What is Lent?

Lent is the period of six weeks (40 days not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, the most important festival in the Christian calendar.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week.

Lent allows Christians to remember Jesus' fasting in the desert. It is a time when Christians consider fasting and giving things up and a test of self discipline.

Lent at Holy Cross is supported by a Lent Study Group. This year we are looking at the book 'Holy Solitude, Lentern Reflections' by Heidi Haverkamp. All are welcome to join us.

Ash Wednesday is the the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control that will be required during Lent. It is also known as 'Day of Ashes' and it is the first day of fasting. The Ash Wednesday Service includes receiving the sign of the cross, in ash, on peoples forehead. The sign of the cross shows a person belongs to Jesus and symbolises both death and repentance.

Traditionally Palm Crosses from Palm Sunday of the previous year are burnt to provide the ash for the Ash Wednesday service.

The 4th Sunday of Lent is Mothering Sunday. where Jesus' mother Mary and all mother figures are remembered.

On the 5th Sunday of Lent we celebrate Passion Sunday -  this marks the start of the Passiontide. Passiontide is the last 2 weeks of Lent and includes Holy Week.

The 6th Sunday of Lent is Palm Sunday and marks the start of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Across Holy Week we hold several services, each of which looks at a different stage of Jesus' journey to the cross. Please the see the poster for the times and dates of the services this year.

Good Friday is a very solemn day in the churches calendar as this is when we remember the death of Jesus upon the cross.

Easter Sunday is the day when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is the most important day in the church year.

This year join us at dawn for the lighting of the Paschal Candle which reminds us that Jesus was sent as a light to the world.  Our main service at 10am continues this celebration and also celebrates Jesus' resurrection.

During Lent we receive into church an art exhibit from Westhill Endowment.  This year we were lucky enough to have the Gethsemane Garments as our exhibit these are a collection of 4 textile sculptures by Peter Privett. The exhibition explores themes of pain, suffering, hope and renewal.