The start of the Lenten journey for most Christians is just a week away.
And, for many, it will start with Ash Wednesday services that will look a lot different amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some churches like the Episcopal Church of the Saviour handed out Ash Wednesday kits for parishioners to apply their own ashes while watching an online service that will broadcast next week.
Others like the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Akron will forgo ashes entirely and instead will offer a music-oriented service that will be livestreamed.
The Rev. Jonathan Hauerwas said the church on West Market Street has been all online since before Easter a year ago.