Churches Offering Drive Thru Ashes for Ash Wednesday Feb. 14
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 6, 2018)
Madison Heights, Novi, Pontiac, Southfield, West Bloomfield, MI- Ash Wednesday is a day for people of some Christian denominations to have a cross of ashes placed on their forehead as a solemn reminder that human bodies return to the earth after passing on. While this generally comes along with a ceremony, a growing number of churches are making it easy on parishioners by offering drive-thru ashes.  The devoted do not even have to leave their cars to be blessed.
This year Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine’s Day.  Below are churches offering drive thru or drop in ashes.  If you know of any others in Oakland County, please email us at editor@oc115.com with the info.
St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 1434 E. 13 Mile, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Ash Wednesday, February 14: 7:00-9:00 am we will provide Ashes To Go for persons of any denomination who are unable to attend Ash Wednesday services due to work, family, medical or other commitments. Those who come to the “drive thru” can request prayers and receive a blessing and the imposition of ashes.
At 7:00 pm we will have our Traditional Ash Wednesday Service which will include special music, prayers, scripture, and the imposition of ashes.  Their website is: http://www.stpatsmh.org
Novi United Methodist  at 41671 W. Ten Mile Rd. Novi, Michigan 48375
Drive Thru ashes will be available from 7a-11am for those who want to start their day with Christ. There will also be worship at 7am and 7pm.  Learn more at https://www.umcnovi.com
Holy Cross Novi at 40700 W 10 MILE RD, Novi, MI 48375
Holy Cross Novi is not doing Drive Thru ashes this year, but they are doing Drop In Ashes from 2pm-5pm.  Services are at noon and 7pm.  Their website it http://ecbiz237.inmotionhosting.com/~holycr12/info/
All Saints Episcopal Pontiac at 171 W. Pike Street Drive
Thru Ashes are available from 7am to 9am Check out their website at https://www.allsaintspontiac.org/
St. David’s Episcopal Church at 16200 W. Twelve Mile Road in Southfield
Ashes will be available on Ash Wednesday, February 14 in the driveway in front of St. David’s church from 7-9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4-6 p.m. The hours are scheduled to accommodate morning rush hour, lunch time, and evening rush hour.
The driveway is parallel to Twelve Mile Road. Motorists may easily enter from both driveways and may stay in their cars while they receive their ashes. Afterward, they may quickly exit the driveway and continue on their journey down Twelve Mile Road.
“Last year, hundreds of people received prayer and ashes through this ministry,” said the Very Rev. Chris Yaw, rector of St. David’s. “And those of us who served on that day were blessed by the opportunity to meet and pray with others.”
St. David’s is also holding two indoor services on Ash Wednesday, one at noon and another at 7 p.m. Those services will include both imposition of ashes and the Holy Eucharist.
“Ash Wednesday is intended to provide a time of reflection and repentance for what we have done and what we have failed to do,” Yaw explained. “We hope that Drive-Thru Ashes can make the message and meaning of this day more accessible.”
Their Web address is: www.stdavidssf.org
Spirit of Grace: Lutheran-Episcopal Community at 399 Figa Ave, West Bloomfield Twp, MI  48324
AshesGo will be offered from 7:30am-9am and 4pm – 6pm.  Service will be held inside from 7pm-pm  Their website is http://spiritofgrace.church/calendar/
Order Ashes Online
Those who can’t get out on Ash Wednesday can also order ashes online through Amazon or other online suppliers.