Drive-Thru Ashes Planned At Vienna Church To Kick Off Lent

Vienna VA

25 February, 2022

1:17 PM

Description

Editor's note: the story has been updated with correct hours. VIENNA, VA — Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Christian observance of Lent, and one Vienna church is carrying out the tradition differently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Church of the Good Shepherd, a United Methodist church, is providing Drive-Thru Ashes on Wednesday, March 2. Instead of the traditional imposition of ashes on the forehead, members will be given small crosses with ashes to impose themselves. "To be safe in the continuing pandemic, we're doing things a little differently this year on Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of the season of Lent," said Pastor Eric Song. "We will be handing out small crosses filled with ashes for people to do the imposition of ashes by themselves at home or keep them as a keepsake." Song will be in the church's parking lot at 2351 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. to distribute the small crosses filled with ashes. An Ash Wednesday service will be held in person and online at 7:30 p.m. but will not include imposition of ashes. Copies of the church's 23rd annual Devotions for Lent publication will also be handed out during the drive-thru. An additional 4,000 copies are being mailed in neighborhoods surrounding the church. An online version is available at www.GoodShepherdVA.com, and daily devotions will be shared on the Church of the Good Shepherd Facebook page.