The Rev. Luke Fodor said this is the first time the church has offered a “Ashes to Go” drive-through service that will take place in the parking spaces by the church along North Main Street in Jamestown. He said along with indoor Ash Wednesday ceremonies that will take place at noon and 7 p.m., the drive-through service will be available between 1-3 p.m. The ceremony is for those affiliated and not affiliated with St. Luke’s.

“We are trying to be careful with what we are doing, but we want to have some commemoration of the beginning of Lent” he said. “Lent will be different this year because we’ve all given up so much in the last year.”

Fodor said for the drive-through service, between each person he will be sanitizing his hand. He also said if people want to walk-up to the church, he will also be imposing the ash for those who want to participate in the religious ceremony. He added for the indoor service, he will be going pew to pew to impose the ash on people’s foreheads.

“We’re given them communion as a way for people to continue their Lent and devotion,” he said. “Normally, it’s about a time of gathering and praying in the church together. However, many folks don’t feel safe doing that, so we wanted to give them another option. I think so much has been take away from folks that we wanted to make sure they don’t lose even more, so we are going above and beyond.”

The Rev. Luke Fodor imposing ash during a past Ash Wednesday ceremony at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The church for the first time will be performing “Ashes to Go” along North Main Street between 1-3 p.m. for people who what to participate in the Ash Wednesday ceremony, but don’t want to enter the church. Submitted photo

Fodor said St. Luke’s will be starting their religious services with a musical concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday. He said people can attend the concert in-person or view online at facebook.com/stlukesjamestown. Normally for Shrove Tuesday, Fodor said the church hosts a pancake feast. However, during the pandemic it’s not safe to do that, so church officials are providing the musical concert. Ron McEntire, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church minister of music, will play soulful and majestic hymns on the piano.

“We’ll vary ‘our diet’ of music with poetry and prayer to offer a service of healing and hope,” Fodor said.

TREE OF LIFE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

The Tree of Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 825 Forest Ave., Jamestown, will be holding its Ash Wednesday ceremony indoors at 1 p.m. According to Darcy Whitney, church secretary, COVID-19 measures are in place and people who plan to attend should wear a mask.