Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent 2019 is on Wednesday 6th March.
A reflection a week
Sustainable preaching is for people who are preaching, praying or simply wanting to reflect on Sunday’s lectionary readings. Each week a different writer reflects on the principal Sunday readings from the Revised Common Lectionary through the lens of God’s passionate love for the world and its people.
The reflection on the Transfiguration for March 3rd was written by Elizabeth Perry from the Anglican Alliance and Rachel Mash from GREEN Anglicans has written the reflection for March 10th.
It’s not just for Lent. Anglicans from across the Communion will also be contributing to the rest of March, April, July, August, November and December.
A challenge a day
St Michael’s Without Bath has set a challenge a day throughout Lent which they are calling Eco-Lent. All the challenges are related to reducing our personal impact on our beautiful planet and are achievable on the day. There’s even one that involves chocolate! Take a look on St Michael’s Without Facebook page.
The wider Bath & Wells Diocese has a Bishops’ Lent Challenge 2019 “Living Well in God’s World”. It aims to help us think about what our Christian faith says about how we live and how we care for creation. You can sign up for bite-sized inspiration direct to your inbox throughout Lent; download challenge packs for individuals, children & families or schools to plan out your challenge; and check out recommended further reading, resources, bible studies or courses.
Living Lent is about recognising that changing our climate is not just an activity, but a lifestyle. This Lent, you are invited to become part of a community who will respond to the call to climate action by making significant personal commitments to changing our lifestyles for the climate. The Living Lent community will share in this together, encouraging and challenging one another on the journey through Lent.
20th March is the Spring Equinox. Get out there and celebrate God’s Creation and new growth. Take a prayer walk in the local park or woods. Be still for a moment and let your senses take over.
22nd March is World Water Day. Sustainable Development Goal 6 is crystal clear: water for all by 2030. By definition, this means leaving no one behind. But today, billions of people are still living without safe water – their households, schools, workplaces, farms and factories struggling to survive and thrive. World Water Day 2019 is about tackling the water crisis by addressing the reasons why so many people are being left behind. Why not have a water-themed church service?
30th March is the date of Earth Hour 2019, which will be from 8.30-9.30pm in the UK. All over the world people will be switching off lights as a visual display of their commitment. Every year millions of us in the UK take part in Earth Hour. By making pledges to help our planet, and by being part of a movement of hundreds of millions more around the globe, we can show we’re fighting for our world.
Action for the future
Join #YouthStrike4Climate in the global action day on #March15, alongside thousands upon thousands of students and young people in countries around the world. Check on social media to find an event near you.
You can also join peaceful direct action initiatives like Extinction Rebellion.
Only 40 MPs out of 650 showed up to the Parliament debate on 28 February inspired by the school strike on Friday 15 February. Many councils are debating climate change and climate emergency at the moment. Write to your MP and councillors to encourage them to address the most urgent and important issue facing us at this time.
Sign your church up to the Easter Declaration for Fossil Free Churches. Operation Noah has launched the next joint divestment campaign and is planning an announcement for local churches on Easter Tuesday, 23rd April. Could you church join them? Read here to find out how you can get involved.
