01/25/2021

5 safer ways to distribute ashes this Ash Wednesday

While the imposition of ashes is not critical during this pandemic, some churches might want to still honor the tradition.

Here are a few ideas that might help make this year's Ash Wednesday a bit safer for all!

1. Ashes in small individual containers for all people attending. (To put on own forehead)

2. Small pieces of burlap/cloth with a sign of the cross in ashes for people to receive (as they enter or leave)

3. Members make the sign of the cross on their forehead without ashes

4. Use cotton swabs to make the sign of the cross with ashes on others (a clean cotton swab for each person, all parties masked)

5. Apply ashes to the backs of people’s hands to lessen contact (with clean cotton swab after each person)

These are just a few ideas from our Worship Director, Josh Brodbeck. Your congregation may have other creative ideas or may simply wish to skip the Ash Wednesday tradition in lieu of some other way of remembering its meaning.

The Bishop's Office cannot tell you whether or not you should distribute ashes. We offer the above ideas as safer ways to observe the tradition, while honoring the Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control guidance.

Send us your photos of your congregation's Ash Wednesday distribution of ashes. Make sure to include a brief blurb about what you did and why. Send photos and brief story to Susan Barton-Nonno at sbarton-nonno@southernohiosynod.org.