The men at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church served as hosts to a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper on Tuesday March 1. St. Matthew’s also hosted the first of the Lenten Luncheon series on Thursday, March 3.
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday and is celebrated prior to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The term Shrove is derived from the word shrive, meaning “to administer the sacrament of confession to; to absolve.” In includes the ritual burning of the previous year’s Holy Week palms, finalizing one’s Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.
Lent is a recognition of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, up to and including his trial and crucifixion. For those who actually bother to count the days in Lent, do not include Sundays, in which Christians still celebrate the risen Christ, although many do not use Alleluia references in their services.
Easter is a “movable” holiday. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon following the Spring Equinox. This is why it falls anywhere from the end of March to late April.
The public is encouraged to attend any or all of the Lenten lunches. The remainder of the lunches are –
*March 10 – First Presbyterian Church, 515 Emerson Ave., with Fr. Matt Koperski as the speaker;
*March 17 – Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 916 Cheyenne Ave., with Pastor Tim Stadem as the speaker;
*March 24 – First Baptist Church, 931 Yellowstone Ave., with Pastor Russel Saito as speaker;
*March 31 – United Methodist Church, 704 Box Butte Ave., with Pastor Jim Settle as speaker; and
*April 7 – St. John’s United Lutheran Church, 2090 Emerson Ave., with Pastor Glenn Johnson as speaker.