Today is Ash Wednesday. Today we begin the season of Lent, a time of reflection, prayer, and penitence to prepare for the celebration of Easter and the renewal of our lives. 

Ash Wednesday services across the Parish of the Valley will be held at:

• St Anthony's Whitney at 9am
• Holy Trinity Pembroke at 10am and 7pm
• Epiphany Barry's Bay at 11am
• All Saints Petawawa at 2pm
• St Paul's Cobden at 2pm
• Ascension Killaloe at 4pm
• St George's South Alice at 4pm
• St John's Eganville at 7pm

For those unable to attend in-person but who wish to join in an Ash Wednesday service, the 7pm service from Holy Trinity will be livestreamed from our YouTube channel. Click here to access that live-stream at 7pm.

Ash Wednesday services will be held in accordance with the Diocese of Ottawa's COVID-19 Guidelines. The imposition of ashes and communion in both kinds will be available for those who wish to receive them.

This Friday, March 4th, is the World Day of Prayer. The program for this year's service has been written by woman in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with the theme, "I know the plans I have for you" from Jeremiah 29:11.

We know that there are typically multiple World Day of Prayer services that take place in the communities across our parish each year. This year, some will be happening in person and some will be online only. If you are unable to be at an in-person service and would like to join virtually in prayer with people across Canada and around the world, you can find the service link by clicking the button below.

Last night, the palms from last year's Palm Sunday services from across the Parish of the Valley were burned to turn into ashes for our Ash Wednesday liturgies. This year, Rev. Gillian, Lily, and Lily's Opa, Mike Hoyer, burn the palms outside All Saints, Petawawa. You can watch the video of palms burning from the link below.

As the palms burn, we pray: God of all times and seasons, the cycles of the year are in your hands, and each season reveals your presence in the world in a unique way. As we prepare, through the burning of these palms, to enter the great Lent that leads to Easter, we ask you to guide us through this journey of renewal from ashes to water, giving outward expression to our lifelong journey back to you. We ask this through your Son our Saviour and in the Holy Spirit, Amen.