#LiveLent 2022 church resources: Embracing Justice

This year, we are remembering the cry of the Prophet Isaiah: ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice?’

Live Lent: Embracing Justice is the Church of England’s theme for Lent 2022. It invites us to examine our own lives truthfully, to see the world more deeply and to pray – for the church and the world far and near – that ‘justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream’ (Amos 4.24).

Both the Archbishop of Canterbury’s 2022 Lent Book, Embracing Justice (SPCK), and the daily reflections booklet for adults (CHP) have been written by Isabelle Hamley.

• The adults' edition offers a daily Bible reading, a short reflection and a prayer, as well as a practical challenge for each day of Lent. Each week follows a different thread through the many stories of justice in the Bible to explore how God works with humanity to bring justice, wholeness and salvation to all.
• The kids' edition provides a fun daily action to help children and their families explore how we can live well together, as well as a weekly reading and prayer.
• The book and booklets will be accompanied by daily social media posts from Ash Wednesday (2 March) to Easter Day (17 April). 

This will be supported by a wide range of free digital resources for individuals, groups and churches available via the Church of England website.

Visit this page to sign up to our reflection emails.

Labours of Love

This is a flexible downloadable resource for running a Lent course locally.   It is designed to support small groups who want to reach out with kindness and partnership in their local community and is ideal to include people exploring faith.  The bible-based discussions are fun and help participants to make the link between practical service in their community and living faith.  Supported by St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the Lightwave Community, this course also draws on ancient Benedictine wisdom on how prayer and work are important in forming a Christian rhythm of life.  Download and enjoy at www.light-wave.org/lent

Living Faith Series

For more infomration about these courses please email Ruth Dennigan our Discipleship and Ministry Development Officer.

Local events and courses

Radical Living: St Edmundsbury Lent Series
Starting Wednesday 16 March, 7.00pm - 8.00pm throughout Lent
Zoom

Following the success of the Cathedral’s Lent series ‘Radical Faith, extraordinary lives for challenging times’ the Cathedral will be holding another series of Lent Talks ‘Radical Living, Christians and the Environmental Crisis.’ The talks will be held on Zoom and each week a new speaker will look at the environmental challenges of today from a different perspective. Details are currently being finalised. If you would like more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Canon Michael Robinson on michael.robinson@cofesuffolk.org.

A Lenten Journey in Art
Tuesday 1 March 2022 10.30am – 12.30pm
Learning Hub, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1LS

Led by Sarah Gull and Louise Martin, you are welcome to join this six-week art workshop to develop your own spiritual expression in art, exploring:

• your own blocks to artistic practice
• opportunities for art as spiritual and Christian practice
• produce an individual project on the idea of ‘journey’

This course is free, please book early as places are limited. Book by emailing kim.judge@stedscathedral.org.

Churches Together in Felixstowe - Lent Course
Starting 27 February 2022
A five week course based on the award winning film 'The theory of everything'.  For full dates and locations please visit the website page here.

The Parables of Jesus - Lent Course
Begins Tuesday 8 March
A five week Lent course hosted by St Michael's church in Framlingham.  Available on Zoom, please visit here for details

The Church Army Lent Resource

This has been designed to give you, your small group and your church space and time each day throughout Lent to listen to God, reflect on the Bible, and see how and where you can listen to His leading in your actions and attitudes. Each pack contains 40 beautiful cards divided into Action Cards, Character Cards, and Reflection Cards and Marks of Mission Cards.

Available as both free email reflections or as a stunning pack of cards from churcharmy.org/lent

Children in the Shadows

Over the last couple of years, The Clewer Initiative has produced a Lent Resource which has been widely used by churches and individuals. This year, they are focusing on children and modern slavery.  Children in the Shadows is a five-week interactive resource for Lent that will help us consider the various forms of child exploitation, the scale of the abuse, and the need for us all to increase our awareness and effective response.  Full details available here.

Fundraising

Christian Aid fundraiser

The Christian Aid Lent fundraiser is 'Walking humbly with our God'. In partnership with Ecocongregation Scotland, the Quakers, Young Christian Climate Network, the Church of Scotland and Operation Noah* we will work out what it looks like to walk humbly with our God as we continue giving, acting and praying for climate justice.  Starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Sunday, a weekly podcast (with transcript) will be available for streaming or download, along with questions for reflection and small group discussion.  To find out about ongoing prayer and worship resources please follow the link.

Christian Aid | Weblink

Wateraid fundraiser

By giving something up for Lent and donating the money you save, you can give people the gift of clean water – and with it, the power to keep their families safe and healthy.

WaterAid’s Jar of Change Lent Appeal is inviting churches across the UK to join the appeal and bring clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene to other communities around the world. Congregations can sign up for a free resource pack to get involved, as well as learn about WaterAid’s work and the global water crisis.

Wateraid | Weblink

Further information

Lent | Weblink