By Lesli Bales-Sherrod/ Knoxville News Sentinel

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 17, 2016) -- More than 130 people from South Knoxville came together Feb. 10 for a combined Ash Wednesday service at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church on Chapman Highway.

The occasion, which marks the beginning of the season of Lent, brought together three congregations in the South Knoxville Coalition of Churches — Colonial Heights UMC, Graystone Presbyterian and Lake Forest Presbyterian — for their first combined worship service, the pastors said, even though the coalition formed about five years ago.

"Ash Wednesday seemed like a wonderful opportunity to begin our Journey to the Cross together," said the Rev. Daniel Ogle, pastor at Colonial Heights UMC.

"All three of our congregations are faithful and community-focused congregations and, despite our denominational differences, we share so much in common. Our churches love God, want to grow in faith, and want to bless and make South Knoxville a better place for every person who lives here."

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