On Wednesday, February 14, a group of Episcopal clergy will take the traditional Ash Wednesday practice of the imposition of ashes from inside of church buildings out to the people on the streets of Portland, Bath, Old Town, Rockland, Windham, Brunswick, Winthrop, Wilton, and Farmington. 

Started by Episcopal clergy in Chicago in 2007, Ashes to Go marks its seventh year in Maine communities. First offered on a commuter rail platform, the practice has spread to dozens of cities across the U.S.

“Not everyone is able to be in their church today. It’s a way of bringing the church’s presence outside a building and offering an opportunity for people to practice their faith as they go about their daily life and work,” said the Rev. Larry Weeks of Trinity Episcopal and St. Peter’s Episcopal in Portland. In 2012 Weeks organized the first Ashes to Go in Portland. Each year more than 100 people, including many passers-by have availed themselves of the opportunity to receive ashes and a blessing.

In Portland all who wish the imposition of ashes and a brief blessing are welcome at Monument Square from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

In Windham – 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Windham Post Office parking lot on Route 302 by the Rev. Tim Higgins and Deacons Cindy Beaulieu and Wendy Rozene of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church

In Wilton – 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. near the Wilton Post Office and in Farmington – Noon to 1 p.m. on Main Street near the Post Office by the Rev. Suzanne Cole of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

In Winthrop  – Noon to 3 p.m. at the downtown Commerce CenterMain Street by the Rev. Susan Taylor of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

In Brunswick – 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Midcoast Hunger Prevention and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Bowdoin College Chapel by the Rev. Chick Carroll and the Rev. Mary Lee Wile of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 

In Bath – 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Front and Center Streets by the Rev. Ted Gaiser of Grace Episcopal Church and the Rev. Gwyneth Arrison from Bath United Methodist Church

In Old Town – 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in front of St. James’ Episcopal Church at the corner of Center and Main Streets by the Rev. Jane White-Hassler.

In Rockland – 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Main Street outside of Rock City Cafe and 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Public Ferry Terminal by the Rev. Lael Sorensen of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and clergy from Nativity Lutheran Church

In the Christian tradition, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the six weeks leading up to Easter. As a time of self-reflection for believers, Lent is often marked by prayer, penance, and charity.

The Rev. Tim Higgins, rector of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Windham, described his experience in past years as “one of the coolest ministries I have ever been involved with.” He added, “A jogger came through and stopped long enough to pray with us, receive his ashes and continue on his jog, while saying, ‘I’ve never done that before, thanks so much!’”

Weeks added, “We found that many people had forgotten that it was Ash Wednesday and welcomed the opportunity to receive ashes and a blessing. It’s high time we venture outside our church walls to offer hope, forgiveness, and healing to people who may still have a spiritual hunger but aren’t so sure about Church.”

In addition to Ashes to Go, indoor services at all of Maine’s 59 Episcopal churches will be held on Ash Wednesday, February 14. Visit our map for links to church websites for service times at www.tinyurl.com/episcopalmaine

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