A drive-thru service that quickly provides ashes and prayer to Christian observers of Ash Wednesday. Photo contributed
Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 2589 Chain Bridge Road will once again be offering Ashes and Dashes, a drive-thru service that quickly provides ashes and prayer to Christian observers of Ash Wednesday, in its church parking lot on Feb. 10, from 6-8:45 a.m.
Emmanuel is part of a nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people stepping outside of churches to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by in parking lots, at transit centers and on street corners with ashes and encourage them to gain a better sense of self by examining their humility and mortality, and seek renewal.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the holy season of Lent for Christian churches. It is a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter.
“Ashes and Dashes is about bringing the important traditions of our faith out from behind church walls and into our daily routine,” says Pastor Mark Edwards, who leads this ministry at Emmanuel. “People are busy, and we need the church to evolve in new and non-traditional ways to reach both busy churchgoers and those who don’t regularly attend worship services. Everyone needs reminders of forgiveness in the fast pace of our daily lives.”
Contact Emmanuel’s church office for more information about Ashes and Dashes at 703-938-2119 or visit their website, www.elcvienna.org.