Friday, March 1, 2019

Fasting from hurry and worry: A unique Ash Wednesday service


People of all faiths and spiritual perspectives are invited to a gathering of contemplation and restoration; a time to journey into your own heart to find your quiet center, as Raymond Village Community Church (UCC) holds its annual Ash Wednesday “Indoor Pilgrimage” on Wednesday, March 6, at 7 p.m. 

“This service will be meaningful to people of all spiritual perspectives, from the most devout church-goer to agnostics and even atheists”, says RVCC Pastor Rev. Nancy Foran.

“We live in a time of great troubles and bother and live our lives at a breakneck pace.  We are all stressed and worry deeply about the future, losing perspective on those things that are most important to us.”, says Rev. Foran.  “Let’s use the rituals of Lent – quiet contemplation and meditation, confession, and reconciliation - to better help us find our way through these challenges.  Let’s find a way to fast from our worries.”

Using the ancient concept of the processional, participants will move from place-to-place within the Church.  The service will immerse people in sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells as they help spread candlelight throughout the church, drop stones in a clanging bowl to symbolically release their burdens, sing while moving from place to place, and – if they wish to -experiencing ashes and Communion.  There will also be readings and time for quiet meditation at each location.

Those who are not able to process around the church will have the contents of each location brought to them.  The service will last from 45 minutes to an hour.

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



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