The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Ash Wednesday

Thursday April 03

Man in dark blue t-shirt in front of a green bush

Tough Questions: Why hold a prayer vigil?

“In the second chapter of Acts, we find Jesus’ followers waiting, praying, hoping and expecting God to do something new. On that same day, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and three thousand people were added to their number,” says The Rev’d Charlie Lacey from St Andrew’s, Springfield

Ashes applied to teenager's forehead on Ash Wednesday

Embracing a new beginning

“Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent present opportunities for us to make the same sort of return. They offer us the opportunity for reflection, sifting and renewal; they are constructed so as to offer us the opportunity to embrace new beginnings,” says The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt

The Rev'd Dr Ruth Mathieson in Roscoe Library at St Francis College in January 2023

Still looking for Lent resources and Ash Wednesday ideas?

The Rev’d Dr Ruth Mathieson from St Francis College recommends three Lent studies and suggests taking ashes to the streets on Ash Wednesday

Art, faith, justice and Reconciliation

“My Anglican faith feeds into my artistic drive, motivating me to continue to pursue social justice and Reconciliation through my practice and to continue to find ways to adapt in challenging times, such as these,” says local artist, Community of The Way member and Gubbi Gubbi descendent John Hammer in the continuing anglican focus series, ‘How my art intersects with my faith’

Christ at Caltex

“Reflecting on the encounter I think there is a gentle challenge from God for me to be a little more mindful about what’s going on in the lives of those around me, and to recognise the daily opportunities there are to encourage and be encouraged,” says Bishop Cam Venables on his chance meeting in Caltex on Ash Wednesday

Challenging violence of every kind

“Jesus calls us into life in all its abundance, which includes the fundamental right to be safe – as Anglicans we are committed to transforming unjust structures of society and challenging violence of every kind, which necessitates actively contesting social norms that foster inequality and associated violence,” says Domestic and Family Violence Working Group member The Rev’d Gillian Moses

Lent: a time for renewal

Likening sin to “an arrow falling short of the target”, The Ven. Keith Dean Jones reflects upon the Lenten season’s call to be penitent and “owning up to the truth and asking God for His forgiveness”