Got Ashes?

[crispfin]

So it's Ash Wednesday. Who's gettin' ashy?

Seriously, anybody observe Ash Wednesday or have they ever? Anyone observe Lent? Anyone ever? If so, how did you observe it?

No agenda or Catholic outing, just wondering.

[Who new]

I'm Episcopalian. We do lent. I'm not going to though. Maybe I'll wear a purple t-shirt to the gym, or something. I don't find traditionalism an effective means of following after God, though, so there you have it. I've only done lent once since I became an Episcopalian in 1987.

[crispfin]

Maybe I'll wear a purple t-shirt to the gym, or something.

Is that a Lenten thing I'm unaware of?

[Pastor Bill]

Have done in the past (grew up Methodist) and the principles are OK, just a set time of corporate fasting basically.

I haven't done the Ash Wednesday thing, but I have a friend who was a Methodist Pastor, and he had done it and really likes the symbolism in it. (He is not a traditionalist by any means, and actually speaks in tongues, believes in healing and the other spiritual gifts, but also uses the symbolism in much of the traditional ceremonies to point out Christ.

If I had the chance, I'd love to be in that type of service with him, but we live about 6 hours apart.

[Who new]

[quote="crispfinagin"][quote]Maybe I'll wear a purple t-shirt to the gym, or something.[/quote]
Is that a Lenten thing I'm unaware of?[/quote]

It's a tedious, mournful time of repentance and fasting where things are draped in purple that's supposed symbolize, uh, penance, I guess. The church vestments go purple and the music gets depressing. It was presented as reminding us of bruising. Don't ask me how that's supposed to be like repentance. I'm a justification by faith man myself, and lent has the character of afflicting suffering on oneself for the sake of penance. Unlike Catholics, Anglicans have freer choices in how we choose to do these things. I'm a believer in casting your sins aside when you repent of them and turning your consciousness to something good rather then dwelling on it; not penance. But that's the story on purple. Not exactly putting myself out for it am I?

[forestwalker]

Seriously, anybody observe Ash Wednesday or have they ever? Anyone observe Lent? Anyone ever? If so, how did you observe it?

Lent doesn't start for 4 1/2 weeks yet.

[Who new]

"Lent doesn't start for 4 1/2 weeks yet"

True, but the purple e-mails started at the end of mardi gras.

[crispfin]

Lent doesn't start for 4 1/2 weeks yet.

Lest I forget our Eastern brethren . . . Ahem, Western Lent then.