Ashes to Go is returning to the Broadway in Houghton-le-Spring for the fourth year! This year Ash Wednesday falls in Half Term so we will be out offering the opportunity to be ‘ashed’ with a cross on the Broadway from 11am until 1pm in the centre of Houghton. The Parish Church will be open where all are invited to come and light a candle, pray, share a burden and ask for help to get closer to God at the beginning of Lent. Children and adults are welcome to come into church and find some space to be still.

On Ash Wednesday 14th February there will also be two services of Holy Communion – one at 10.00am and one at 7.00pm – all are welcome.

How will you get closer to God this Lent?

Here’s a video we made at a previous ‘Ashes to Go’ event:

Why Ash?

Life often gets messy and we end up hurting other people or ourselves.  We do and say things we regret or we don’t do things that we should have.  We all need the opportunity to acknowledge our sorrow for our mistakes, to say sorry and to be forgiven.

On Ash Wednesday, the Christian Church offers us that opportunity.  By taking time, even if it’s just a few moments, to seek forgiveness from God and our fellow human beings, we can begin to wipe the slate clean, have a fresh start.

The ash cross on our forehead is a symbol of our sorrow and our desire to be forgiven.

Ash Wednesday is a day full of hope, because each one of us can find a new start in the love and forgiveness of God.  Ash Wednesday is the start of the Christian journey towards Easter and the ultimate act of love: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

We welcome you to join us on this journey: you never know it might change your life.

May God bless you and all those whom you love,

St Michael and All Angels Church

The Church of England in Houghton-le-Spring

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you”                                                                                                                                     – James 4:8, The Bible