SHROVE TUESDAY PARTY PACKS

Thanks to Shawn Howell for this Great Idea. Building Faith originally posted this in 2020, so watch for an updated link, below.

Shawn writes, “Many churches celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a big pancake supper. If your church does not do a pancake supper, or you know some families wan’t be able to attend, you can encourage folks to celebrate together at home!”*

* You can also use this idea as an outreach tool with both educational and joyful outcomes: bring the party packs to people who live near your church building, neighbors of members (send one or two packs home with every parishioner to distribute), or a focus population (for instance: families connected to your local elementary school). Include information about the origins of Shrove Tuesday (a succinct overview is here – and includes an English pancake recipe; a similar overview, but including a description of England’s pancake races is here).

Shawn’s write-up includes suggestions for:

  • Party Invitations
    • If sharing these with non-members, invite them to your congregation’s Shrove Tuesday celebration, if you have one; and/or invite them to Ash Wednesday, Lenten studies and services, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter observances and celebrations – with a tiny bit of info about why these days are important and what they might expect)
  • A Photo Release
    • invite families to take photos of at-home celebrations to share on your congregation’s online platforms
  • Pancake Mix & Syrup
    • boxed mix may be best for sanitary/comfort purposes, but a recipe for home-made is included
    • maple syrup is expensive: break a large bottle down into smaller shareable sizes, or purchase little maple syrup here (this is an updated link from the one in the article)
  • Craft for Lent: Paper Plate Prayer Labyrinth
  • Party Game Suggestions
    • includes video demonstrations of two of them

If you aren’t hosting a celebration in your building, you might encourage families with children to adopt an elder or two – or vice versa – to create intergenerational at-home celebrations. If you are hosting a gathering in your building, be sure to invite all ages and the broader community.

Encourage your families to have fun, laugh a lot, and eat up – the Lenten fast begins the next day!!