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PITTSBURG —
Congregations around Pittsburg gathered in fellowship halls Tuesday to share an indulgent meal together before beginning the season of Lent.
In the Christian tradition, the 47 days before Easter are a season of fasting and preparation. Historically, the day prior to Ash Wednesday was a time of ridding cabinets of luxurious foods, such as butter, fat and eggs.
As a result, many of the ingredients were used to prepare the celebratory meal of pancakes and sausage frequently associated with Fat Tuesday.
Rector William Wolff, of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, said the day also frequently is known as Shove Tuesday, which comes from the old word “shrive” or to confess.
However, no one is required to confess or commit to fasting to partake in the pancakes, and many long-time participants said the fellowship and community are the most important parts.
St. Peter’s Episcopal can trace its tradition back at least 30 years, but long-time member Joan Miller said she believes the meal has been an annual event for more than 50 years.
“I can’t remember not having one,” she said.
Member Saragene Rhuems said it is an opportunity to invite others into the church.
“It draws the community in, for one thing,” Rhuems said.
Member Bill Brooks helped flip pancakes and said that has been one of his tasks as part of the event for at least 20 years.
“I usually help cook,” he said. “It’s just a nice project, and it brings a lot of people in.”
Brooks and Member Kurt Loy traded off on flipping pancakes and said they anticipate cooking between 300 and 400 pancakes during the evening.
The tradition isn’t as long-standing for Zion Lutheran Church, but the lines were just as long.
Pastor Theodore Cook said he brought the tradition of Shrove Tuesday with him to Pittsburg, and he began it at a church in Oakley before that.
“I’d heard of these things before and I’d seen them in other places,” he said.
He said is a fan of pancakes and the indulgence they represent.
“I have been since I was a little kid,” Cook said. “When Grandma came it meant we were going to have pancakes.”
The congregation uses Cook’s recipes to serve banana whole wheat, chocolate chip, blueberry and buttermilk pancakes.
“I think it’s mostly for fun,” he said. “For those who have a more liturgical background, they’ll make the connection.”
Congregations around Pittsburg gathered in fellowship halls Tuesday to share an indulgent meal together before beginning the season of Lent.
In the Christian tradition, the 47 days before Easter are a season of fasting and preparation. Historically, the day prior to Ash Wednesday was a time of ridding cabinets of luxurious foods, such as butter, fat and eggs.
As a result, many of the ingredients were used to prepare the celebratory meal of pancakes and sausage frequently associated with Fat Tuesday.
Rector William Wolff, of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, said the day also frequently is known as Shove Tuesday, which comes from the old word “shrive” or to confess.
However, no one is required to confess or commit to fasting to partake in the pancakes, and many long-time participants said the fellowship and community are the most important parts.
St. Peter’s Episcopal can trace its tradition back at least 30 years, but long-time member Joan Miller said she believes the meal has been an annual event for more than 50 years.
“I can’t remember not having one,” she said.
Member Saragene Rhuems said it is an opportunity to invite others into the church.
“It draws the community in, for one thing,” Rhuems said.
Member Bill Brooks helped flip pancakes and said that has been one of his tasks as part of the event for at least 20 years.
“I usually help cook,” he said. “It’s just a nice project, and it brings a lot of people in.”
Brooks and Member Kurt Loy traded off on flipping pancakes and said they anticipate cooking between 300 and 400 pancakes during the evening.
The tradition isn’t as long-standing for Zion Lutheran Church, but the lines were just as long.
Pastor Theodore Cook said he brought the tradition of Shrove Tuesday with him to Pittsburg, and he began it at a church in Oakley before that.
“I’d heard of these things before and I’d seen them in other places,” he said.
He said is a fan of pancakes and the indulgence they represent.
“I have been since I was a little kid,” Cook said. “When Grandma came it meant we were going to have pancakes.”
The congregation uses Cook’s recipes to serve banana whole wheat, chocolate chip, blueberry and buttermilk pancakes.
“I think it’s mostly for fun,” he said. “For those who have a more liturgical background, they’ll make the connection.”
Both churches asked for freewill donations, which will help send children to camp at St. Peter’s and will help support the local broadcast of The Lutheran Hour at Zion.
The congregations continue their journey into the Lenten season today, with Ash Wednesday services.
Cook said worship and the imposition of ashes will take place at 7 p.m. today at Zion Lutheran Church.
Wolff is conducting the imposition of ashes at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and his church will conduct a study on Wednesdays throughout Lent.
He said families in the congregation have volunteered to host the studies, which will begin with Eucharist at 6 p.m., a meal at 6:30 and a class studying the Book of Common Prayer at 7 each week.
