ASHES

When the choir gathers for Ash Wednesday, the mood in the loft is always distinct—somber, reflective, and grounded. Tom Conry’s "Ashes" captures this exact spirit, giving the congregation a profound way to enter the Lenten season. Instead of focusing solely on sorrow, the text invites us to look at our brokenness and failures as the very material God uses for renewal. We sing about rising from the dust of our missteps to create ourselves anew, making it a deeply moving piece for the imposition of ashes or the Offertory during Lent.

The melody is gentle and steady, carrying the weight of the lyrics without feeling heavy. As we move through the verses, we offer up our "stumblings" and "dreams not fully dreamt," acknowledging our human limitations before the altar. By the final stanza, the song shifts into a quiet doxology, thanking the Father, Son, and Spirit for the grace of new creation. It is a comforting reminder for anyone singing or listening that even our most fragile, ash-like moments can become a genuine offering to God.