Christians

around the world will begin the season of Lent this week

with the observance of Ash Wednesday.

"Lent

is a time of giving yourself a spiritual checkup,"

explained the Rev. Dan Brigham, rector of St.

Andrew's-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church in Peachtree City.

During the 40 days, not counting Sundays, prior to

Easter, Christians are encouraged to read scripture, pray

daily and examine their consciences, Brigham said.

This period

of repentance is initiated with the imposition of ashes

in the form of a cross signed by the priest or minister

on Wednesday. It reminds Christians of their mortality on

earth, with the cross symbolizing their redemption

through Christ. "Remember, man is dust and unto dust

you shall return," he said, quoting God's words to

Adam in Genesis 3:19.

The ashes

used in Ash Wednesday services are blessed palms from the

last year's Palm Sunday. The signed cross also imitates

the spiritual mark or seal placed on a Christian's

forehead in Baptism, when he is delivered from sin and

joins God's family.

Prince of

Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville has scheduled two

Ash Wednesday services, at 6 p.m. for families with young

children, and 7:15 p.m. for all. The Rev. Dr. Justin P.

Kollmeyer will distribute olive wood crosses to all his

parishioners starting Wednesday evening to be worn

throughout Lent. "Forty days with the cross" is

the church's Lenten Wednesday theme.

Episcopals

and Catholics, both Roman and Greek Orthodox, also

practice fast and abstinence from certain foods during

Lent. "The two days of fast are Ash Wednesday and

Good Friday," Brigham explained. Typically,

Catholics refrain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent

and members of the Greek Orthodox community omit all meat

and dairy products from their diets.

Many

Christians also "give up" something at this

time. "If you can strengthen your will in one area,

you can do the will of God in others," Brigham said.

"It's not that the church wants you to feel

miserable," he noted. The will to eliminate sweets

or alcohol from the diet for 40 days can be empowering,

according to Christians who have done it.

The color

purple also is in evidence on the altar, in vestments and

as coverings during Lent. Purple traditionally symbolizes

penance and, according to Brigham, can be replaced by a

very deep red in some churches.

St.

Andrew's and Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church will

join for three Ash Wednesday services at 6 a.m., noon and

7 p.m. at St. Andrew's, at the corner of Peachtree

Parkway and Stevens Entry.

In the

gospel of Matthew 6:1-18, Jesus gives His advice best

taken during the holy season of Lent,: "Give alms...

pray to your Father... fast without a gloomy face."