It’s time again to gather up family and friends for the annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper, Tuesday, February 25, 5-7 p.m., at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville. As always, the menu features melt-in-your-mouth, from-scratch pancakes made with fresh eggs, buttermilk, butter, and special flour. Along with the pancakes are local Bitter Creek extra lean handmade sausages, warm maple syrup, apple sauce, orange juice, coffee and tea. Gluten free pancakes on request. The price is $6.00 for ages 12 and older, $3.00 for 11 and younger.

Since its inception, Good Shepherd has observed this ancient tradition of eating pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday in order to clear the larder of milk, fat, and meat before fasting begins. For the past 20 years the proceeds have gone to benefit children and youth ministries of Sunday School, Order of St. George, Brotherhood of the Fire and other outreach ministries to young people in the community.

The event is sponsored by the young people who attend the Order of Saint George weekly prayer breakfasts. Many of the youths who served over the past 20 years now have children of their own serving tables. According to Turner Guidry, “The youth love doing this ... they get such positive praise from the ‘customers’ at their designated tables and they feel like stakeholders in our ministries. We have Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Church of God, and of course, Episcopal youths helping.”

Like a well-oiled machine, the kitchen and able servers cheerfully distribute as many as 600 pancakes to loyal clientele from many churches who regularly show up for the supper. You can be among them! To get to Good Shepherd, drive about one mile east of Walgreens Drugs on Hwy 64 to 495 Herbert Hills Drive. For details about the many programs available at the church, see the website: www.goodshepherdhayesville.org

By the way, the word Shrove comes from the word Shrive which means to be forgiven of our sins through confession, a part of one’s preparation for Easter. Good Shepherd offers Holy Eucharist at noon on Ash Wednesday February 26th with the penitential Imposition of Ashes. All are welcome.

Photo: Braden Bethel, Bronte Bingham, and Daxon Bingham serve pancakes to appreciative customers at the Annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church.