Come join us today for our annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at 6:00pm in the Christian Life Center. The Mardi Gras-themed supper includes pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and King cake. The meal is free, but a love donation will be gratefully accepted.  Come join us tonight for fellowship and a tasty meal before we begin the season of Lent.

Our Shrove Tuesday Supper always takes place on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the Christian season of Lent, where we begin the progression towards Easter. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day for using up food that could not be eaten during Lent, which was a time for fasting. Therefore people often made pancakes using leftover eggs and butter.

The pancake tradition has since taken on a life of its own with many villages and towns continuing to hold pancake races and activities to this day. According to legend, pancake racing first started in the 15th century when a Buckinghamshire woman rushed to confess her sins while making pancakes and took her pan to church. In other parts of the world such as the United States and Australia, Shrove Tuesday is sometimes known as Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday.  Mardi Gras carnival celebrations often involve revelers wearing masks and costumes, dancing and taking part in sports competitions and parades. 

 The expression Shrove Tuesday actually comes from the word “shrive,” which means to confess and receive absolution. Historically, it was the custom to confess sins before Lent. The season of Lent lasts for 40 days and takes place in memory of Jesus, who fasted for 40 days in the desert while avoiding the temptations of Satan.  Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. Nowadays some Christians still fast during Lent, but most individuals elect to give up something they typically enjoy, such as sweets, caffeinated drinks, watching certain TV shows, or snacks after dinner.