Sprinkled ashes, Q-tips and ‘ashes-to-go’: N.J. churches get creative to mark Ash Wednesday Updated Feb 15, 2021; Posted Feb 15, 2021 In 2020, the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey offered ashes on Ash wednesday at non-traditional locations, including train stations. This year, the pandemic has altered those plans.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Facebook Share More than 250 people of various Christian faiths rolled through the parking lot at the popular “Drive-Thru Ashes” event at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New Providence last year. The faithful marked Ash Wednesday by pulling up in their cars and rolling down their windows beside the Rev. Dr. Daniel Gunn, the church’s pastor. He placed ashes on their foreheads in the ancient tradition that marks the start of Lent.