Posted by LizGH on February 24, 2020 - 1:42pm
Ash Wednesday services part of a growing tradition in local congregationsOn the morning of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 26, a group of Bluffton area pastors will offer “Ashes to Go,” a new approach to a centuries-old Christian tradition. 
Ashes to Go is offered from  7 to 9 a.m. downtown Bluffton at the corner of Main and Cherry streets. 
Pedestrians, as well as drivers and passengers of vehicles who pull over, are invited to participate. 
This is the second year Ashes to Go takes place in Bluffton. This outreach is part of a nationwide movement that has clergy and lay people visiting transit stops, street corners, coffee shops, and college campuses to mark the foreheads of interested passers-by with ashes and invite them to repent of past wrongdoing and seek forgiveness and renewal. 
Bluffton Area Ministerial Association is also communicating with chaplains at Bluffton Hospital and Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio to ensure that their residents, hospital patients and staff have opportunities to receive ashes during the day.
Questions may be directed to the Rev. Karol Farris Schilling, pastor of Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 419-358-5806. More information about the Ashes to Go movement can be found at ashestogo.org.
http://www.blufftonicon.com/news/2020/02/24/ashes-go-launches-blufftons-lent-observance
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Posted by Fred Steiner on February 17, 2020 - 3:12pm
Who makes the best chili in Bluffton? Taste tests and voting part of the experience
​Bluffton's Community Chili Cook-off, with proceeds benefiting the Bluffton Community Assistance Program is from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 18, at the Bluffton middle school cafetorium.
This is the fourth year of the event. A number of different chili recipes will be available for tasting, provided by individuals and church groups.
• Tickets are $5, which include chili tasting
• Additional food items for sale include sandwiches, chips, drinks and desserts
• Entertainment provided by students of Dancers Elite (performing from 5:30-6:15 p.m.) and Krysti’s Music Studio (performing from 6:15-7 p.m.)
• Prize drawing for a gift basket donated by Village Cut & Curl. Tickets given for each donated item (canned or boxed food) to the food pantry.
• Participants will vote for a “people’s choice award” for the best chili recipe
Last year’s People’s Choice Award went to John Hochstetler; his entry will be in this year’s competition as well, according to Carol Enneking. 
For additional information about the Cook-off, contact  Enneking 419-348-7691 or Bluffton Presbyterian Church 419-358-5806.
Sponsors include: congregations of Bluffton Baptist, Emmanuel United Church of Christ, English Lutheran Church, First Methodist, St. John’s United Church of Christ and Bluffton Presbyterian Church.
http://www.blufftonicon.com/news/2020/02/17/community-chili-cook-tuesday
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