Conn. (WTNH) — It’s Ash Wednesday, and churches across the state are offering “Ashes-to-go” services.

Ash Wednesday, a holy day of prayer, marks the first day of Lent. It is observed by Catholics in the Roman Rite, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, Methodists and Nazarenes.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent which is a 40-day Christian season of fasting and prayer. Lent ends on Easter.

“It’s an important part of being a Christian,” Dave Brown said. “It’s a good way for everyone to know we’re still going to church, because church is an important part of life and still needs to be part of life.”

Brown was one of many parishioners who received ashes Wednesday at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Hamden.

“It’s just a pleasure, people drive up and they all have a story they want to share and they all really just so filled with gratitude that we’re out here today, because sometimes with work schedules and stuff its difficult to get to their particular faith community,” Rev. Joshua Sullivan, the pastor at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church said.

This was the church’s second annual, interdenominational, ashes-to-go event. Last year, more than 100 people from diverse backgrounds received ashes at the event.

“It’s a wonderful day and a beautiful day for this,” Rich Carlson said before receiving his ashes.

Faith Lutheran Church in Middleton also hosted an ashes-to-go event. Pastor Rev. Cathy Rohrs was out bright and early to administer ashes between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to people starting the day.

“So for the last seven years we’ve done ashes to go, we have a convenient parking lot where people can drive through,” Rohrs said. “We thought it would be a good place and it has been.”

Where can you receive ashes in Connecticut? See the list below:

Beacon Falls Congregational Church — 69 Wolfe Ave., Beacon Falls
In-person ashes will be available at 7 p.m. during the special Ash Wednesday worship service. Children are welcome to attend.

Bethesda New Haven — 450 Whitney Ave., New Haven
Worship will begin at 12 p.m. in Bethesda’s Chapel.

Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church — 600 Shephard Ave., Hamden
Ash services will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 12 to 1 p.m. Those wishing to receive ashes should remain in their cars as they enter at the church’s north entrance.

Faith Lutheran Church — 300 Washington St., Middletown
Drive-through ashes will be available from 7 to 8 a.m.

First Congregational Church United Church of Christ — 31 Maple St., Bristol
Guests are invited to reflect at different worship stations between 12 and 1p.m., as well as 6 and 7 p.m. There will also be a labyrinth to walk in the Auditorium.

Hamden Plains United Methodist Church — 15 Church St., Hamden
Services will be held at 7 p.m. with the clergy and church members. The public is invited to attend.

Middlebury Congregational Church — 1242 Whittemore Rd., Middlebury
Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7 p.m. with preaching by Rev. Dr. Cindy Carr.

St. John Bosco Parish — 731 Main St., Branford
A mass and distribution of ashes will be available at 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., and 12 p.m., followed by prayer services and distribution of ashes at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church — 71 River St., Milford
Services will take place at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 5 p.m. for children, and 7 p.m. with the choir. To-go services will be available from 5 to 7 a.m. for New York City trains.

St. Pius X Catholic Church — 834 Brookside Dr., Fairfield
Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes will take place at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., and 5 p.m., with mass and distribution of ashes at 8:30 a.m. and a final adoration and confessions from 7 to 8 p.m.

United Methodist Church of Monroe — 515 Cutlers Farm Rd., Monroe
Ashes will be distributed via drive-through from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. A service will take place in person and via Zoom at 7 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church — 531 Woodruff St., Southington
Pastor Stalley of Zion Lutheran Church will be available to give ashes in the sanctuary from 7 to 8 a.m. and 12 to 12:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday worship will go on at 7 p.m.

Zion Episcopal North Branford — 326 Notch Hill Rd., North Branford
Liturgies for the Distribution of Ashes will be at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. with ashes-to-go services at Zion’s circular driveway between 1 and 2 p.m. Services will also be streamed on the church’s Facebook page.