Drive-thru Ash Wednesday service in Austin

Participants remained in their vehicles as clergy moved from car to car during a drive-thru Ash Wednesday observance at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin. The annual Christian tradition marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, repentance and reflection leading up to Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, ministers place ashes on the foreheads of participants in the shape of a cross. The ritual, rooted in centuries of Christian practice, serves as a public expression of humility and renewal.

Drive-thru services, which became more common during the pandemic, continue at some congregations as a way to make the observance accessible for families and commuters. During the two-hour observance, cars lined up in the church parking lot as individuals paused briefly to receive ashes before continuing on with their day.

The Rev. Stephen Finkel places ashes on the forehead of Eric Min during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said Finkel.

The Rev. Stephen Finkel and the Rev. Emily Wright place ashes on the foreheads of participants during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” Finkel said.

The Rev. Stacy Ikard places ashes on the forehead of Mara Butler during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said the Rev. Stephen Finkel.

Charlotte Johnson, left, prays with the Rev. Emily Wright, center, the Rev. Stacy Ikard and the Rev. Stephen Finkel during an Ash Wednesday observance at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” Finkel said.

Signs direct visitors to a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter.

The Rev. Stacy Ikard places ashes on the forehead of Cole Digan, 9, during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said the Rev. Stephen Finkel.

The Rev. Emily Wright places ashes on the forehead of Laura McBride during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said the Rev. Stephen Finkel.

The Rev. Stacy Ikard, left, hugs Megan Barbour during an Ash Wednesday observance at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said the Rev. Stephen Finkel.

The Rev. Stacy Ikard places ashes on the forehead of Neill Masterson during a drive-thru observance of Ash Wednesday at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer and repentance leading up to Easter. “We are made from dust, and we will return to dust,” said the Rev. Stephen Finkel.