After a year of shutdowns, social distancing, masks and hand washing, the pandemic has not given up it’s onslaught against our faith and our local churches. Last Easter was canceled and Christmas had to limp along like a broken-winged dove. A year of modifying church services and their offerings has taught church leaders more about separation than about gathering together. In that time, churches have learned ways to meet and worship that are safer, and with little risk of spreading the Covid flu. Ash Wednesday is our time to liberate our faith and return to worshiping the God of our heritages.

With that in mind, local congregations are planning to recapture the well-loved and well-attended Ash Wednesday services. Peace Church in Gladbrook looks to feature Ash Wednesday as the first step in a spiritual faith journey. It is a time when Christians, worldwide, refocus their attention away from the struggles of daily living and turn their eyes towards a closer connection to their God. The ashes are a symbol of turning to God and away from worldly challenges. Ashes mark the first step. Peace Church at 201 Johnston St. in Gladbrook will hold an in-person evening service at 6:30 p.m. Their pastor, Rev. Tim Ayers, is taking a further step in liberating our faith from the pandemic. “We will do a drive-thru event of placing ashes on foreheads. You could call it Ashes To Go. There is still some fear of gathering together for a few people. We want to alleviate that fear and offer ashes for those who drive up. I will start at 7am and end at 9am outside our building. We will make the sign of the cross with ashes on your forehead then pray with you. Then wipe my finger on a disinfectant sheet. I will wear gloves and a mask. It is quick and safe.”

In this way, Peace Church will cater to any Christian, from any denomination, with a busy schedule or in the high risk category for Covid. People from all church backgrounds may be short on time, but they still want to connect with the Lord. Ash Wednesday reminds folks of their limited human life. From ashes we come and to ashes we return. It is also a reminder that Lent is a forty day period starting with repentance. This act of repentance often took place in history by putting ashes on foreheads.

Along with the distribution of ashes in the drive-thru scenario, Peace Church is giving away free copies of the book Finding Peace: A Forty Day Faith Journey. It is a grouping of forty devotions for re-focusing our spiritual lives. Those unable to visit the drive-thru Ash Wednesday event can pick-up a free copy at many area locations. They are also available from the church.

For those unable to leave their homes, Pastor Tim has added an “in-home” Ash Wednesday service on Peace Church’s Facebook page and on their website, findpeaceatpeace.org. The video will assist a person in refocusing their spiritual lives and fulfilling the act of ashes used for repentance. Pastor Tim also plans to post a daily video reading of the devotional book, Finding Peace: A Forty Day Faith Journey. The book can also be requested to be sent by mail by calling 641-473-2802.