Friday, February 9, 2018

Ash Wednesday Service to provide an “Indoor Pilgrimage” experience


Raymond Village Community Church (RVCC) invites everyone in the area to participate in an “Indoor Pilgrimage” during the Church’s annual Ash Wednesday Service, held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14 at the Church, 27 Main St., Raymond.  The service will last from 45 minutes to an hour.


Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, the journey of preparation for Easter. During this service participants will move as a group from place to place within the Church, gathering the tools they will need for their Lenten journey.  

“A physical pilgrimage - even around the Church - enables a richer understanding of the meaning and significance of Ash Wednesday, a step toward making Lent and the entire Easter season a richer and more powerful experience.” says RVCC Pastor Nancy Foran.

The “tools” participants will experience include Prayer – for a stronger connection to God, Light - to see them through times of darkness, Scripture – providing the guidepost, Reflection and Forgiveness – to lighten the load, Ashes – to be reminded of one’s own mortality, and Communion – for nourishment on the journey. 

Says Pastor Foran, “This service immerses people in sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells as they help spread candlelight throughout the church, drop stones in a clanging bowl symbolically releasing their burdens, sing while moving from place to place, and experience Communion; all enhanced by the scent of burning incense.  There will also be readings and time for quiet meditation at each location.”

Those who are not able to process with the group will have the contents of each location brought to them. 

For further information, email Rev. Foran at nancy1@maine.rr.com, or call the Church at 655-7749.

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