Ash Wednesday - LONG Day

So a couple of months ago Father John said in a staff meeting, "We still need to figure out who's going to preach for Ash Wednesday?"

Being me I raised my hand and said, "I'll do it."

Once this was on the books I told my parents they should come out and hear me preach for Ash Wednesday which they did. I also got to show them where I live, the beautiful Church of the Resurrection, the hard-working Latino Center of the Midlands, and my parish placement the friendly St. Andrew's.

We (my Mom, my Dad, and myself) visited the Durham museum which was a lot of fun.

However I did not realize that I would be preaching FOUR times until maybe a month before Ash Wednesday. 7AM, 9:30AM, Noon, and 7PM. That is a LOT of preaching. Thankfully I only wrote one sermon and re-used it for all four services. I can't imagine trying to create something in the moment four times in one day. It was a long day and next time before I volunteer I'm going to ask some questions.

I was impressed at how many people dropped what they were doing and attended an Ash Wednesday service. St. Andrew's had a pretty big turn out (don't have the final numbers) but it was inspiring. I think we had a few people who weren't St. Andrew's "regulars" but I loved that. I like the idea of people worshipping in the place and space they are in. You gotta go to a church that is close to where you work. You gotta go to a different church if you are a business traveler and out of town. I say do it! Make the time and space to worship. For everyone that did I want to say thank you. I am so grateful for the wonderful people who to come church. They aren't perfect and I don't expect them to be but things wouldn't be the same without them.

I hope that everyone who got to experience Ash Wednesday enjoyed it. For those who didn't maybe next year. For those of you who have jobs that prevent you from paticipating I hope you find a way to observe it outside the four walls of your local church.