Episcopal churches to impose ‘Ashes to Go’ on Ash Wednesday, continuing 15-year tradition

[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal congregations churchwide will begin Lent by offering Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday, March 5, as a convenience for people unable to attend worship services in the middle of the week.

Ashes to Go, is open to all branches of Christianity and “creates opportunities for people to take a fresh look at the church and the gospel.” Episcopal churches began participating in 2010, when Chicago, Illinois, and Missouri-area clergy and lay Episcopalians began imposing ashes to people in public areas, including suburban train platforms, coffee shops and outside grocery stores and laundromats.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, 40 days of penance, fasting, contemplation and prayer leading up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive blessed ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads to symbolize mortality and penitence. The ashes are made from burning the dried palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.

The following is a list of some Episcopal parishes offering Ashes to Go. Check for additional offerings hosted by local dioceses and parishes in your area. All times are local.

Washington, D.C. — St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square will offer Ashes to Go twice, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Colorado Springs, Colorado — St. Michael’s Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go from 7 to 9 a.m. in the church’s parking lot.

Bethesda, Maryland — St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in the church’s lower parking lot.

Brownsburg, Indiana — Good Samaritan Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go at 7 a.m. in the church’s parking lot.

Canton, Connecticut — Trinity Episcopal Church Collinsville will offer Ashes to Go from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Diocese of Los Angeles — Several churches throughout the Diocese of Los Angeles will host Ashes to Go events throughout the day. Click here for more information.

Hillsdale, New Jersey — The Diocese of Newark will offer Ashes to Go at the Hillsdale Train Station from 6 to 8 a.m.

Tallahassee, Florida — St. John’s Episcopal Church will offer Ashes to Go and one-on-one blessings from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Florida State Capitol rotunda. “The Church rightly expects all practicing and able-bodied Christians to participate in the solemn Mass and Imposition of Ashes on this sacred day. We hope all who are far from home know they are welcome at our tables!”

Bulverde, Texas — St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will offer Ashes to Go in the church’s sanctuary and front yard from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sacramento, California — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the sidewalk outside the church at the corner of 15th and J streets. “As the Episcopal Church in the heart of downtown, St. Paul’s community will meet people where they are – on their way or during a break in the workday – just as Jesus went into the streets to find, teach and heal people. Ashes to Go moves the encounter with God out of the church building and into the spaces of everyday life where we live out our response to God. Please stop by for this brief encounter!”

Roswell, Georgia — St. David’s Episcopal Church will offer a drive-thru Ashes to Go service from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Seattle, Washington — The Episcopal Church of the Ascension will impose Ashes to Go from 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Astoria, Oregon — Grace Episcopal Church will offer a curbside Ashes to Go service from noon to 1 p.m. 

Anthony, New Mexico — St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will offer a drive-thru Ashes to Go service from 7 to 10:30 a.m.

Elgin, Illinois — St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church will offer a drive-thru Ashes to Go service from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Omaha, Nebraska — St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go twice at the northwest corner of Elmwood Park at the drive into the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s campus, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Daphne, Alabama — St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will impose Ashes to Go between 2 to 5 p.m. in the church’s parking lot and the St. Paul’s Thrift Shop parking lot.

Chandler, Arizona — St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church will offer Ashes to Go and prayers from 7 to 8 a.m. in the church’s parking lot.

De Pere, Wisconsin — St. Anna’s Episcopal Church will offer drive-thru Ashes to Go services twice, from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Crestwood, Missouri — The Episcopal Church of the Advent and the St. Thomas Deaf Church will offer Ashes to Go and prayers from 6 to 10 a.m. from the circle driveway off Buxton Dr. 

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.