As the season of Lent begins, Christians around the world are marked with ashes — a simple sign of mortality, repentance, and hope.

This year, we asked people on our Rio Texas Conference Facebook page to share how they experienced Ash Wednesday. The stories gathered here are drawn from those responses.

For some, Ash Wednesday came not in a sanctuary pew, but at the front door. Ashes to Go ministries across the conference met people where they were — in homes, on sidewalks, in everyday spaces. A simple cross of ash became a reminder: you are seen, you are remembered, you are loved.

“We wrote down regrets or laments, and burned the papers upon which they were written. We mixed those ashes with gesso to prepare something new — a blank canvas upon which our story, and Christ’s, may be drawn.” — Leah Krenek

In one congregation, ashes were not only placed on foreheads — they were transformed. Regrets and laments were burned, then folded into the very foundation of something new.

Lent, after all, is not just about what dies. It is about what God creates from it.

“My highlight was getting to put ashes on my youngest for the first time!”
— Robert Aaron Perales

In sanctuaries across the conference, pastors knelt to trace crosses on young foreheads. Children stood still, curious and solemn. Elders bowed their heads.

The same words echoed in every place:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

From the youngest to the oldest, we were marked together.

“This is my 5th Ash Wednesday working for a church, and I encounter seekers more often on this day than on regular days. It’s a wonderful opportunity to set aside pouring out love and radical invitations in all shapes and sizes. We often meet new visitors who come back. Not huge participation by congregants, but we had 100 at our 6pm service.” — Juliette Clark

“We had 100 people attend our Sanctuary service — all ages and all walks of life. These two came directly from Alamo City Street Choir rehearsal. Most of our Wednesday Night Prayer & Recovery Circle attended.”
“Radical invitations, forming relationships, and maintaining consistency have helped turn our ideals into lived experiences together.”
— Travis Park UMC

“Porque polvo somos y al polvo volveremos. Arrepiéntete y cree en el Evangelio.”
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
“After about 100 times, I got my ashing words in Spanish for clients.”
— Adrienne Zermeno

“Our sermon tonight was about jars of clay — the beauty and fragility of it all. During the message, my husband drew a jar on the offering envelope. Then my son drew his version. Then two of my other kids added theirs.”
“It was just one of those small, ordinary but holy moments that brought me joy.”
— Amanda Banda

Stories from the Mission Field

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Marked by Grace: Lent in Our Own Words