Lenten Resources 2010

A focus on CEPAD. 

CWS’s Nicaraguan partner, CEPAD, is a focus for the Nelson Diocesan’s Lenten Challenge. CWS partner, CEPAD, the Council of Protestant Churches in Nicaragua lives out the message of transformation as it helps poorer communities build the skills and resources they need to improve their situation.   Download more information

 

Cries of Anguish to Stories of Hope

A weekly resource looking at the way women around the world are struggling against violence.  The first study, including background information, biblical reflection and prayers features CWS South Indian partner and is available from the Decade to Overcome Violence website. The study can be followed by individuals or groups and all resources are downloadable.

 

Seven Weeks for Water 2010: Holy Water

Make Lent a time to promote water justice and water as a human right. The Ecumencial Water Network is providing weekly meditations for the seven weeks of Lent are a way of trying to raise awareness of water and justice around World Water Day on 22 March. Each week during Lent a short biblical meditation will be posted on their website along with some campaigning links and ideas. 

 

CWS has also produced material for World Water Day for Sunday 21 March.  They are available here.

 

Fast for Life!

Ash Wednesday observance: The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance of which CWS is a member is inviting people to fast on Ash Wednesday.  The 17 February "Fast for Life" is a time to reflect on our own consumption and commit to doing what we can to contribute to global food security.  It may be either an individual or group action.

More than one billion people are suffering from hunger around the world. Despite the goodness and bounty of God's gifts to us in creation, so many people experience scarcity: famine, hunger, deprivation and want. At the same time, there are people in all parts of the world who suffer the effects of "too much": too much salt, sugar, fat, calories. These are all dimensions of the unsustainable consumption of food. Our individual decisions, as well as collective ones, have increased the divide between the haves and the have nots. As a global society, our sense of balance and right relations is further strained.

You can join in: 
i) Fast from food as a symbolic gesture in solidarity with people living with hunger.
ii) Fast from fossil fuels - park 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 for hunger and over-consumption in this world.
v) Share your resources on food consumption, reflections and prayers on Facebook. See the CWS facebook page for more info. 

 

Resources for worship, study and action are available from the EAA and the Presbyterian Church of USA has prepared guidelines on fasting.