[Leenie]

Hi All,

Next Wednesday, March 5th is Ash Wednesday, the start of 40 days and 40 nights of giving up something for Lent.

I thought this would be a great Challenge for us and it couldn't have come at a better time, I am SOOO out of control.

If you'd like to join me in giving up something please jump in.

1. I am going to give up snacking at night and
2. I am going to measure all that I put in my body

I am going to start this today but when Wednesday comes, I will be even more determined.

Good Luck All !!

Leenie

[LindaT]

This is a neat idea Leens. Now what to give up.... I'll have to think about this and come back and edit this post.

If you haven't ever been to an Ash Wednesday service at church, I highly recommend it. It can also serve as a symbolic commitment to begin the challenge.

[liz321]

I don't give something up for lent...but instead use it as an opportunity to "do" something...as kids we were encouraged to give up TV, Candy, junkfood etc.....would like to move it to a different level..... so for me I am going to try and be positive in thought and word and do some form of exercise everyday...even if it is just taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work.

Eliz

[Kempyd]

I think I am with Liz on this one. I am not catholic so we never did anything for lent. I will add exercise to my day everyday. I have been slacking on this for awhile now.

[LindaT]

A Lenten Fast from Violence 2003 from the World Council of Churches

As United States Christians, we recognize our cultural addiction to violence is, first of all a spiritual challenge.

Lent 2003 provides an opportunity for all churches to respond together to this challenge.

During Lent 2003, Christians from all traditions are invited to enter into this special period with a focus on the growing violence in our world and the need for peace and reconciliation.

This year during Lent (March 5 - April 20, western traditions, March 10- April 27, Orthodox traditions) - in the spirit of the Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches Seeking Peace and Reconciliation (2001-2010)

US Member churches of the World Council of Churches invite all Christian to a Lenten Fast from Violence.

In most Christian traditions - Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican and several Protestant traditions -Christians undertake three spiritual disciplines

Prayer
Fasting
Charitable Giving

1) Pray the prayer of St. Francis daily during Lent:
"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in the giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen."

Why the prayer of St. Francis? You are invited to add your prayers for reconciliation to the cherished petition of St. Francis. Christians have prayed it for centuries and it offers the possibility for all people to open themselves to becoming instruments of peace.



2) Fast from violence, abstain from ways in which we consume and support violence, individually and communally, for the Lenten period.

What kind of fast? You are invited, as an individual Christian in Christian community, to examine your life and choose a fast that has meaning to you and your community. Some examples of violence from which you might fast: violent TV shows, movies, video games, toys that glorify violence or war, music with violent lyrics, taxes that pay for war, products manufactured in sweat shops by child labor, financial investment in companies that produce violence. For more ideas, see http://www.ecumenisnow.org


3) Give to those efforts that address the causes and consequences of violence and that support peace and reconciliation.

What kind of giving? You are invited to give over and above your regular offerings to support the work of peacemaking and reconciliation. Where fasting from violence results in saving money, consider using that money to support programs and efforts that address the causes of violence, alleviate its consequences or work for peace and reconciliation. Consider using the time saved to volunteer to help with peace projects in your church and community.

[Autumn S]

I am not catholic either but I'll give up my candy addiction. I always save enough calories at the end of the day for some candy 40 days such a long long time without candy

[Leenie]

TODAY'S THE DAY !!!

THE CHALLENGE BEGINS, COME ON EVERYONE, WE CAN DO THIS.

Pssssst... by the way, you don't have to be Catholic to celebrate Ash Wednesday/Lent, this is a Christian Tradition, which means, Methodist, Lutheran, any denomination