You've heard of take out for food, but what about ashes to go?
That's exactly what one Lansing church is offering this Ash Wednesday.
It's not something you see every day across the street from the capitol. For many Christians, Ash Wednesday marks the start of lent.
"Lent is a 40 day period of time when people rededicate themselves to prayer, fasting, self-denial, mediation, a variety of different things to bring them closer to god,"
During Wednesday morning rush-hour St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lansing offered ashes to go. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
It's an idea the church's reverend took off the internet.
"It's being done in many of the main cities. It's a sign of humility and our understanding that eventually we all die, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. We're just bringing it to the corner so any people who walk by here will know what these ashes mean," said Reverend Gordon Weller, St. Paul's Episcopal.
Some welcomed the idea.
"I was coming into the office and I'm afraid I won't be able to get home in time to my own parish so I thought I would get ashes this morning to make sure I didn't miss out on the opportunity," said Marlene Dudzinski.
Some planned to get ashes at their church later Wednesday.
Others weren't sure what to think.
St. Paul's insists they're not doing ashes to go to impose on people.
"You're free to walk by certainly and share a smile with us. We realize that some people might be uncomfortable doing this type of thing in public," said Reverend Gordon Weller.
St. Paul's is located across from the state capitol off Ottawa Street near Seymour Avenue. The church is holding another ashes to go period during the lunch hour. It begins at 12:30 and ends at 1:30.
