Something new for Lent!

Articles 2009

Lent is traditionally the time for prayer and fasting but, this year, why not give both of them a green twist!

Try a carbon fast!

A carbon fast means cutting down on energy so as to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that you release into the atmosphere. It is estimated that in the UK we emit 9.5 tons of carbon dioxide per person per year, but the earth can only sustain 0.8 tons per person. In Bangladesh the average for each person is only 0.24 tons and yet they are already suffering badly from floods that are the result of global warming. It's not fair!

Tearfund's Carbon Fast Programme

The Tearfund booklets are available at the back of Church and come in 2 versions, the undated one will guide you through the fast with ideas for each day, the other is dated specifically for Lent 2009 and has ideas for one week only, the remainder can be downloaded from the internet. Alternatively, you could do a DIY fast keeping a check on yourself by reading your gas and electric meters and the milometer in your car week by week through Lent, and trying to get your consumption of fuels as low as possible.

"Caring for God's Creation: daily prayer for use in Lent"

This year we have produced small prayer booklets with a page for each day of the week. Each day follows the same pattern of scripture sentences, thanksgiving for the wonder of God's creation, penitence for our misuse of it, and concludes with a prayer for help in responding to the critical situation that our planet faces as carbon dioxide levels rise ever higher. You can use it in your private prayers or you can use it with the whole family together, perhaps at a meal, either each day or once each week.

Ann MacKeith

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