Lent and Easter 2026
Lent is a forty day period, commencing on Ash Wednesday. It is a time of preparation for Jesus’ death and resurrection, centred upon Jesus’ time alone, fasting and being tempted in the Wilderness before he started his ministry.
In the scriptures, the Wilderness is the place where God’s people first crossed into the Promised Land, and the place where God promised to return after the exile. Being there was akin to being ready.Jesus’s retreat into the Wilderness would have resonated with the early Christians’ longing for a true return from exile. It was the place where God would do new things, and, in doing so, would transform all God’s people.This longing for freedom and transformation continues to resonate with us and the world today, making Lent as important as ever.
Traditionally, Lent involved fasting, living simply and dedication to biblical study. Western culture has adopted Lent as a time to give up chocolate, alcohol or similar. More recently in the church, there has been a shift away from giving something up to encouraging Christians to take up something new instead.
Holy Week begins, on the Sunday before Easter, with Palm Sunday (Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem) and ends on Easter Sunday, with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday marked in between. Maundy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus sharing the Last Supper with his disciples before his death, and Good Friday is when we remember Jesus' death and crucifixion, and sacrifice. Easter Sunday is a joyful feast day, marking Jesus' resurrection and is the start of fifty days of celebration.
Ten days before the end of this period of celebration, we mark Jesus' ascension into heaven. On the final day, we celebrate Pentecost (also referred to as Whitsun) when the gift of the Holy Spirit was received by Jesus' disciples.
Chaplaincy Lent Booklet 2026
During Lent, you’re invited to read a short Bible reading and a reflection each day from the Chaplaincy Lent Booklet for 2026. These reflections have been written by King’s staff, students, alumni, and other friends of the Chaplaincy - they follow the gospel of Matthew from Jesus’s birth, his temptation in the desert, his ministry of teachings and miracles, through to his death and resurrection. Paper copies of the booklet are also available from any of the five King’s Chaplaincies. Email Jenny if you have any questions or would like further information.
Lent and Easter 2026 - Services and Events
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What's on?
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Tues 17 Feb
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11h00-13h00
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Pancake Day at Denmark Hill
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Denmark Hill Chaplaincy: W1.19, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN)
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Tues 17 Feb
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12h00-13h30
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Pancake Day Lunch at Waterloo
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Waterloo Chaplaincy: 1.1, Franklin-Wilkins Building
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Weds 18 Feb
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12h00-13h00
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Ashes to Go at Guy's
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Outside Main Entrance of New Hunt's House
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Weds 18 Feb
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13h10-14h00
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Ash Wednedsay Service at the Strand
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College Chapel: KIN 219, Level 2, King's Building, Strand
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Weds 18 Feb
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13h10-14h00
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Catholic Mass for Ash Wednesday at Guy's
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Guy's Chapel: Opposite Boland House, Guys' Campus
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Tues 31 Mar
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17h30-18h30
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Passiontide Service at the Strand
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College Chapel: KIN 219, Level 2, King's Building, Strand
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Weds 1 Apr
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13h10-14h00
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Holy Week Service at the Strand
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College Chapel: KIN 219, Level 2, King's Building, Strand
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