2026 Lent Theme and Visual

One of my favorite tasks at Plymouth is creating weekly sermon banners and seasonal graphics. This process begins with a prompt from the clergy or the guest pastor for that week.

This Lent, the season’s theme is Making Way, which builds on Advent’s “Making Room” and draws on the synoptic Gospels, tracing Jesus’ physical journey toward Jerusalem and the early Christian identity as followers of “The Way.” Scripture, research, and religious iconography guide the process, including the use of purple and the fish—an ancient Lenten symbol.

As Lent approached amid grief, disruption, and urgent calls to action in our community, the imagery took on deeper meaning. The circle of fish in this year’s design represents a bait ball: a temporary, instinctive formation created by fish under threat. It reflects both vulnerability and collective protection—Making Way together in the face of danger.

I believe this represents Plymouth in this moment, and how church members, leadership, staff, and community come together instinctively to form a protective circle around those who need our help.