Williamsville, N.Y. (WBEN) - It was a steady flow of people making their way to Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville to mark the Christian Holy day of Ash Wednesday that kicks off the 40-day period of Lent.
For a ninth-straight year, Calvary Episcopal Church is offering "ashes to go" for anyone who may not have much time to stop by their church to get their ashes on a busy Ash Wednesday. Fr. Robert Harvey says every year sees more-and-more people stopping in to get their ashes on the fly.
"Every year, we pretty much set a record. Last year, we had close to 750 people through our Ashes to Grow program," said Fr. Harvey during an appearance Wednesday morning on WBEN with Brian Mazurowski and Susan Rose. "People come right driving up into our church parking lot, and they don't even have to get out of their car. We give them ashes while they're in their car."
Ashes were made available for people starting at 6 a.m. EST, and will continue to be available for anyone stopping by through 5 p.m. EST. He will also have an Ash Wednesday service starting at 7 p.m. EST.
Fr. Harvey says many people over the years have been extremely thankful that Calvary Episcopal has offered this service for anyone.
"So many people today work more than one job, they work, sometimes, two or three jobs, and they're not able to get to their church on Ash Wednesday. We're offering this as a way of letting people know they can touch something Holy as we begin this season of Lent," Fr. Harvey said. "As we begin the season and marking our way toward Easter day, this is an opportunity for people to have that start, get their ashes right from their car. It may seem quick, but it's also a time when many of the people that come here say thank you."
Fr. Harvey adds this is their way of trying to go out and meet people to offer prayer at the start of the Holy season of Lent, similar to how Jesus met with others when they worked.
"The whole point of the ashes is a reminder about our mortality, but it's also a reminder, nothing really kind of separates us from each other. God takes dust at the beginning of creation, and breathes something of God's self right into that dust. We are that dust. God breathes something of God's image into that dust, and created all of us. So what we do is we're sharing our humanity with people across the world," Fr. Harvey said.
Ashes to go is a service that has seen people take advantage of on multiple occasions. This is the third time Maureen Hammond from Hamburg has gone through the drive-through to receive her ashes on Ash Wednesday.
"I was out doing some other things, training with my dogs today. I heard they were doing it down here, so it worked out to be a great option," said Hammond on Wednesday.
"I think because people have busy schedules and work - different hours, different shifts, sometimes more than one job - it makes a great option for people to be able to come and get it at a convenient time."
As for those like Anna from Eggertsville, she loves the services provided for days like this, that she may have found a new place of worship for the long-term.
"I like the fact that the church is doing it in a to go format," said Anna. "I just have too many appointments that I wouldn't be able to get ashes until I saw their sign. So I'm just thrilled."
As for the volunteers giving out ashes on Ash Wednesday, Linda McKenna feels the ashes to go services may be the most moving of all over the course of a year.
"People from all faiths come, they can get the ashes, we always give them a bracelet and a prayer to go with it. It's just so meaningful to them and to me," said McKenna on Wednesday.
And while this Ash Wednesday may be one of the more chillier days this winter, McKenna says it's always a very welcoming experience.