Each one of them asked if I would bless them and apply the sign of the day on their forehead. I think the woman’s energy, energized the volunteers. She ran to catch her bus, marked by a sign of mortality but assured God’s grace was sufficient. Loudly she screamed, “ I need ashes!” Ashes were applied and a blessing was spoken. She may have not been the first, but she broke the ice when a young woman came running off the train to catch her bus to the next connection. Occasionally, a person would come to the tables receive our hospitality, but a bit reluctant about the ashes. Most people passed by us quickly with sometimes nothing more than a nod. We would offer water or coffee to those within reach of our voice. We began by wishing a few persons good morning as they passed by our two tables. We waited expectantly and somewhat nervously wondering what was next. They help complete the set-up in the dark on a sidewalk where people loaded and unloaded. Others begin to arrive, Cynthia Stone, Earnestine Overland, Theresa Bowers, and Debby Werle to name a few. As we headed out the door, Paula, the church’s building attendant, asked if she could be the first to receive this mark of humility.

After mixing the ashes and loading the truck, we were ready to head over to the South Irving Transit Station a two blocks over and directly in front of the church. It was parked outside and needed to be loaded with tables and supplies. Waiting for me, as I arrived shortly before 6:00 a.m., were Shardel Brock and her truck.

I traveled through the empty downtown streets of both Dallas and Irving headed to First United Methodist Church of Irving to offer a ministry called “ Ashes to Go”. I stopped at Starbucks for a gallon of coffee. Ash Wednesday started early as the morning had not yet broken over the horizon.

Consistency of ashes for imposition