BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – At St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, a snow-filled day didn’t stop Deacon Mary Lynn Adams from leading the church’s first ever ‘Ashes-to-Go’ service.
She tells WLUK it’s all about being flexible.
“With work schedules and school schedules it can be very difficult for people to get to church. I think people will come who really desire to get the ashes and to start their Lent in this way.”
About a dozen vehicles pulled up for ashes and a minute-long prayer in two separate morning and evening offerings.
De Pere’s Denise Tomlinson was one of them
“We were going to go to our church for Ash Wednesday, but with the storm and I picked up my boys early and saw the drive by, I thought let’s check it out”
“It’s kind of nice and quick, so you don’t have to like wait for a long time in a church service,” said Riley Tomlinson.
Christians opting for a traditional service braved the weather as well, like at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Green Bay.
“I’ve never missed Ash Wednesday, so I make it a priority to go to church,” said Erin Murray, a UW-Green Bay student.
“We’ve told our people if it’s inclement weather to be safe, to be prudent, stay at home,” said Rev. Bill Hoffman of St. Philip Church.
Hoffman says the church’s morning service saw more than double the amount of people expected, likely because of the forecast. But he has reservations when it comes to something like a drive-up Ash Wednesday service.
“To take it out and say this is the important thing, the external sign, I think it takes something away from it”
“I wouldn’t do it normally, but it was a good fit for the storm,” said Denise Tomlinson.
Deacon Adams says she is already looking forward to holding the drive-through services again next year.
Saint Anne’s also held traditional services both in the morning and evening.
