JourneyOnline
FOR MANY people, the start of a new year provides time to reflect on life, get priorities in order, and begin life’s journey afresh.
The annual Assembly-run Lent Event will kick-start 2010 in the right direction starting 17 February.
With 199 Uniting Church congregations from Queensland signed up to take action against poverty it looks like being another strong year for Lent Event in Queensland.
During Lent, participants are asked to reduce their consumption by eliminating non-essentials (such as coffee, snacks, fast food or newspapers) and donate the money saved to aid life-giving projects, thereby challenging themselves spiritually rather than straining themselves financially.
Individuals and faith communities are encouraged to support six of UnitingWorld’s vital projects through prayer, reflection, worship, Bible study and sacrifice.
To date, Lent Event has raised $1.3 million which has provided vital clean water, education, employment, healthcare and childcare in East Timor, Papua New Guinea, South India, Solomon Islands, Sudan and Zambia. These provisions mean life is no longer the same for people such as Maureen from the Solomon Islands.
Maureen is the Nurse in charge of the Rural Health Centre in the remote village of Buni in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands and is responsible for the care of over 20,000 people.
Her training and appointment to this region would not have been possible without the funds provided by UnitingWorld.
By training and providing employment and supplies for Maureen, UnitingWorld has changed the lives of thousands in the Solomon Islands.
Lent Event is ready to provide resources including Bible studies, youth studies, children’s materials and worship resources as well as a promotional pack.
For more information contact the Lent Event office on 1300 536 838 or visit the website here.
Photo : Solomon Islands nurse Maureen works with assistance from the Lent Event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Mullan and UnitingWorld
