"I used to work as a domestic. Now with my own fruit trees I will be able to depend on my own work and not on people outside. I don’t want to depend on other people. I want to depend on myself"

— Sorroco Sanchez

You are here: Home › 17 February Ash Wednesday - Fast for Life!
17/02/2010 - 09:29
Etc/GMT

 

CWS is supporting the "Fast for Life" on Ash Wednesday, 17 February organised by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.  It is a time to reflect on our own consumption and commit to doing what we can to contribute to global food security.

People of faith are encouraged to use the day for prayer and reflection, considering the way food is shared in our world.  With more than one billion people living with hunger on a daily basis and others suffering from "too much": too much salt, sugar, fat, calories, there is much need for change. The right to food is affirmed each time we pray "Give us our daily bread".

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults. Let's take this opportunity to fast from food, fossil fuels and over-consumption as a symbolic gesture of support for people living with hunger and malnourishment. 

What can you do?
i) Fast from food as a symbolic gesture in solidarity with people living with hunger.
ii) Fast from fossil fuels by parking your car and walk, ride a bike, or take public transport to help reduce greenhouse gases.
iii) Fast from over-consumption by leaving your wallet at home and commit to 'buy nothing' on 17 February.
iv) Organize a worship service on Ash Wednesday to reflect on the inequalities that allow both hunger and over-consumption in this world.
v) Share your resources on food consumption, reflections and prayers on Facebook on the Food for Life Campaign page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Food-for-Life-Campaign-Ecumenical-Advocacy-Alliance/226013162921?ref=search&sid=575974301.1830019723..1&v=wall or send an email reporting your actions to the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance at amunzara@e-alliance.ch

Resources for worship, study and action are available at :
http://www.e-alliance.ch/en/s/food/sustainable-consumption/

Guidelines on fasting can be found at:

http://www.pcusa.org/hunger/downloads/fasting101.pdf