Christians worldwide will celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 2. Lent, the 40-day observance leading up to Easter, is an ancient tradition first observed in the 11th century and which included the marking of foreheads with ashes. 

On March 2, two local congregations will join in the observance of Ash Wednesday. The interim minister Rev. Dr. Amy Lignitz Harken and Rev. Oscar Wallace of First Congregational Church of Wiscasset, and Rev. Marcia Richardson, Deacon, and Rev. Tom Junkert, Priest in Charge at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, will conduct the Ash Wednesday service at 11 a.m. The service will be held at First Congregational on the Common.

Imposition of ashes will take place both during the service and in front of the church on High Street at noon following the service. Masks will be required indoors and will be available in the narthex. For more information, please call the church office at 882-7544.