A Circuit Ecumenical Service
February 18 at 7pm
First Congregational Church (UCC)
also known as the Big Red Church
2131 N. Van Ness Blvd,
Fresno CA 93704
ASH WEDNESDAY AT MEMORIAL
Wednesday, February 18 at 1 pm
Memorial UMC will hold a simple 30 minute service for the imposition of ashes by Pastor Falamao Samate.
Through the service of ashes on the first day of Lent, we come before God recognizing our humanity, repenting of our sin, and remembering who we are and who we can be.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Christian season called Lent. Lent originated in the 4th century, and was initially a time of preparation for those being baptized at Easter. The ashes symbolize our humility before God, and our recognition that we are mortal.
It is a time when we reflect on what we need to change in our lives in order to live responsibly and lovingly as a member of the created world. We look more deeply at the observance of Lent over the next 40 days, take a fearless moral inventory of our lives, and look for ways to find more love, peace, and fulfillment in our lives.
Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 11:38 am