Ashes to Go, Prayer to Go Available in MV on Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday, February 18 members of the Mount Vernon Ministerial Association will offer “Ashes to Go,” and “Prayer to Go” in Mount Vernon for the eleventh year. Ashes to Go is a twenty-first century approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition. Clergy and licensed lay leaders make the sign of the cross on a person’s forehead using ashes for anyone who walks up or drives through at three Mount Vernon, Ind., locations. We will be at 306 North Kimball (the corner of Third and Kimball Streets across from the McDonalds restaurant Drive-thru) from 9 to 10 a.m. Our second location will be at McKim’s IGA from 11 a.m. to Noon. In the afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m., we will be in the Auto Zone parking lot on the northeast corner of Fourth and Mill Street. “Prayer to Go” is available to those who may not want ashes, but are in need of prayer for a concerning issue in their life.

Even though people are encouraged to worship with a church, they emphasize that God meets people not just in worship, but in the midst of life. Ashes to Go is for people whose busy schedules make it hard to spend 30 to 60 minutes within a church building. This is, however, not meant to replace a regular Ash Wednesday service of the church for those who have the time and commitment to attend a fuller service. Prayer to Go is also not intended to replace more in-depth pastoral counseling a person may require.

The first Ashes to Go was held outside a coffee shop in Saint Louis in 2007, but has spread to many cities throughout the country since then at transit stops, on street corners, and on college campuses. The first Ashes to Go in Mount Vernon took place in 2014 and it has steadily grown in recognition and popularity. The Ministerial Association members encourage people to make time for worship with a community of faith. Ash Wednesday is the first day of forty days when Christians reflect on their way of life, seek forgiveness, and a renewal of their relationship with God. It is also meant to be a time when people who do not know God in Jesus Christ can learn about Him and commit their life to Him through a church of their choosing.