It will be “ashes-to-go” for the area faithful as Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (CGSLC), 600 Shepard Avenue, Hamden, hosts its first “Ashes-to-Go” Drive-Through Event and Interdenominational Ash Wednesday Service in collaboration with other local congregations on Wednesday, March 2. That day, clergy from five Hamden churches will use ashes to mark the foreheads of area residents with an ancient symbol of repentance in observance of Ash Wednesday.
“On Ash Wednesday, our foreheads are marked with ashes as a two-fold reminder,” said The Rev. Joshua N. Sullivan, pastor of CGSLC. “First, the ashes remind us that we believe that all false things will pass away, and second, and most importantly, the ashes help us confess that our true self comes only from God.”
In addition to Pastor Sullivan, other Hamden clergy and congregations participating in the “Ashes-to-Go” event and interdenominational Ash Wednesday service include The Rev. George Manukas of Dunbar United Church of Christ, The Rev. Robert Bergner of Grace & St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, The Rev. Jeremiah Paul of Hamden Plains United Methodist Church, and The Rev. Olivia Robinson of Mount Carmel Congregational Church.
“The idea to partner with other Hamden churches just came so naturally,” Pastor Sullivan said. “I had already connected with Pastor Olivia of Mount Carmel Congregational about spirituality and the arts, and then she invited me to help plan the service along with Pastor George. Inviting Pastors Bob and Jeremiah was natural as well, since we all were partnering to help serve those in need in Hamden.”
Two Drive-Through Sessions
The opportunity to receive “Ashes-to-Go” will be offered at CGSLC during two sessions on March 2: The first session will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and a second session will run from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Those wishing to receive ashes are asked to wear a mask and to remain in their cars as they enter the church parking lot. (See additional drive-through instructions and mask information below).
That evening, the Interdenominational Ash Wednesday Service will be held at CGSLC at 7 p.m. Clergy and church members from the five Hamden congregations above will be participating. The worship service is open to the public, but please be advised that masks are required. For those unable to attend the service in person, watch it via Facebook livestream here or watch it from the homepage at christgoodshepherdlutheran.org.
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For more information about the “Ashes-to-Go” Event or the Interdenominational Ash Wednesday Worship Service, contact Pastor Sullivan at Pastor@christgoodshepherdlutheran.org, or call the church office at (203) 288-3196.
| DRIVING DIRECTIONS & INDOOR MASK POLICY | “Ashes-to-Go” will be administered on Wednesday, March 2, at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 600 Shepard Ave., Hamden, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Please note: Ashes will be distributed in a DRIVE-THROUGH manner; please do not turn around in the church parking lot. ENTER ONLY at the north end of the parking lot nearest the traffic light, marked “ENTRANCE ONLY,” follow the directions of the parking volunteers and proceed to the worship leader you see in the driveway. EXIT ONLY from the south end, furthest from the traffic light marked “EXIT ONLY.” Please wear a mask and remain seated in your car for the imposition of ashes. All are welcome to attend the interdenominational Ash Wednesday Worship Service at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church that evening at 7 p.m., but please be advised that masks are required for indoor worship and medical-grade masks are preferred. |