On Ash Wednesday, February 18, St. Peter’s Church will be offering “Ashes to Go,” a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition, at Market East Station in Philadelphia from 7-9:30 a.m.
St. Peter’s Church is part of a 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’re offering ashes in Market East Station because that reminder of need, humility, and healing shouldn’t be confined to a church building. We need it more when we are in the middle of our daily business!” said the Rev. Claire Nevin-Field of St. Peter’s Church. “The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday are to remind us throughout the day of our need for God and of God’s call to us.”
This is the fourth year that pastors from St. Peter’s Church have distributed ashes on Ash Wednesday at Market East Station. Last year, more than 500 commuters received ashes from Nevin-Field and the Rev. Ledlie I. Laughlin.
Media are invited to attend this event. More information about the Ashes to Go movement can be found at www.AshesToGo.org.