Lent & Holy Week Resources
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021), forty-plus days before Easter Sunday (April 4th, 2021). During Lent we recommit to Christian practices such as prayer, almsgiving, fasting, and reconciliation to prepare to enter the mystery of Easter. Through these practices, we deepen our commitment to the Christian life and prepare to renew their baptismal promises.
During Lent, the whole Church is invited to a “holy observance…by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.” (The Book of Common Prayer, page 265)
We offer these resources to help you, your family, and your congregation to set aside this time of preparation and reflection.
Ash Wednesday Resources
- The Right Reverend Chilton R. Knudsen, Assisting Bishop, offers collected wisdom and guidelines for observing Ash Wednesday in a Pandemic
- The Rev. Shivaun Wilkinson, Associate Rector at St. John's, Olney, shares a creative Ash Wednesday Liturgy for Households with Children
- Bishop J. Neil Alexander shares a note on Ash Wednesday and the Imposition of Ashes in a Time of Pandemic
- The Diocese of Colorado has this Ash Wednesday bookmark that could be included in a Lent-at-Home box for the self imposition of ashes
- The website BuildFaith offers a suite of resources for observing Ash Wednesday for the entire congregation
Lenten Resources
- The Episcopal Church website offers a number of resources for Lent and Holy Week.
- Lenten resources from Episcopal Relief & Development
- Living Well through Lent 2021 by Living Compass offers daily reflections in print and by email. Look for their Facebook page for an online community to follow up on weekly reflections
- Lent Madness by Forward Movement has become a popular bracket competition and fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. Vote for your favorite saint and see who wins the golden halo in 2021
- Give Us This Day offers daily reflections with bread recipes that are easy for the entire household. The reflections connect our faith with the world in which we live
- Church Publishing is offering this free Lent, Holy Week and Easter packet to share with all your households
- Lenten activity guide from The Jesus Storybook Bible.
Holy Week Resources
- Holy Week Resources for Families (by Church Publishing)
- Illustrated Children's Ministries is offering ongoing resources:
- Holy Week at Home resources from Barefoot Theology
- Holy Week for Children provides interactive ideas for meaningful ways for all ages to enter the mystery of the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil)
- Holy Week resources from Building Faith
