Christians mark Lent start

Traditional Ash Wednesday observances feature fasting, prayers

March 3, 2006

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU -Hundreds of Mat-Su residents walked out of local churches Wednesday with ash crosses on their forehead, resolving to indulge life's pleasures less and live more simply for the next 40 days.

From now until Easter Sunday, millions of Christians are observing a religious season known as Lent, which is marked by fasting, prayer and increased religious devotion.

&#8220We mark crosses on people's foreheads and say, ‘Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return,'” said Andrew Arnold, associate pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wasilla. &#8220The ash reminds us of our mortality.”

For more than 1,400 years, Christians worldwide have observed the Lenten season that lasts until Easter Sunday, when Christians traditionally celebrate their belief in Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

&#8220For me, I like this time of year,” said Julie Dekreon, director of religious education at Sacred Heart Parish in Wasilla. &#8220There is so much economic and social pressure in society, but this is a good time to slow down and try to figure out my spirituality. We try to live simply and avoid expensive extras.”

Observance of Lent differs between different Christian traditions across the world. Typically, the older liturgical churches observe a more formal celebration, while many newer denominations are more informal or may not observe Lent at all.

&#8220We do celebrate it, but not formally,” said Brian Thomas, the new pastor at Wasilla Lake Church of the Nazarene. Thomas said he wouldn't be marking his congregation with ash but did plan to speak with members about the importance of examining their spiritual lives over the next few weeks.

Jamie Jennemann works with the youth at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. She said a common Lenten practice for youth there is to give up something enjoyable, like chocolate or TV.

&#8220I challenge them to sacrifice something to remind them of Christ's sacrifice,” she said. &#8220They usually give up something like television or Game Boys that can distract them from their relationship with God.”

Many newer, nondenominational churches such as Wasilla's Crossroads Community Church and Church on the Rock don't typically observe the formal Lenten season. This year, however, Crossroads is participating in an international event that runs concurrently with Lent called Facedown40, which includes 40 days of prayer and fasting leading up to Easter.

The thrust of Facedown40 differs from traditional Lenten observations in that its specific emphasis is to pray for peace in the Middle East and spiritual revival throughout the world. There is no formal connection to Ash Wednesday or Lenten traditions.

&#8220We don't celebrate Lent or Ash Wednesday,” said Kathy Conn, a Crossroads staff worker. &#8220This is the first year of Facedown40 and I don't know if they'll have it again, but we are praying for a great spiritual awakening this year.”

As for Dekreon, her fellow members at Sacred Heart Parish and other more traditional churches, Lent retains its somber tone as they look forward to the Easter Sunday celebration.

&#8220For now we take down our decorations; we don't have any flowers,” she said. &#8220Some churches don't even have music - they just chant.”

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.