[Episcopal News Service] Episcopal Church members, both clergy and lay, took to the streets on Ash Wednesday to offer the world the traditional symbol of the beginning of Lent. In this video produced on Ash Wednesday 2012, the Rev. Sandye A. Wilson offers imposition of ashes during a chilly morning at the New Jersey Transit train station in South Orange. During a break, she discusses the importance of bring the church to the streets. The Ashes to Go movement has grown annually. More information is available on the Ashes to Go website and here.
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I should totally use this as a way of teaching my train-obsessed five-year-old about Ash Wednesday.
This year, in the two weeks or so before Ash Wednesday, and anticipating a repeat of last year’s “Ashes To Go” outreach that was reported in 2012, I conducted a very UN-scientific survey. I was on the fence about joining the “ATG” movement. When the opportunity presented itself, I asked a variety of folks that I know about “Ashes to Go”. There were people with various levels of connectedness to any church or not. Typically, I’d pose a question such as: “What would you think about passing a priest standing on the sidewalk in town next to a sign declaring “Ashes to Go” on Ash Wednesday? The responses were cause for concern, amusement and skepticism about the idea. These are some of the actual reactions: “What is Lent, anyway?”; “That’s weird.”; “Really, you mean right on the town green?”; “No kidding, I didn’t know they still did Lent.”; “That’s new, isn’t it? Does that count for not going to church?”; “Who’s ashes do they use?”; “Well, I suppose if you can’t lead a horse to water, bring the water to them!”; “Well, if people are too lazy to go to church to get ashes why enable them?” “That’s a great idea, I always forget its Ash Wednesday until its too late.” — My best Ash Wednesday story happened when I was in seminary. While studying at General Theological Seminary, N.Y. I had the chance to assist with the Imposition of Ashes at Trinity Church, Wall Street where literally hundreds of people received ashes all day long. A woman approached my station, a long line behind her, and leaned forward to whisper something. “I’m not a Roman Catholic!” she whispered apologetically. I leaned back, looked her in the eye and responded, “That’s O.K., neither am I” and proceeded to sign her forehead with an ashen cross. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”