This week, the Lenten season started for Catholics in Oxford with Ash Wednesday. The holiday marks the first event leading up to Easter Sunday April 20.
The season consists of 40 days, ramping up the final week often referred to as “Holy Week.” This week starts with Palm Sunday, which is meant to commemorate Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem.
Multiple church leaders in Oxford are ready for the Lenten season, including Pastor Lawrence Bartel of Oxford Presbyterian Church.
“We always look forward to Lent as a time of reflection and growth in preparation for Easter,” Bartel said.
According to Bartel, the season is a time for interacting with the Oxford community, which he says is welcome to participate in the many services and events throughout Lent.
“We do have a variety of intergenerational and engaging opportunities for our congregation and for the community,” Bartel said.
The Oxford Presbyterian Church was open for the Oxford community to receive ashes Wednesday. The ashes were available “on the go” for anyone who stopped by the church that day.
Similarly, The Oxford United Methodist Church takes steps to include the Oxford community and Miami students during the Lenten season.
Pastor Caleb Henry said the church plans to emphasize service throughout Lent, with the first event falling this Sunday.
“Our first Sunday in Lent, which is this Sunday, we are having what we call a serve day,” Henry said.
According to Henry, this day will consist of several service projects in the Oxford community. Only one service will be held on the first Sunday rather than two, which is the typical number.
“When that service is done, we have lunch together and then we go out and do various service projects,” Henry said.
Henry emphasized the importance of service in the Lenten season, noting that it directly ties to ideal life practices and how to strengthen them.
“Our spiritual practices are meant to help shape our social practices and the way that we engage the world,” Henry said.
Outside of services, Bartel highlighted a set of upcoming workshops that he plans to offer the community at Oxford Presbyterian.
“I’ll be offering two workshops on the spiritual practice of breaking bread,” Bartel said. “That is the second Saturday of March and the second Saturday of April.”
Bartel also shared a planned event for Holy Week, which is done in conjunction with other churches in Oxford.
“On Good Friday, we traditionally gather together with churches throughout the Oxford community, and we have what we call a walk of witness,” Bartel said.
According to Bartel, this event occurs each year and centers around a topic that is in opposition to God’s intentions. Topic examples include poverty, war, violence and racism, though a theme for this year is not yet final.
