Preparing the Ashes!

On February 23^rd the confirmation class, Melinda, and I took the old dried palms from past Palm Sundays and burned them to make the ashes that will be used on Ash Wednesday.  The process to get from palms to ashes begins with taking the old palms and cutting them into small pieces to fit in the large metal bowl.  After we filled the bowl, we went outside to burn the palms.  Each confirmand was given the opportunity to help light the palms with long matches.  There is something special about using long matches to light a fire that everyone seems to enjoy.  It didn’t take long for the palms to quickly burn to a small pile of ash.  While the confirmands enjoyed some hot chocolate, I stayed outside with the smoldering ashes until they cooled enough to bring them inside.  After the ashes were fully cooled, we sifted them through a flour sifter twice.  What was left was finely sifted black ashes, that will remind us that we are dust.  After we put the sifted ashes in the jar, we talked about what is said when they receive the imposition of ashes, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”  We also talked about what it means when we say that we are dust, and how we are connected to and a part of the earth. 

We went back to the café to enjoy a snack.  As we enjoyed our snacks we talked about what was surprising about the process.  The responses were; they were surprised how quickly they burned, how little ashes there were compared to the large amount of cut up palms, and how black the ashes were compared to the yellow/green color of the dried palms.   I have burned palms with confirmands before and each time there seems to be that element of surprise, a bit of fear at how quickly the palms ignite, and a bit of awe at the whole process.  For me, one of the best parts is the connection between the celebration of Palm Sunday where we shout Hosannas to the humbling reminder on Ash Wednesday that we will return to dust.  Also, the youth get to be a part of the “behind the scenes” preparation for a worship service.  This is one of the more unique worship preparations. 

On Ash Wednesday Pastor Chad and I will make the sign of the cross on your forehead with ashes from old palms burned by the confirmands.  I love this and it warms my heart knowing the confirmands helped with Ash Wednesday preparations.   

Yours in Christ, 

Pastor Katrina Steingraeber