“Pancake Day” is also known in the Christian calendar as Shrove Tuesday and is the day before the beginning of the forty days of Lent. Traditionally this day was a time in which all of the household stocks of fat and sweet ingredients were exhausted in the making of pancakes, in readiness for the period of fasting (giving things up) for the season of Lent. This tradition also provides the name for the “Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday) festivals held in other parts of the world.
This theme is echoed in the Shriving Service held in the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, following the Pancake Race. “Shrove” and “Shriving” arise from “Shriven” in which our “sins”, failings and mistakes are brought to God in the sure hope of His forgiveness. It enables us to begin the holy season of Lent with clear minds and hearts in preparation for the celebration of Easter.
This special service always includes some of the well-known Olney Hymns, penned by our own Rev John Newton and William Cowper. We will also be singing Amazing Grace, written by John Newton when he was the priest in charge of the church and first heard on 1st January 1773.
Our guest preacher for 2024 is Pastor Rex Petty who is visiting us, together with his wife Eydie, from Liberal, Kansas. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the International Pancake Race, run between the two towns.
For details of the regular services in the Church of St Peter & St Paul, click here