An Indian Journey through Lent, Day 22
“And now,” in the phrase made famous by Monty Python, “for something completely different”, but something which for me is core business, even more important than the relationships between women and men.
A couple of months ago The Rev’d Dr Rachel Mash introduced herself to me. Rachel, a priest in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, has an impressive resumé, with a PhD in family medicine, an MTh in Theology and decade-long stints in Anglican parish ministry and coordinating an AIDS project. For the past year she has been the Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa's Environmental Network, covering the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Angola and Mozambique. She is also a member of the steering committee of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, also called “Green Anglicans”. Rachel sought me out because we have similar ecotheological interests and work contexts. I am just starting to do in northern India the sorts of things she is underway with in southern Africa. And although the Church of North India is a “union denomination”, made up of a number of antecedents, in Amritsar Diocese it has a very Anglican character.
Following a Skype conversation we agreed to share material. I’ve already sent her material I’ve used to teach courses in ecotheology in Australia. What I wish to share with you comes from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network’s “Carbon Fast 2014” that Rachel is promoting in southern Africa, and that is being used right now across the whole Anglican Communion. I’ll let the words of the brochure explain what this is about.
*What is a carbon fast for Lent?*
For Anglicans, Lent is the time when we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing challenge and temptation. It is a time when we reflect on God’s purpose for our life. Many Anglicans take this opportunity to fast from coffee, alcohol or chocolates. But this year our challenge is deeper, to take a carbon fast – to reduce the use of carbon based fuels on which we all depend. We will take small steps for a more sustainable world, and by doing so rediscover a different relationship with God, with Creation and with one another. **Because I can change the world a little in 40 days, but I can change myself a lot!**
*How do I take a carbon fast?*
From Ash Wednesday, 5 March, to 12 April is a time of reflection and action. Each week has a theme with a prayer, a resource to read or watch, actions to take as an individual, some suggestions of community actions you can take and something you can consider doing to change the system. **“Love the earth just as much as God does...” - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu**
*Weekly Themes:* Week 1: Stuff,
Week 2: Water
Week 3: Energy and Mobility
Week 4: Food Production
Week 5: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…and Fix!
Because I’m picking up on this over half way through there’ll be some catching up. But “it’s all good” as they say these days. Use this material or not as you see fit. Here goes:
*WELCOME TO LENT 2014*
LET’S GET STARTED... Ash Wednesday, 5 March
We’re glad that you are joining us on a path less travelled towards a carbon-light lifestyle and outlook.
Prayer to start on the road less travelled: Gracious Lord, as we fast from carbon, we mourn the destruction of so much of your creation. May we take up the challenge to walk the path less travelled, to restore more of your creation than we destroy. Help us to act with love and care for all that you have created.
To start this 40-day fast, why not calculate your current carbon footprint?
Visit: http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/questionnaires/show/1/1/1/
This is a UK-specific calculator, so you will need to use a currency converter, e.g. http://www.xe.com/
currencyconverter/ to translate Pounds into your local currency. Please share your footprint on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GreenAnglicans/
SPREAD THE WORD: Thursday, 6 March
Tell a friend or family member that you are taking the Carbon Fast and encourage them to join you. If you are on Facebook, visit and like http://www.facebook.com/ GreenAnglicans/
FISH ON FRIDAY: Friday, 7 March
As a traditional food during Lent, fish is healthy. The production of fish creates a quarter as many carbon emissions as red meat. So, it is good for your family and for the world! Make this a Lenten habit—Fish on Friday.
ASSESSING YOUR FOOTPRINT: Saturday, 8 March
Look in your closet, where are your clothes made? Open your kitchen cupboard, look at the labels, where do they come from? Commit yourself to buying more local products, thus reducing air miles and creating jobs!
GREEN SUNDAYS: Sunday, 9 March
Look back over the year and how you use your Sundays: How much petrol do you use? How much do you spend? Commit yourself to simple Sundays during Lent—spending time with friends and family, simpler food, less travel, enjoying God’s creation.
