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Md. Church Offers Ashes To Faithful MARC Commuters

BRUNSWICK, Md. (AP) -- Episcopalians who ride MARC commuter trains to Brunswick can observe Ash Wednesday without setting foot in a church.

Grace Episcopal Church says clergy and church members will greet home-bound commuters with prayers and ashes Wednesday evening at the Brunswick station.

They'll offer "ashes to go" to people arriving on scheduled trains at 5:05 p.m. and 6:05 p.m.

The Episcopal Church is among a number of Christian denominations that marks the first day of Lent by marking their members with a cross drawn lightly on their foreheads in ashes.

Lent refers to the 40 days before Easter. Many Christians observe a period of fasting, repentance and spiritual discipline during Lent.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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