentance, and it is a day centred on the mercy of God.

Ash Wednesday opens Lent, the season of turning back to God before Easter. It is an honest, humble day that faces our mortality gently, and answers it with the mercy of God.

Ash Wednesday begins Lent, a day when Christians remember they are mortal and turn back to God. In many services ashes are marked on the forehead with the words that we are dust and to dust return. It is a humble, honest day of repentance and mercy, and all are welcome.

Why the ashes

In many Ash Wednesday services a cross of ashes is marked on the forehead, with words drawn from Scripture: that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. It sounds solemn, and it is, but it is not despairing. Naming that our lives are short and fragile clears the way to receive mercy, and to begin again. You do not have to receive the ashes to attend; you can simply come and be welcomed.

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
Genesis 3:19 · King James Version

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.”
Joel 2:13 · King James Version

Mercy at the start of the road

Ash Wednesday is not about shame. It is about honesty, and the God who meets honest hearts with kindness. Whatever you are carrying, this day says you can lay it down and turn toward home, and be met with grace.

Merciful God, I am dust, and my days are short, and I have not always lived as I meant to. Yet You are gracious and slow to anger. Create in me a clean heart, and lead me home through this season. Amen.

Find an Ash Wednesday service near you

When you are ready to be there in person, you can find an Ash Wednesday service near you. We do not list service times here, because they change every year and from one place to the next. Instead we point you to real churches close to where you are, so you can go and see for yourself.

Find a church near you

Every church shown is a real place you can visit. Check the church’s own page, or call ahead, for this year’s service times.

Keep exploring: Lent in the church year · the Christian calendar · find a church · the gospel · ask for prayer