Ashes to Go on Ash Wednesday, February 18, Noon to 1:00 P.M.

First Christian Church Takes Ash Wednesday to the Streets

On Ash Wednesday, February 18, First Christian Church will offer “Ashes to Go” at noon in Sherwood Park, bringing a centuries‑old tradition into the heart of the community.

Ashes to Go is part of a growing movement where clergy and lay leaders step outside church buildings and into everyday spaces—parks, sidewalks, transit stops, and coffee shops—to offer ashes and a brief blessing to anyone who wants to receive them. The hope is simple: to create a moment of reflection, honesty, and grace in the middle of ordinary life.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season when Christians reflect on their lives and seek renewal as they prepare for Easter. Receiving ashes has long been a reminder of our shared humanity and our need for God’s mercy. Ashes to Go makes that moment accessible to people who may not be connected to a church or who simply can’t attend a traditional service.

“We’re doing Ashes to Go because we want to show up for our neighbors in the places where life actually happens,” said Sharon Armstrong, Evangelism Chair at First Christian Church. “Not everyone can make it to a service, but many people still welcome a quiet moment of blessing or grounding. If offering ashes in the park helps someone feel seen, loved, or reconnected to their faith, then that’s exactly where we want to be.”

This is the first year First Christian Church is offering Ashes to Go in Grand Junction. The event will take place across the street from the church in Sherwood Park at noon, and anyone who wishes may receive ashes and a blessing. Immediately afterward, everyone is invited to a soup luncheon in the church’s Fellowship Hall at First Christian Church, 1326 N. 1st Street, Grand Junction.

For more information about the local event, contact:
Sharon Armstrong
sarmstrong5557@gmail.com
(970) 234-5557