Redeemer Family,
The season of Epiphany is winding down and the season of Lent is nearly upon us. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls on March 5th this year. Plan to attend one of the Ash Wednesday services at 6:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. (please note this adjusted service time), or 5:30 p.m. at 2715 Grove Ave.!
Now, some of you will know that the day before Ash Wednesday is historically a feast day in the church liturgical calendar that goes by a variety of names: Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras, or Carnival.
If you are new to this tradition, take a look at this helpful article - Shrove Tuesday is a lot of fun!
This year, instead of throwing one big Shrove Tuesday party in the basement of 2715 Grove Ave. like we have done in past years, we are going to celebrate this feast in homes with our Redeemer Small Groups.
So depending on who you are, you might have some prepping to do:
If you are a Small Group leader, shift your gathering that week to Tuesday 3/4, communicate with the folks in your group, and divvy up the responsibilities. Who will bring the drinks? Who’s cooking food? Who is making dessert? Who might plan a game or two for the kids?
If you are a Small Group participant, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and help throw the party!
If you have been at Redeemer for a while and, for whatever reason, have not yet joined a Small Group, then now is the time to join! Contact Oldson Duclos, our Director of Community Formation, and he will help you find a group that fits your needs.
If you are relatively new to Redeemer, then you are invited to my house for a Newcomer’s Shrove Tuesday Feast! My wife Rachel and I would love to host you, get to know you, and help you get a bit more connected to our parish.
When March 4th rolls around, here’s a sample flow for the evening:
Fling Wide the Door: This is a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors, co-workers, and others to come experience Redeemer’s parish for the first time.
Spread the Table: The host can provide some of the food and drink, but not all! This is a great chance for everyone to pitch in and bring something. Do we care if the dishes go together? We do not. Thai spring rolls with beef burgundy? Let it rip.
Toast the King: Hoist a glass to the master of the feast (that would be Jesus).
Throw Caution to the Wind: This is no time to be dainty. A second helping? Yes please! A third scoop of ice cream? Why not?
Make it Fun: If kids are present, start up some games. Have a pancake relay race or how-high-can-you-flip-it-and-catch-it-in-the-pan contest. Play Jenga with breadsticks or make art on your plate with partially eaten foods.
Conclude with Scripture: Read Isaiah 25:6-9 aloud together.
The contrast is part of the point.
One of the things that you will notice if you participate in a Shrove Tuesday feast followed by the Ash Wednesday service the next day, is the remarkable High/Low contrast. One day we are eating and drinking and making merry. The next day we are reminded that we are dust, and that to dust we shall return.
This dramatic juxtaposition throws the joys and sorrows of life into sharp relief.
Christ is with us in both.
This is how the liturgical calendar is a means of embodied spiritual formation. It gives us something to do that helps us become disciples of Jesus.
Redeemer family, I can’t wait to see the pictures and hear the stories of the parties you throw! And new folks, see you at my house. Come hungry!
In the Father’s love,
