Parishioners observe Ash Wednesday on the go

CLOVIS - Ash Wednesday, as it always has, marks the start of Lent, a time to reflect on service and being part of the body of Christ.

But in this day and age, a busy schedule can make it tough for members to make it to Ash Wednesday services, according to local pastors.

This is what inspired St. James Episcopal Church Pastor Alan Brockmeier to start Ashes to Go at the church at lunch time Wednesday.

"It's so the imposition of ashes can be done during their (church members') lunch hour," said Brockmeier.

Brockmeier got the idea of Ashes to Go after his wife told him of the trend happening nationally.

"My knowledge is it's been happening the last two years," he said. "They (members) feel it's a good service in the Lord's kingdom."

Ashes To Go is not a major function around eastern New Mexico, Portales Trinity Episcopal Church Pastor Larry Mote said.

He acknowledged another location it had happened was in Farwell, just off the freeway.

It is important to reach out to members through Ashes to Go, as Lent is a time for church members to remember the "discipline of serving," Clovis Trinity Lutheran Church Pastor Bonita Knox said.

"It's to remember God's covenant promise to us," she said.

Knox and Mote said it is a way to express that different denominations of Christianity still share the same body of Christ.

"We can still agree to love each other and share our time with each other," said Mote. "When you get right to it, every one of us, from the different churches, we believe the same thing. We just practice it in a different way."

"It's the season of reflecting on our life and reflecting on God's model," said Brockmeier. "We are born sinners. We live in a sinful world and the only way for salvation is through the love of God and his grace."