Ohio church offers drive-thru for Ash Wednesday

CINCINNATI - An Ohio church is offering a drive-thru Ash Wednesday blessing for parishioners who might be pressed for time.

The Rev. Patricia Anderson Cook of Mt. Healthy United Methodist Church in suburban Cincinnati plans to provide the service for people of all faiths and services beginning around 5 p.m.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent, which concludes after 40 days with the celebration of Easter.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the service is aimed at busy people as well as people who might be intimidated walking into a church.

In addition to ashes, Cook will provide a church brochure and a Lenten booklet.

The church is also offering a more traditional Ash Wednesday service inside at 7 p.m.