The season of Lent is often a conundrum for people who haven’t grown up in the tradition. It is the 40-day period of preparation preceding Easter, a time of fasting and sacrifice to help believers participate in the suffering of Jesus as he approached crucifixion and ultimately his Resurrection. Easily taken on following the feasting of Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, many give up one or more of their favorite things to make it more meaningful. Theologians posit that celebrating Easter without Lent is to rob the soul of the totality of the process, thereby missing the gravity of the gift that is given through Jesus’ sacrifice.
But it all begins with Ash Wednesday, this year on Feb. 18. Some can be seen with a cross on their foreheads, drawn in ashes resulting from the burning of last year’s palm leaves.
And churches are making themselves available in new ways to accommodate the busy lives of their congregants and the surrounding community members. Early morning services have been traditional so the imposition of ashes could occur before the start of the workday. With so many flexible and challenging schedules, seekers can now find alternative possibilities.
Ashes to go is just one of those. If you drive up to St. Paul Episcopal Church, 309 Cathedral Street, downtown Baltimore, 1 to 2 p.m., a priest will adorn your forehead with the sign of the cross, signifying your observance of the season while you are in your car with the motor running. Other services and locations are below:
Ashes to Go
Baltimore—Churches where ashes may be obtained while you are in your car:
Church of the Advent. Noon and 6:30 p.m. 1301 S. Charles Street. 21230
Epiphany Episcopal Church. 12 a.m., Feb. 18 to 12 a.m., Feb. 19. 2216 Pot Spring Road, Timonium. 21093
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 1 to 2 p.m. 309 Cathedral Street. 21202
Metropolitan United Methodist Church. Visit nationalchurch.org or call 202-363-4900 for information on Ashes Out of Church, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Traditional Ash Wednesday Services
Baltimore—Churches where ashes obtained during traditional church service:
Adams Chapel A.M.E. 7 p.m. 3811 Egerton Road. 21215
Ark Church. 7 p.m. 1263 E. North Avenue. 21213
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 7:30 p.m., 12:10 p.m., 6:15 p.m. 409 N. Charles St. 21201
Corpus Christi Catholic Church. 12:10 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 110 W. LaFayette Street. 21202
Heritage United Church of Christ. 6 to 9 a.m. 3110 Liberty Heights Avenue. 21215
St. Agnes Church. 7 a.m. 5222 Old Frederick Road. 21229
St. Bernardine’s Catholic Church. 12 p.m. 7 p.m. 3812 Edmondson Avenue 21229
St. Francis of Assisi. 7:30 a.m. 3615 Harford Road. 21218
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. 10 a.m. 1501 E. Oliver Street. 21213
St. Ignatius Church. 7:25 a.m. 12:10 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 740 N. Calvert Street. 21202
St. Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church. 10 a.m. 1546 N. Fremont Avenue. 21217
Saints Philip and James University Parish. Noon. 7 p.m. 2801 N. Charles St. Baltimore 21218
St. Vincent de Paul Church. 6 a.m. Noon. 120 N. Front Street. 21202
Traditional Ash Wednesday Services
Washington, D.C.–Churches where ashes obtained during traditional church service:
Asbury United Methodist Church. 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 11th and K Streets, N.W. 20001
Foundry United Methodist Church. 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. 1500 16th Street, N.W. 20036
Hughes Memorial United Methodist Church. Noon. 25 53rd Street, N.E. 20019
Metropolitan AME Church. 7 p.m., 1518 M Street, N.W., 20005
Metropolitan UMC 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 3401 Nebraska Avenue. N.W. 20016
Wesley United Methodist Church. 5312 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Noon. 20015