{"id":12668,"date":"2025-03-04T12:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T17:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/?p=12668"},"modified":"2025-03-04T12:00:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T17:00:58","slug":"churches-offer-drive-thru-ashes-for-ash-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/christnewstoday\/2025\/03\/churches-offer-drive-thru-ashes-for-ash-wednesday.html","title":{"rendered":"Churches Offer ‘Drive-Thru Ashes’ For Ash Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Centreville United Methodist Church, Centreville VA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Christians around the world prepare for the sacred season of Lent, many churches are finding new ways to bring the observance of Ash Wednesday to their communities. While the traditional practice of receiving ashes on the forehead typically takes place during a solemn worship service, some churches are making it more accessible by offering “drive-thru ashes” for busy commuters and passersby.<\/p>\n

These innovative Ash Wednesday services, held in parking lots and even metro stations, are bringing the message of repentance and renewal to people who might not otherwise attend a formal service. For many, these brief but powerful encounters serve as a reminder of faith, grace, and the Lenten journey ahead.<\/p>\n

One congregation embracing this approach is Centreville United Methodist Church in Virginia. For the past few years, they have provided “ashes to go,” allowing morning commuters to receive the sign of the cross without leaving their vehicles.<\/p>\n

The church’s lead pastor, Rev. Matthew G. Smith, shared with The Christian Post<\/em> that his first experience offering “ashes to go” took place at a metro station a decade ago.<\/p>\n

“The response was overwhelmingly positive, with many commuters expressing gratitude for the opportunity to begin their day with this meaningful Lenten observance,” Smith explained.<\/p>\n

Since Centreville lacks a metro station, the church adapted the practice into a drive-thru format, meeting people as they start their daily routines. Along with the ashes, each person receives a brief prayer and a Scripture-based reflection card to encourage them in their Lenten journey.<\/p>\n

“Our hope is that this experience serves as a holy moment in the midst of a busy day,” Smith said. “It is a visible and personal act of faith\u2014one that reminds us of our mortality, our need for grace, and the hope we have in Christ.”<\/p>\n

Other churches, such as The Bridge Presbyterian Church in Leland, North Carolina, began their drive-thru Ash Wednesday services as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

“During the pandemic, we sensed a deep need in people to reconnect with the church, as well as the rituals they had been missing,” said Rev. Doug Cushing, the church’s senior pastor.<\/p>\n

What started as a temporary solution has now become an annual event, drawing over 200 participants each year. People arrive in their cars, some alone and others with their families\u2014and even pets\u2014seeking a sacred moment of reflection and prayer.<\/p>\n

“We see folks who come back every year,” Cushing shared. “Sometimes, we meet people who begin weeping during our short ritual. Other times, people bring their whole family and make it an adventure.”<\/p>\n

In addition to receiving the ashes, participants are offered prayer, free Lenten devotional guides, and information about the church’s community events.<\/p>\n

“All we hope for is that we can be a blessing, the tangible touch of God to everyone who participates,” Cushing said. “Many tell us they feel reconnected with God and renewed in their faith.”<\/p>\n

Rev. Marion Phipps of St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church in Elgin, Illinois, initially hesitated about offering “ashes to go.”<\/p>\n

“I was skeptical when folks started talking about it,” Phipps admitted. “It was hard to see why that would be meaningful.”<\/p>\n

However, after speaking with fellow clergy who had offered ashes at train stations, Phipps was moved by their stories of heartfelt encounters. Seeing an opportunity to reach those who might not be able to attend a full church service, St. Hugh of Lincoln introduced drive-thru ashes in 2020.<\/p>\n

Located at the corner of a busy road, the church now offers ashes and prayer during evening rush hour, hoping to meet people on their way home from work. Each person also receives a pamphlet explaining the significance of Ash Wednesday, an invitation to Lenten services, and a prayer card featuring the Prayer of St. Francis.<\/p>\n

For Phipps, the goal is to inspire deeper reflection.<\/p>\n

“My hope is that this moment will plant a seed, leading people to further explore their relationship with God,” he said. “James 4:8 says, ‘Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.’ I pray that this small act of faith will continue to grow throughout the Lenten season and beyond.”<\/p>\n

As more churches embrace creative ways to bring the message of Christ to their communities, drive-thru ashes are proving to be a powerful way to engage both the faithful and the seeking. Whether offered in a metro station, a parking lot, or a busy street corner, these moments of prayer and reflection remind us that God meets us wherever we are.<\/p>\n

For those who might not step into a church on Ash Wednesday, these ministries offer a gentle yet profound invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the meaning of Lent. In the busyness of life, even a fleeting moment of faith can spark renewal\u2014and as these churches have found, sometimes a drive-thru is all it takes to make a holy moment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As Christians around the world prepare for the sacred season of Lent, many churches are finding new ways to bring the observance of Ash Wednesday to their communities. While the traditional practice of receiving ashes on the forehead typically takes place during a solemn worship service, some churches are making it more accessible by offering…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":516,"featured_media":12671,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12668","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nChurches Offer 'Drive-Thru Ashes' For Ash Wednesday<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Churches are bringing Ash Wednesday to busy believers with drive-thru ashes, offering a moment of reflection, and renewal this Lenten season.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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