We begin the penitential season of Lent with Ash Wednesday. On Ash Wednesday 18th February will we have two services: a Holy Communion Service at St. Mary's, Orlestone @ 12 noon, and a Service of the Word at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Hamstreet @ 7.30pm. At both services we will have the Imposition of Ashes - the marking on the forehead with a cross made from the burnt palms from last Palm Sunday, mixed with water. The use of ash as an outward sign of repentance and conversion from sin originates from Jewish rituals recorded in the Old Testament.

To find out more about Lent, click on the dedicated page.