Fasting and feasting

THIS year the church season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 22. It lasts for 40 days, not counting Sundays, until Easter Sunday on April 9. Lent has been associated with the spiritual discipline of fasting. For some Christians, that means not eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and the other Fridays in between. Others choose to do without some special foods like chocolate or cakes for the whole 40 days. Others interpret ‘fasting’ as sacrificing something and giving money equivalent to the value to overseas aid projects or local charities helping the less fortunate. This fasting does have health benefits, but that isn’t the focus – rather it is a way to connect more closely with God and our neighbours. Fasting is a common practice for many religious groups and Christians adopted it from our Jewish ancestors. In recent weeks for churches using the international Common Lectionary, Bible readings like Micah 6 and Isaiah 58:1-12 exposed false religiosity and guided us towards the kind of fast that God wants: “Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear and do not refuse to help your own relatives… then when you pray, I will answer you. I will be with you to save you.”

Many Christians now use Lent as a focus on doing good – ‘paying it forward’ for others and remembering the difficult times Jesus experienced in the final weeks of his life. Some want to ‘do something caring’ rather than just ‘fasting’ from an optional item in their diet.

But feasting is also associated with the beginning and end of Lent. The day before Ash Wednesday in many cultures has a ‘feast’. In Latin America and some European countries, it is called ‘Carnivale’

with Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan Glasshouse Country Uniting Church

and features eating lots of meat and partying in the streets before the solemn time of Lent starts. In Britain, it is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, where the eggs and butter in the house are used up before Lent by making pancakes. Races with frying pans of pancakes are less common here, but the fun of eating pancakes together with church friends and neighbours – and sometimes using it as a fundraising activity for overseas aid or local charity work - continues to encourage Christians to focus on what God wants us to do. The final feast happens on Easter Sunday with more than just chocolate Easter eggs; special celebratory foods depending on your culture, and family gatherings proclaim with joy: Christ is risen! The fear of suffering and death has been overturned. Goodness and God win over evil and human manipulation of power. Love is stronger than hatred and fear. Come and join the feasting and fasting of this season, if not for your own sake, then for the sake of wider humanity around our world.

World Day of Prayer 2023

TAIWAN will be the country of focus this year for World Day of Prayer (WDP) on Friday, March 3. Local services will be held at the Uniting Church in Beerwah at 9.30am.

Believing that prayer and action link people together around the globe, organisers of the 2023 WDP are hoping people will be inspired to bring peace and reconciliation into the world by this year’s theme for contemplation and prayerful action - I have heard about your faith.

Attendees are invited to unite for one global theme of prayer that is celebrated in more than 170 countries, while also meeting others and gaining insight into the culture of a different country.

Following the service guests are invited to enjoy a fellowship morning tea and refreshments. COVID Safe requirements will be in place at all locations.

To find out more about World Day of Prayer visit www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org

This year’s World Day of Prayer will be held on Friday, March 3, with the 2023 order of service compiled by the World Day of Prayer committee of Vanuatu. Locally hosted services will be held at St Mary’s Anglican Church Montville at 10am, St George’s Anglican Church Maleny at 9.30am and Glasshouse Country Baptist Church Beerwah at 9.30am.

GLASSHOUSE COUNTRY CALVARY CONGREGATION

You are most WELCOME to join us

9.00am each Sunday Reed Street, Glasshouse Mtns (next to RSL) Sunday School, Women’s Fellowship, Bible Study

Contact: 5439 9341 or 5496 9671 www.glasshousemountains.lutheran.org.au

BEERWAH CHURCH 27 Beerwah Parade

Sundays 9 30am & Kids Church

Arise Youth: Fri 7pm (grade: 7-12 | term time)

E: wecare@cotr.org.au W: churchontherise.org.au

MALENY CHURCH Maleny Sports Park, via Porter’s Lane

Sundays 9 30am & Kids Church

E: info@cotrmaleny.org W: cotrmaleny.org

Glasshouse Country Uniting Church

29 Twin Peaks Drive, Beerwah

Come and worship with us

Beerwah – Sunday 8.30am

Peachester Community Church –last Sunday of the month 5.30pm

Minister: Rev Dr Elizabeth Nolan Ph. 0448 358 774 Email: churchgcuc@gmail.com

Catholic Weekend Masses

Saturday 5pm: Peachester Rd, Beerwah

Sunday 7am: Caloundra St, Landsborough

Sunday 9am: 45 Cedar Street, Maleny Ph: 5430 9390 9am to 1pm Mon-Fri www.caloundracatholicparish.net