ASHES TO GO
An Oklahoma City church offered several services on Wednesday, but it was a special outreach that brought people to the house of worship shortly before sunrise.
St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church offered “Ash ‘n Dash,” an drive-thru outreach designed to make Ash Wednesday and the dispensation of ashes more accessible. People took part in the Ash Wednesday ritual while sitting in their cars in the church’s parking lot, 14700 N May.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Christian season of Lent. Ashes used to observe the day often come from the burning of palm leaves used during Palm Sunday services the previous year. During Ash Wednesday services at churches around the world, the ashes are placed on the forehead of congregants in the sign of the cross. Clergy offer a brief prayer, typically including the words “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return” to remind believers of their mortality.
The Rev. Joseph Alsay, St. Augustine’s senior pastor, said Christians receive a cross of ashes on the face at the beginning of the Lenten season as a reminder of their mortal failings and as an invitation to receive God’s forgiveness.
Alsay said over the years, “Ash ‘n Dash” has been a good outreach for his church, attracting busy church members and members who have been too ill to attend services, along with members of the general public who may have lost their connection to a church.
Ash Wednesday and Lent are observed in many Christian faith traditions, including Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist and Presbyterian faith communities.