Members of the luminous community will be handing out free pancakes to pedestrians waiting at the busy level crossing on Lincoln High Street on Shrove Tuesday, 21st February 2012. The pancakes will be served from 12-2 pm, subject to batter levels.

Pancakes are the traditional way of using up milk, eggs, and fat before lent.

Lent is a time of fasting in the run up to Holy Week and Easter. Fasting involves both giving things up and taking things on.

Giving things up

Someone who is fasting might give up food during daylight, for example, or a particular type of food. They might give up a behaviour that hurts themselves or others, like smoking, excessive drinking, or judging others. This would involve honest self-examination, a sort of stock take on behaviour. This can lead to people apologising, either to God or to others, for things they have done wrong, and even to long reaching lifestyle changes.

Taking things on

It’s not just about giving up negative stuff, it’s also about taking on positive stuff. This might mean giving money to charity or getting involved in social justice projects or campaigns that help the needy. It could be something as simple as popping round to check an elderly relative is ok. It very often involves taking on a commitment to pray more regularly, to find a healthy and sustaining spiritual pattern and rhythm.

Taking it further

If you would like to explore more about lent with someone, you might want to contact us.

Enjoy your pancakes, and have a luminous lent!