Welcome to Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, serving New York City and the Tri-State area since 1865

Lutherans in NYC pray with everyone.

Teams of GA members offer ashes and prayer
on Ash Wednesday to hundreds of people:
at church, at Union Square, on the street, even in a local pub!

Written by Paul Miller

It was Ash Wednesday.

We walked out onto 22nd Street and were greeted by a crisp, sunny, February afternoon. There were five us on this sojourn to Union Square Park to offer ashes and prayer for anyone seeking the blessing of God. A team of two members remained at the church to offer the same.

As we headed toward
Lexington Avenue, we got
a few inquisitive looks. A 
woman with bright green 
hair nearly gasped at the 
site of four people in
 robes and stoles, wearing 
large crosses while walking down the street.

One member of our group stayed in his civilian clothes. He planned to “work the park” by letting people know we were here, offering ashes and prayer. He planned to hand out flyers, inviting the homeless and hungry to a meal offered at the church on February 24th. He also planned to distribute the church’s brochures, inviting all to worship services.

As we crossed the streets, we felt a few more odd looks from passersby, but this is New York, most kept their head down and did not make eye contact.