I went to a 7 a.m. Ash Wednesday service today at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist. I’ve never regularly attended traditional church services, much less ones for special days, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
It was sparsely attended, which is understandable given the time of day and the fact that the church scheduled four services throughout the day.
© 2011 by The York Dispatch. Marked with ashes, Kathy Johnson of York City reads along in the liturgy during the 7 a.m. Ash Wednesday service at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
Similar to another assignment, I kinda felt like a jerk for walking around and making camera-shutter noises that echoed in the largely empty sanctuary. But I was as discreet as I could possibly be, and I’d asked several attendees for their permission and names before the service began. Everyone seemed focused on the service and not at all distracted by my movements, which was relieving.
© 2011 by The York Dispatch. Kathy Johnson of York City kneels in prayer during the 7 a.m. Ash Wednesday service at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist on Wednesday, March 9, 2011.
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