Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 6 p.m. at Saint Mark’s

Come celebrate Shrove Tuesday – the last day before the penitential season of Lent –  with a community pancake feast at Saint Mark’s! We will burn last year’s palms in a bonfire outside to be used the next day in our Ash Wednesday services, so be sure to dress for the weather.

The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Shrove Tuesday was named after the custom of Christians to be “shriven” before the start of Lent. 

The tradition of marking the start of Lent has been around for centuries. Giving up “luxury” foods like chocolate and sacrificing fun pastimes can be part of some Lenten traditions, so for many, Shrove Tuesday is a time for fun, contests and games.

Why pancake races? The legend is: In 1445, a local woman heard the “Shriving Bell” while she was making pancakes and ran to church with her apron on, still clutching her frying pan with a cake in it.

So, lets race with our pancakes!