[The Star-Ledger] For some Christian denominations, a cross of ash on the forehead for the first day of Lent is supposed to represent mortality, and a fleeting period of time on the Earth.
But not every Christian sets aside the time for a church service in the middle of a busy work week.
So instead of waiting in churches for parishioners who might never come, some clergy are going to the people — to the bus stops and coffee shops. They call it “Ashes to Go,” and it’s a way to reach out to the people where they are on this Christian holiday.
“People are busy – we understand,” said the Rev. Adele Hatfield, of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Lakes. “We’re not trying to beat up on them.”
“It’s a way of reminding ourselves of our earthliness,” added the Rev. Debra Duke, of The Community Church of Mountain Lakes.
The two reverends stood at the Parsippany Park and Ride off Route 46 East, stoles draped around their shoulders in the freezing cold. They didn’t approach commuters, but for every half-dozen that rushed past them to the waiting Lakeland buses to New York City, their sign drew in a commuter, and one of the reverends said a small blessing, affixed the cross, and the commuter was on their bus. All in about 10 seconds.
