Ash Wednesday – 18th February 2026

We will mark the start of Lent with a service in each church with hymns and “the imposition of ashes”. This is the sign of the cross marked on our foreheads in ash, a symbol of mortality and repentance. (Our ash is just ash and water (no oil) so easy to brush off when dry.)

10.00am at St Michael’s Baddesley Clinton

2.00pm at St Giles, Packwood

7.30pm at St Mary’s Lapworth

For Lent, in the churches we will be following the CofE’s programme “Draw Near: Life giving habits for Lent”. There are three strands to this:

1) We will be distributing CofE booklets which invite us to develop a rhythm of life that will support our growth as disciples of Christ. For each day of Lent the booklet offers Bible readings, short reflections, prayers and practical responses.

2) We invite people to join a WhatsApp group to share reactions (be they profound or light-hearted!) to the daily reflections. To join the WhatsApp Group download the QR code at the top of the page and scan using your WhatsApp camera. Alternatively contact Elizabeth Claydon on 07301 232179 or [email protected]) and ask to be added to the group. Please remember that when you join a group your phone number becomes visible to the other members.

3) As usual there will be the Lenten opportunity to say Compline together in St Mary’s church at on five Wednesday evenings in Lent (25th Feb and all four Wednesdays in March). This year the services will be at 7pm. Compline (also known as Night Prayer) is a quiet 15 minute service of psalms, readings and said responses suitable for the night time. Each service will include a brief “Draw Near” reflection.