Ash - Pastor's Pen for 22nd February 2026

Cityscape from Forrest Hill

Having been tempted to follow the path of self-determination rather than God-following, the proto-humans we meet in the early chapters of Genesis experience what we now call the Fall, a departure from grace. Following their giant screw-up, God subsequently prescribes a more difficult path for them than what might have been; "By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat, until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19 NLT)

The ash placed on the foreheads of worshipers in those church traditions which mark Ash Wednesday, recalls this dust, this mortal unmaking of our lives. Ash on the forehead is also symbolic of repentance, a turning from wrongdoing, in the biblical tradition. I've taken to worshiping with some local Anglicans on Ash Wednesday these last few years. Who knows? I may be bold enough to offer our own version once I get more used to it. Yet I can't lie, it's nice to experience some other minister having to go through the liturgy while I simply receive communion and some ash on my forehead. I certainly find it a helpful way to begin to journey through Lent and set my mind towards Easter.

Ex mega-church staffer Kathy Escobar writes; "I feel grateful for the simple and holy space of honouring the reality of my mortality, our mortality, and the humbling that creates...In so many ways, the world's culture always wants to skip this hard, dusty, gloomy part of human experience..." As the body of Christ we experience many joys, but also much sorrow and some unexpected challenges. Let us then journey together to Easter, setting aside distraction as we meditate on the cross and then what lies beyond it. Shalom