COLUMBIA, S.C. — Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, marking the first day of lent, the 40-day commemoration of Jesus Christ’s fast in the dessert leading up to Easter.
Several local churches offered drive-through services to mark the day.
Shandon Methodist Church was one of the churches in Columbia that offered ashes to go.
“It's a busy world, and they weren’t able to get here in the evening, but they did want to come by, and they wanted to take just a moment and, even if it’s just one or two minutes, to pause in the middle of their day and remember how sacred life is, how precious life is, how fragile life is and to just refocus on God,” Shandon Methodist Church Pastor Smoke Kanipe said.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians will wear ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. These hold a special religious meaning of repenting in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.
“The ashes represent our death and our mortality and also our sinfulness, and so its an act of repenting of our sins,” Smoke said.
The drive thru allowed people to still participate in the religious holiday.
“Easter is our favorite time of year and just celebrating today is so special, so being able to do this as a family was a great opportunity, and it’s a great teaching lesson for our kids,” Stacey Cole said.
During Lent, Christians give something up to represent Jesus Christ’s sacrifice when he fasted in the desert for 40 days.
“They set a time of 40 days, and so for almost 2,000 years that has been a special time of year when Christians hopefully prepare their hearts, and minds and spirits to be ready for Easter,” Smoke said.