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[Episcopal News Service] Churches across The Episcopal Church marked Ash Wednesday with services and the imposition of ashes in churches, parks, online, on city streets and other locations. Some churches and clergy offered “Ashes to Go,” in which ashes are available for people on-the-go to receive in various locations beyond church buildings. The practice of placing ashes – made from burning the prior year’s Palm Sunday fronds – in the sign of the cross on the foreheads of worshippers is to remind them of their mortality and serves as a mark of penitence. It also gives the day its name. The Book of Common Prayer makes the imposition of ashes optional, although most Episcopal churches offer it. The ashes are imposed with the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period in which Christians engage in penitence and often acts of self-denial, including fasting, suggested by Christ’s 40 days in the desert. Among the earliest Christians, it was the time when people who wanted to join the church were prepared for Baptism, which would take place at Easter. Here are some places across The Episcopal Church where Ash Wednesday was observed, as noted on social media. St. Paul’s Within the Walls in Rome offered a service online. Puerto Rico Bishop Rafael Morales and other clergy of the Diocese of Puerto Rico took ashes to drivers and pedestrians on the streets of Rio Piedras. Clergy from St. John’s, Tallahassee, Florida, offered ashes at the State Capitol, also in Tallahassee.   View on Threads   New York Bishop Matthew Hyde imposes ashes at New York City’s Grand Central Station. A variety of other churches also offered Ashes to Go in their communities. — Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has released a seminar report entitled Indigenous Spiritualities, Land Rights, and Climate Justice. Edited by Lori Ransom, WCC indigenous peoples consultant, the report serves as a platform for the clear, urgent, and much-needed voices of Indigenous peoples to expose the climate catastrophe through which we are living.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="" class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-03/crc-news_2025-3-5_day-of-prayer-12.jpg?itok=UUgpI4UJ" /> </div> </div> </article> <br /> Synod has designated the second Wednesday in March as the denomination’s Annual Day of Prayer. Join us.

In her National Affirming/PIE Day message, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne highlights the incredible affirming work happening across the United Church.

Legacy Black United Methodist churches embrace traditions and innovative new ministries to serve their congregations and communities.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="" class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-03/crc-news_2025-3-5_planting-hope-in-syria.jpg?itok=Q4c47FjW" /> </div> </div> <div class="field field-image-credit">worldrenew.ca</div> </article> <br /> The United Nations estimated, as of May 2024, that 16.7 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across Syria.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="Sebastian Maldonado shares with participants during a retreat focused on being a multicultural church." class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-03/crc-news_2025-3-5_intercultural-church-journey.jpg?itok=0r9HkBs4" /> </div> <div class="field field-image-caption">Sebastian Maldonado shares with participants during a retreat focused on being a multicultural church.</div> </div> <div class="field field-image-credit">Victoria Veenstra</div> </article> <br /> Members of nine congregations gathered to share stories and hear different approaches for walking the journey of interculturalism well.

<article class="media media--image display--large"> <div class="image-container"> <div class="field field-media-image"> <img loading="eager" width="430" height="323" alt="Forty-six pastors’ wives from across North America gathered in Niagara Falls, Ont., for a time of reflection, connection, and rejuvenation." class="lazyload" data-src="/sites/default/files/styles/default_mobile/public/2025-03/crc-news_2025-3-5_pastors-wives-gathering.jpg?itok=Nuy9bPCj" /> </div> <div class="field field-image-caption">Forty-six pastors’ wives from across North America gathered in Niagara Falls, Ont., for a time of reflection, connection, and rejuvenation.</div> </div> </article> <br /> Against the backdrop of Niagara Falls, pastors’ wives met for an uplifting time of encouragement.

“Words are not enough. We call on church members to continue to pray and act for peace. We urge church members to share their concerns for human rights, international law, and a just peace in the Middle East with their elected leaders and with those seeking public office. We call on member churches, church constituents and all Canadians to amplify the calls of churches, faith leaders, civil society organizations and partners in the region for just peace, human dignity and international law, with strength and with urgency.”

The post Ecumenical statement in solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli partners appeared first on The Anglican Church of Canada.

[Anglican Taonga] The 2025 Anglican Missions’ Lenten Appeal offers Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia donors a chance to support climate resilience in the Solomon Islands – notably on the climate change-affected Pacific atoll of Ontong Java – and the humanitarian work of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East in Gaza and the West Bank. This year Anglican Missions’ Pacific project for the Lenten Appeal works through the Anglican Church of Melanesia to help residents of Ontong Java build resilience to the impacts of climate change, so that their communities not only survive, but thrive. Anglican Missions is working on this project linked to a New Zealand government aid allocation, which will maximize donations by matching every $1 New Zealand donated to the Ontong Java project with another $5. With Gaza’s ceasefire holding, more people are seeking help from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem’s Al Ahli Hospital, as they return to the devastation of their former neighborhoods in northern Gaza. The Anglican-run Al Ahli hospital offers shelter and support for people in need of medical care, with triage tents set up in its courtyard to receive the those arriving back. Chronic illnesses are a serious concern with Gazan people’s conditions going untreated during the months of bombing attacks, leading to severe consequences — for example, amputations of limbs due to lack of diabetes treatment. Al Ahli Hospital’s ability to respond has now increased with the ceasefire in Gaza, enabling the hospital to get fuel and supplies so that staff can offer healthcare to more than 600 outpatients a day. The hospital has also begun to repair some of its damaged infrastructure. This year the Anglican Missions’ Lenten Appeal supports the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East’s work in Gaza and in the West Bank to provide emergency health services and rehabilitation; education services, including psychosocial support to children facing trauma; and emergency support to affected communities.