St. Mary's Episcopal Church Kinston

For centuries, Christians have prepared for the great celebration of Easter, Christ's Resurrection, through an intentional season of penitence and fasting called Lent.  This season begins with Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023.

The opening words of the Ash Wednesday liturgy are helpful in conveying the purpose and significance of the season of Lent, leading up to Easter.  The officiant says:

"Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading  and meditating on God's holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer."  (Book of Common Prayer, 264-265)

St. Mary’s will offer online and in-person Ash Wednesday liturgies at the following times:

• 7am in the All Saints' Chapel at St. Mary's
• 7pm in the Nave at St. Mary's (This service is also livestreamed at www.youtube.com/stmaryskinston) 

Please note that the imposition of ashes is an optional part of the Ash Wednesday liturgy. At our in-person liturgies, the Officiant will offer ashes. For those worshiping online, all are welcome to pick up a small container of ashes to be used within the context of the online liturgy. Containers may be picked up from the church after the liturgy on Sunday, February 19th, or on Monday or Tuesday during office hours.