Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent - a time where we prepare for Easter. This is a solemn day that reminds us of our human mortality by the practice of "imposing" ashes (often made from burnt palms from the prior year's Palm Sunday branches) onto the forehead. We offer two opportunities to observe this important day in the life of the church: "Drive Thru" ashes and a worship service.

From 7:30 to 8:30am, drive in front of the Welcome Center for a blessing and imposition of ashes from Pastor Daniel.

At 7:00pm, join us for a special worship service including imposition of ashes, music, a message, and more. This service will be held in person and live streamed.

For Lent this year, Jen Williams & Pastor Daniel Guenther are offering a small group experience for five weeks during Lent 2026, starting the week of February 22-28 and ending the week of March 22-28. Gatherings will include activities and general socializing as well as time spent reading and discussing scripture.

To help us plan, please fill out this brief form. We want this experience to work for you and encourage you to be imaginative - be as creative as you feel led in telling us what community you're looking for. Meeting days/times and location will be determined based on the results. The form is open now and closes on February 10!

This Lent, we invite you to slow down, walk with Christ through both awe and humility, and let sacred spaces be a part of your journey to the cross.

We will meet at Trinity UMC (903 Forest Avenue) at 7:15am. Pastor Brian will drive a large, comfortable charter bus as we pilgrimage to Washington, DC, where we will first enjoy a professionally guided tour of the National Cathedral along with time to self-tour and enjoy the gardens. We will eat a catered box lunch on the bus as we then travel across the city to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. We will take guided tours of the incredible springtime gardens and two levels of the church, including full-size replicas of the Mount Calvary and Holy Sepulchre shrines in Jerusalem, plus reproductions of the Nazareth Annunciation and Bethlehem Nativity grottos. We will return to Richmond around 5pm.

The all-inclusive tour price is $80/person. This includes a seat on the charter bus, both self-guided and full-access tours at both sites, and lunch! This tour is open to the community: all are welcome! To register, visit here. Spaces are limited; register early for best availability!

Note: while much of the tour will be accessible, there are certain areas at both sites that include stairs, and there are a couple stairs to get on the bus.