KIRTLAND, Ohio — Fat Tuesday is over, and Ash Wednesday is here to mark the first day of Lent.
Ash Wednesday is observed by Christians who wear ashes on their forehead as “a traditional sign of penance worn by the faithful.”
If you can’t make it to an Ash Wednesday service, at least two Northeast Ohio churches are offering "ashes to go" including Kirtland's Old South United Church of Christ and the Trinity Cathedral in downtown Cleveland.
Pastor Ian Lynch of the Old South United Church of Christ will be in the church parking lot from 7-10 a.m. where he will spend a few moments with each person before marking their forehead with the ashes.
It's the sixth year his church has offered "ashes to go."
While some may feel that this demeans a sacred ritual, Lynch sees a different angle.
"The church is not the building, or even the practices,” Pastor Lynch says. “The church is Christ's love in action. This is a way that we can be church beyond the walls, bringing a blessing to people rather than waiting for them to come to us."
Trinity will offer their "ashes to go" option at the following times Wednesday:
- 8:45 to 9:30 a.m.
- 11 to 11:45 a.m.
- 1:15 to 2 p.m.
- 5 to 5:45 p.m.'
Trinity is also holding three Ash Wednesday services at 7:30 a.m., noon and 6 p.m.
This year, Easter falls on April 12.
Old South Church is located at 9802 Chillicothe Road in Kirtland.
