HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – Ascension Church is known for its pancake suppers. There is one coming up and you’re invited. Before starting the season of Lent, which is six weeks before the celebration of Easter, the church has a pancake feast. Ascension Church released the following information:
“We don’t know how long people have been making pancakes, but 12,000 years ago, primitive families ground grains and nuts, added milk or water and baked the cakes on hot stones around the fire. The making and eating of pancakes have probably always been much the same – a noisy, happy and greedy time.
“At Ascension Church (fifth and Temple) we host a community pancake supper with all fixings: pancakes and syrup, bacon, sausage, eggs and drinks. It’s all free and we want all of you to come! Bring your family and friends.
“Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. in the church basement. The Service of Ashes follows upstairs. At that time, we will begin the observance of Lent, this solemn six-week period before Easter.
“There is a need for us to step back at times, to take a look at our lives. During times of crisis, we are forced to do this. However, at other times, we often get so busy, we just let it slide. We get stuck in the details of life. The six weeks of Lent, leading up to the celebration of Easter is an intentional time set aside for this purpose. It is a good thing.
“Traditionally, people may spend time fasting, devote more time to meditation, give up something that they would like to let go of, or take on a practice of helping others. The tradition corresponds to the time Jesus spent in the wilderness after his baptism. The real purpose during this time is to consider your life. Why are you here? What do you want to accomplish? Where does your strength come from? Who do you serve? What things are really important and how can you make them a priority in the life you live?
“If you were in New Orleans, it would all be very dramatic. The Mardi Gras is celebrated for the same reason. It gets wilder and wilder – with costumes, music and drinking – until midnight before Ash Wednesday. Then as Lent begins, Mardi Gras rolls to a stop. All the people go home and the trash trucks come out to clean the streets.
“In Hinton, it’s less dramatic. The Lenten tradition says that before the fasting of Lent starts, you need to use up all the rich foods you would normally keep in the house. When you mix together your eggs, oil, sugar, milk and some flour, what do you get? Pancakes.
“Traditionally, Lent doesn’t begin until midnight and people attend Ash Wednesday services the next day. We get a little head start! At this service after the pancakes, on Tuesday, Feb 13, we mark the sign of the cross with ashes on your forehead, remembering that from dust we come, to dust we will return. It is a good reflection.
“It is our hope that you will join us for this celebration and this service.”
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