As you read this comment you’ll be a few days into your Lenten Observances. For many years these were and still are invariably focussed on things that you ‘gave up’. For many people ‘giving up’ things they enjoyed such as chocolate, sweets or alcohol were the go-to acts of denial. However in more recent times its become acceptable to carry out ‘positive acts’ as well. With this in mind I’ve compiled a list of suggested ‘Eco’ themed acts of observance. You might do some of them already in which case give yourself a pat on the back and choose another one instead.
These could be considered for daily acts …
- Pray for the world and all aspects of creation.
- Pray for all world leaders and those in authority with the power to make decisions that affect our world.
- Pray that they will protect the world’s limited resources.
- Pray that they have the wisdom to recognise the interdependence of creation and all living things from plants to insects to animals to humankind. We all need each other.
- Pray that monetary gain is not put above the wellbeing of the planet.
- Pray for our cathedral on its journey towards the A Rocha Silver Award.
- Read a book about the environment. Two to consider are: ‘Wild Bright Hope’ SPCK or ‘Let the Light Pour In’ by Lemn Sissay.
These could be considered for weekly acts…
- Take part in a Lent Course with an environmental focus. A Rocha UK has a Virtual Lent Book Club reading ‘The Whole Easter Story’ by Jo Swinney. Please note that the online sessions with this are also on a Wednesday so clash with the online Lent Meditations being given by Wakefield Cathedral. You could still read the book though!
- Download the app ‘iNaturalist’ on to your phone and come and sit for an hour in the cathedral grounds and watch for wildlife.
- Donate 10 items (each week) to a Food Bank/Pantry. (40 in total)
- Take 10 items (each week) to the charity shop. (40 in total)
- Buy loose fruit and vegetables. Say no to extraneous plastics.
- Buy British and/or look for products with the lowest carbon footprint. For example, Holland is closer than Kenya or Peru. (Fairtrade items are not included in this.)
- Increase the number of meat free days, or if you’re already eating as a vegetarian try a ‘vegan’ day or two instead.
- Cut out processed foods. Cook from fresh ingredients.
- Grow your own … micro greens are possibly the easiest, salad leaves are also easy. Mushrooms are possible with a kit.
- Start a compost bin/make your own mulch/start a wormery. There are several easy to follow instructions on the internet.
One-off actions or as often as possible …
- Get a grabber and do a litter pick on the way to work or the shops or when you’re out for a walk.
- Think before you get in the car. Could you use public transport or walk? If you have to use the car is it possible to offer someone else a lift/car share?
- Join the Eco Gardeners at the cathedral.
- Make or buy a bat box either for your own garden or to give to the cathedral Eco Group. We’re trying to encourage wildlife in all it’s forms.
- Buy a ticket for the Eco group film showing of ‘Six inches of Soil’ on April 9th in the cathedral at 7pm. £5 including refreshments.
- Sign up to the free A Rocha webinar on Eventbrite – ‘The Green heart of Mission’ on the 11th March, 2-3pm with Paul Kunert, author of Jesus died to save the planet’.
- Find out about local or national environmental groups. Could you join any of them?
- Look up the environmental credentials of your bank on www.switchit.com Are they transparent in their green credentials or guilty of greenwashing?
- Do you use eco and/or recyclable cleaning/household products? If not, investigate available environmentally friendly alternatives. Washing up liquid, washing powder/sheets, toilet paper etc.
- Sign a petition to raise awareness of environmental/wildlife issues. There are lots of them.
You can probably think of many more options but I feel this list gives a flavour of how your Lent could make a difference to our world.
Susan Morgan
Eco Group
