LAKEPORT, Calif. – United Christian Parish will host “Beauty for Ashes: A Service of Healing,” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Grief has covered our county like a pall. Grief from the fires of 2015, grief at homes lost, jobs lost, community lost … grief because life goes on. So does death.

Many lost loved ones this year and our personal grief can seem so small in the face of such community tragedy. But grief is still grief. Pain is still pain; however big or small, personal or public.

What can God do with pain? What can God do with grief? What can God do with the ashes left behind?

A Hebrew word for ashes is “epher.” A Hebrew word for beauty is “pheer.”

Just move the “e” and you have a new word. More than a new word it is a new world. We can exchange our ashes of grief for the beauty of healing. Together.

The community is invited to join the church for the Ash Wednesday service.

United Christian Parish is located at 745 N Brush St in Lakeport. All are welcome.