Returning. Ash Wednesday

By Sarah Agnew, forChrist Church Uniting, Wayville

On Kaurna Country, with gratitude and respect. We share in the Uniting Church’s commitment to healing and reconciliation in these lands now called Australia.

Using prayers from Pray the Story, Pray the Story Vol 2, and Pray the Story Podcast

This reflection and ritual is designed for you to use at home.

Download the pdf for the text (click the button below). You might want to read or read aloud for yourself. If you are listening, the text includes words in bold that you might speak aloud with me.

Listen to the audio. (click, or scroll down) Each part is provided as a separate track: make your way at your own pace. You might choose to pause between, or play music, move or be still, talk or be silent. Let this Ash Wednesday practice meet you where you are.

Prepare a mixture for the anointing – marking ourselves with the sign of the cross. Use ash, dust or dirt, or oil.
You could use make up, water, or simply mark the sign with your finger and feel it on your skin as you remember.

Engage in this reflection and ritual alone or with others.

May the Spirit breathe renewal through us in our contemplations and prayer.

Original material (c) Sarah Agnew 2025, and from Pray the Story. Not for reproduction elsewhere without permission.

Biblical passages from the Contemporary English Bible.

As you mark your forehead or hand with a smear or cross in dust or ash, repeat these lines with me:

Holy One, you are Creator, Source of Life

Holy One, you are Creator, Source of Life

I am creature of dust

I am creature of dust

and to dust I will return

and to dust I will return

I turn to you again

I turn to you again

sorry for the ways I leave you and your path

sorry for the ways I leave you and your path

Restore me to life

Restore me to life

Remind me of love

Remind me of love

Remember me

Remember me

Remember me

Remember me

I remember you

I remember you

Amen