Offering Ashes in the World

Yesterday for the second year, we took ashes out into the world. Brian and Jeremy went to Starbucks.

The youth burn last year's palms
to make this year's ashes.

One of them told me about listening to the baristas call customers by name. It seemed a metaphor for being in ministry in the world.

For the first time, two of us offered ashes in the parking lot at church. To me, it seemed like a sacrament simply to be there, watching the people drive by. Each one has a story and a name that God knows. For each car that turned in to the lot, probably a few hundred others passed by. And of those, who know how many saw Nina and me, but we saw them, offering our presence and our prayers. The response of those who received ashes was full of gratitude. We also received a spontaneous hug, and hand warmers from a member of the Marine Band driving by.

After warming our toes and fingers, a few of us gathered in the Chapel for Midweek Prayer and ashes, a time for reflection. After the committal service at the cemetery for Gerry Davies, it seemed appropriate to offer ashes, reminding each of us that we are mortal, and that we are loved and known, calling us to turn around to hear the Good News of grace.

This evening, again in the Chapel, Jeremy and I sat with persons as they came to receive ashes. Some were from our congregation, but more were not. After receiving ashes, they went downstairs to Zumba.

Out of all those we touched today, twice as many were from outside the church as from our congregation. There seems to be a hunger for many people in the world for this offering of grace. I felt privileged to be a part of God’s flow of grace.

Joel 2: 13

Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.