Burton Edwards, pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation in Warner Robins, Georgia.ĭrive-thru ashes have been gaining popularity in recent years for busy Christians unable to attend weekday Ash Wednesday services. “The pandemic has to be paid attention to,” said the Rev. 17, recommending no indoor meetings, lots of hand sanitizer and, when doling out ashes in a drive-thru, keeping the line moving to avoid traffic jams. Stacy Gahlman-Schroeder of Wisconsin plans to stand in the church parking lot throughout the day, dipping disposable Q-tips into the ashes, rather than her finger.Īn ecumenical group of clergy, theologians, liturgical scholars and public health experts recently released guidelines for safely observing Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on Feb. Some churches haven’t met since the pandemic first upended life during the last Lenten season. That practice presents a problem when health experts fighting COVID-19 have advised people to avoid touching their faces or coming in close proximity to others. Clergy smear ashes, usually those left after burning palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations, onto congregants’ foreheads, often in the shape of a cross. Many churches mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent with the imposition of ashes. (RNS) - Ash Wednesday is one of the touchiest observances on the liturgical calendar - literally.
