BRODHEADSVILLE, Pa. — Those who didn't have time to attend a full service on Ash Wednesday morning were able to still receive ashes.
Zion United Lutheran Church near Brodheadsville is once again providing "ashes to go."
For the past seven years on Ash Wednesday, Pastor Ann Melot can be found standing outside Zion United Lutheran Church near Brodheadsville, giving ashes to go.
Carmen Marti from Kresgeville comes every year.
"It's not every day that you can drive up to a church, receive your ashes, say your prayers, and go to work, go on your business for the day. It's fantastic. I love it. I really do," Marti said.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent for Christians around the world.
Pastor Melot says the drive-thru option on Ash Wednesday helps the church reach the community it serves a bit easier.
"Folks are so grateful. So many people can't get to a service. In an ideal world, everyone would be able to go to a worship service, but this is not an ideal world," said Pastor Melot.
The pastor doesn't want drive-thru ashes to replace services. She's just trying to help people who otherwise can't make it to a service.
"God is not confined to a building, and God meets us, not just in worship but everywhere. So many folks are unable to make it to a worship service even if they wanted to because of their works schedules or home schedules. This is a way to reach out to those folks."
"Oh, this is great," said Alejandro Marti. "We stop here every year. It's convenient, and it makes it a lot simpler."
Pastor Melot says about 100 vehicles pass through each year to receive drive-thru ashes.
