St. Charles Episcopal Church to offer 'Ashes to Go,' 'Drive-Thru Ashes'

March 1 is Ash Wednesday, and once again the clergy and parishioners of St. Charles Episcopal Church will be at the Geneva Metra train station offering "Ashes to Go" during the morning commuter rush from 5:45 to 8 a.m.

Those wishing to participate will receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their forehead and a brief prayer. Any and all are welcome to receive ashes, no matter their denomination or even religion.

Also on Wednesday morning, a "drive-thru" will be set up in the circle drive at St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. Fifth Ave. (Route 25) in St. Charles. "Drive-Thru Ashes" will take place between 6:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. Lent is a time of reflection and fasting leading up to Easter. During this time, Christians around the world reflect on their spiritual journeys, their relationships, and on their own mortality.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christians go to church and receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of their mortality. But for many, making it to church on Ash Wednesday just doesn't happen for a number of reasons from inconvenience to indifference. So the people of St. Charles Episcopal Church decided to go out and meet them where they are at, both literally and figuratively.

In an increasingly secular world, St. Charles Episcopal Church hopes to bring the church out to the people and into the marketplace to better serve the world. The message is that God has not forgotten anyone.

St. Charles Episcopal Church offers three Sunday morning services. For information, visit www.stcharlesepiscopal.org or call (630) 584-2596.