Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, signaling the beginning of the 40-days focused on mortality and renewal before Easter. It is symbolized by the imposition of a cross on the forehead using ashes from the burning of last year’s palms.
A sign is posted along Glebe Road beside the driveway to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. It offers “Drive Thru Ashes” 7:00-8:30 am.” Rev. Jennifer Gamber says, “We meet people where they are.” She says this morning they had 46 people drive by for imposition of the ashes and a blessing. “Many were stopping by before work but about 1/3 of them were teenagers driving themselves to school. It was really lovely.” She adds, “I think they are looking for inspiration in these turbulent times, a place of stability and love. It’s a way for us to bless the community.”
Gamber says this is the 4th year St. Peter’s has done this. “It’s a way to remind people that God does not live within 4 walls and to remind people we are here for them.”
She adds there is also a family Ash Wednesday service at 5:30 pm “where we have four stations for those little hands and feet. At the baptism station kids can play in water; at the light of the world station, kids can light candles. Then at 7 pm there is a more traditional service with scripture and people sitting in pews.”
She says God formed human from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. She continued, “God gives us life. Each of us bears God’s image and has inherent dignity. Every person shares the same origin (dust) and each of us is deserving of dignity. These services are all a reminder that we are dust.”
As she imposed the ashes on each person she said, “from dust you came and to dust you shall return.” She says then she asked each person what she could pray for them. One person had been through the drive through ashes last year and shared an update of her life. Her prayers had been answered.