On Ash Wednesday, February 10, Faith Lutheran Church will be offering “Ashes to Go,” a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition, from 7-9am in the church parking lot at 300 Washington St., in Middletown, CT.
Faith Lutheran Church is part of a new nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people visiting transit stops, street corners, coffee shops, and college campuses to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by with ashes and invite them to repent of past wrongdoing and seek forgiveness and renewal.
In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the start of the holy season of Lent, a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter. For centuries, Christians have received a cross of ashes on the face at the beginning of that season as a reminder of mortal failings and an invitation to receive God’s forgiveness. Ashes to Go provides the opportunity to participate in that tradition for people who have lost their connection to a church, or have never participated before.
“We are offering Ashes to Go as a way to share God’s love with everyone in the name of Jesus Christ. Ashes drawn on the forehead in the shape of a cross are an ancient sign of penitence. We offer our sorrow about our sinfulness to God and receive the message of God’s tremendous forgiveness and love. We want to bring this important tradition of our faith out to the people who come to our church or travel past it on foot and in their cars so they can carry the warmth of forgiveness into their busy day and maybe make connections between their faith and their daily life,” says Rev. Cathy Rohrs.
Find out what's happening in Middletownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In Middletown, Faith Lutheran Church is offering Ashes to Go for the first time this year.
