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Feb 07, 2013 | Jeanie Sablatura

St. David's Expands Ashes To Go on Austin Streets

St. David's Ash Wednesday 2St. David’s Episcopal Church will add an additional location to its Ashes To Go offering after receiving tremendous participation last year. On Ash Wednesday, February 13, priests from St. David’s will offer ashes to busy commuters and others who may not have time, or the initial inclination, to observe this day.
 

“We were overwhelmed with the response we received last year,” said the Rev. David Boyd, Rector. “We had planned to only offer ashes in the morning, but our priest couldn’t leave. Every time he tried, someone else came up. He offered ashes all the way through lunch- with people still stopping him as he walked back to the church.”
 

St. David’s will offer Ashes To Go at two locations this year: 6th and Congress and 6th and Lamar
Times: 8-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
 

“This isn’t about forcing religion on someone or aimed at making people feel uncomfortable,” Boyd said. “It’s about taking our faith out from the church and being present in the everyday places where faith and life intersect. It’s about welcoming everyone into Lent which is a time to grow in the knowledge, connection and love of God through soul-searching, repentance and reflection.”
 

As always, St. David’s will hold its regular Ash Wednesday services at 7 a.m., Noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the church. All are welcome to join in these more formal services.
 

The first Ashes To Go was done in 2007 by St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis, Missouri. The response was overwhelming prompting St. John’s to continue the project and share with other churches their mission of “coming out from behind the comfortable pews and doors to be in the places where the rubber meets the road.”

 

About St. David’s: St. David’s was established in 1847 and is one of the oldest Episcopal churches in the country. With 2,400 members, St. David’s strives to be an inclusive community committed to worship, fellowship, Christian formation and outreach in the Austin community. St. David’s offers seven services each Sunday and prayer services during the week.