A very ignorant question.

[GentleOtter]

I am completely in the dark about the Easter traditions that many of you hold plus some of the terminology.
I was raised to follow the Church of Scotland (lapsed big time) and while Easter was celebrated, Lent etc was never really explained or indeed, celebrated.

Can anyone give me a brief explaination of the various stages that are celebrated and are they mainly a C of E practice.

Stupid question but is Easter this Sunday? It seems awfully early.

You're right I feel that too but funnily enough our Minister has written an article this month about the fact that we don't do Lent & questioning why. As he says if it is a time of reflection & renewal for Christians there is no real reason why we shouldn't observe it. I am doing so on my own but feel it would be more special to be part of it as a whole Church.

Interesting, GentleOtter.

I was brought up in the Church of Scotland, but now live in SE England and go to a Methodist Church. I've been finding out a lot more about the shape of the Church Year - including Lent and Advent being times of preparation for major festivals.

I must say that I like the rhythm of it - different things going on at different times, linking with the changing seasons etc. I think the CofS has lost something by having so much less emphasis on it.

And I think PregnantHedgeWitch's summary is absolutely spot-on.