Lent

Easter is preceded by the forty days of Lent, a time of penitence and preparation for the festival. The first mention of the length of forty days is found in documents from the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. It links naturally with Christ's forty days in the wilderness when he fasted. Originally Lent was the time set aside for the instruction and preparation of new church members who would be baptised at the festival of Easter. (In the early church baptisms took place only at Easter and Pentecost). It became a time of fasting for all Christians and the rules were at first very strict. No fish, meat, eggs, butter or any type of fat was allowed. This became more relaxed and the only days the Church now expects people to make a strict fast are Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, and Good Friday, the day when Jesus died.

The Easter Cycle begins on Shrove Tuesday. This is the day before Ash Wednesday. Its name comes from the old custom of people going to church before Lent started to confess and be forgiven for their sins. This was known as shriving. They would be given a penance or punishment which would have to be completed during Lent. Because the fast was about to start any foods which were forbidden during the fast had to be used up. With eggs and fat pancakes were made - hence Pancake Day. At one time this was a holiday, the last opportunity to make merry before Lent began. Often games were played, especially ; by students and apprentices, which could become a nuisance.

Shrove Tuesday games still exist in some places in this country. The origin of the Pancake Greaze at Westminster School, London is unknown. The cook tosses a pancake over an iron bar to a group of boys who then scramble to claim it. The boy who at the end has the largest piece of the pancake is given a guinea by the Head. At Olney in Buckinghamshire, the women of the village compete in a pancake tossing race. This is believed to date back to the Fifteenth Century, and to have started when a harassed housewife ran to church when the bell rang for the service still clutching her pancake skillet. Another story is that the women of the village bribed the bell-ringers with pancakes to ring early and so lengthen the holiday. Although the custom died out during the last century, it was revived in 1947 by the vicar there, and many other places have since copied the idea, including Norwich. Another sport associated with Shrove Tuesday is football, but of a somewhat different kind. It is likely to involve using the whole of the village or town as a pitch. Ashbourne in Derbyshire is one place where this still happens.

Mardi Gras (literally greasy Tuesday) is celebrated in France and in New Orleans USA, and as Fetter Dienstag in Germany. There are colourful street processions; and much eating and drinking.  Similar celebrations are widespread in Europe and other parts of the world.

ASH WEDNESDAY

This is the first day of Lent, and begins the six week fast which lasts until Easter. It starts on a Wednesday to make up for the Sundays during Lent which are not fast days. In the fasting and self-discipline of this season Christians seek to identify with the fast of Jesus in the desert (Matthew chp 4 vss 1-11, Luke chp 4 vss 1-13) and to express sorrow for their own failings. Many will therefore give up something they particularly like or try harder to do something they find difficult or dislike.

In some churches there is a service called Imposition. of the Ashes. A. cross is, marked on the forehead with ash by the priest who says to each "Remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return." The ceremony is a reminder that nothing is permanent and all will be judged in the end. The ashes are made from burning palm crosses from the previous Palm Sunday, which are sprinkled with holy water and blessed. The colour used in churches at this time is purple or . mauve, which emphasises the seriousness of the season:

The phrase "sackcloth and ashes" derives from the Lenten custom of olden times when notorious sinners were made to wear sackcloth and sprinkle themselves with. ashes and keep apart from the rest of the congregation until Maundy Thursday.

MOTHERING SUNDAY

This takes place on the fourth Sunday in Lent. In past times, adolescents were hired to work for a year, away from home, at hiring fairs held at the end of the farming

year in October. About half way

Celebrating Lent

Lent means growth, a time for Christians to grow closer to God. It is often a time when Christians give up time to spend studying, either in groups or on their own, to learn more about some aspect of their faith. Children could be asked what they want/need to do in order to grow, both physically and mentally and even spiritually. It might be an opportunity to introduce the word "spirituality" to the older age group and talk about these three aspects of a person and how each one needs to be given the opportunity to grow. They could be asked for-suggestions as to how each of these can be encouraged and helped. This could result in ideas being considered such as the need for food and education, but also, it is hoped, a look at the emotional side of life, how we need to learn about that, control it and develop it in healthy ways in order to be able to relate to other people. There are already many stories available to enable pupils to explore this side of their lives.

Lent is also a time of repentance, and this is seen in the days that introduce the season, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. To enter into the spirit of Shrove Tuesday pupils could be asked to think of something they have done for which they ought to say sorry. They may have already said sorry, and found this difficult. Again examples from fiction could be used here. Saying sorry also implies that the person intends not to do this again, and if this is not the case then it is not real repentance. The idea of changing can also be discussed, but it is important that the lesson does not become too "heavy"; it is not intended that this should be a counselling session or confessional, but an opportunity for pupils to understand what Christians mean by repentance and the sort of things they might repent. The idea of self-denial as a way of putting selfishness behind you can also be talked about. Shrove Tuesday is, of course, Pancake Day, when traditionally rich foods such as fat and eggs will be enjoyed for the last time before Easter. The idea of giving something up for Lent is now not so common, and often people try to do something positive instead as a form of self-discipline, perhaps giving money to charity. Pupils could be asked to think what they could give up to benefit someone -else, or what they could do for others as part of being unselfish. Asking a Christian visitor what they are doing for Lent could also be very revealing - but be sure to consult them about this before you "put them on the spot"!

Make Lenten Nuns

This is an old French custom and is similar to the idea of an Advent calendar. A large picture of a nun is drawn with seven feet, all pointing the same way and is cut out and pinned to the wall. Her hands should be folded in prayer and she has no mouth to show that she is fasting. One foot is folded underneath to mark the passing of each week of Lent. She should be given a big smile when Easter arrives as she is able to eat again. The keeping of the fast, or the promises made about what should be done during Lent means people have to make a real effort to think about their faith and how they live it. The folding up of the feet should only be done if the fast has been kept faithfully during the week.