Coffee And Christ: Chester Church Brings Ash Wednesday To The Streets

CHESTER, N.J. – Church of the Messiah in Chester knows people in the area are busy and admits the church, as a whole, needs to be presented in new and non-traditional ways.

So this Wednesday, Feb. 10, clergy and volunteers from the church will be in front of Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 206 in Chester and Starbucks at the Chester Hills Shopping Mall for Ash Wednesday, offering to mark the foreheads of those interested with ashes.

“Ashes To Go” is the approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition and part of a nationwide movement that has clergy going outside of the church to reach the masses in well-traveled public places.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the holy season of Lent, and “is a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter,” said Rev. Margaret Otterburn, Rector of Church of the Messiah.

“Ashes to Go is about bringing the altar into the world, it is to bring church and God into our every day places” said Otterburn. “As people get busier and busier, we need the church in new and non-traditional ways. We especially need reminders of forgiveness in the tough places of our working lives. The people who accept ashes on the street are often people longing to make a connection between their faith and the forces of daily life, and Ashes to Go helps them feel that connection.”

Ashes To Go will be available outside Dunkin’ Donuts from 6 to 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, and in front of Starbucks from 8 to 9:30 a.m.