BUFFALO, N.Y. -- It's 8 a.m. on a rainy Wednesday and not everyone has a chance to sit and pray. With that in mind, Rev. Will Mebane Jr. was on the corner of Pearl and Church Street.
"They drive up in their cars and stop and roll down the window and say, 'Do me, do me,” he said.
For the past three years, the St. Paul Cathedral's interim dean has given Christians from across the area their "ashes to go."
"It's something we should just do for the community because that's where people are, they are out here," Mebane said.
And they were there in the pouring rain.
"There's really not much time to get to church lately, especially now with where I have to work," East Aurora resident Patrick Whidmer said. "But, to show our faith and be able to do that without having to make a full sermon, it's nice."
And it didn't matter where they normally give their offering.
"It's so convenient and I am very grateful that they provide this opportunity to the downtown workers," Thomas Dudkowski of Buffalo said.
Does it make a difference where Christians receive their ashes?
"I kind of felt uncomfortable because I didn't receive them at Mass, but as he as mentioned to me, they should come to us," Lakeview resident Elaine Laprell said.
Because after all, the message is the same.
"You have to remember as man, from dust we came and from dust we shall return," Buffalo resident Tim Huitfeldt said.
In all 57 Episcopal churches from across the area group brought church to the people. It's a newer twist on an old tradition that gives Christians a chance to stop amid the chaos.
"It's a great way to touch the people and be touched by the people," Mebane smiled.