ASH WEDNESDAY

St. Gregory's has been offering Ashes to Go for more than a decade and the world has taken notice. For fun, click here to go to the Wikipedia page on "Ashes to Go" and view the featured images from St. Gregory's at Mizner Park. 

Every year I am freshly moved by how the offering of ashes and a blessing so deeply moves the people we encounter. What I often discover is that being out in the world, in our case at Mizner Park and at the beach, makes it a little safer for some people to seek this blessing. Entering a sacred space can be intimidating, especially for someone who has been away from congregational life or who has never experienced it. The yearning for God and God's blessing, though, remains strong and real. And so, when people come before us, it is a holy moment that touches deep emotions. Often tears flow.

This year, two people who came for ashes and blessings were so touched by the experience that they then joined us for our evening worship in church. The ashes and blessing became the opening for something more rooted. These are Holy Spirit moments and examples of evangelism in action, Episcopal style! What a special joy to experience in such a personal and profound way, God healing and drawing hearts back home with Him through St. Gregory's. 

Lenten blessings!

Andrew+