Churches Find Ways to Bring Ash Wednesday Out from Behind the Church Doors -
On March 1, 2017, area churches, will station themselves across the city to celebrate Ash Wednesday by sharing ashes in unlikely places. People will be stationed everywhere from interstate off ramps, parking garages, coffee shops, hospitals, homeless shelters, buses and skywalks.
Glitter ashes will also be available outside the Blazing Saddle. This experience provides the opportunity for people to experience Ash Wednesday in a new way, in the midst of their daily lives.
“Ash Wednesday generally isn’t a highly attended service in the protestant church, but it provides an opportunity that many of us are searching for: a chance to encounter the sacred, reflect on our life, remember how deeply we are connected and move forward with hope.” said Jen Hibben, pastor at thrive UMC “We think it’s something worth sharing, so we’re taking it to where the community is, where more people can experience it in the midst of their daily lives.”
Ash Wednesday is a Christian tradition that begins the period of preparing ourselves for Easter. The imposition of ashes on the forehead serves as a reminder of those who are suffering throughout the world, of our own mistakes, need of forgiveness and change, and God’s response of love, acceptance and forgiveness and the depth of our connection as human beings. It provides people with an opportunity for deep reflection and hope for the future.
Get the latest ash locations, participating churches and more information on our website:
ashesforall.org.
LOCATIONS:
Morning (approximately 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM)
- Bus depot and then bus route
- Central Iowa Shelter & Services
- Intersection of MLK and Cottage Grove
- Caribou Coffee/Einstein Bagels (Mills Civic Pkwy)
- Sky Walks
Lunch Hour (approximately 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
- Sky Walks
- The Blazing Saddle (glitter ashes)
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
ABOUT ASHES FOR ALL: Ashes for all is an ecumenical group of Des Moines area clergy and lay people who have come together to find a new way celebrate Ash Wednesday in and with our communities
LEARN MORE ABOUT #ASHESFORALL
ashesforall.org
#ashesforall
CONTACT:
Rev. Jen Hibben at 515-240-1775
Email:
Jennifer.hibben@iaumc.net
