Photo Gallery: Christians receive ashes in a variety of ways
(RNS) Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the period of penance and fasting preceding Easter.
Jacqui Hunter of Silver Spring, Md., stopped at the parking lot of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Jacqui Hunter of Silver Spring, Md., stopped at the parking lot of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The Rev. Saroj Sangha of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., awaits an approaching car to administer ashes on Ash Wednesday in her church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017. With her is Caroleann Myers, chair of the church’s worship committee. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Archana Arona, a member of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., receives ashes from the Rev. Saroj Sangha on Ash Wednesday in her church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The Rev. Greg Haskamp blesses ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Parishioners line up to receive ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
The Rev. Saroj Sangha of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., holds a container of ashes on Ash Wednesday in her church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The Rev. John Spicer prays with Bryant Parker after distributing ashes at Bella Napoli coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Mike Chalk distributes ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Elizabeth Gardner, acting young adults missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., administers ashes on Ash Wednesday to John Nassif outside the Metro Center subway station in downtown Washington before he heads to his job at the U.S. Agency for International Development on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Lauren Markoe
The Rev. Greg Haskamp, left, and Mike Chalk, right, distribute ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Catherine Manhardt, right, parish administrator at The Church of the Epiphany, distributes ashes at the Metro Center subway station
in downtown Washington for Ash Wednesday on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Lauren Markoe
Parishioners receive ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
The Rev. John Spicer distributes ashes to Dolly McCarson at Bella Napoli coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
The Rev. John Spicer, rector of St. Andrew Episcopal Church, prays with Dolly McCarson and her son James McCarson, 14, after distributing ashes at Bella Napoli coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Parishioners take grocery bags to fill will alms during Lent for the parish food bank after an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
The Rev. John Spicer laughs with Sarah Radasky and her one-year-old son Duke after distributing ashes at Bella Napoli coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Nancy Kalcounos, a member of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., receives ashes from the Rev. Saroj Sangha on Ash Wednesday in their church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017
The Rev. Greg Haskamp distributes ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Judy Marcum, a member of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., receives ashes on Ash Wednesday in her church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
The Rev. Saroj Sangha of Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., receives ashes on Ash Wednesday from Caroleann Myers, chair of the church’s worship committee in their church’s parking lot on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
Rev. John Spicer talks with people at Bella Napoli coffee shop in Kansas City, Mo., on March 1, 2017. Spicer is rector at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, several blocks to the south of the coffee shop. RNS photo by Kit Doyle
Ash Wednesday sign outside Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring, Md., on March 1, 2017. RNS photo by Adelle M. Banks
(RNS) Many Christians found a way to observe Ash Wednesday (March 1) in spite of busy schedules. Some churches accommodate parishioners’ hectic schedules by distributing ashes in ways other than at traditional services. RNS found people seeking ashes in church, in parking lots and in coffee shops. Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the period of penance and fasting preceding Easter.
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