When participating in digital worship, those in the household could impose ashes on each other during the appointed time in the liturgy. Congregations could provide ashes (traditionally made from burning last year’s palm branches), or households could make their own – even all-wood charcoal would work. For the sake of safety, the imposition of ashes should only take place with those in the household. The popularity of ashes-on-the-go highlights that Ash Wednesday can be commemorated outside the church building. Let me be clear here – I do not mean that the pandemic is punishment for sin, but rather that the spread of the pandemic has been aided by the sins of “neglect of human need and suffering” and “our lack of concern for those who come after us.” But the coronavirus is not only a reminder of mortality but also the result of sins. Some may argue that a specific day or season is not necessary since signs of impending death are all around us as the pandemic continues to claim thousands of lives and impacts millions more. These ashes are at the very beginning (“dust” in Genesis 3:19) and connect each of us to all of creation and to our own mortality.Īsh Wednesday reflection has taken on new meaning because of the coronavirus. Ashes appear throughout the Hebrew Bible as a sign of mourning and repentance, but Isaiah reminds us that such practices point to the larger call for justice (Isa. During the season of Lent, we all become a “penitent” with ashes on the forehead, looking toward to the cross as a sign of God’s reconciliation with all creation (with the absolution on Maundy Thursday). Repentance is at the core of Christian living (the first of Luther’s 95 Theses). Our hope is that their perspectives will provide thinking points as you reflect and prepare worship in your context.

As congregations and worship leaders prepare for Ash Wednesday in this most challenging year, the ELCA Worship team offers this set of reflections by those serving the church as scholars, pastors, and bishops.

First imposition of ashes