Fat Tuesday is just around the corner, meaning the season of Lent will soon become a faith focal point for a number of Marengo County residents.

Trinity Episcopal Church will ring in the season with a Mardi Grits celebration Tuesday, March 8.

The event will bring together parishioners to enjoy fun and fellowship before Ash Wednesday ushers in Lent.

“That’s when we’ll actually burn our Palm crosses,” Trinity Episcopal Rector J.D. Barnes said.

For the members of Trinity Episcopal, the burning of the Palm cross is important as the remaining ashes will be used for Ash Wednesday’s observance.

“Probably the biggest thing that most people associate with Ash Wednesday is the imposition of ashes,” Barnes said. “This is to remind everyone we return to dust. We have to understand God is mighty and God loves us, but God is also deserving of worship and respect. This is also to say we know who we are and we are a people of the dust.”

While Lent generally entails the giving up of something for 40 days, Barnes offers that adding something to one’s spiritual life for the period may be just as valuable.

“What I would say about Lent is, if you are going to give up something for Lent, it should make you focus on Christ,” Barnes said. “If you don’t necessarily want to give up something, you may want to take on something. Maybe there is some ministry within the church that you have not helped with or maybe you want to read some book of the Bible or something.”

In an effort to help its parishioners and enrich the Lent experience, Trinity will also be offering a series of Lenten Lunches each Tuesday during the season.

The lunches will cost $5 and will take place in the Parish Hall from noon until 1 p.m. Each week will feature a different guest speaker.

“They’ll talk a little something about Lenten spirituality and have a little lunch and hopefully be able to sit around and fellowship a little bit,” Barnes said.

The church will also offer a Wednesday Healing Service each week other than Ash Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the chapel.

Every Friday at 5:30 p.m. from March 11 through April 15 will feature the Stations of the Cross.