Ash Wednesday Service

for 1 hour
Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian's
Nine Mile Ride Wokingham, RG40 3AT, United Kingdom

Welcome to our Ash Wednesday Service at St Sebastian’s.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day or start of the season of Lent. Officially named “Day of Ashes,” Ash Wednesday always falls 40 days before Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, giving up of sinful habits, and spiritual discipline.

During the service, ash is distributed by lightly rubbing the shape of a cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The tradition of tracing a cross on the forehead is meant to identify the faithful with Jesus Christ.

This service is a time join our community in singing, reading and hearing the Word of God.

Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian's


St Sebastian’s Church, Wokingham

A Beacon of Christ, Loving God and Serving Others

Welcome - Come and join us at a service! 

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Get in touch

Reverend Rickey Simpson-Gray

C/o Kirsty Milam
Office Manager

St Sebastian's Parish Centre
Nine Mile Ride
Wokingham
Berkshire

RG40 3AT
Vicar
01344 761050

Our website

What's on

Ash Wednesday Service

for 1 hour
Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian's
Nine Mile Ride Wokingham, RG40 3AT, United Kingdom

Welcome to our Ash Wednesday Service at St Sebastian’s.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day or start of the season of Lent. Officially named “Day of Ashes,” Ash Wednesday always falls 40 days before Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, giving up of sinful habits, and spiritual discipline.

During the service, ash is distributed by lightly rubbing the shape of a cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The tradition of tracing a cross on the forehead is meant to identify the faithful with Jesus Christ.

This service is a time join our community in singing, reading and hearing the Word of God.

Our Parish

Safeguarding

Our Parish is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO (Helen Thompson, contact details are below) or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (full contact details at the bottom of this page).

If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services.

Every year the Parochial Church Council (PCC) agrees the Parish Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statement, displaying a copy in parish buildings and forwarding a copy to the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer for their records. This Policy was last reviewed on 16th July 2025 and can be viewed in full on our website.

Parish Safeguarding Representatives Contacts

REVEREND RICKEY SIMPSON-GRAY
Parish Vicar
[email protected]
0118 214 7348

HELEN THOMPSON
Lead Parish Safeguarding Officer
[email protected]
07710 588711

MARK LEE
Deputy Parish Safeguarding Officer
[email protected]


SUMAN SHRESTHA
Children’s Advocate
[email protected]

CHARLOTTE WILMSHURST
Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser (Berkshire)

[email protected]
07443 700159
OR
[email protected]
01865 208295

Local Authority Social Services:
I
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL SAFEGUARDING ADULT PARTNERSHIP (ADULTS)
[email protected]
0118 974 6371

EMERGENCY DUTY TEAM (OUT OF HOURS)
01344 786543 (children)
[email protected]

EMERGENCY DUTY TEAM (OUT OF HOURS)
01344 351999

II
BRACKNELL FOREST COUNCIL SAFEGUARDING (ADULTS)
[email protected]
01344 351500

CHILDREN
[email protected]
01344 352005

EMERGENCY DUTY TEAM (OUT OF HOURS)
01344 351999

Thames Valley Police 0845 8505 505

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Parish of Wokingham St Sebastian's Charity No. 1139933