Ash Wednesday: Church offers drive-thru 'ash and dash'
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Updated: 2:04 PM EST Feb 17, 2021
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Updated: 2:04 PM EST Feb 17, 2021
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ELENA: THE ASH AND DASH IS UNDERWAY HERE IN WHITE OAK AND LIKE. IT IS A DRIVE THROUGH ASH DISTRIBUTION FOR ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS ACTUALLY STARTED PRE-PANDEMIC, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT HAVE CHANGED THIS LENTEN SEASON TO KEEP SAFETY DURING COVID AT THE TOP PRIORITY. -- AS THE TOP PRIORITY. AS THE LENTEN SEASON KICKS OFF ON THIS BITING COLD WEDNESDAY MORNING, THOSE WHO OBSERVE THE DAY ARE THANKFUL FOR A CONVENIENT AND QUICK WAY TO GET THEIR ASHES. >> MUCH MORE ADVANTAGEOUS WHEN YOU WORK OR ON YOUR WAY TO SCHOOL OR WHATEVER. >> I GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR STILL WANTING TO DO THIS. IT’S FREEZING COLD OUT. I’M COLD IN MY CAR, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. ELENA: BUT THIS YEAR AT TH FRONT PARKING LOT OF FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH IN WHITE OAK, PASTOR MICHAEL RYAN AND PASTOR JESSICA MCCLURE ARCHER FROM ACROSS THE STREET AT SAMPSON’S MILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ARE NOT PUTTING ASHES ON FOREHEADS AS THEY USUALLY DO. INSTEAD, THEY’RE HANDING THEM OUT. >> PATCHES, WHICH THEY’RE MADE OF SACK CLOTH, WHICH IS A TRADITIONAL SIGN OF PENITENCE MARKED WITH A CROSS, AND PEOPLE CAN HAVE THIS THROUGH ALL OF LENT, NOT JUST FOR ASH WEDNESDAY. ELENA: ALMOST A FULL YEAR INTO THE PANDEMIC, ASH WEDNESDAY WAS ONE OF THE LAST RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES THAT WAS NORMAL IN 2020. AS THE PANDEMIC GOES ON, CHANGES HAD TO BE MADE. >> WE’RE HAPPY TO OFFER IT AND TO BE AVAILABLE AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE REACHING OUT AND THINKING ABOUT GOD AND FAITH. ELENA: IF YOU DO HEAD TO CHURCH FOR YOUR ASHES TODAY, CLERGY MAY BE APPLYING THEM TO THE FOREHEAD WITH A Q-TIP. IN OTHER INSTANCES, THEY MAY FIRST BLESS THE ASHES, SPRINKLE THEM WITH HOLY WATER, AND THEN SPRINKLE THEM ON TOP OF THE HEAD. MOST CHURCHES WILL HOLD MASS, BUT YOU CAN ALSO LIVE STREAM SERVICES THROUGH THE DIOCESAN WEBSITE. AND AS THE LENTEN SEASON CONTINUES, PARISH FISH FRIES WILL BE TAKE-OUT OR DELIVERY