SHROVE TUESDAY / FAT TUESDAY  PANCAKES AND MUSIC  The Tuesday night before Ash Wednesday February 5, 6-7pm, Social Hall  Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 5, marks the end of the Ordinary Time pre-Lent season, with Lent itself starting the following day on Ash Wednesday.  According to Encyclopedia Britannica, the name Shrove is derived from “shrive” and refers to the confession of sins as a preparation for Lent.  And since Lent was seen as a more austere season, Shrove Tuesday(also referred to as Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday”) was traditionally a time to use up richer foods (milk, eggs, fat, etc) in preparation for the simpler fare of Lent.    Here at United Churches we will again mark Shrove Tuesday with our great pancakes with strawberries and lots of whipped cream, plus assorted syrups.  So bring your friends along, and join us for a fun time of pancakes and music from 6-7pm Tuesday evening, as we celebrate together!    If you feel like joining our friendly, energetic team of servers and batter mixers, we would love to have more willing hands – just contact Trina at tsbishop@comcast.net  As before, cost is by donation, with proceeds going to our Sunday School mission projects.  Hope you can join us for this tasty event Tuesday, as well as our church’s Ash Wednesday service as we move into the contemplative season of Lent. http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/fat_tuesday.asp   http://www.carnaval.com/cityguides/dating.htm   http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/other/mardigra.html