Ashes to Go (Take 2)

Three Hampden congregations will go into the community on Ash
Wednesday, March 5, and offer passersby the opportunity to receive ashes while
going about their daily activities.

The churches, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church,
six:eight United Church of Christ, and St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America will offer “Ashes To Go” to commuters, pedestrians, drivers, and
shut-ins as those people go about their daily activities. Locations where ashes
will be available include near the Woodbury Light Rail Stop, in front of Café
Hon, and the St. Mary’s Roland
View Towers senior living complex.

“Church is not about the
building. Church is about the people and their relationship with God,” says
Rev. Amy Sens of six:eight UCC. “Many things keep people from coming to church
to worship, but nothing can stop the love, healing, and grace of God from
working in their lives.”

Rev. Bonnie McCubbin of Good
Shepherd UMC says, “Lives have become so busy, that we hope we can provide some
calm amidst the storms of life. This is one of the ways we can bring God to the
people and help all of us remember that God is with us in the middle of our
busy-ness.”

Clergy and laity from the three
congregations will be present at each location to offer ashes in the sign of
the cross on their forehead, as well as a prayer, to commuters, pedestrians,
drivers and others who wish to stop. Drivers and passengers will not need to
leave their car in order to receive ashes, and the entire process will not
delay people from their normal activities.

“Ashes To Go” began with
Episcopal churches in 2007 before becoming international last year.

Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of Lent, a 40-day period preceding Easter. Placing ashes on the
forehead at the beginning of Lent began in the Middle Ages. To Christians, Lent
is a season of repentance where Christians reflect on their mortality and
sinfulness; and the redemption, healing, and grace that they believe only God provides.

The three churches will also
offer two Ash Wednesday services. St. Luke’s ELCA will offer a service in their
sanctuary at 800 W 36th
Street at 12 Noon. Six:eight UCC will join with
Good Shepherd UMC at 3800 Roland
Ave for a 7:00 PM service including communion,
ashes and a desert prayer station.

Information on each of the
churches can be found on their websites: www.goodshepherdhampden.com, www.sixeightucc.org, and www.facebook.com/LutheranChurchHampdenHon.