"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ."
On Ash Wednesday, to mark the beginning of Lent, clergy from across the diocese stepped out into the streets to offer Ashes to Go. An opportunity to meet people who might not otherwise attend a service, clergy prayed with them and traced the sign of the cross on their foreheads.
We joined Revd Ian Hepburn, Revd Grace Hart, the Ven Dr Rachel Mann and Fr Robert Eloff as they headed into Bolton Town Centre. You can watch the short film above, which was also shared on the Church of England's social media.
Many churches offer Ashes to Go alongside their Ash Wednesday services. The sign of a cross is traditionally traced with ash as a reminder of our mortality and need for reconciliation with God.