Ascension : St. Mary’s Church
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 23.02.2012 (Article Archived on 08.03.2012)

At St. Mary’s Church last Sunday, Fr. Chris paid tribute to one of St. Mary’s most regular attenders who will leave Ascension Island for the last time on Feb.26. Wilson Scipio

St. Mary’s Church

Ascension Island (Diocese of St. Helena) From: FATHER CHRISTOPHER BROWN

At St. Mary’s Church last Sunday, Fr. Chris paid tribute to one of St. Mary’s most regular attenders who will leave Ascension Island for the last time on Feb.26. Wilson Scipio of St.Helena ,arrived on Ascension Island forty –six years ago aged twenty-two. During his time here he worked up at Green Mountain, for AIG , and latterly at the American Base. He leaves behind many friends and associates who will miss his warm, friendly manner and kind personality. St. Mary’s will miss his presence in the choir and so too will Dr.Bill and the Bible Study Group who welcomed Wilson most Sunday evenings. Sadly, Wilson has not enjoy-ed good health these past few weeks and has decided to return to St.Helena for his retirement. He tells me that his mother,who is a very old lady now will be pleased to have him home after so many years. There are many on the island who will have special memories of Wilson but on Sunday, the congregation heard how it was Wilson and his brother who set fire to the General’s house which once stood near the guns on the hill. Wilson quickly assured us that he had permission to do this !! Following a blessing  and a short time of prayer for Wilson, he was presented with a Prayer Book  which he will be able to use in any of the churches on St. Helena.  The service closed with rapturous applause for Wilson who departs on Sunday.

The Alpha Course is now underway at the vicarage on Monday nights and continues throughout Lent. It is not too late to join in; next week’s talk is entitled, “ Why did Jesus have to die?” At this early stage of the course it is still possible to join in.

Today, Wednesday, 22nd.February is Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. From early times the day has been kept as a special day of penitence. On this day people often give up something for Lent as a reminder of Christ’s privations and hardship during His forty days in the wilderness. It is an equally  good idea to ask oneself, what can I take up / take on, during this season. People often wonder why Ash Wednesday is so called. In ancient Biblical times

When people truly repented of their sins, they would put on sack cloth and ashes to show others that they were sorry for their sins and had repented. The ash which is used on an Ash Wednesday is made from the burning of old palm crosses left over from any previous Palm Sunday services. This is then used to mark a cross on the foreheads of all who come to the Ash Wednesday service as a reminder of our mortality and a sign of our repentance.

Next Sunday , is the first Sunday in Lent. Holy Eucharist at 10-30 a.m..