Pile in for pancakes at Scottburgh Methodist Church

SHROVE Tuesday (known in some countries as Pancake Day) falls on February 9 this year and this is an open invitation to come and join us at 5.30pm for 6pm in the Scottburgh Methodist Church Hall, 97 Williamson Street, Scottburgh, to enjoy fantastic pancakes and a laugh or two.

Please note this is not a fund-raiser and children are most welcome.

Most countries celebrate Shrove Tuesday by consuming pancakes. In others, especially those where it is called Mardi Gras (fat Tuesday) or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of ‘fat eating’ or gorgin” before the fasting period of Lent.

This moveable festival is determined by Easter. The expression ‘Shrove Tuesday’ comes from the word shrive meaning, ‘absolve’. Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, who ‘make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent and what amendments in life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with.

Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The first day of Lent is called Ash Wednesday and you are invited to celebrate this with us. The liturgical fasting emphasised eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: in many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products, or eggs.