Suncoast churches celebrate Ash Wednesday in unique style due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Suncoast Commemorates Ash Wednesday By ABC7 Staff | February 18, 2021 at 8:22 AM EST - Updated February 18 at 8:28 AM SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - On Ash Wednesday, the Suncoast faithful came out in a socially distant way to mark the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. Despite the pandemic, people still received their traditional ashes, but differently than normal. Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, the Rev. Charleston Wilson, said in this holiday, the main focus is touch. “For Ash Wednesday such a key is touch, touching the forehead making the sign of the cross,” said Wilson.