St. Mark's started a new (or restarted an old) tradition by celebrating Shrove Tuesday with fastnachts. We gathered with Pastor LeCrone and other members of St. Luke Lutheran for fastnachts and fellowship.

The term “fastnacht” comes from the German words “fast,” a shortened form of the verb “fasten” meaning “to fast,” and “nacht,” which means “night.” Fastnacht Day is the eve of the Lenten fasting period that Christians observe. Tradition holds that on this day, households use up all the fat and sugar in the house before Lent begins. This practice also gives Fat Tuesday its name.

Our celebration included gathering in our courtyard to burn last year's palms for ashes to be used as our ashes for repentance and mortality on Ash Wednesday.

We concluded our time together with a brief liturgy of prayer and praise to “Bury the Alleluia” in preparation for Lent. The banner was folded up for Lent, only to return on Easter day.

Pastor Vasey