Ashes to Go! Sacred Space on Street Corners

By: Father Chris Harris

Ash Wednesday calls us to reflect on our mortality, to look honestly at our lives—both what we’ve done and what we’ve left undone—and to renew our commitment to God’s path of love. But what if we were to extend this tradition beyond the church doors into everyday places, creating moments of prayer and spiritual connection right where people are, in the heart of the community?

Welcome to Ashes to Go!

Ashes to Go gives us all a chance to experience these moments by offering ashes to people passing by on sidewalks outside of local coffee shops, transit centers and courthouses, inviting genuine encounters and spontaneous prayer with those we meet.

I actually began doing Ashes to Go before I was even ordained, because there’s something joyful about connecting with strangers through prayer in the unlikeliest places! And I have been inviting other lay people to join me ever since.

These encounters, though brief, can be incredibly meaningful and remind us that even those not in church on Sunday still carry deep spiritual longings. Ashes to Go is a simple, powerful way to share God’s unconditional love with someone who might need it most.

And here’s an interesting fact, last year we administered more ashes to people on the streets than the people who came to our church services!

Interested in joining us? Email me at charris@christchurchcranbrook.org and plan to provide a brief training session at Christ Church Cranbrook after the 7:00 AM Ash Wednesday service on Feb 18th. Then, we’ll break into teams and head to Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and possibly other locations, offering ashes and connection until around 10:00 AM.

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