Ash Wednesday with a twist

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Ash Wednesday looked a little different in Norfolk this year.

Outside a popular coffee shop at the corner of Baldwin and Colley Avenues, a minister handed out ashes for those on the way to school, or work. 

Rev. Win Lewis is the rector of Christ and Saint Luke's Episcopal Church. He decided to put the idea he initially got from a friend into practice in Hampton Roads.

"I think it makes it available to people. That's really what religion is all about. Its making it available to people where they are," explained Rev. Lewis.

Kevin Smith says this is a welcome change for working people. "It's cool. Not being able to go to church, this is a nice way to go."  Steve Sistrunk was seated outside the coffee shop and observed the so-called "ashes to go" underway.

"I could see where this might offend somebody, but I have no problem with it personally," said Sistrunk.

Rev. Lewis says he read about "ashes to go" on the internet and how it was carried out in the marketplace, at coffee shops and commuter stations.  He hopes to do this again next year and hopes other area churches will join him.