Get Your Ashes to Go

Some days are so busy with work, commuting, raising a family and other responsibilities that it's hard to make time for church.

So the Episcopal Diocese of Newark wants to bring Ash Wednesday to you.

For Christians who want to observe the solemn event of Ash Wednesday, but may not have time to get to church, there are places around Essex County where you can get your ashes during your morning or evening commute.

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, and is a 46-day observance that ends with the celebration of Easter.

Priests will be giving out ashes in Newark, South Orange, Bloomfield, and Montclair during rush hour this morning:

In Newark, there are five places where commuters can get ashes:

• Newark Penn Station, from 7 to 8 a.m., from the Rt. Rev. Mark M. Beckwith, Bishop of Newark
• Broad Street Station, 7 to 8 a.m., from the Rev. Canon Gregory A. Jacobs
• Cathedral at Military Park, 7:30 a.m., from the very Rev. Susan Keller of Trinity & St. Philip's Episcopal Cathedral
• Grace Episcopal Church in Newark, 950 Broad St., between City Hall and the Rodino Federal Building from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and 4:30 to 6 p.m. from the Rev. J. Brent Bates
• Broad Street Station and NJ Transit bus stop in Newark, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. by the Rev. Wade Renn of House of Prayer Episcopal Church in Newark.

In Bloomfield/Glen Ridge:

• At the Glen Ridge and Bloomfield train stations and at the bus stop in front of Christ Church, from 5:30 to 7 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m., from the Rev. Anne Koehler of Christ Episcopal Church.

In Montclair:

• The Walnut Street Train Station from 7 to 8 a.m., by the Rev. Andrew Butler and the Rev. Dr. Peter Jackson of St. John's Episcopal Church.
• Montclair State University at The Center for Faith & Spirituality (SC 112), from 12 to 6 p.m., 1:30 to 2 p.m., 3:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 6 p.m. from Chaplain Diana Wilcox.

In South Orange:

• The South Orange train station from 5:45 to 8:45 a.m., by the Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye Wilson of St. Andrew & Holy Communion Episcopal Church