McALLEN — They held signs that read “God loves you” and “God is with us, we’ll make it thru” as cars drove by the First United Methodist Church on North McColl Road.
Some cars honked their horns in affirmation of Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, while others turned on their blinkers and pulled into the church parking lot where members of the church were stationed to distribute the ashes.
The first of those cars to pull into the lot was driven by Chase Wright, a transplant from Virginia who works at Edinburg Regional Medical Center as an administrative fellow.
“I’m Catholic from when I was born and raised, but overall I know a lot of people that go to this church and they always talk really great things about it,” said Wright, who drives by the church on her way home from work. “Because I’m unable to go to my normal church, where I’ve gone for my whole life, it just seemed like the perfect opportunity. It was very welcoming.”
She said that working in a hospital and knowing firsthand the toll the pandemic has taken on local residents inspired her to stop by the church for her ashes.
“Working at a hospital every day and seeing how hard the pandemic is hitting everybody day in and day out — it’s particularly tough when visitors are limited, if available at all,” Wright said. “Being able to be here and pray for my friends and family at home, but also everybody’s friends and families where I work. It’s just an extra blanket of comfort.”
The church began distributing the ashes about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. Peggy Trom, who has been a church member for 15 years, said the evening’s 52-degree weather was a welcome improvement in comparison to the morning’s frigid temperatures.
Still, as she held her sign welcoming people to receive the ashes, she said she was happy to be a light for people who may be going through dark times — quite literally with tens of thousands in the Rio Grande Valley remaining without power due to Monday’s freeze.
“I hope they know, even by passing by, that God loves them and this church loves them,” Trom said. “They’re always welcome to come here and know that there is always light in the darkness. We’d be honored and happy to walk on that journey with them.”
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the church elected to hold their ash distribution via drive-thru in the parking lot — a first for the church.
Trom said the new method was actually beneficial for all involved since it allowed people who may not be members of the church an opportunity to receive the ashes safely and without feeling uncomfortable.
“We are thrilled to be here this year out in our community and welcoming people into this church weather,” Trom said. “Despite the cold weather, I feel honored and humbled to be out here.”
Laura Heikes, the lead pastor at the church, arrived in McAllen with the pandemic in full swing and on the eve of Hurricane Hannah last summer. This week, she found herself tackling another crisis in the form of freezing temperatures during the start of the Lenten season.
“It was trial by fire,” Haikes said with a laugh. “We’ve just got a little more obstacles in our way. Not just the pandemic and not being able to interact with people as close as you used to, but also the cold taking away people’s power and water. We have church members who have lost their power since — gosh— Sunday. We thought, more than ever, even though it’s really cold, let’s go out there in the morning and just offer some love to the community.”
The church not only offered ashes and prayers, but also rocks with words of encouragement. They were inscribed with words such as “faith,” “hope,” “patience,” and “gratitude,” among others.
“Just to kind of re-center our hearts at this time towards what’s good and what’s positive and God’s love for us,” Haikes said. “That’s why we’re standing out there.”
It was that same positive affirmation that encouraged Haikes and other members to brave the icy-cold weather Wednesday morning and evening. She said that a simple smile and a wave was all someone might need to change their mood for the day.
“I personally love any excuse I can get to just go out on the road and show love to people,” she said.
In the end, Haikes said the church saw more visitors Wednesday evening — over 200 people — than it would in a regular service.
One of those who lined up to receive the ashes was Gretchen Garrett, who has been a member of the church for 29 years.
“Since I don’t have more than a quarter-tank of gas, it was a significant decision to come and do this anyway,” Garrett said. “I think after what we’ve been through with the pandemic and the political turmoil, it’s very important to dedicate yourself to making change for the good.”
