An Unexpected Lent

One week ago we entered the season of Lent with an Ash Wednesday service. Many Christians use this time to reflect, repent and develop spiritual disciplines to prepare for Easter. Most services emphasize our own sinfulness and mortality. If you have attended Ash Wednesday services in the past you may have had ashes in the form of a cross placed on your forehead while the following words of scripture were recited (Gen. 3:19), “you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ash Wednesday represents the place where we come before God to recognize our humanity remembering who we are AND who we are called to be. [paraphrased from umc.org]

If you were with us in worship last Wednesday, you may have noticed that the service did not meet some of our expectations. The service started with the traditional things: a greeting and call to worship followed by all singing together “Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior.” Scripture was read from the book of Isaiah (chapter 58, verses 1-12) 

As we entered the part of the service titled Invitation to the Observance of Lent, Pastor Brian announced that we would not be receiving ashes this time. Instead, we were asked to think about unexpected and new ways we can “mark” ourselves as Christians.

We were invited to move through the Sanctuary to light candles for prayer and take a stone from the baptismal font to remind us of our own baptism. And, we were encouraged to stop at the table in front to build hygiene kits for our unhoused neighbors.

Maria, who attended, had this to say, “At first announcement by our pastor, I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the thought of not being marked with the ashes. But through the service, and through the compiling of the hygiene kits, I understood it. We can wear the mark of the ash cross, announcing to all who look, that we’re Christians.” She added that, “We’re called to love all, care for our neighbor, treat our enemies as friends, clothe and feed and shelter those that need it.” Maria then went on to say, “I don’t want to pretend that by going to a one hour service and being marked with ashes, that I am somehow better or holier or more just than those with the unmarked forehead. This lent, I think I really just want to work on just being a better Christian.”

The practice of losing our expectations will continue this season through our worship series, “Blueprints for Lent.” We will continue to have time during worship to put together more hygiene kits and grab one or two that we can offer to our neighbors with a need for one. We will continue to have the baptismal font available for you to remember who you are and whose you are. Prayer candles can always be lit for ourselves or our loved ones. We will have the opportunity to reflect on some of the original blueprints of Broadway United Methodist Church and Linda Muilenberg's "Stations of the Cross” artwork that hangs along the walls of the Sanctuary. And if a Lenten practice you are adopting includes giving more, we will accept the items listed below to complete more kits. You are welcome to leave individual items on the table in the labeled location or you can bring in completed kits, making sure to keep at least one for yourself to pass on.

We were genuinely touched when, following last Sunday’s worship, we were able to put a couple of kits into someone’s hands for their benefit. 

2026 Lenten Hygiene Kit Shopping List

• 1 Gallon Ziploc Bags
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Tissue Pack (travel size)
• Hand Soap
• Hand Sanitizer (travel size)
• Wet Wipes
• Shampoo (travel size)