The Bishop of Hereford has sent a letter to all churches in the Diocese of Hereford with some ‘concrete suggestions’ for how to mark Lent, the six week period leading up to Easter Day. Traditionally, Church Goers used to fast and in the recent past they have given up favourites such as chocolate or sweets or biscuits for the period.

“When some of us were young, we were taught to “give things up” for Lent. That still has its place as part of our self discipline,” said Bishop Anthony Priddis. “However, the best way of giving things up for Lent is also to couple it with taking up new things for Christ. “

The Bishop suggests that making some time each day for prayer is a good idea or reading the Gospel story of the journey of Jesus to the cross in the Bible. He also suggests attending Church worship for every one of the six Sundays in Lent.

“Look at the different areas of your life, asking the Holy Spirit to help you see yourself more as you are, and reflect also on the balance or lack of balance in your life,” said Bishop Anthony. "Give generously of time, abilities and money and do some act of kindness and care for others.”

He also suggests that people might think about caring for creation and asking themselves how they can be greener. He also suggests that fasting, giving up food which might be a whole meal or a regular treat such as a daily chocolate bar, should be coupled with giving away the money saved by the action and using any time saved for further prayer.

We can learn to say “No” more clearly to our own self-centredness, and “Yes” to our being Christ-centred, looking outwards to him and other people., the Bishop said before adding a pleas to people to support the Lent Appeal from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York for the people of Zimbabwe.

Anni Holden, Director of Communications
The Diocesan Office, The Palace, Hereford HR4 9BL
Tel: 01432 373342 mobile 07889 186316
a.holden@hereford.anglican.org
www.hereford.anglican.org