Ash Wednesday is a moveable fast day in the Church calendar, this year falling on 14 February. The date of Ash Wednesday is determined by the date of Easter each year, which is 01 April in 2018.

While not as early as it can be, Easter is relatively early this year determined by the "Paschal Full Moon" (the first full moon after the spring equinox). In 1818 that moon fell on Saturday March 21 (the equinox). Therefore, the following day, March 22, was Easter. It will not fall as early again until 2285, a span of 467 years!

The Church customarily offers opportunities for study and spiritual growth during the season of Lent. A "holy Lent," the liturgical words of Ash Wednesday suggest, is a time of "self examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving" (we don't give because the Church needs us to but rather, because of our own need to give) and the reading and meditating on the word of God."

This year at the Cathedral, we would like to create as many opportunities as possible for those in our Cathedral family to engage in efforts toward the purposes of Lent. If you would like to offer to facilitate a study group, we want to hear from you! Groups might meet in homes, at the Cathedral Hall, at the Cathedral or another location  depending on scheduling possibilities. You would be welcome to use a resource of your own choice or, two books are being suggested, both with study questions included:

• Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Missional People by Michael Frost
• Pray: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer by Bishop Hockin

If you would like to know more, speak to the Dean or Kurt Schmidt dean@ or formation@  christchurchcathedral.com. Watch for information on study times and locations.