Ashes-to-Go: Reflecting on Lent

Walk World Labyrinth Day World Labyrinth Day is a worldwide invitation to slow down and choose peace—one quiet step at a time. In Borrego Springs, you can take part by walking the outdoor labyrinth at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on May 2, 2026, anytime dusk till dawn. Make it a full Borrego Springs morning: arrive early, walk at your own pace, pause in the center, sign the guest book, take a photo, and then head out for breakfast. Come with a friend, make it a date, or come solo for a little space and stillness. Event details World Labyrinth Day in Borrego Springs Date: May 2, 2026 Time: Dusk till dawn (self-guided) Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2680 Country Club Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 All are welcome • No appointment necessary What a labyrinth is A labyrinth is not a maze. There’s one clear path in and the same path back out. People walk labyrinths as a practice of reflection, prayer, gratitude, and quiet listening—an easy way to step out of the noise for a few minutes and reset. Make a day of it in Borrego Springs Go early for cooler temps and a calmer start Bring a friend—or come alone and treat it as personal time Make it a date: walk first, then grab breakfast together Take a photo of your walk (or the desert sky overhead) Sign the guest book to mark your visit and add your name to the day Share your photos online to encourage others to take part A few simple tips Wear comfortable shoes and bring water Walk slowly—there’s no “right” speed When you reach the center, pause, breathe, pray, or reflect Give others space and let the experience stay quiet and unhurried Share your World Labyrinth Day If you post photos, include #StBarnabasBorregoSprings so others can find it and plan their own walk. For updates and details, visit www.stbarnabasborregosprings.com  Learn More About Borrego Springs

Music,Food & Community The BYOB (Bring Your Own Bowl & Spoon) concert series at St. Barnabas Church is a relaxed, midday gathering built around live music and community. It’s the place to go to see friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy performances in an easy, welcoming setting. Open to everyone, the series runs weekly at noon and features a rotating lineup of local and visiting musicians. Great opportunity to meet your neighbors or plan a friend meet up!

by Michael Plekon Every year, Christians move through the months with different seasons and festivals. The Christmas-Epiphany season is just finishing, and before that, in December, was Advent, is a time of preparation and anticipation of the Christmas feast of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. This year, on Ash Wednesday, February 18, Christians will start the season of Lent, a forty-day period of prayer and good works. It leads up to Holy Week, when Jesus’ last supper, his trial, crucifixion, death and burial are commemorated on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated on Easter Sunday, April 5. Borrego churches and the BMA gather behind the Methodist Church for a Sunrise Service. St. Barnabas has a simple Eucharist right afterwards and a festive service at the regular 9:30am time. Why ashes? The Hebrew Bible has many references to ashes as a sign of sorrow and repentance for the evil one has done. Job places ashes on his head to acknowledge his failing in faith (42:6) Tamar also. (2 Sam. 13: 19) The entire people use ashes to express their desire to turn away from sin and back to God. (Numb. 19:9) And there are quite a few other examples. In our time there are gestures of admitting guilt and asking forgiveness, something that happens in courthouses after a trial concludes. In our families and circles of friends, at times we need to humble ourselves and ask forgiveness of those we have wronged. And accept the forgiveness of others as well. The ashes are put on a person’s forehead with the words, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Gen. 3:19) Usually there are other things about which people ask for prayers—relatives who are ill, friends facing tough times with finances, work, relationships. Contrary to what some might think, ashes and Lent are anything but gloomy or self-imposed sorrow. The word “lent” comes from an Old English word for the spring slowly com ing, lencten. Yes, it connotes the lengthening of the days, more sunshine and warmth, which in years long ago meant release from cold, planting of crops, and the joy of spring and summer. Easter and its Jewish precedent, Passover/ Pesach, bears some of the same meanings—release from bondage, life triumphing over death. The encounters with folks on the Christmas Circle and in church are anything but morose, whether they drive up and stay in their vehicles or park and walk up, or line up for ashes after the BYOB music or at the afternoon service. There is joy, maybe even a lightness in their step. The clergy of Borrego will be there at The Circle in shifts starting at 8am, continuing till noon. And ashes will be available as mention, at church. In addition to taking daily prayer mor seriously, there are many things one can do in Lent. It used to be assumed that alcohol and desserts would be given up. This is fine if you so choose. Giving more for food insecurity, volunteering at food banks, even seeking out family and friends to make sure you are at peace with them—all of these are wonderful Lenten practices. Happy Lent.

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