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Having grown up Mormon, I was unfamiliar with liturgical traditions such as Lent until I attended a Methodist church. My girls and I actually enjoy participating in Lenten traditions, and I was wondering if anyone here participates in them, as well.

Lent begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, marking forty days until Easter. During Lent, my girls and I choose to give up one or more things that are frivolous, such as soda and trips to the ice cream shop. Then, we take the time or money we'd have spent on such things and donate them to the poor. We usually add a bit extra in there, too. That's just our tradition. Lenten traditions vary widely, but generally, the goal is the same: to deny oneself and give more to others.

Today is Shrove Tuesday. It's tradition to eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. In most parts of the West, it's known as Fat Tuesday. We'll have pancakes and sausage for dinner tonight at my house and early in the morning, I'll take my girls to the Lutheran church just down the street for a before school Ash Wednesday service. We've done it a few years in a row now, and it's become our own little family tradition.

Perhaps it's just me, but I enjoy a more liturgical experience at church, and I really like unifying cultural traditions such as Lent. It's a shame many of the Mormons I know, (and Baptists, too, for that matter), know next to nothing about Lent and other Church traditions that are centuries old. To me, they're missing out.

Anyone else plan to observe Lent?

KA

Funny, but DD was talking about this last night. She said she mentioned in school that today was Fat Tuesday, and everyone looked at her like she was nuts. She tried to explain Lent, but all she got was a confused "you mean like dryer lint?"

She said that kids in her school think there's only two religions: Mormon and Jewish, and those are really close anyway. Of course, she has Jewish cousins, so she knows otherwise.

That's nice that you donate to the poor. Do you have to fill out a little slip for it? :)

Living in an area that is heavily Catholic I was not aware the Lutherans or any other protestant group did practiced Lent. Thought it was a Catholic thing.

I think liturgical things like this are terrific and wish the LDS Church did some things like this. I was able to get my ward to do Christmas eve services for five years. People loved it. Not all came but those who did found it very wonderful. It bugged me that all the other Christian Church's in town had beautiful Christmas eve services yet the LDS building was cold and dark. So when I was able I changed added this activity. Alas, when I no longer controlled this it was dropped the following year.

I think I am too pragmatic. Or maybe I just spent too much of my life harassed to the max by daily life.

We weren't big on ritual when I was growing up Baptist, so I guess I never got the hang of it.

Another church thing to do would just drive me nuts. I avoid virtually all church activities, from Relief Society enrichment activities to any meeting I can skip in favor of sleep. I attended our New Year's Eve party this year, but that was the first time in a long time, and only because I'd gotten roped into the planning committee. I avoid High Priest parties, Relief Society dinners, most ward dinners (I occasionally attend the adult dinner held in January... this year the food was mediocre, but the entertainment was first rate), and any activity that involves children. I have enough going on in my life that I don't need more fuss.

Jason Bourne wrote:Living in an area that is heavily Catholic I was not aware the Lutherans or any other protestant group did practiced Lent. Thought it was a Catholic thing.

I think liturgical things like this are terrific and wish the LDS Church did some things like this. I was able to get my ward to do Christmas eve services for five years. People loved it. Not all came but those who did found it very wonderful. It bugged me that all the other Christian Church's in town had beautiful Christmas eve services yet the LDS building was cold and dark. So when I was able I changed added this activity. Alas, when I no longer controlled this it was dropped the following year.

Given that the LDS church bombards a family with meetings each week – most families may like the actual break from one more meeting – even if it’s a Christmas themed one.

KimberlyAnn wrote: Anyone else plan to observe Lent?

Yes, around this time each year, I become very introspective and do the requisite navel gazing. That's when I usually observe lent.

I will be giving up all my free time to the horrors of term paper writing, and endless Latin assignments.

Observing Lent would be going backward for me. I suppose it did bring one blessing, the pre-Lent carnival. A sort of pagan celebration before everyone turns holy on Ash Wednesday.

Some Schmo wrote:

KimberlyAnn wrote: Anyone else plan to observe Lent?

Yes, around this time each year, I become very introspective and do the requisite navel gazing. That's when I usually observe lent.

If my body were a dryer, my belly button would be its sorry, broken lint trap. I've often heard of folks finding lint in their belly buttons, but never have I found so much as a scintilla of it in mine, much to my disappointment.

Perhaps it's furry man-bellies that trap lint the best? Tummy hair grabs the lint and shuffles it into the belly button where it is held hostage until one has the satisfaction of discovering it. Yes, that must be it.

And I thought the only benefit to being a man was peeing standing up!

KA

KimberlyAnn wrote: Perhaps it's furry man-bellies that trap lint the best? Tummy hair grabs the lint and shuffles it into the belly button where it is held hostage until one has the satisfaction of discovering it. Yes, that must be it.

And I thought the only benefit to being a man was peeing standing up!

KA

hehe

I'd never thought of it as an advantage, but I suppose I am saving a tiny bit of wear and tear on the old dryer.

;)