“And now,” in the phrase made famous by Monty Python, “for something completely different”, but something which for me is core business, even more important than the relationships between women and men.
A couple of months ago The Rev’d Dr Rachel Mash introduced herself to me. Rachel, a priest in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, has an impressive resumé, with a PhD in family medicine, an MTh in Theology and decade-long stints in Anglican parish ministry and coordinating an AIDS project. For the past year she has been the Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa's Environmental Network, covering the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Angola and Mozambique. She is also a member of the steering committee of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, also called “Green Anglicans”. Rachel sought me out because we have similar ecotheological interests and work contexts. I am just starting to do in northern India the sorts of things she is underway with in southern Africa. And although the Church of North India is a “union denomination”, made up of a number of antecedents, in Amritsar Diocese it has a very Anglican character.
Following a Skype conversation we agreed to share material. I’ve already sent her material I’ve used to teach courses in ecotheology in Australia. What I wish to share with you comes from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network’s “Carbon Fast 2014” that Rachel is promoting in southern Africa, and that is being used right now across the whole Anglican Communion. I’ll let the words of the brochure explain what this is about.
*What is a carbon fast for Lent?*
For Anglicans, Lent is the time when we remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness, facing challenge and temptation. It is a time when we reflect on God’s purpose for our life. Many Anglicans take this opportunity to fast from coffee, alcohol or chocolates. But this year our challenge is deeper, to take a carbon fast – to reduce the use of carbon based fuels on which we all depend. We will take small steps for a more sustainable world, and by doing so rediscover a different relationship with God, with Creation and with one another. **Because I can change the world a little in 40 days, but I can change myself a lot!**
*How do I take a carbon fast?*
From Ash Wednesday, 5 March, to 12 April is a time of reflection and action. Each week has a theme with a prayer, a resource to read or watch, actions to take as an individual, some suggestions of community actions you can take and something you can consider doing to change the system. **“Love the earth just as much as God does...” - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu**
*Weekly Themes:* Week 1: Stuff,
Week 2: Water
Week 3: Energy and Mobility
Week 4: Food Production
Week 5: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…and Fix!
Because I’m picking up on this over half way through there’ll be some catching up. But “it’s all good” as they say these days. Use this material or not as you see fit. Here goes:
*WELCOME TO LENT 2014*
LET’S GET STARTED... Ash Wednesday, 5 March
We’re glad that you are joining us on a path less travelled towards a carbon-light lifestyle and outlook.
Prayer to start on the road less travelled: Gracious Lord, as we fast from carbon, we mourn the destruction of so much of your creation. May we take up the challenge to walk the path less travelled, to restore more of your creation than we destroy. Help us to act with love and care for all that you have created.
To start this 40-day fast, why not calculate your current carbon footprint?
Visit: http://footprint.wwf.org.uk/questionnaires/show/1/1/1/
This is a UK-specific calculator, so you will need to use a currency converter, e.g. http://www.xe.com/
currencyconverter/ to translate Pounds into your local currency. Please share your footprint on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GreenAnglicans/
SPREAD THE WORD: Thursday, 6 March
Tell a friend or family member that you are taking the Carbon Fast and encourage them to join you. If you are on Facebook, visit and like http://www.facebook.com/ GreenAnglicans/
FISH ON FRIDAY: Friday, 7 March
As a traditional food during Lent, fish is healthy. The production of fish creates a quarter as many carbon emissions as red meat. So, it is good for your family and for the world! Make this a Lenten habit—Fish on Friday.
ASSESSING YOUR FOOTPRINT: Saturday, 8 March
Look in your closet, where are your clothes made? Open your kitchen cupboard, look at the labels, where do they come from? Commit yourself to buying more local products, thus reducing air miles and creating jobs!
GREEN SUNDAYS: Sunday, 9 March
Look back over the year and how you use your Sundays: How much petrol do you use? How much do you spend? Commit yourself to simple Sundays during Lent—spending time with friends and family, simpler food, less travel, enjoying God’s creation.
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