A steady rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. High 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..
Alicia Platz of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä (left) receives ashes on her forehead, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from the Rev. Eric Miller of St. John’s Episcopal Church in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä during an Ash Wednesday celebration near Brawley Walkway and Capitol Street.
Robin Holstein, a lay minister for the former Diamond United Methodist Church, places ashes on her thumb before imposing them on the forehead of Laura Stanley (not pictured) of St. Albans in front of the City of Hope Fellowship during a drive-up distribution in Belle on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Marshall Valentine of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä smiles after receiving ashes on his forehead, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from the Rev. Eric Miller (not pictured) of St. John's Episcopal Church in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. Valentine took part in an Ash Wednesday celebration on Capitol Street in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Alicia Platz of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä (left) receives ashes on her forehead, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from the Rev. Eric Miller of St. John’s Episcopal Church in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä during an Ash Wednesday celebration near Brawley Walkway and Capitol Street.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
The Lenten season arrived Wednesday in the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä area with several Ash Wednesday services, including a drive-thru location in Belle and another ashes celebration on Capitol Street.
To many Christians, Ash Wednesday marks the arrival of Lent, the 40-day period of sacrifice and repentance before Easter, which falls on April 20 this year.
As part of the celebration, ashes are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross. Often the ashes are made from palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service, which occurs a week before Easter.
Robin Holstein, a lay minister for the former Diamond United Methodist Church, places ashes on her thumb before imposing them on the forehead of Laura Stanley (not pictured) of St. Albans in front of the City of Hope Fellowship during a drive-up distribution in Belle on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
Robin Holstein, a lay minister for the former Diamond United Methodist Church near Belle, prayed as she applied ashes to drive-thru parishioners in front of the City of Hope Fellowship in Belle around noon on Wednesday.
“It’s an opportunity for people who can’t get to church to start the Lenten season,†Holstein said.
Later on Wednesday, the Rev. Eric Miller of St. John’s Episcopal Church in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä marked the foreheads of any willing passersby on Capitol Street near Brawley Walkway in downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
Marshall Valentine of ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä smiles after receiving ashes on his forehead, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from the Rev. Eric Miller (not pictured) of St. John's Episcopal Church in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä. Valentine took part in an Ash Wednesday celebration on Capitol Street in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä.
CHRIS DORST | Gazette-Mail
Miller said he marked about 20 foreheads Wednesday.
The ashes, “remind us of our mortality and dependence on God,†Miller said. “It gets us ready for the season of Lent until Holy Week and Easter.â€
