To celebrate Shrove Tuesday, we hosted a pancake party for our youth, blending fun with reflection. We played games, ate lots of pancakes and explored the meaning of Shrove.

The first activity illustrated how burdens slow us down. The young people raced while carrying a glass of water, then set the glass down before racing back, showing how much easier it is to run the race of life once we’ve set down our burdens. We discussed what kind of things might be weighting us down, and reflected on Hebrews 12:1-2, which encourages us to throw off the weights of burdens and sin so we can fully embrace the race God has planned for our lives.

Next, we discussed 1 Peter 5:6-7, emphasizing how being honest with God helps alleviate anxiety. I demonstrated “casting” burdens by throwing with exaggerated effort, leading to some humorous moments. This naturally transitioned into a game of dodgeball, symbolizing the physical act of casting away worries.

The final activity was a twist on Pictionary. Each team had a glass of coloured water, and with every correct answer we added clean water to the glass. The first team to have a clear glass won. This activity tied into our reflection on Isaiah 40:31, highlighting how trusting in God leads to renewal and strength.

We ended with lots of pancakes expertly made by our volunteer, Tom, and played many more of the young people’s favourite games. As I am new to my role here in Stapleford, this has been the first event that I have ran, and I have very much enjoyed seeing the young people have so much fun throughout the evening. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success.