How many Protestant denominations celebrate Ash Wednesday

  • Thread starter Thread starter jonpd
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jonpd

Guest
I was curious as to what other denominations celebrate the traditions of Ash Wednesday and the imposition of ashes. I know many Episcopal /Anglican churches do. How about the others, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc?
 
It is hard to imagine an Episcopal or other Anglican church that does not observe Ash Wednesday. Most “main line” Protestant churches have some kind of observance, if only as a calendar event announcing the beginning of Lent. Certainly Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists observe the same Christian year, though I don’t think that any of these practice the imposition of ashes as is done in Episcopal churches. I think Lutherans impose ashes as well.
 
I don’t know “how many”, but I can tell you that the Presbyterian church I used to attend did celebrate it.

I think that since Protestant churches are so decentralized, that it will vary from church to church, and not be something that can be quantified simply by denomination.
 
Driving to my church last night I noticed that the Presbyterian and Episcopal churches I passed had a service while the Methodist did not. I have to feel for members of those churches. There couldn’t have been more that a dozen cars in each lot. There were probably 50 to 60 cars in our lot and the church was 2/3 full and it was the 3rd service of the day. Our parish has its problems, but I’m sure it will be here 15 years from now, I couldn’t say the same about the mainline churches in town.
 
There were several hundred people gathered around Word and Sacrament at our Lutheran parish last night, who received the imposition of Ashes.

Grace and peace.
 
😃 So you are Santa Claus’ Brother? I have a strong affinity for the German word for “brother.” I can type it real quick, too.

Bruder Bruder Bruder and Bruder again.

Jus’ bein’ silly. 😃
 
We did and we also received the ashes. I cannot speak for other Methodist churches
 
Hah! That was great.

St. Buder Klaus is the patron saint of my family’s ancestral home in Sachseln, Switzerland. Interesting fellow. While I am very fond of the patron saint of my birth (St. Nicholas) and of the day of my ordination to the priesthood (St. Francis) I still have an affinity for the peace-brokering little monk of Switzerland.

Peace to you, and thanks for the chuckle!
Jerusha said:
😃 So you are Santa Claus’ Brother? I have a strong affinity for the German word for “brother.” I can type it real quick, too.

Bruder Bruder Bruder and Bruder again.

Jus’ bein’ silly. 😃
Click to expand...
 
In some cases, it does seem to be church by church. The Methodist church in our ministerium combined with the Baptist church for service on Ash Wed. They will join again Holy Thursday, too. The Methodist church my son attends has a light meal followed by a service with distribution of ashes. Our neighbor’s Baptist church doesn’t really observe a season of Lent. A (Baptist)girl who takes piano lessons from me didn’t know anything about either Advent or Lent. She does now! The MS Lutheran church I had attended is full on Ash Wed. and distributes ashes. The Ev. Lutheran/UCC churches I grew up in had Ash Wed. services together without distribution of ashes. I am sure the Moravian churches had Ash Wed. services, but without distribution of ashes.
 
I grew up in the Lutheran Church, and while I can remember Ash Wednesday being mentioned as a day on the church calendar, I don’t remember ever going to an Ash Wednesday liturgy or having ashes applied to my forehead. Knowing my mother, if such a liturgy had been offered at our church, we would have been there.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top