East Providence Church Offers 'Ashes to Go' on Ash Wednesday

Parishioners can receive ashes without attending full service

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A church in East Providence, Rhode Island is offering a drive-through option for parishioners to receive ashes on their foreheads for Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season for Christians. The church is providing two sessions for people to quickly stop by and participate in the ritual without taking too much time out of their busy schedules.

Why it matters

The 'ashes to go' program allows the church to make the Ash Wednesday ritual more accessible to parishioners who may not be able to attend a full service, helping them observe the start of Lent even with busy schedules.

The details

Newman Congregational Church in East Providence is offering drive-through ashes on Ash Wednesday from 6:30-9am and 4:30-6pm. Reverend Sam Lovett says this is a way for people to participate in the meaningful ritual without disrupting their day, and that some parishioners have been coming for the past 14 years.

  • Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season for Christians.
  • Lent ends on Holy Thursday, which falls on April 2 this year.

The players

Newman Congregational Church

A church in East Providence, Rhode Island that is offering drive-through ashes for Ash Wednesday.

Rev. Sam Lovett

The reverend at Newman Congregational Church who says the 'ashes to go' program allows parishioners to participate in the Ash Wednesday ritual without disrupting their busy schedules.

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What they’re saying

“We're just grateful that folks continue to find this a meaningful ritual.”

— Rev. Sam Lovett, Reverend (WPRI.com)

The takeaway

The 'ashes to go' program at Newman Congregational Church demonstrates how churches can adapt traditional rituals to better meet the needs of modern parishioners and make observances more accessible, even for those with busy schedules.